Order of Worship in the New Testament Church
The New Testament Pattern
In establishing New Testament worship, we use the New Testament as our rule and practice. We do not go back unto the Old Testament to establish New Testament worship or practice. This principle is set forth for us when Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia in Gal 5:3 “For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.” This plainly shows us that to bring in even one element of the law service makes us a debtor to perform all elements of the law service. The proper elements of worship in the New Testament Church are singing, prayer, and preaching.
Singing
The following verses are used to prove that singing is a part of the New Testament worship:
“Speaking to yourselves 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 in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)
“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” (I Corinthians 14:15)
“Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” (Hebrew 2:12)
“And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.” (Matthew 26:30)
From the above, we gather that the disciples sang in the midst of the church; they were teaching and admonishing one another in song, and in the church, they were singing both with the spirit and with the understanding. Clearly, singing is an essential part of New Testament worship.
Praying
Next, the following scriptures are a few that show us that prayer is a part of New Testament worship:
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13)
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:14)
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” (Acts 12:5)
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:38)
“What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” (I Corinthians 14:15)
“Brethren, pray for us.” (I Thessalonians 5:25)
“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” (II Thessalonians 3:1)
Preaching
Finally, the scriptures teach that preaching is a part of New Testament worship:
“Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” (Acts 15:35)
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7)
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” (Acts 5:42)
“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8)
These verses plainly teach that preaching is a part of New Testament worship. Some things that are not set forth in the scriptures as a part of New Testament worship are dancing, Sunday schools, or church auxiliaries.
- Elder Vernon Johnson