"WORSHIP "WITH SPIRIT AND TRUTH" - Conclusion

 In his conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus also mentioned that "the hour" for this change in God's worship was "coming." When would that be? The hour came when Jesus, by his sacrificial death, ended the Jewish system of worship based on the Law of Moses. (Romans 10:4) Yet, Jesus also said: "The hour . . . is now." Why? Because as the Messiah, he was already gathering disciples who would obey the command he stated next: "God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth." (John 4:24) What, then, does it mean to worship with spirit and truth?

When Jesus mentioned worshipping with spirit, he was not speaking of a particularly spirited, animated, or enthusiastic form of worship. Rather, he was talking about being guided by God's holy spirit, which among other things guides our understanding of the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 2:9-12) And the truth Jesus referred to is an accurate knowledge of Bible teachings. Therefore, rather than being rendered at any special place, our worship will be acceptable to God if it conforms to what the Bible teaches and is guided by the holy spirit.

Next time: THE CHRISTIAN VIEW OF SHRINES

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