What do you define as worship?

Question

Do not look at the dictionary. This is a subjective question stemming from the question of whether or not God needs or requires our worship. It has been postulated that God does not need our worship but may desire it. It has also been postulated that it is not so much God that needs our worship as it is our need to worship. I could accept this depending on exactly what the definition of worship is. For some reason worship like judgment has a negative connotation for many. Judgment could simply be a form of discernment and not necessarily condemnative. I suspect it could be similar for the word worship. It would also be nice to have a variety of faiths answer this question as I do not think worship is necessarily restricted to western religion.

A K, thank you for answering but you gave me more you methods than your definition. Appreciate you effort in any case.

Wright Sense, funny but I'm sure not all do so in that spirit.

♥♥Sancira♥♥, thank you for that comprehensive definition but I asked for a personal definition. The one you gave seems as if it were taken out of dictionary. I appreciate the effort though.

Jared S, your definition seemed more like apologetics than a personal definition. Reach into heart without opening a book and tell me what worship really means to you.

Answer 1

Worship is defined differently for each religion and each sect or denomination therein. A broad definition (here goes my shot at this) would be to learn about and celebrate the existence of a specific deity or pantheon. I think that worship has a negative connotation thanks to the same thing that gives all other words bad connotations... Man/Woman. Good question.

Answer 2

Simple answer to your question is Worship God according to your religion.

I can give you the Muslims method of prayer. Five times a day where we stand up for prayers by focusing that we are standing in front of God. We bow down, we prostrate and we recite Qur'anic verses to glorify One and Only God our Creator.

You can also get closer to God by doing meditation.

Answer 3

Worship to me is anything I do in GODS name, for his glory.

My "religion" is Christian, although I was saved in a Baptist Church, I am now attending a non denominational bible doctrinal Church.

I come together with other like minded Christians on Sunday morning and evening, and Wednesday nights. We also get together to fellowship with each other quite often.

But worship to me is making sure that what I do is done in GODs name and for his Glory. Even my mistakes are for GODs glory.

My most recent mistake was a large one. My son was scheduled to visit Argintina on June 28, for some reason I had it in my head that he was leaving on THursday. At Church Wednesday night, I asked for prayer for his safety, and prayer for my need to keep calm during the time he was to be up in the airplanes.

I get home from Church and open my e mail, to find a letter asking why my son wasnt at the airport with the rest of his group.
A lot of extra money later, and phone calls to the airport, got him on another flight on THursday.
My lesson in all of this was, that GOD answered my prayer to be calm during his flight. I was so focused on getting him there, as he was now traveling alone, instead of with his group, that I had no time to be anxious about his time in the air, I was actually relieved to find out that he had made it through his connecting flights and airports and was headed for Argintina.

I thank GOD for answering my prayers, even though to answer it, he gave me lessons that I will never forget. Even my mistakes can be used to thank my creator for his mercy.

Answer 4

wor·ship (wûrshp) KEY

NOUN:


The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.
The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.
Ardent devotion; adoration.
often Worship Chiefly British Used as a form of address for magistrates, mayors, and certain other dignitaries: Your Worship.
VERB:
wor·shiped or wor·shipped , wor·ship·ing or wor·ship·ping , wor·ships
VERB:
tr.

To honor and love as a deity.
To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion. See Synonyms at revere 1.
VERB:
intr.

To participate in religious rites of worship.
To perform an act of worship.
worship


noun
The act of adoring, especially reverently: adoration, idolization, reverence, veneration. See like, love, sacred
Deep and ardent affection: adoration, devotion, love. See like, love
verb
To regard with great awe and devotion: adore, idolize, revere, reverence, venerate. See sacred
To feel deep, devoted love for: adore, love. See love

Answer 5

Worship is brownnosing.

Answer 6

I would say that your thoughts are well rounded and logical.

Answer 7

Blind narrow-mindedness.

Answer 8

I will answer this question by what Christ Church does according to the Bible.

