The True Meaning of "Worship": A Biblical and Historical Re-evaluation of Public Worship

The True Meaning of “Worship”:
A Biblical and Historical Re-evaluation of Public Worship

Nathan K. N.G.

What is the true meaning of worship? Is it just a meeting consisting of singing and praising God, as many modern churches perceive it? This article tries to re-evaluate the real meaning of “worship” and argues that our present view on worship has actually deviated from the teaching of both Old and New Testaments as well as the ancient ecclesiastical tradition.

“Worship” in the Bible is synonymous with service. Instead of being a meeting, it is a kind of pious life. The most essential expression of worship is not singing or praising, but obeying and serving God. The key functions of the church meeting , nowadays commonly called “public worship,” are teaching the divine words, stimulating one another to love and good deeds, and encouraging one another. The main focus of such public worship should not be on the meeting itself, but rather on its impact on the daily life of the congregation after the meeting.