Cedar Springs Church of Christ

   Jesus said, "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23, 24). Two things are required of worshippers, to be acceptable, to God. (1) We must worship in spirit. That is, our hearts (mind) must be focused on the worship service, to God. One must have the correct mental and spiritual posture. (2) We must worship God in truth. To worship God in truth means, that we will worship God according to the truth. God's Word is truth (John 17:17). Therefore, for our worship to be acceptable to God, it must be offered in accordance with His Word. 

     The New Testament delineates the acts of worship by which Christians are to engage. The acts of worship mentioned in the Old Testament such as dancing, instrumental music, animal sacrifices and certain group singers were commanded only of the nation of Israel. The Old Testament as a binding law for God's people ended at the cross (Colossians 2:13, 14). Subsequently, there were no Christians in the Old Testament, only Israelites. Christians are only found in the New Testament (Acts 11: 26; 26: 28,1^st Pet 4: 16) and all nations must learn, from the New Testament what is acceptable worship, from the commands of Jesus Christ, in His church (Matt 16: 18, 19, Rom 16: 16). The acts of worship required by God and Jesus Christ are set forth in the New Testament pattern (Matt 28: 18).