THE WORSHIP

INTRODUCTION
Worship is the central theme of the Great Conflict. Initially, all creatures worshipped the Creator, but in
a moment a creature in Heaven who occupied a high position sought to seek worship for itself in order to
to become like their Creator. (Isaiah 14:12-14). With cunning and deceit, he managed to conquer a third part of
the angels of Heaven and in the same way made the first inhabitants of this planet worship him
worship of him.

The weapons of Christ in this conflict are different from those of the enemy. That worship of creatures that...
It corresponds to him as the Creator, seeks to recover it through the power of love.

For you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Exodus 34:14. (LBLA)

IMPORTANCE OF STUDYING THE TOPIC

In order to avoid idolatry, we must know what worship means.PIt may seem quite simple, but
it really isn't.

One of the problems is our paradigm of rationality. Our culture (which is based on Greek culture)
has limited idolatry to the object of worship itself.

We believe that we are indeed worshiping the only true God, instead of a false god we are worshiping.
correctly and no longer matter how we worship, we think we are free to express our devotion
We can worship God in any way we desire, as long as the object of our worship is the just God.

However, the concept, in the theological sphere, of the correct worship of God holds significant value.
different from the light of Hebrew culture.

Remember that the thinking of all the scriptures, both from the NT and the OT, is based on a way of life.
Hebrew, not Greek. From a Hebrew perspective, worship is not correct unless it is in accordance with
God's instructions for worshiping Him. In other words, we are free to choose the way to worship.

WHAT SHOULD OUR CONDUCT BE?

We must worship as God specifies. Anything else, in Hebrew culture, even if directed towards the
the only true God, remains idolatry. For example:
The worship of Cain and Abel. Genesis 4.
2. The golden calf built by Aaron in the desert. Verse 5 of chapter 32 of Exodus shows how
they wanted to worship the Lord with a calf.
3. The fire that the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, presented when they went to the tabernacle to worship.
4. The consequences of not acting within the sanctuary in the manner of God described in Leviticus 10 present
clearly a contrast between the culture of the world and what God says, warning us God about the danger of
mix the holy with the common and present it as worship.

It is clearly stated in Hebrew that it is not simply the object of worship. It is also the method of worship.

The Hebrew verb, shachah, means 'to bow down, to prostrate oneself.' It is a fact universally regarded as a sign
of worship. But I don't remember being in a religious service where the congregation bows down with their faces
to the ground. Rarely do they even bend their knees. Why?

No modern believer intends to be an idolater. However, almost all modern believers have...
accommodated to the paradigm of Greek rationality based on idolatry. Unbeknownst to themselves, they have shifted towards
 What does worship mean?
a purely cognitive and intellectual point of idolatry neglecting that worship is also expressed as a
behavior.

Attention is not given to the way of worship that God reveals to his people because, as far as we are concerned,
we are worshiping the right God and that is enough. In fact, if you visit many churches, you will find a great
variety of worship systems. You will discover that worship as we know it is an invention of the mind
human.

A staging of the choreography, well-crafted sermons of comfort, hymns of agitation that shake
with resounding decibels; in short, the worship format nowadays is the product of centuries of tradition and
innovation. However, many of these practices are a long way from the instructions given by the God who is worshipped.

THE PROBLEM OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL

The greatest problem of the nation of Israel was succumbing to the worship practices of other peoples.
pagans surrounding him and copying that model in their worship of the Eternal.

Both Moses, Joshua, the judges, and the prophets were instruments of God to correct these evils of the nation and
to lead them to the proper way of worshiping the true God, but it was not possible, and finally God cast them aside like
his chosen people.

The Bible presents many examples that contrast correct worship in God's way and worship outside of it.
from their approach, starting from the fig leaves of Adam and Eve to the message of the first and third Angel of
Revelation 14. Among these examples stand out:
1. Isaiah 1:10-20
Jeremiah 6:20 and 14:12.
3. Hosea
4.Amós 5:21-27.
Micah 6:6-8.

The Prophet Micah expresses: With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the Most High God? This is the question.
But it is God who does it. In other words, God will help the human being to ask the right question.
to then expose again the principle, the foundations, the fundamentals of true worship.

The answer is in verse 8: And what does the LORD require of you? "To only practice justice, to love
the mercy, and to humble yourself to walk with your God.

Or as Isaiah 1:16,17 presents it:“Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean; remove the iniquity of your deeds from before my eyes;
stop doing wrong; learn to do good; seek justice, restore to the wronged, do justice to the orphan,
"protect the widow".

The psalmist David rightly said in Psalm 51:16 and 17:“Because you don't want sacrifice, that I would give; You don't want
holocaust. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A contrite and humble heart He will not despise.
you will despise, oh God.

