What is the History of Christian Worship?
Christian Worship started in Israel and was separated by the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. Apostles and disciples contemplated the events of Jesus and searched the scriptures they witnessed. They began making churches and established the values and worship of the church in early days. In the time of Constantine in tradition and political standing, the church was greatly changed. Church these days reformed and reverted to the early church. But there are many spaces that need to grow continually. (Mcguire, T.(2019)
Early Church
Early church worship in Israel had many ways. However, that also comes with new elements and more freedom. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declared “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Jesus was that fulfillment of all the Old Testament was expected to lead to. The foundation that God made through the Old Testament doesn’t have to be destroyed, but it needs to be defined through the lens of Christ. In early centuries, Christian worship experienced continuous development and change because of theological and cultural factors. But basic things such as services of the Word and the Lord’s table remained. However, settings and shapes have changed from region to region, century to century, and Christian to Christian with both branches, Eastern and Western branches of the church. It became Christians worshiping Jesus in various ways worldwide as a result. (Webber, R. E.(2014) The way how Early Church people worshiped comes from the bible also. In the Early Church, songs that form worship were very common. Believers from the Early Church sometimes sang hymns, psalms, and songs of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, many new songs about Jesus’ life were made by them. They sang about scriptures. In the Bible, ‘Acts 16:25 represents, About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.’ Also, Colossians 3:16 says, ‘ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.’ In 1 Corinthians 14:26 talks of worship through song. It says ‘What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.’ (Mcguire, T.(2019)
Church these days
The Church today is remade in many areas and aspects. Churches in America especially have bigger and larger gatherings. The Church in Europe works because they have some issues these days. However, there are many evangelical churches that work without traditional things in Europe. Movement that works to make more churches now spreading to the continent of Africa, the middle east, and the Asian world. Churches made by these movements have a similar function to the Early Churches. It is a gathering formed of devoted believers. Besides, the massive church now meets a lot of issues about pride, power, and self-satisfaction that the late church encountered. Many traditional aspects suddenly left behind, because the evangelical church is now rising. There are still many Separations in the Church, understanding of scripture, and concepts made by humans are being held onto. Church these days is not perfect or completed in every location. Every church has its moments of falling and some spaces to advance upon. On the other hand, worldwide, we’re watching a movement of God in many areas of religion, society, and aspects of political things. Churches from all over the world are on the rise. Worships in many churches these days, mirrors and reflects the way of worship that apostles and believers from early days held in. Church in America is most difficult in the space of taking up their cross and sacrificing. On the other hand, we see a lot of believers who incorporate all areas, or every area well. Worship is a major choice and dedication. Worship nowadays should advise from the early church. It is not essential for The global church doesn’t have to hold the way of the nation of Israel, although Churches can learn from it. Moreover, Churches do not have in carry the concepts of worship that have been included to the faith. Churches should improve and upgrade itself with truth from the word of God continually.
References
Mcguire, T. (2019). History of Christian Worship from the Early Church to Today. [online] Just Disciple. Available at: https://justdisciple.com/worship-history/.
Webber, R.E. (2014). A History Of Christian Worship. [online] WorshipLibrary. Available at: https://www.worshiplibrary.com/library/twenty-centuries-of-christian-worship/a-history-of-christian-worship/ [Accessed 25 Nov. 2024].
