The Essence of New Testament Worship

Though the elements of Christian worship are the same as those in the Old Testament, there are two new factors at the very heart of the New Testament that bring about a decisive reorientation. First, Christian worship is through God the Son; second, it is worship in the Holy Spirit. Worship Through God the Son The first of these new factors is that Christian worship is in its very core and essence the worship of God the Father through God the Son. The elements remain; the Christological orientation is new. If space allowed, one might easily work through the data afresh to show this truth. In this conclusion, a few indications must suffice. Worshipers now stand in a personal relation of sonship to God on the basis of adoption in Christ. They pray in the name of the Son (John 16:23). The works of God in the Son are the theme of their praise (Eph. 1:3-14). Their plea for forgiveness is that Christ gave himself as a perfect sacrifice for sin (1 John 1:79). Their confession is confessio…