It is not a moment of euphoria or ecstasy while the liturgy unfolds. Worship does not happen when to
it's a rhythm that makes everyone feel like crying, shouting, and jumping.

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory. (Isaiah 6:3) Can our praise
bear the filter of His holiness? Worship is about living justly in your home, in your work, manifesting
mercy during the 6 days of the week recognizing that it is little what you can do for others
comparison of what God does every day for you and then coming to his sanctuary to express him honor, gratitude and
reverence for your care, for your help, and for your kindness towards you.
 What does worship mean? 3

Micah 6 clearly contrasts various cult rituals with a constant way of life.
Worship is a behavior. True worship develops in a way of living that reflects the
character of God. Remember that He Himself is the one who describes His character, He is the one who expresses His law and this is the foundation.
of his character.

Does Exodus 34:6-7 relate to Micah 6:8? Remember that every time the characteristics are described,
qualities, attributes, and goodness of God, when the way God acts and behaves is revealed, it is not
Simply so that we know, it is not only for us to understand how God acts; but it extends to
invitation to imitate Him, He reveals to me how He is in order to bring me to His perfection and holiness.

Does our worship resemble that described by God? Have you asked yourself why?

It is because we accept the philosophical approach to the question of God, and do not consider the fundamental concern:
What does God require of me? When it comes to worship.

But worship is not for us. It is for God. How can we worship Him if it is we who...
Shall we describe the program?

Do we make the commandments instructions for our lives?

Don't you think God would want us to follow His instructions in honor of Him as well?

Justice, Mercy, Delight in God: is this not what the law contemplates? The Lord through Micah left
expressed that this is Worship.

Keep my commandments and you will live, and my law as the apple of your eye." (Prov. 7:2)

Without obedience to His commandments, no worship can please God.

 What does worship mean? 4

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON WORSHIP

INTRODUCTION

There are those who think that worship consists of ceremonies in the church with songs, prayer, and a sermon. Or
one can think of candles, of a Last Supper, and of music. Worship can include these elements, but it is
much more than this.

Worship is not for self-benefit: It is done to please God, not ourselves. We do not worship
to please us. The only reason for worship is to glorify the Creator.

To worship is to please or satisfy the Lord: "The Eternal delights in those who worship Him, in those who trust in His greatness."
love” (Psalms 147: 11). Everything done to please God is an act of worship.

Worship is a way of life. It is not a part of life; it is the very life of the believer.

Worship is not just a religious service, it is a continuous attitude of seeking and recognizing greatness.
God: 'Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always' (Psalms 105: 4)

Any activity can be transformed into an act of worship if we do it to praise, glorify, or please.
to the Lord: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). It is to do.
everything as if it were done for Jesus.

True worship occurs when one surrenders completely to God. 'Therefore, brothers, by the...
immense mercy of God towards us OFFER YOURSELF TO GOD as a living sacrifice, dedicated to His service and
pleasant to him. This is the true worship they must offer" (Romans 12: 1). Offering oneself to God is the essence
from worship. God wants all our time, all our gifts, all our life.

WORSHIP IN THE OT AND IN THE NT

1. ETYMOLOGY OF THE TERM "WORSHIP" IN THE OT

The term 'hishtahawa' translated in the OT as 'to worship', literally means 'to kiss the hand (towards) someone.'
and metaphorically "to prostrate oneself", "to bow", "to worship."

In the AT, the general term used is abodah, from abad, "to labor, to serve". It is generally translated as "the service to
God". The specific act of worship is expressed in the word hishtahawa, which derives from shaba, "to bow down,
to kneel

The use of the word 'worship' in the OT. (Robert Young lists the word used in the OT 116 times. See the)
Analytical Concordance of Young. It is very frequently translated from the Hebrew word SHACHAH, which means
lean, arch, bend, bow

If one searches all the passages in the OT the number of times how the word 'shachah' is translated, it helps us to
understand the true meaning so often translated as "worship".

- SEGAB is translated as 'to worship' 11 times - 'to bow down, to show reverence'. Daniel 2:3.

- ABAD (5 times in 2 Kings 10) "to do, to serve".

ATSAB (1 time, Jer. 44:19) 'to offer worship.'

 What does worship mean? 5
2. ETYMOLOGY OF THE TERM 'WORSHIP' IN THE NT

The word from the NT that corresponds to the term from the OT 'hishtahawa' is 'proskunein'.

"Proskunein" appears seventy-six times (76) in the NT, and it also carries the concept of service in its etymology.
object of worship.

