The term "act" in Romans 5:18 carries profound significance for understanding worship, as biblical lexicons reveal. Thayer defines it as "that which has been deemed right so as to have the force of law," and Friberg describes it as "of God's requirements, ordinance, regulation, commandment." The Greek word here is dikaioma, which in Romans 5:18 refers to Christ's "one act of righteousness" that brought justification. This same word appears elsewhere, such as in Luke 1:6, where Zacharias and Elizabeth are praised for keeping the Lord’s commandments and ordinances (dikaioma). This establishes that "acts" in Scripture often denote divinely decreed requirements, providing a strong scriptural basis for viewing the five acts of worship as mandated by God.
The Five Acts of Worship in Scripture
Although the phrase "five acts of worship" is not explicitly stated in the Bible, these acts are clearly commanded and exemplified in the New Testament, forming a pattern of worship that is not arbitrary but divinely ordained.
Preaching the Word
Command: "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2).
Example: Acts 20:7 records the early church gathering on the first day of the week to break bread and hear Paul preach. Despite his urgency to depart, Paul prioritized this assembly, underscoring its importance.
Why It’s Worship: Preaching glorifies God by proclaiming His truth. In 1 Corinthians 14:26, Paul notes that when the church assembles, everything, including prophecy (inspired teaching), is done for edification, which honors God.
The Lord’s Supper
Command: "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Example: Acts 20:7 shows the disciples meeting on the first day of the week to break bread, a clear reference to the Lord’s Supper in a worship setting.
Why It’s Worship: In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul calls the cup and bread a "participation" in Christ’s blood and body, making it a communal act of reverence and remembrance directed toward God.
Giving
Principle: "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Example: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 instructs the church to set aside a collection on the first day of the week, and Philippians 4:15 implies a church treasury, showing giving as a regular practice.
Why It’s Worship: Philippians 4:18 describes such gifts as "a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God," directly linking giving to worship.
Singing
Command: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" (Colossians 3:16; cf. Ephesians 5:19).
Example: Singing in the assembly is implied in 1 Corinthians 14:15, where Paul speaks of singing with spirit and mind in a corporate context.
Why It’s Worship: Singing is both praise to God and edification for one another, fulfilling a dual role as a worshipful act.
Prayer
Command: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Example: Corporate prayer is seen in Acts 2:42 (the church devoted to prayer) and Acts 12:5 (the church praying for Peter).
Why It’s Worship: Prayer is worship because it involves direct communication with God. In 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Paul urges prayers in the assembly, tying it to corporate worship.
Worship: Reverence and Obedience
Jesus teaches that worship must be "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), encompassing both heart and action. The Greek word proskuneo (to worship) often implies a physical act of reverence, like bowing, symbolizing submission to God. This aligns with 1 John 2:3-5, which ties knowing God to obedience, and Ecclesiastes 12:13, which calls fearing God and keeping His commandments the whole duty of man. Since assembling (Hebrews 10:25) and practicing these five acts are commanded, they are legitimate expressions of worship. Denying this contradicts the biblical call to obedience.
Assembly and Worship
The Christian assembly’s primary purpose is to glorify God. While edification is a key outcome (1 Corinthians 14:26), the acts performed: prayer, singing, the Lord’s Supper, giving, and preaching, are directed toward God, making them worship:
Prayer addresses God.
Singing praises Him.
The Lord’s Supper honors Christ’s sacrifice.
Giving offers to God.
Preaching exalts His word.
The early church assembled regularly on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2), and Paul refers to these gatherings as coming "together as a church" (1 Corinthians 11:18), indicating a formal worship setting. Thus, worship is not incidental but central to the assembly.
Understanding "Worship Service"
The phrase "worship service" may be modern, but its concept is biblical. The English term "service" aligns with religious devotion, and Scripture supports this through key Greek terms:
Latreia: In Romans 12:1, offering our bodies as a living sacrifice is our "spiritual worship" (latreia), a word tied to religious service (John 16:2; Hebrews 9:1,6).
Douleuo: Meaning "to serve," it implies submission in a religious context (Romans 12:11). Philippians 3:3 uses latreuo to say we "worship by the Spirit of God."
Whether called a "worship service" or "assembly of the saints," the gathering is a time to worship God through His commanded acts.
Addressing Counterarguments
Some might claim worship isn’t limited to these five acts or that the assembly is only for edification. However:
While worship extends beyond the assembly, these acts are specifically commanded for corporate settings (e.g., 1 Corinthians 11:20-22 for the Lord’s Supper).
Edification is vital (1 Corinthians 14:26), but the acts are inherently God-directed, singing praises, praying to Him, and giving offerings are worshipful by nature.
Historical evidence from early church fathers like Justin Martyr (First Apology) describes worship, including Scripture readings, sermons, prayers, and the Eucharist, mirroring these five acts and reinforcing their biblical basis.
Conclusion
The "worship service" is a valid, scripturally grounded concept. When we assemble, we fulfill the command to gather (Hebrews 10:25) and worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) through preaching, the Lord’s Supper, giving, singing, and prayer. These acts, rooted in divine commands and examples, are not just for edification but are central to glorifying God. Thus, calling our assembly a "worship service" is both reasonable and biblically supported, reflecting a pattern established in the New Testament.
Comments