In the original Hebrew and Greek language of Scripture, the primary words translated as “worship” refer to the temple ritual prostration and temple ritual sacrifices – but not to what we call “worship” today.

For example, singing praises to God is certainly important, but that’s never called “worship” in the Old or New Testament and the original meaning of the words translated as ”worship” don’t include music or singing.

Nor are those words for “worship” ever applied in Scripture to an assembly of believers, and our gatherings are never called a “worship service” in the New Testament.

In fact (and I know will shock many), the New Testament- although it has a lot to say about why and how we gather as the church – never says to gather for “worship” or a “worship service.”

Nope, not, nada …

Just ain’t there.

Rather than gathering for “worship” or “worship services,” we instead are commanded to gather in order to mutually edify and build up one another through ministry one to another.

That’s it:

Nothing more, nothing less.

Among other things, that can include singing God’s praises together ….

Not because God needs it, but because the New Testament says we should do it to encourage each other.

So the primary purpose of our gatherings and what we do when we gather – including our singing – is horizontally building up one another rather than vertical “worship.”

I know that may surprise you, but be like the Bereans and look for yourself.

In fact, the idea that Christians gather for “worship” didn’t take hold until the 4th century …

As the concept of “church” shifted away from actual New Testament imperatives for relational participatory assemblies with ministry one to another and towards complicated temple models with professional “clergy,” “altars,” dedicated buildings and mediated “worship services.”

Instead of “worship” being the reason for our gatherings, the New Testament takes the temple meaning of worship as animal sacrifice and recasts it by commanding us each to individually offer ourselves as a sacrifice to God ….

By living lives of reverent service and obedience to Him.

“So then, my friends, because of God’s great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.” Romans 12:1

When we change the actual meaning of “worship,” however, to now mean a church “service” and staged music designed to “invoke” intense feelings and calling it “God” …

Rather than living lives of reverent service and obedience to God as we mutually build up each other through ministry (including singing) one to another …

Is it any wonder that our “churches” keep producing carnal “Christians” and true worship is so rare these days?

So let’s obey what the New Testament says by encouraging one another, which can include congregationally singing God’s praises together and other simple means of mutual edification when we gather …

While living holy lives of sacrifice through reverent service and obedience to God the rest of the week – which is the only true worship mentioned and commanded for Christians in the New Testament.

Although I’ve been writing and teaching on theses topics for nearly twenty years, Dr. Tom Wadsworth has published a seven part series of videos on YouTube that do an excellent job of digging deeper into Scripture and church history. His doctoral dissertation was on these issues, and I highly commend his presentations for those wanting to research this further.