"Worship" translates from four words in Greek:

1. Proskuneo - 'To kiss the hand of'; to show courtesy, to bow. The act of paying homage, John 4:24.
2. Sebonai - To revere, with a strong feeling of reverential fear, Matthew 15:9.
3. Latreuo - To serve, to render religious service, homage, Philippians 3:3.
4. Eusebeo - To act piously towards [Someone], Acts 17:23

Worship
Joseph H. Thayer: PROSKUNEO - "to kiss the hand (to), a gesture of reverence... hence among the Easterners,
especially the Persians, to fall on their knees and touch the ground with their forehead as an expression of deep reverence; ...
for this in the NT, for kneeling or prostrating oneself to pay homage (to one) or to show reverence, whether to express
respect or to make a plea.

The word PROSKUNEO is used to refer to the homage shown to men of a higher rank.
Of the homage paid to God and the ascended Christ, to the celestial beings, and to the demons...
#4352, Page 548

"PROSKUNEO" (Vine's Dictionary): - To make reverence, to give obedience to (from pros, towards, and kuneo, to kiss), it is the word most
common that translates to worship. It is used for an act of homage or reverence: - to God, - to Christ, - to a man,
- to the Dragon, - to the Beast, - to demons, - to idols...

Arndt & Gingrich: PROSKUNEO - "... used to designate the custom of bowing oneself before a person and
kiss their feet, the edge of their dress, the floor, etc.; the Persians did this in the presence of their deified king, and the
Greeks before a divinity or something holy; (to fall and) worship, pay homage to, kneel before, make
reverence, to respectfully welcome,...

This reverence or worship is given: To human beings... To God... To the Devil and Satanic beings... To angels...
Jesus, who is revered and worshipped as Messianic King and Divine Helper...
Pages 723-724.
What is worship?

The Smith's Bible Dictionary: -The acts and postures in worship are similar across all Eastern nations.
and have reached the present from ancient times without change. It is believed that the Hebrews in all their
sentences used all forms of posture and prostration, which modern Arabs have grouped into a prayer.
There are nine positions. All of these are found in the monuments of Egypt and Assyria.

The prayer is made standing, with the hands raised or crossed or folded; this is the posture before the kings or
great men. The hands are also extended as if in supplication; only one hand is raised when taking
an oath (Gen. 14). Kneeling is a common form (1 Kings 7; Ezra 9; Dan. 6; Luke 22); the prostration of
body, resting on the knees and arms, the forehead touching the floor, and the whole body lying flat,
head being bowed. The monuments show figures kneeling on one knee and striking their chest;
sitting on heels, hands being folded, is a very respectful attitude (1 Chr. 16:16; 1 Kings 18:42).
Among the Romans, prostration was the peculiar act of worship (Acts 10:26); but the Easterners do it only in
sense of respect and reverence. Kissing the head (1 Sam. 10), the hand, the hem of the garment, or the nearby ground
 What does worship mean?
object of respect, and kiss one's own hand (Job 31:27; Hosea 13:2), to people or idols. Holding the hand
"About the mouth as kissing is the most sublime act of respect and adoration" - (Page 8).

The man then bowed down and worshiped Jehovah - (Gen. 24:26; Comp. 24:48).

... each man would rise up at the door of his tent and worship.

3. "Then Moses hurried, bowed his head toward the ground, and worshiped" - (Ex. 34:8).

... Then Joshua, falling on his face to the ground, worshiped him...

... And the king worshiped in bed

"Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker" - (Ps. 95:6).

... with their faces to the ground they will worship you...

... and thus, falling on his face, he will worship God...

"By faith Jacob... worshiped, leaning on the end of his staff" - (Heb. 11:21; cf. Gen. 47:31).

The blend of the concepts of what we call worship and service also prevails in relation to the verb.
leitourgein. Acts 13:2 uses a participial form (leitourgounton) to express the idea of worship, as
that Paul uses an infinitive form (leitourgesai) to indicate service.

WORSHIP
In the Apocalypse, John sees a great multitude without number gathered from all nations worshiping.
(they prostrated) to God (Rev. 7:11). When asked about their identity, the elders respond that they came
from the great tribulation and have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. "These... are before the throne of
God and serve Him (latreousin) day and night in His temple" (Rev. 7:14-15).

It is a fundamental concept or idea that serves as the basis for a certain order of knowledge or about what is
supports a reasoning or behavior.
HOW TRUE WORSHIP SHOULD BE

1. WORSHIP MUST BE THEOCENTRIC:

For worship to be meaningful in any context, it must be directed to God the Creator who is at the same time
above us and benignly close.

Worship is an exercise of the human spirit directed mainly to God; the worshiper embarks on a
a company not to simply meet its needs, nor to feel better, nor to serve to its liking
aesthetic or social welfare, but to express the dignity of God.

