How should we worship? Traditional or contemporary?

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 (Read v. 19-24)

The Bible repeatedly calls upon us to worship the Lord God who created and redeemed us. But how are we to worship? Should it be with liturgy and organ or with contemporary song and guitar? Should it be in a beautiful church or cathedral or in a steel building or barn?

These questions are really not much different than the question asked by the woman at Jacob’s well in Samaria: “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship” ( John 4:20). And she asked a valid question because the Samaritans claimed they were to worship on Mt. Gerizim and had worshiped there for centuries, even continuing after the Jewish ruler Hyrcanus destroyed their temple around 125 B.C. The Jews, on the other hand, said that Jerusalem was the only place where people should worship (Deut.. 12:5ff.; 16:5-6; 1 Kings 8:14ff.; 12:25ff.).

Jesus’ answer to this woman’s question certainly has application to our own time. He said the time was coming when God’s people would neither worship in Mt. Gerizim nor at Jerusalem. As He said elsewhere, the temple would soon be destroyed (Matt. 24:1ff.) and God’s people would be scattered all over the world, preaching the Gospel and joining together with other believers in various places.

Though the Samaritans sought to worship, they did not know the true God because of their admixture of error and false teaching (2 Kings 17:24ff.; 17:32-35). They rejected most of the Old Testament Scriptures, including many promises concerning the Messiah and Savior who would bear the sins of the people and redeem them from sin and eternal death. The Jews, on the other hand, had the Scriptures and the promises of salvation.

Jesus went on point out to this woman that true worshipers would “worship in spirit and truth,” meaning that true worship is not constituted by certain places or outward forms and observances but comes from the regenerated (or born again) spirit of man and truly glorifies and praises God, not being mere lip service.

What constitutes worshiping in spirit and in truth? First and foremost, true worship flows from faith in Jesus Christ as God the Son and the Messiah and Savior of the world. Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth and the life and that no one can come to the Father apart from Him ( John 14:6). He also said that we can do nothing pleasing to God in regard to good works and service toward God apart from faith in Him ( John 15:4-5). He said, “…all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” ( John 5:22,23). And, indeed, it is only through the atoning sacrifice of the Son that we can approach the throne of God with our prayers, praises and petitions (cf. Heb. 10:19-25; 1 Jn. 5:11-15).

True worship must not be idolatry (cf. Ex. 20:1ff.; Deut. 6:13-15). It brings no glory to God if we do not worship the God who has revealed Himself in the Bible as one God and yet three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Cf. Deut. 6:4ff.; Matt. 28:19; 1 Pet. 1:1-5.)

Instead of compromising the truth for the sake of outward unity, or for the sake of being contemporary, true worship holds fast to the Scriptural doctrine (1 Tim. 6:35; 2 Tim. 3:12-17; John 8:31-32; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:42). God abhors false doctrine and adulterating His Word. Therefore, worship which contradicts the teaching of Scripture is not true and pleasing worship (cf. Isa. 8:20; Deut. 4:2; 13:1ff.; Matt. 7:21ff.; Jer. 23:28).

And, finally, true worship is exactly that: true worship. It is not merely going through the outward motions or using certain forms. It is worship which comes from the heart and is genuine and sincere. It gives glory to God and thanks and praises Him for His goodness and mercy toward us in Christ Jesus. As David writes: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!” (Ps. 103:1).

We praise Thee O God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship Thee, the Father Everlasting. To Thee all the angels cry aloud, the heavens and all the powers therein; to Thee cherubim and seraphim continually do cry; Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of the majesty of Thy glory. The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee; the goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee; the noble army of martyrs praise Thee; the holy Church though all the world doth acknowledge Thee; the Father of an infinite majesty; Thine adorable true and only Son, also the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. Thou art the King of Glory, O Christ. Thou are the everlasting Son of the Father. – Opening of the “Te Deum” from The Lutheran Hymnal.