Word Studies

No New Testament passage instructs Christians to assemble for the purpose of worship. In fact, many of our modern worship terms, ideas, and practices are not found in the New Testament. First-century Christians gathered for a different purpose, so their gatherings looked different. The New Testament shows that their goal was not worship but mutual edification and discipleship.

What do Christians mean by the word worship? Here’s how different believers might respond if we ask them what worship is:

In the previous article, we observed that no New Testament passage instructs Christians to gather for the purpose of worship. But the issue goes even deeper: the English word “worship” itself fails to accurately capture the original meanings found in the New Testament. I contend that our modern concept of worship rests on assumptions foreign to the New Testament and the early church.

The New Testament portrays Christian assemblies as gatherings for mutual edification, not primarily for worship. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes strengthening each other’s faith, while Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 14 mention “edification” seven times. Paul concludes with the directive “Let all things be done for edification” rather than prescribing worship as the assembly’s purpose.