Man can never be the center of true worship! God is the center, and each person worships.
actively to their Maker and King.
Revelation 5:12

2. THERE MUST BE A CORRECT MOTIVATION:

The first mention of an act of worship is recorded in the book of Genesis 4:3,4,7.
The Lord received Abel's offering because he came with the right attitude, with faith and dedication to divine justice.
(Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:12).
 What does worship mean? 7
The offering that Cain presented as part of his worship was not accepted because the motives of his heart were
mistaken. Their faith was not genuine and the work of their hands was bad.

God's interest is not that man gives, but that he has the right motive when rendering his worship.
The sad testimony of that misguided worship is the crime committed by Cain against his brother. It is incredible.
that the result of offering sacrifices to God produced this negative situation, but that was how it was.

Since the beginning of humanity, jealousy and rivalries within worship and devotion do not bring good.
consequences.

3. WORSHIP MUST BE IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH:

"In spirit" relates to the attitude and ways we show in worship. The sincere person gives attention.
full attention to the speaker, and through discipline he has trained himself to think about what he is
Showing respect and reverence to God, and letting feelings rise up to have God.
adored.

Worship must be based on the truth of the Scriptures, not on our own opinion about God. Not
we can create our own image of God, even if it is comfortable or politically correct for us, that is
idolatry.
John 4:23,24

There are five acts, or ways, of true worship. (Cf. Acts 2:42).
a. The doctrine of the apostles. The teaching given by the apostles.
b. The communion (or offering).
c. The breaking of bread, or Lord's Supper.
d. The sentences.
e. The hymns of praise (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

4. IT MUST BE TO GIVE GLORY TO GOD:

Pleasing God is known as worship. The Bible says that he 'delights in those who worship him, in those who'
they trust in their great love.
Everything you do to please God should be an act of worship. (1 Corinthians 10:31).

5. IT MUST BE AUTHENTIC:
When Jesus said, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul' (Matthew 22:37), he meant
that worship must be authentic and heartfelt, from the heart.
It's not just about saying the right words; you have to believe in what you say. Praise that doesn't come from the heart
it is not praise. It is worthless, it is an insult to God. (1 Samuel 16:7)

6. MUST BE PERSONAL:
God gave man something more than a holy day: He gave Himself. He was a close companion of Adam and Eve in the
garden. The relationship was close; the worship was highly personal; in the same way today, we can
to relate to a real and close God.
The most common mistake of Christians regarding worship is that they seek an experience more than God.
Génesis 2:16-19

7. MUST BE RATIONAL (INTELLIGENT)

Jesus labeled distracted worship as 'vain repetitions.'
The misuse can turn even biblical terms into worn-out phrases when we forget their meaning.
When we worship, it is much easier to offer routine prayers than to strive to honor God with
intelligent words and gestures full of freshness.
 What does worship mean?
At times, worship is an act of absolute will; a sacrifice of goodwill. Passive worship.
it is incongruity.
Romans 12:1

8. IT MUST BE ORDERLY AND RESPECTFUL:

Dignity and reverence are essential, but they must be inspired by a genuine understanding of majesty and
the greatness of God, and not in the response to the impulses of the natural heart that seeks self-exaltation. For
that the public worship dedicated to God should truly be reverent, it must be celebrated in such a way that all the
presents can participate intelligently in everything that is done.

Do not confuse genuine joy with the frivolity of a joke, a sports rivalry within the
church, or the design of a brother's tie. One of the best ways to nurture reverence among the
Worshipers simply ensure that every element of the service focuses its attention on God.
1 Corinthians 14:40

9. IT MUST BE FREE AND SPONTANEOUS:

The worship we offer to God should not be forced or obligated. It should be the natural result and attitude.
grateful for our intimate communion with God.
Lucas 7:44-47; 17:15,16.

10. IT MUST BE ETHICAL:

We cannot worship in an atmosphere of selfishness, hatred, or impurity. Worshiping this way becomes a worship.
empty and useless.
Jesus recognized, as the prophets of the Old Testament did, the importance of ethical worship.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

CONCLUSIONS

• To worship in the Bible is an external act that signifies an internal attitude.

• Worship in the Bible involves service as a result.

• Worship in the Bible implies a rational act, meaning it involves a wise, cognitive disposition.

• To worship in the Bible is synonymous with to minister, this involves pastoral work.

• To worship in the Bible implies adopting a physical position conducive to it.

• Worship in the Bible implies a recognition of the greatness of the object of the act.

• Worship in the Bible includes respect and reverence for the object of worship.

• Worship in the Bible suggests a privilege for those who do so by virtue of the person they have in front of them.

• Worship in the Bible is of a theocentric nature.