Basic Principles of Worship
Basic Principles of Worship
As an introduction, we will briefly review the etymology of the word worship both in
the old as in the new testament.
Worship in the Old Testament. shajah (Hebrew) means to worship, to crouch down, to bow down.
to lean. This word is found in modern Hebrew with the meaning of 'to lean'
"to crouch". This term appears more than 170 times in the Old Testament. Shajah is the
term used to approach God in worship. (1 Samuel 15:25; Jeremiah 7:2)
Worship in the New Testament. In the New Testament, the meaning of worship becomes
much broader, it not only includes a posture of the body but also emphasizes above all
in an attitude that links will and heart. In the New Testament, the words used
for worship are:
Proskuneo - To bow down, to give obedience to, (from pros, towards, and kuneo, to kiss. Like a
dog licks its master's hand) John 4:24.
Sebonai - To revere, with a strong feeling of reverential fear, Matthew 15:9.
Latreuo - To serve, to render religious service, homage, Philippians 3:3.
Eusebeo - To act piously towards [Someone], Acts 17:23.
The expression of love, reverence, and heartfelt praise of the believer to God with an attitude of
recognition of his supremacy and lordship.
The ideal normal attitude of a rational creature in good relationship with the Creator.
But worshiping our Creator is far from being a simple concept, that is why
we continue to outline some basic principles that we are teaching and practicing in the
Ministry of Praise and Worship of our congregation.
WORSHIP IS RELATIONSHIP. - We must start by saying that Worship is Relationship, if we say that
we adore God, that necessarily means that we have an intimate relationship with Him. God
he has always wanted to have a relationship with a man. In Eden, the man conversed
directly with God, after the sin of Adam and Eve, the way to approach God was to
through the law, fulfilling the commandments and performing purification rituals like the
sacrifices.
Jesus Christ says that true worship comes from within, that is, from the spirit.
Let us remember that at the moment David was anointed as king by Samuel, when he was chosen from
Among his brothers, God chose him for what was in his heart, not for his appearance.
external. (1 Samuel 16:6-7)
The engine of our actions is our heart, and that is where it should come from.
our worship.
The instrument that pleases God during our worship is not the piano, the
Guitar or drums, they are our heart.
A worshiper is one who truly worships. - It does not refer to us worshiping him 'in
truth. Jesus Christ is the Truth, therefore true worship must always go through
Jesus. Hebrews 8:1-6 shows Jesus as the high priest and Paul in 1 Timothy 2:5 says that
Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. Another important aspect is that the Bible is
the 'Word of Truth'. Worshiping in Truth refers to obeying the word of God, following His
principles and rules and allow oneself to be shaped by them. In order to obey the words, it is necessary
to know the Word and therefore to read it and examine it (2 Timothy 2:15).
TO ADORE IS SYNONYMOUS WITH SACRIFICE.- The first reference that the Bible makes regarding the
worship is in Genesis 22:5, it refers to when Abraham was going to offer in sacrifice a living
Isaac, his only son. In the New Testament, it also refers to the fact that worship has to do with
with sacrifice. Let’s see what Romans 12:1-2 says.
Worship, while it comes from the heart, is expressed with the body.
To worship Him better, we must reject the way of living of the world and change.
our way of being and thinking.
To adore is to give our life in service to God and to please Him, because we feel love for
he.
Worship is a way of life because it involves every area of our lives.
We worship God by working well, studying well, loving our wives/husbands,
teaching and correcting our children with love and not with anger, the singles
keeping themselves pure until marriage, children honoring and respecting their parents,
caring for our friends, being mindful of what we say to avoid hurting others or
to raise slanders...
WORSHIP IS GIVING THE BEST. - One of the biblical stories that impacts me the most regarding the topic of
Worship is Mark 14:1-9, as it summarizes what it means to worship and the
attitude that a worshiper should have.
Worship is exclusive: we break the jar, because no one else should receive such perfume.
Worshiping God is a personal decision.
And how do you worship him and how will you worship him from now on..?