Some Thoughts on Worship

By Buff Scott, Jr.

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     A number of brethren with a mutual concern to weaken the divisive barrier between us met at Neosho, Missouri, recently and discussed the question of whether or not the new covenant documents specify a pattern of worship for God's ecclesia. A congenial spirit on the part of all helped to create the atmosphere which is needed in meetings of this kind.

     I was one of the speakers, but I came away fully realizing that there were some questions which needed further study--not that such would place any kind of a serious strain on our efforts toward unity, nor that the cause of unity would receive a set-back should they not be settled, but that a further study and examination of them might possibly increase our knowledge of things divine as well as cause us to do some more thinking on the subject of worship.

     Singing, praying, partaking of the Lord's supper, etc., do not, of themselves, constitute worship. It is quite possible to perform all of these acts without worshiping--depending on the condition of the heart or the attitude of the spirit. These items are nothing more than acts or expressions of worship. Worship, or honorable devotion, takes place in the heart, not on the lips or by one's hands. However, it is rather difficult in most cases, but not in all cases, to separate the feeling of the heart from some act or outward expression. But it is not difficult to perform the act without experiencing the feeling or praise in the heart. Worship is wherever we are honoring God, and cannot be confined to a mere set of rigid formalities. Therefore, worship cannot be restricted to the public assembly of the saints. Jesus said that the time would come when worship would be anytime and the place would be where you are (John 4:21). He also spoke of worshiping God in spirit (John 4:23-24). This pertains to one's attitude--the condition of his heart.

     We are all aware, of course, that under Christ the outer man and things of an external nature are not emphasized nearly as much as they were emphasized under Moses. Under Christ, the inner man receives most of the emphasis. Under Moses, God specified every little detail, and there was no doubt as to there being a definite "pattern." I am not trying to infer that God was not specific when he inspired his servants to construct the material which grew out of the new covenant. What I am saying is that God has not gone into as much detail with regard to acts of worship or devotion in this age of freedom as he did under the age of bondage. In other words, God does not emphasize the externals now as he did then. This brings us to the innermost part of the matter:

     Must every act of devotion or worship be authorized by the new covenant records? If not, who has the right to say that my act of devotion is wrong? Or right? If every expression of worship, in or out of the public assembly, must be authorized, where is the scripture which

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authorizes me passing the fruit of the vine to my fellow saints? This would certainly be an "act of worship" (devotion), assuming it came from the heart. Is there a general principle which covers matters of this kind? And, if yes, why would not the same principle apply to playing an instrument? Could I count beads as an act of devotion or as an aid to worship so long as my heart is right? I am now wondering if any act of worship is wrong so long as no specific injunction is violated, such as using idols, etc. But again, does the use of an instrument de-emphasize the inner man and overly emphasize the outer man? If yes, do the "communion trays" overly emphasize the outer man?

     This is an open field, and I intend to give it some serious thought. Many of the old approaches have become obsolete.