What is Worship?

I want to have a debate... and I want you to win. So answer this question for me, and I will even give my known arguments ahead of time.
Ground rules: 1) Please give practical (preferably physical) examples of what worship is. 2) Do not define a word by the same word, or a variation of the same word.

What is worship, which is dedicated only to God (or rather, what is it that is dedicated only to God)?

My arguments:

1) Worship is not praise. I praise my son for doing well in school, my parents for their good character and hard work, and my boyfriend for.... well, probably much the same.

2) Worship is not singing songs. We sing songs about everything from the American Revolution to the great YMCA. No one that I know of considers this worship.

3) Worship is not praying. To pray can (according to definition) be as simple as "to make earnest petition." I do that anytime I ask someone for help. This blog would be a great example.

4) Worship is not honor. All children are commanded to "honor your father and mother in the Lord for this is right." It would not be such a command if it were idolatry.

5) Worship is not respect. I have a great respect and even reverence for many people... Indeed, we're told to respect all those in authority.

6) Worship is not devotion. I am devoted to my work, my studies, the care of my physical body, and the care of my son.


Worship is defined as:

1.	reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred.

2.	formal or ceremonious rendering of such honor and homage: They attended worship this morning.

3.	adoring reverence or regard: excessive worship of business success.

4.	the object of adoring reverence or regard.

5.	(initial capital letter) British. a title of honor used in addressing or mentioning certain magistrates and others of high rank or station (usually prec. by Your, His, or Her).

–verb (used with object)

6.	to render religious reverence and homage to.

7.	to feel an adoring reverence or regard for (any person or thing).

–verb (used without object)

8.	to render religious reverence and homage, as to a deity.

9.	to attend services of divine worship.

10.	to feel an adoring reverence or regard.

So, we're talking about reverence, honor, homage (which is "respect or reverence paid or rendered"), formal or ceremonious rendering of such (kind of like a military funeral?), adoring ("to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor") reverence or regard, the object of such, the title used to address someone (British) of a high rank, and the above in a religious sense (kind of like the respect and honor due a pastor or teacher because of his (religious) position?).... Several of these repeat.

I don't see anything here that is (or should be) directed to God alone. I'm well aware that the commonly held belief is that worship is due to God alone, and no one else... unfortunately, I'm not sure that I'm grasping exactly what that is.

More on How the Catholic Mass Follows Scriptures

Here are a few of the things that are used in a Catholic Mass, and why.

Incense:

Luke 1:10 -- "And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense."

Revelation 5:8 -- "When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Revelation 8:3 -- "Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne."

Also, there are a vast number of references in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers to burning incense for the LORD on His alter.


Bells:

Zech 14:20 -- "In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, 'HOLY TO THE LORD.' And the cooking pots in the LORD'S house will be like the bowls before the altar."

Exodus 28:33 -- "You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around."


Priestly Vestments:

Exodus 30:14 -- "You shall put the holy garments on Aaron and anoint him and consecrate him, that he may minister as a priest to Me."

Leviticus 8:7-9 -- "He put the tunic on him and girded him with the sash, and clothed him with the robe and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the artistic band of the ephod, with which he tied it to him. He then placed the breastpiece on him, and in the breastpiece he put the Urim and the Thummim. He also placed the turban on his head, and on the turban, at its front, he placed the golden plate, the holy crown, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. "

How Catholic Mass Follows the Scriptures

I think you have to actually attend Mass and listen to what is being said before many of these will make sense (ex: 1 Tim 2:2, says to pray "for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" which is done every Sunday, almost word for word), but this is something I had heard about and was looking for so I thought I'd share.

