Worship the One True God in Spirit and Truth
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory." (1 Tim. 3:16)
The manifestations of the One True God as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one of the greatest mysteries in the world. In Creation He is our Father in heaven (Mal. 2:10; Mt. 23:9) In Redemption He was manifested in the flesh as the Son to become our Savior (Mt. 1:21; Rom. 1:3-4) In Regeneration He is the Holy Spirit Who indwells us and is our Comforter and Helper. (Jn. 3:5-8; 14:16-17) Our Creator is a Great and Mighty God!
Our Lord Jesus Christ said to the woman at the well: "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jn. 4:23-24)
Since the One True God is a Spiritual Being the best way to worship Him in the Spirit is to have the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts. Jesus taught His disciples to ask our heavenly Father for the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 11:13) Before ascending to heaven He commanded His disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father: "for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4-5) After the disciples had continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, on the Day of Pentecost "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance." (Acts 1:14; 2:4) Speaking with tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit. (Acts 10:44-46; 11:15-18; 19:6) Prayer with tongues cannot be understood by men but is understood by God. (1 Cor. 14:2, 14) Praying in the Spirit should be accompanied by praying with understanding. (1 Cor. 14:15-20) Worship in the Spirit include praying and singing in the Spirit. (1 Cor. 14:15) "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on our most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spiritl" (Jude 20) This is how we worship God in the Spirit!
"Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which God had created and made." (Gen. 2:1-3)
All the physical universe, including man and the other creatures, had been created in six days; but God's work did not end there. After the sixth day Adam and Eve would have just existed without the consciousness of God and a close relationship with Him. It requires a consecrated time to worship their Creator. "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done." Creation was not completed until God had rested, "blessed the seventh day and sanctified it." The Seventh-Day Sabbath is the finale of God's Creation. It was created so that our first ancestors could have a day of rest, of blessings and also to worship God.
From the perspective of Creation alone, it can be understood that the Seventh Day Sabbath is given not only to the Jews or any particular race, but to all mankind. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, "The Sabbath was made for man." (Mk. 2:27) It was instituted before sin entered into man therefore it was not given for salvation. There was no law at that time therefore its observance cannot be called legalism.
It is needful to point out that there is nothing wrong with worshiping on Sunday or any other day of the week because our Almighty God accepts worship in Spirit and in truth at any time. If you worship on other days but neglect to worship on the Seventh Day Sabbath then you would have missed the complete truth. The Seventh Day Sabbath of Creation adds a new dimension in worship by including rest, blessings and sanctification from God. All Christians should welcome the Seventh Day Sabbath of Creation. "There remains therefore a (Sabbath) rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His (Creator's) rest has also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Heb. 4:9-10) Worshiping on the Seventh Day Sabbath of Creation in a Spirit-filled congregation will no doubt please our heavenly Father who is seeking such to worship Him.
The article on this web site is based on a two part sermon preached by Paul Wong
at the True Jesus Church in Houston, Texas, U.S.A. on January 21-22, 2000.
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