Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

234 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

2. The worshipers worship: a. In Spirit – as regenerated people who, through saving faith in Jesus Christ, are filled with the Holy Spirit and under his direction. b. In Truth – understanding God as he is revealed in Scripture and worshiping in accordance with the teaching of the Word. c. In Holiness – Living lives that demonstrate their genuine commitment to serve the Living God. C. The Church worships as a royal priesthood, wholeheartedly offering up sacrifices of praise to God and employing all its creative resources to worship him with excellence. 1. The Christian Church is a people who worship, not a place of worship. 2. The entire congregation ministers to the Lord, each one contributing a song, a word, a testimony, a prayer, etc. according to their gifts and capacities (1 Corinthians 14:26). 3. The Church worships with the full range of human emotion, intellect, and creativity: a. Physical expression- raising of hands, dancing, kneeling, bowing, etc. b. Intellectual engagement- striving to understand God’s nature and works. c. Artistic expression- through music and the other creative arts. d. Celebratory expression- the Church plays in the presence of God (Proverbs 8:30-31) experiencing “Sabbath rest” through festivals, celebrations, and praise. 4. The Church worships liturgically by together reenacting the story of God and his people. a. The Church proclaims and embodies the drama of God’s redemptive action in its ritual, tradition, and order of worship. b. The Church, like the covenant people Israel, orders its life around the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism