Why We Worship

The following questions and scriptural answers will explain our form of worship. The scriptures explain why we do such things as lift our hands, anoint with oil, and speak in other tongues.

Why do we clap our hands?
O clap your hands all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. Psalm 47:1

Why do we lift our hands?
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord. Psalm 134:2.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. I Timothy 2:8.

Why do we have audible praise unto God?
I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1.

Why do we sing in tongues and in English?
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. I Corinthians 14:14-15.

Why do we have this type of worship?
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24.

Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. Eph. 5:18-19.

What is prophecy?
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
I Cor. 14:3.

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal…to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy… I Cor. 12:7, 10.

Why do we have speaking with tongues and interpretation of those tongues?
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. I Cor. 14:39.

I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret that the church may receive edifying. I Cor. 14:5

Why are musical instruments a part of the worship service?
Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Psalm 150:3-5.

Why does the whole church pray at once for specific needs?
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth. . . .” Acts 4:24.

Why do we anoint with oil and pray for the sick?
Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. James 5:14-15