1. Worship is God-centered — not man-centered. It glorifies God, not man (Psalm 86:9; Romans 15:5-6).
2. Worship is made acceptable to God only through the gracious, redemptive work of Jesus Christ — not through the good works of man (Romans 16:7; Ephesians 2:7).
3. Worship is effected in the heart of man by means of the Holy Spirit graciously granting to one knowledge of, faith in, and love for the absolute holiness, greatness, majesty, power, presence, wisdom, love, and mercy of God — not by means of man manipulating the emotions of people (2 Corinthians 3:18; Ephesians 3:16).
4. Worship that is approved by God is in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
a. Worship is first and foremost offered to God in spirit — it is worked by the Holy Spirit inwardly from a heart of knowledge, faith, and love. This emphasizes the importance of preparing oneself to worship God rather than rushing into His presence.
b. Worship is also offered to God in truth—it is regulated by the express and revealed will of God found in Holy Scripture. This emphasizes the importance of doing what pleases God by way of His command, not what pleases man by way of his innovations.
5. The parts of biblical worship include: Scripture (read, taught, and preached), Prayer (private, family, public), Singing of Psalms with grace in the heart, and the Sacraments (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper).
6. Though worship is offered to God privately as individuals and as families throughout the week, God has appointed one entire day for His worship by His Church gathered: the Lord’sDay or the Christian Sabbath (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Revelation 1:10).