EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

OF THE PHILIPPINES- LUZON, INC.

Lot 1 Block 1 Valley Hills Subd., Valley Golf, Cainta Rizal 1900

SESSION 3: ELEMENTS OF WORSHIP THROUGH THE YEARS

Objectives:

- The students will explore the elements of worship that were used in the New
Testament church; in the early churches; down through the ages; and in the
church today.

I. Introduction

- In worship we express the following attitudes: adoration, gratitude, repentance,

neediness, submission, and commitment.
- The elements of worship are the means by which these attitudes are expressed.
- For example, adoration is expressed in praise; gratitude is expressed in
thanksgiving; repentance is expressed in confession; neediness is expressed in
dependence; submission is expressed in surrender; and commitment is
expressed in obedience.

II. Worship Elements Through the years

- Worship in the New Testament

o The New Testament gives few examples of what happened when the
early church met for worship.
o One is found in 1 Corinthians 12:26: "What then shall we say, brothers?
When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction,
a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done for
the strengthening of the church".
o Even here not all possible elements are included. This passage does,
however, stress the purpose behind the use of elements ("the
strengthening of the body"), and the importance of participation in worship
("everyone has a...").
o The following elements can be identified in the Epistles:
▪ Scripture Readings - 1 Timothy 4:13; Colossians 4:16; 1
Thessalonians 5:27
▪ Instruction, Preaching and Edification - 1 Timothy 4:13; Acts 20:7; 1
Corinthians 14:26
▪ Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Songs - Ephesians 5:19; Colossians
3:16; 1 Corinthians 14:2 * Prayer - Acts 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1,2
▪ Responsive sayings, Amen, Maranatha, etc - 1 Corinthians 14:16;
16:22; Romans 10:9
▪ Offering - 1 Corinthians 16:1,2
▪ Physical Actions - Raising hands (1 Timothy 2:8) Holy Kiss
(Romans 16:16)
▪ Physical Prostration - 1 Corinthians 14:25
 EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
OF THE PHILIPPINES- LUZON, INC.
Lot 1 Block 1 Valley Hills Subd., Valley Golf, Cainta Rizal 1900

▪ Breaking of Bread - Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 11:20f; 1

Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14 * Exhortation and Encouragement -
Hebrews 3:13; 10:24
▪ Open Confession - of sin (James 5:16); of faith (Romans 10:9; 1
Timothy 6:12)
▪ Dedication and Commitment - Acts 2:37f
▪ Benedictions and Doxologies - 1 Corinthians 1:3; 16:23; Ephesians
1:3
▪ Prophecy, Revelation, and Discernment - 1 Corinthians 14:6; 12:10
▪ Tongues and Interpretation - 1 Corinthians 14:23
▪ Healing - 1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, 30

- Worship Elements in the Early Church

o In Clément’s personal letter to the church of Corinth, written about A.D.
96, there are a number of exhortations concerning various worship
elements:
▪ Read and revere the Word of God
▪ Repent and confess sins
▪ Show humility before God's majesty
▪ Proclaim the Word of God
▪ Acknowledge the Holy Spirit in their presence * Give offerings for
the support of workers
▪ Prayer

- The first full worship outline is found in Justin Martyr's Apology (dated 140 A.D.):
o "And on the day called Sunday there is a meeting in one place of those
who live in the city or the country, the memoirs of the apostles or the
writings of the prophets are read as long as time permits.
o When the reader has finished, the president in a discourse urges and
invites (us) to the imitation of these noble things. Then we all stand
together and offer prayers.
o And, as said before, when we have finished the prayer, bread is brought
and wine and water, and the president similarly sends up prayers and
thanksgivings to the best of his ability, and the congregation assents,
saying the Amen; the distribution, and the reception of the consecrated
elements by each one, takes place and they are sent to the absent by the
deacons"
o This worship service included the following elements:
▪ Reading and Proclamation
▪ Congregational Prayer
▪ The Lord's Supper
▪ Prayer and Thanksgiving
▪ The Amen
▪ Offering
 EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
OF THE PHILIPPINES- LUZON, INC.
Lot 1 Block 1 Valley Hills Subd., Valley Golf, Cainta Rizal 1900

III. Worship Elements Through the ages

- A swing from a relatively free form of worship to a rigid ritualism and fixed liturgy
occurred during the third and fourth centuries.
- Medieval worship was a reversal to the Old Testament priestly system, with
certain customs of the mystery and pagan religions added.
- In the fifteenth century with the reformation came a reaction against the medieval
form of worship.
- After the reformation the non-conformist churches discarded fixed liturgy and
adopted a style of worship that emphasized the spirit rather than the form. Their
services included preaching, active participation, singing of hymns and the
observance of only two ordinances (Baptism and Communion).
- Contemporary worship over the past century has stressed spontaneity,
experience, and subjective involvement.

IV. Worship Elements in Modern times

- A list of elements, by no means exhaustive, follows:

- In Conservative platform
o Music and Singing
o Prayer - adoration, thanksgiving, confession, supplication, intercession
o Scripture - reading, praying, meditating, preaching, sharing
o Baptism and the Lord's Supper
o Call to Worship
o Offering of Gifts
o Affirmation of Faith
o Receiving New Members
o Congregational responses, ie. Amen, Maranatha, Jesus is Lord
o The Miscellaneous Period: notices, welcome, etc
o Symbols
▪ Architecture,
▪ Cross,
▪ Bible,
▪ Pulpit,
▪ Baptismal pool
▪ Lord's table,
▪ Visual arts
▪ Silence

- In Contemporary platform
o All the liturgical aspect of old-time worship are being removed
o Time is shortened
o More on songs, upbeat and slow
o Preaching shortens as well
o Seeker sensitive worship service