Since the Bible teaches we must have
the authority of Christ for whatever we practice or teach
(Colossians 3:17), our worship services will be
conducted strictly in accordance with the Scriptural patterns set
forth in the New Testament. Jesus said, "They that worship
[God] must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).
To worship God "in spirit" means to
worship Him with the right attitude and motives. In other
words, the condition of the heart must be acceptable in our
worship. To worship God "in truth" means to worship Him
according to the Word of God, for Jesus said that the Word of God
was truth (John 17:17). In other words, all that we do in
worship to our God must be regulated by the truth, which is the Word
of God. Jesus said that the truth was knowable (John 8:32), but we must be willing to
diligently study God's Word to find it (2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:11, Matthew
7:7-8).
We must also be willing to receive the
truth with meekness (James 1:21). Indeed, Jesus expects us to
understand and follow the truth, for He promises indignation, wrath,
tribulation, anguish, a fiery vengeance, and everlasting
destruction for those who do not obey the truth
(Romans 2:8-9, 2 Thessalonians
1:8-9).
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