Aaron Long New Christian: How we Worship
New Christian: How we Worship
Why do Christian’s go to Church on Sunday? We go to worship, to praise God for His great works of creation and salvation, to hear the Word and receive the sacraments, to be in the presence of an all holy God. Christian worship is the church’s public celebration of God’s saving work in Jesus Christ, expressed through Scripture, prayer, sacraments, and the community’s response. All Christians worship and it is a little different in each tradition but there are certain elements that are common across the board.
1. Liturgical Worship – Ordered, Corporate Gathering
Liturgical worship is a structured, shared form of worship where the congregation participates in a set order of prayers, readings, and responses. It is “the work of the people” — the church together offering praise, confession, and thanksgiving Scripture proof: Matthew 18:20 — “Where two or three gather in my name, I am there” — shows Jesus’ presence in the gathered church. Before you say to me we are strict, all churches have a liturgy, from Pentecostal celebrations to contemporary worship services, to a roman catholic mass. The liturgy may look different, but all churches have a pattern of worship they use.
2. Creeds – Confessing the Faith
Creeds are short, biblical statements of belief that summarize the gospel and the church’s faith. They are recited in worship to affirm what Christians believe about God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit Scripture proof: Ephesians 4:1–3 — “Be completely humble and gentle… bearing with one another in love” — reflects the unity and truth confessed in creeds. All churches have creeds, they may not be the three ecumenical creeds (Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian) but they have their statements of faith, their church covenants, their vision statements, all of which are creedal statements. One of the funniest to me is running into people that will tell me, “No Creed but the Bible,” which in and of itself is a creed.
3. Songs – Praise and Thanksgiving
Singing psalms, hymns, and spirituals is a biblical form of prayer and worship, lifting the heart to God and remembering His works Scripture proof: Psalm 95:1–2 — “Come, let us worship and bow down… for the Lord is the Lord” — shows worship through song. This music may be different in different Churches, from black spirituals, to contemporary worship songs, to gospel songs, to latin chants, but they are all singing and Christians sing across the board.
4. Sermon – Proclamation of God’s Word
The sermon is the church’s hearing and proclaiming of Scripture, explaining God’s truth and calling believers to respond in faith and obedience. Scripture proof: Romans 10:17 — “Faith comes from hearing the message” — shows the role of the preached Word in worship.
5. Sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion
Baptism is the washing away of sins and the inclusion of the individual within the bonds of Christ’s body the church
Holy Communion is the Lord’s Supper, a spiritual reception of Christ and a means of grace through the bread and wine.
Scripture proof: Matthew 28:19 (Baptism) and 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (Communion).
In summary: New Christian worship is a God‑centered, Scripture‑based gathering that blends ordered liturgy, confession of faith, praise, proclamation, and sacraments — all as a response to God’s grace
