August 6, 2017

Early Jewish Worship The OT books of Exodus and Leviticus tell us about the law that God gave as part of the Jewish covenant, along with several instructions about building a tabernacle and setting aside the tribe of Levi to serve as priests. God also provided specific instructions about the manner in which worship was to be conducted, and about the various sacrifices that were to be offered.

Jewish Worship in the Temple The emphasis of worship in the temple was primarily on sacrificial offerings and praise to God through music. The music was comprised of numerous instruments of music, as well as well-trained vocal choirs. 2 Chronicles 29:25-33 tells about the worship to God during the time of Hezekiah who did what was right and restored the temple and worship as God had intended.

Worship in the Synagogues The building itself was typically just a plain rectangular hall with benches up front known as the chief/uppermost seats, along with a reading desk or pulpit, and a wooden container for rolls of Scripture. Synagogues became quite numerous. Even after the rebuilding of the temple, synagogue worship flourished.

Worship in the Synagogues In great contrast to temple worship, worship in the synagogues was very simple. It included prayer, song, and reading and exposition of the Scriptures. Luke 4:16-21 gives us an example of their unique worship format. Luke 4:15 says that Jesus had been allowed to teach many times in the synagogues.

The Demise of Instrumental Music While the focus in the temple seemed to be mainly upon exuberant worship and praise through sacrifice and music, it seems that the main focus in the synagogues was more upon instruction in the Scriptures. Worship in the synagogues did not typically include musical instruments. Instead of singing, they chanted.

The Demise of Instrumental Music Scholars have cited several contributing factors: exposure to the Babylonian culture influence of Jewish rabbis concern that the use of instruments might lead to unlawful work on the Sabbath belief that joyous or celebratory music would be inappropriate in light of their sorrows

Early Christian Worship The forms of early Christian worship were greatly influenced by those found in the Jewish synagogues. Many Jewish Christians continued to gather in the temple and the synagogues during the regular times of worship. Many continued to observe the Sabbath, the annual Jewish feasts, and the daily hours of prayer.

Early Christian Worship Even the Scripture of the early church was the Jewish Old Testament. Two verses of Scripture commonly used in reference to singing are Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, both of which appear to also reflect the Jewish and early Christian practice of chanting in worship.

Further Developments in Worship Jesus had instructed His disciples to remember Him through partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Since the Lord’s Supper memorial could not be added to the Jewish synagogue service, the solution was to partake of the Lord’s Supper at a separate time and place. They quickly came to realize the appropriateness of worshipping and partaking of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, the day Christ rose from the grave.

Further Developments in Worship As Christianity continued to grow and spread, the separation between Judaism and Christianity expanded. The Jewish Christians came to realize that they themselves were a royal priesthood of believers, and that the sacrifices of the temple were no longer necessary.

Further Developments in Worship They began to recognize the writings of the apostles as being equal with OT Scripture, and they gradually incorporated the use of such writings into their worship. The church also moved further from its Jewish ties as a result of Gentile evangelism. 1 Corinthians 14:26 talks about how different members would share a song or Scripture or teaching.

Conclusion While our worship today may not look exactly like that of the early church, we should still seek to worship in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord. John chapter 4 tells us about an encounter Jesus had with a Samaritan woman at the well. In John 4:23, Jesus said that God desires for true worshippers to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

We Place You in the Highest Place Conclusion Romans 8:16 suggests that God’s Holy Spirit works with our human spirit to help us to be the children of God that He so much wants us to be. God is looking for people who will worship and praise Him from a genuine heart of love. We Place You in the Highest Place