INTRODUCTION
A CALL TO WORSHIP
You are a worshipper. It is not a question of whether or not you will worship, but a question of
who or what you will worship. There are many who choose to worship idols. Others pay
homage to leaders of false religions or worship creation. And some, like you, will choose to
worship the true God, the purpose for which mankind was created.
This study is based on the Holy Bible, the written Word of the one true God, which reveals that
all of creation has been called to worship. The angels (Hebrews 1:6); the nations (Psalm 86:9);
the elements (Psalm 96:11); and God’s people (Psalm 67:3).
The Holy Bible proclaims that worship of the one true God is your first priority. Jesus declared:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38)
Jesus further clarified:
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Luke 4:8)
As a Believer, you are chosen to demonstrate God’s praise, glory, and grace:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the
praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
(Ephesians 1:4-6)
Worship is your spiritual birthright. You are part of a royal priesthood of worshippers which
includes all true born-again Believers in Jesus Christ:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
To function in this ministry requires more than observing the worship experience of others. It
requires more than learning the doctrine of worship…
“Unfortunately, experiences cannot be transmitted genetically, nor can they be
transferred historically. It takes similar personal encounters with God to produce like
worship responses and all too frequently it is the doctrine rather than the experience that
is passed on to succeeding generations.” Judson Cornwall
4
,The source of this study of worship is God’s Word, the Holy Bible. In some churches, liturgy
and personal preference have been substituted for biblical worship. The Word of God in essence
has been “lost in the house of God” as it was in the days of evil King Manasseh in Old Testament
times (2 Kings 22). We “lose” the Word of God when we make our experiences or the claims of
popular teachers or our denominations more authoritative than the Bible. When we substitute
our insights, opinions, experiences, and prejudices for the Word, then we have “lost” the Word
from the house of God. We need leaders like King Josiah who will declare: “Go ye, inquire of
the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is
found…”(2 Kings 22:13).
Problems have often occurred in our churches because of differences of opinions about worship.
The very thing that should bring us together has torn us apart at times. As Believers, there are
basic doctrinal truths we must agree upon that are mandated in God’s Word. At the same time,
in the area of worship there needs to be freedom within the bounds of Scripture. Everyone in
every nation and every culture should be permitted to express their heartfelt love for God in an
appropriate biblical way.
This manual is a primer on worship for new Believers and an invitation to seasoned Believers to
experience biblical worship in a new dimension. For all, it provides instruction in what we will
do for all eternity: Worship. When at last we are at home with the Lord, preaching, teaching,
and praying for the sick and demonized will cease. But worship will continue forever. Let’s
prepare properly now for what we will do in eternity.
Worship is best learned by worshipping, and that is the purpose of this study. The goal is to
enable you to understand biblical worship and inspire you to worship God in spirit and in truth.
We are not interested in just disseminating information. Rather, we want to provide a biblical
revelation that will be manifested in a personal worship experience with God.
So let’s begin…
5
, OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
-Define a Biblical theology of worship.
-Explain and experience the prelude to worship.
-Define worship.
-Identify counterfeit worship.
-Explain the basic tenets of acceptable worship.
-Summarize the record of early biblical worship.
-Summarize worship in the Tabernacle.
-Summarize worship during the historical era
-Summarize worship in the book of Psalms.
-Discuss worship in the prophetic era.
-Summarize and apply worship principles taught by Jesus.
-Summarize and apply the worship practices of the early Church.
-Discuss and apply worship principles taught in the Epistles.
-Explain and use biblical elements of worship.
-Summarize what the Bible teaches regarding worship and spiritual warfare and apply these
principles in your life.
-Lead corporate worship.
-Define and discuss Spirit-led worship.
-Experience the manifested presence of God.
-Identify and eliminate hindrances to Worship.
-Explain the concept of a worshipful lifestyle.
-Become a true worshipper of God.
6
, CHAPTER ONE
A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
-Explain what is meant by a biblical theology of worship.
-Detail the biblical pattern of worship.
-List the types of worship.
-Identify who we worship.
-Explain why we worship.
-Summarize when we are to worship.
-Identify where we are to worship.
-Summarize the attitudes of worship.
-Discuss the results of worship.
KEY VERSES:
Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make
you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those
who send to you? (Proverbs 22:20-21)
INTRODUCTION
A biblical theology of worship is based on teaching concerning worship of the one true God as
disclosed in His Word, the Holy Bible. That is the subject of this manual. This chapter
introduces foundational truths upon which we will build in subsequent lessons.
Worship is not just about the lyrics, vocalists, and instrumentalists, although these are important
elements in worship. It is not about traditions, liturgy, artistry, or creative expression--although
these are valid expressions of worship if they do not become vain rituals. True worship is about
God. We honor Him, not just because of what He does for us, but for who He is.
The prerequisite for worshipping is being born-again. If you have not experienced the new birth,
chapter two entitled “A Prelude To Worship” will guide you step-by-step.
A biblical theology of worship requires an understanding of the definition of worship which is
the focus of chapter three. You must also understand the differences between true and false
worship, issues that are dealt with in chapters four and five of this manual.
