Understanding Pentecostal Worship

God has called the church to three things. Worship Him, evangelize the lost, and make disciples. All the other biblical commands can be inserted under one of these three main objectives. Unlike the other two, only worship is eternal. Worship is by far the most meaningful activity any Christian can engage in. God doesn't care what methods or strategies we use to evangelize lost people or make disciples with, but worship is revealed clearly in Gods word. He has a prescribed plan, and I feel it is extremely important that we know how to worship Him way since there is so much written instruction given in his word as to how.

Very early in human history we are taught the consequences of worshipping God ones own way. Cain, Adam and Eve's firstborn son brought an offering of his own making; instead of the prescribed blood sacrifice (God's chosen way) and it was clearly rejected by God Himself. (Gen 4:3-7) Participating in worship of your own making was later called in the book of Jude 11 "The way of Cain." It was unacceptable to God and millenniums later it is still unacceptable. Don't fall into the trap of doing worship "your own way." Instead, we must follow God's prescribed, detailed pattern as it is described for us in his word. I believe that after you finish this pamphlet, you too will believe that Pentecostal worship is the only biblical form of worship offered to God today.

Why do we stand when we sing?

If the president of an important judge walked into the room everyone would stand up out of respect and honor. Even so when God enters His temple we too stand out of reverence.

2 Chronicles 20:19¹⁹Then the Levities of the children of the Hohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high. Also 29:11

Why do we clap our hands?

The striking of hands together (handshake) is the oldest form of agreement known to man. Clapping is not applause. We are not giving God a compliment for a performance, but instead when we clap unto God we are symbolically shaking hands with God and reaffirming our covenant agreement with Him. We are affirming who He is and what He says;

Psalms 47:1¹ Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to G"of with the voice of triumph!

Why do we lift our hands in worship?

This symbolic action takes the place of the burnt offering of the Old Testament. The sacrifice represents the giving of ones total self to God. When we stretch our hands upward toward God we are symbolically giving ourself to God.

Psalms 141:2² Let my prayer be set before You as incense. The lifting up my hands as the evening sacrifice.

1 Timothy 2:8⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Why do we wave our hands or scarves?

The wave offering was the priest's portion. This offering was a celebration of reconciliation. When a peace offering was given it was common practice for the priest to wave it widely before the Lord.

Leviticus 8:27-29²⁷ and put all these in Aaron's hands and in his sons' hands, and waved them as a wave offering before the Lord. ²⁸Then Moses took them from their hands and burned them on the altar on the burnt offering. They were consecration offerings for a sweet aroma. That was an offering made by fire to the Lord. ²⁹And Moses took the breast and waved it as a wave offering before the Lord. It was Moses' part of the ram of consecration, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

Waving both hands is also symbolic of the waving of the two loaves which represent the two type of people in the world. Jew & Gentile.

Leviticus 23:20²⁰The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits as a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to the Lord of the priest.

Why do we bow our heads and bodies in worship?

Bowing is universally recognized as enact of devotion and reverence.

2 Chronicles 7:3 (NKJV)³When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord,...Luke 5:8;

Why are there emotional displays during worship?

Our God is a personal God. He loves and we love Him. Worship has an appropriate emotional dimension. In biblical worship, we choose to worship God as an act of our will. We should so with passion.

Romans 12:15¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Why do we praise the Lord aloud all together?

Because this is the biblical pattern.

2 Chronicles 20:19¹⁹Then the Levities of the children of the Hohathites and of the children of the Horahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.

Shouting is often a response to God's awesome manifestations of God's glory.

Leviticus 9:24²⁴and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.

Why do we use musical instruments in our worship services?

Although some churches restrict the type of instruments used or object to their use altogether, the bible includes them and so do we.

2 Samuel 6:5⁵Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrum's, and on cymbals. Psalms 150:3-6

Why doe the church pray aloud all at once?

God is not confused by many fervent voices raised to Him all at once. Concert prayer creates an atmosphere of faith and displays the power of agreement.

Acts 4:24²⁴So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord.

Why do people say "Amen" as the preacher speaks?

Responding to the word with "Amen" is as old as the law itself.

1 Chronicles 16:36³⁶Blessed be the Lord God of Israel. From everlasting to everlasting! And all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the Lord.

Why do we dance before the Lord?

Psalms 150:4⁴Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with the stringed instruments and flutes!

Psalms 149:3³Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

Why do we allow speaking in other tongues during worship services?

Speaking in another language is the gift of the Spirit. It's an evidence of the Spirits fullness.

Acts 2:4⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 14:2²For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

Speaking in tongues is a tool for personal strongholds and edification.

1 Corinthians 14:4⁴He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Jude 1:20²⁰But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Paul tells us to not stop speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:39³⁹Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do no forbid to speak with tongues.

Why are public tongues interpreted?

At times of corporate prayer or song a tongue will lift loudly above the normal. In such cases the gift of tongues is being employed and an interpreter is necessary.

1 Corinthians 14:13¹³Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Why do we anoint people with oil and pray for them?

Laying on of hands is a transference. In the Old testament they laid hands on goats to transfer their sins to the animals. They also transferred the anointing and authority by the laying on of hands. In the New Testament the gift of healings is transferred as well. 1 Timothy 4:14

Hebrews 6:2²of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

What is being slain in the Spirit?

This phrase is made popular by common use. It's not found in the bible anywhere, but is used to describe the condition of being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit to a state of unconsciousness.

Revelation 1:17 (NKJV)¹⁷And when I saw him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last."

1 Corinthians 14:25