Many people look at the name "church of Christ" and assume that we are just another denomination among many. However, this is not the case. We are not a denomination we are neither Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish, rather we are members of the one church (Eph.1:22-23; Col.1:18) which Jesus died for (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet.1:18-19).The name "church of Christ" simply shows ownership; that is, these people (church) belong to Christ. The term "church of Christ" as it is used in the Bible never represents a building but rather it is always in reference to a people. We find that the name "church of Christ" is a Biblical name and therefore, one that will please God (Rom.16:16). There are other names which would be Biblical, such as "the body of Christ" (1 Cor.12:27), "the household of faith" (Gal.6:10), or "the church of God"" (1 Cor.1:2).

All these are phrases are descriptive of who the church belongs to. Because it is our desire to glorify God, we use the name "church of Christ." By what authority can we or can others wear names which are not Biblical names? Paul stated: "Whatsoever do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,..." (Col.3:17). "In the name of the Lord Jesus" means by his authority. Therefore, I ask again, by what authority do we or others wear names which are not Biblical?

The followers of Christ were called Christians, "...the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Peter said in reference to these people, "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Pet.4:16). This is the name in which we glorify God, no one can glorify God in any other name.


As Christians, we believe that the Bible is all-sufficient. By the term, "all-sufficient", we simply mean that one will find all that is needed within the Bible to guide his footsteps to heaven. Paul said, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim.3:16-17). The word "perfect" means to be complete, Paul places further emphasis on this thought by saying that the man of God is "throughly furnished" meaning completely furnished. Thus we learn that with God’s word (the Bible) we as Christians can be completely outfitted, or lacking in nothing as it pertains to God's will. Paul also stated, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom.1:16). If the gospel was all that Paul needed, then it is all that we need today, for it is still the "power of God unto salvation". John informed us that we are not to take away or add to this book, and if we do, "God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city..." (Rev.22:18-19).

The so called, "still, small voices","direct operation of the Spirit","an inner light",or "superior philosophies" are superfluous and vain. We do not need any "latter-day-revelations". The Bible is complete. Peter said, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Pet.1:3).

Man made creeds and by-laws only serve to distract us from the truth. Therefore, we reject all creeds and by-laws of men, Our only creed is Jesus Christ, our only law is the Bible.


We read in the book of Acts that the early Christians, "...continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). If we are to please God, then we must do the same as did the early Christians. Jesus said "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). To worship in spirit means with the proper attitude toward God and our fellow-man. To worship in truth means that all that we do must be done in accordance with the word of God. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17).

God has given us a pattern as to how He would have us worship Him. Therefore, as did the early Christians, so do we gather together upon the Lord's day to observe the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; I Cor.11:24-26). This they did every first day of the week, therefore we must do the same. They were also commanded to give as they had prospered upon the first day of the week, (1 Cor. 16:1-2). We likewise lay by in store and give on the first day of the week as God has prospered us. On this day, as well as other times when we come together, we place great emphasis on preaching and teaching God's word, (2 Tim.2: 15). We also understand that God has placed great emphasis on prayer in the life of Christians (Acts 2:42;Jam.5:16-17), without prayer in our lives we would be helpless against the forces the devil.


When Christians come together to worship God they are commanded to sing (Eph.5:19;Col. 3:16).We are opposed to mechanical instruments of music in Worship to God. The reason for this is because they are not authorized. No where within the pages of the New Testament will one find where the early Christians used the mechanical instrument of music in their worship to God. In every reference that is made in regards to the kind of music which God desires of His people it is always vocal music (singing), (Matt.26:30; Mark 14:26; Acts 16:25; Rom.15 :9;1 Cor.14:15; Eph.5:19; Col.3:16; Jam.5:13). Paul said, "So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.10:17). He also stated, "...for whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom.14:23b). God has not given us the evidence (revealed it in His word) for the use of the instrument, therefore, to use such instruments is without authority and sinful.

The church of our Lord must not add to nor take away from that which God has revealed (Rev.22:18-19).Thus we will not use mechanical instruments of music in our worship to God.


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