Worship requires centering your mind, heart, soul, and spirit on the Lord. This requires accurate
knowledge of the Trinity of God as revealed in Scriptures. A true worshipper must spend time in
7
A CALL TO WORSHIP
You are a worshipper. It is not a question of whether or not you will worship, but a question of
who or what you will worship. There are many who choose to worship idols. Others pay
homage to leaders of false religions or worship creation. And some, like you, will choose to
worship the true God, the purpose for which mankind was created.
This study is based on the Holy Bible, the written Word of the one true God, which reveals that
all of creation has been called to worship. The angels (Hebrews 1:6); the nations (Psalm 86:9);
the elements (Psalm 96:11); and God’s people (Psalm 67:3).
The Holy Bible proclaims that worship of the one true God is your first priority. Jesus declared:
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38)
Jesus further clarified:
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (Luke 4:8)
As a Believer, you are chosen to demonstrate God’s praise, glory, and grace:
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should
be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the
praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
(Ephesians 1:4-6)
Worship is your spiritual birthright. You are part of a royal priesthood of worshippers which
includes all true born-again Believers in Jesus Christ:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9)
To function in this ministry requires more than observing the worship experience of others. It
requires more than learning the doctrine of worship…
“Unfortunately, experiences cannot be transmitted genetically, nor can they be
transferred historically. It takes similar personal encounters with God to produce like
worship responses and all too frequently it is the doctrine rather than the experience that
is passed on to succeeding generations.” Judson Cornwall
4
,The source of this study of worship is God’s Word, the Holy Bible. In some churches, liturgy
and personal preference have been substituted for biblical worship. The Word of God in essence
has been “lost in the house of God” as it was in the days of evil King Manasseh in Old Testament
times (2 Kings 22). We “lose” the Word of God when we make our experiences or the claims of
popular teachers or our denominations more authoritative than the Bible. When we substitute
our insights, opinions, experiences, and prejudices for the Word, then we have “lost” the Word
from the house of God. We need leaders like King Josiah who will declare: “Go ye, inquire of
the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is
found…”(2 Kings 22:13).
Problems have often occurred in our churches because of differences of opinions about worship.
The very thing that should bring us together has torn us apart at times. As Believers, there are
basic doctrinal truths we must agree upon that are mandated in God’s Word. At the same time,
in the area of worship there needs to be freedom within the bounds of Scripture. Everyone in
every nation and every culture should be permitted to express their heartfelt love for God in an
appropriate biblical way.
This manual is a primer on worship for new Believers and an invitation to seasoned Believers to
experience biblical worship in a new dimension. For all, it provides instruction in what we will
do for all eternity: Worship. When at last we are at home with the Lord, preaching, teaching,
and praying for the sick and demonized will cease. But worship will continue forever. Let’s
prepare properly now for what we will do in eternity.
Worship is best learned by worshipping, and that is the purpose of this study. The goal is to
enable you to understand biblical worship and inspire you to worship God in spirit and in truth.
We are not interested in just disseminating information. Rather, we want to provide a biblical
revelation that will be manifested in a personal worship experience with God.
So let’s begin…
5
, OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this course you will be able to:
-Define a Biblical theology of worship.
-Explain and experience the prelude to worship.
-Define worship.
-Identify counterfeit worship.
-Explain the basic tenets of acceptable worship.
-Summarize the record of early biblical worship.
-Summarize worship in the Tabernacle.
-Summarize worship during the historical era
-Summarize worship in the book of Psalms.
-Discuss worship in the prophetic era.
-Summarize and apply worship principles taught by Jesus.
-Summarize and apply the worship practices of the early Church.
-Discuss and apply worship principles taught in the Epistles.
-Explain and use biblical elements of worship.
-Summarize what the Bible teaches regarding worship and spiritual warfare and apply these
principles in your life.
-Lead corporate worship.
-Define and discuss Spirit-led worship.
-Experience the manifested presence of God.
-Identify and eliminate hindrances to Worship.
-Explain the concept of a worshipful lifestyle.
-Become a true worshipper of God.
6
, CHAPTER ONE
A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP
OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
-Explain what is meant by a biblical theology of worship.
-Detail the biblical pattern of worship.
-List the types of worship.
-Identify who we worship.
-Explain why we worship.
-Summarize when we are to worship.
-Identify where we are to worship.
-Summarize the attitudes of worship.
-Discuss the results of worship.
KEY VERSES:
Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, that I may make
you know the certainty of the words of truth, that you may answer words of truth to those
who send to you? (Proverbs 22:20-21)
INTRODUCTION
A biblical theology of worship is based on teaching concerning worship of the one true God as
disclosed in His Word, the Holy Bible. That is the subject of this manual. This chapter
introduces foundational truths upon which we will build in subsequent lessons.
Worship is not just about the lyrics, vocalists, and instrumentalists, although these are important
elements in worship. It is not about traditions, liturgy, artistry, or creative expression--although
these are valid expressions of worship if they do not become vain rituals. True worship is about
God. We honor Him, not just because of what He does for us, but for who He is.
The prerequisite for worshipping is being born-again. If you have not experienced the new birth,
chapter two entitled “A Prelude To Worship” will guide you step-by-step.
A biblical theology of worship requires an understanding of the definition of worship which is
the focus of chapter three. You must also understand the differences between true and false
worship, issues that are dealt with in chapters four and five of this manual.
Worship requires centering your mind, heart, soul, and spirit on the Lord. This requires accurate
knowledge of the Trinity of God as revealed in Scriptures. A true worshipper must spend time in
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