31/05/2026
How should the church Worship?
The Bible teaches that worship under the New Testament differs from worship under the Old Testament. Under the Law of Moses, God’s people worshiped through animal sacrifices, a physical priesthood, temple service, incense, and special feast days (Hebrews 9:1-10). These things were shadows pointing forward to Christ and His church.
When Christ established His church, the old covenant was fulfilled and replaced by the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13; Colossians 2:14-17). Therefore, Christians are not governed by Old Testament worship regulations but by the teaching of Christ and His apostles.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
The Lord’s church follows the worship pattern revealed in the New Testament. When the disciples assembled on the first day of the week, they engaged in five acts of worship.
1. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper was established by Jesus to remember His death on the cross.
The early church observed the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week, sharing from one cup and one loaf in unity.
Acts 20:7
“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…”
The bread represents Christ’s body
Fruit of the vine represents His blood
While the One cup represents the new covenant ( we only have one new covenant, the New Testament.
Matthew 26:26-29
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:19-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-29
2. Prayer
Prayer is an essential part of Christian worship. The church regularly prayed together when assembled.
We pray to God the father through His son Jesus Christ. John 14:6
The church approaches God directly through Christ, our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Acts 2:42
Acts 12:5
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Philippians 4:6
1 Thessalonians 5:17
3. Singing
The New Testament specifically authorizes singing in worship. Christians are instructed to praise God by singing and making melody in the heart:
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19).
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).
From this instruction, the emphasis is on vocal singing with the heart engaged, not the use of mechanical instruments in worship.
In the New Testament pattern, we see examples of singing, but we do not find any command, example, or apostolic teaching authorizing instruments such as piano, guitar, drums, trumpets, or any other mechanical additions in the worship of the church.
The principle followed in New Testament worship is simple: we do what God has commanded, and we remain within what He has authorized (Colossians 3:17). God has shown us what He wants in worship, and we do not add or remove from His instructions (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19 as a principle of respect for God’s word).
So in worship, we focus on what God has clearly directed, singing from the heart. We do not seek additional practices outside His revealed will, because silence in Scripture is not permission to add, but a call to remain faithful to what has been spoken.
A simple way to understand it is:
God has commanded singing; therefore we sing. We do not need to ask, “Has He forbidden instruments?” but rather, “Has He authorized them in worship?” And we find no such authorization in the New Testament pattern.
Thus, the church strives to worship in spirit and truth by staying within the teachings of Christ and His apostles (John 4:24).
Please consider:
Ephesians 5:19
Colossians 3:16
Hebrews 13:15
4. Teaching and Preaching God’s Word
The preaching and teaching of God’s Word is central to worship because faith comes from hearing God’s Word.
Acts 2:42
2 Timothy 4:2
Romans 10:17
Titus 2:1
The apostles devoted themselves to teaching, and the church continued steadfastly in apostolic doctrine.
We allow faithful men to preach sound doctrine. Women remain silent during the worship service. 2 Cor 14:34-35
5. Giving
Christians are instructed to give willingly and cheerfully to support the work of the church and help those in need.
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Acts 4:34-35
Philippians 4:15-18
1 Corinthians 16:2 teaches:
“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper…”
Giving is an act of worship offered from a willing heart.
These five acts form the worship pattern practiced by the first-century church. As brethren seeking to obey God, we strive to worship God according to the authority of Christ and the teaching of His apostles (Colossians 3:17), offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5).
If you want to know more about The Church of Christ and worship as God commanded, please do not hesitate to reach out to us through our contact information on our page.
God bless you all!
