Inner Sincerity and External Expression in Worship
According to the New Testament, worship must combine deep inner sincerity with appropriate external forms that merely express the state of the believer’s heart. On one hand, true reverence is based on the concept of worshiping in spirit and in truth. This means that the essence of serving God lies in heartfelt communication, rather than simply performing established rituals without thought. As it is stated: "Thus, it is clear that worshiping God must be in spirit and in truth, not merely external acts. This is emphasized by the Apostle Paul and Jesus in their teachings. It is important to seek God with one’s heart, rather than serving Him only through outward traditions" (source: link txt). On the other hand, the New Testament shows that worship is not confined solely to the temple buildings – it encompasses any gathering of believers, where two or three assemble in the name of Jesus (Matt. 18:20). In addition, the tradition includes specific physical aspects of worship, manifested through various forms of bowing. For example, great and minor (or light) bows are distinguished. Minor bows, accompanied by a prayer with words of repentance ("O God, purge me, a sinner, and have mercy on me"), symbolize a humble and heartfelt turning to God, while great bows are conducted with special solemnity, reflecting the significance of profound reverence (source: link txt). Thus, according to the New Testament, worship in the church should be characterized by the following principles and forms: • Sincerity and spiritual orientation, where the inner reality of the soul is expressed through worshiping in spirit and in truth. • The gathering of believers, since true worship is not tied to a specific place, but depends on the participation of believers in the name of Jesus. • Specific external manifestations, such as great and minor bows with accompanying prayers, which merely underline the internal state of a repentant and devoted heart. Supporting citation(s): "Thus, it is clear that worshiping God must be in spirit and in truth, not merely external acts. This is emphasized by the Apostle Paul and Jesus in their teachings. It is important to seek God with one’s heart, rather than serving Him only through outward traditions" (source: link txt) "Minor bows, also referred to as waist bows, are performed with the prayer: 'O God, purge me, a sinner, and have mercy on me.' ... (description of the minor bow and its accompanying prayers)" (source: link txt)