INTRODUCTORY RITES WE STAND UP ENTRANCE SONG In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.	Biblical Foundation Mt 28:19 I Chron 16:36 II Cor 13:13
PENITENTIAL RITE My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault in my thoughts and in my words, in what l have done, and in what l have failed to do. And l ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.	James 5:16 Rom 12:16; James 3:6 I Thes 5:25 I Jn 1:9 Tobit 8:4; I Tim 2:2;Psm 51
GLORIA Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord Cod, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen. OPENING PRAYER This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen WE TAKE A SEAT	GLORIA Lk. 2:14 Rev 19:6 Rev 22:9; Eph 5:20; Rev 7:2 II Jn 3; Phil 2:11; Jn 1:29 Rom 8:34 Lk 4:34; Lk 1:32 Jn 14:26
LITURGY OF THE WORD FIRST READING The Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God RESPONSORIAL PSALM SECOND READING The Word of the Lord / Thanks be to God ALLELUIAWE STAND UP The Lord be with you. And also with you. A reading from the holy gospel according to... Glory to you, Lord. ( GOSPEL ) This is the gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. HOMILY WE TAKE A SIT WE STAND UP CREED OR THE PROFESSION OF FAITH PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL OR GENERAL INTERCESSIONS	Text related to the readings of the Day Old Testament / Acts of the Apostles Psalm New Testament Psalm II Cor 1:2 Gospel Explanation of Readings Deut 6:4 Gen 14:19 Gen 1:1 Jn 3:16 Acts 2:36 Lk 1:35 Matt 1:22-23 Jn 19:1-2 Jn 19:17-19 I Pe 3:18-19 I Cor 15:3-4 Mk 16:19 Acts 10:42. II Tim 4:1 Acts 2:17 Rom 5:5 Mt. 16:18. Rom 12:5 Rev 7:9 Jn 20:23 Rom 8, 11 Rev 22:5 Rev 22:20 I Tim 2:1-2
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST WE TAKE A SEAT PRESENTATION OF GIFTS COLLECTION Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God for ever. Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. I will become our spiritual drink. Blessed be God for ever. Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church. WE STAND UP PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. Whe he finish we answer: Amen. PREFACE AND EUCHARISTIC PRAYER The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It's right to give him thanks and praise. Father, it is our duty and our salvation ... ... And so we join the angels and the saints in proclaiming your glory as we sing (say): Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. WE KNEEL DOWN Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness. Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my Body which will be given up for you. When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it; this is the cup of my Blood, the Blood of the New and Everlasting Covenant. It will be shed for you and for all men so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again . WE STAND UP In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. .... ...Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.	Acts 4:35 - II Cor 9:12-13 Eccl 3:14 Sirach 17 Jn 6:35 Psm 68, 36 Lk 22:17-18 Psm 68:36 Heb 12:28 Psm 50:23 Text related to the readings of the Day II Cor 1:2 Lam 3:41 Col 3:17 Col 1:3 Is 6:3 . Rev 4:8 Mk 11:9-10 II Mac 14:36 Phil 2:8 Jn 10:17-18 Mk 14:22-25 Mt 14:22-25 Lk 22:19-20. I Cor 11:23-25 Acts 2:23-24 / I Cor 15, 3-4 Rev 22:17 22:20 Jn 6:51 I Cor 10:17 Eph 6:18 II Mac 12:45-46 I Cor 15, 20-23. 29-30 2 Tes 1:4-5. Rev 7:9-15 Heb 9:15 I Cor 12:12-13 Rev 7:12
RITE OF COMMUNION Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Saviour gave us: OUR FATHER Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: "I leave you peace, my peace I give you", look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. WE GIVE EACH OTHER A SIGN OF PEACE Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper. Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed . WE GO TO RECEIVE COMMUNION At the moment of communion the priest or the minister will say: The body of Christ. We must answer:Amen. WE RETURN TO OUR PLACE AND WE TAKE A SIT TO PRAY QUIETLY WE STAND UP PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION This prayer, said by the priest, is different in each single mass. When he finish we answer: Amen CONCLUDING RITE The Lord be with you. And also with you. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Go in the peace of Christ. Thanks be to God. FINAL SONG	Mt. 6:9-13 Jn 17:15 Rev 5:12-13 Jn 14:27 Jn 20.19 Rom 16:16 Jn 1:29 Rev 19:9 Mat 8:8 Text related to the readings of the Day II Cor 1:2 Lk 24:51 Lk 7:50 II Cor 9:15

Mary - The Ark of the New Covenant?

The Ark of the Old Testament	Mary - The New Testament Ark of the New Covenant
The Word was written by God on Tablets of Stone (Ex 25:10)	The Word became Flesh (John 1)
The Ark carried the Word of God (Deut 10:1) The Ark carried the Old Covenant.	Mary carried the Word of God (Lk 2:38) Mary carried the New Covenant
David says "Who am I that the Ark of my Lord should come to me?" (2 Sam 6:9)	Elizabeth says "Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me" (Lk 1:43) (Mary, was pregnant with Jesus)
When the Ark returned "David was leaping and dancing before the Lord" (2 Sam 6:14)	The baby leaped for joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary came into Elizabeth's presence carrying Jesus in her womb. (Lk 2 38)
There I have set the ark in which is the covenant of the Lord that he made with his people Israel (2Ch 6:11)	Jesus is the new Covenant and he is in Mary's womb, which makes Mary the ark of the New Covenant. Elizabeth's husband Zechariah said "He has remembered his holy covenant (Lk 1:72) ...The cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood (Lk 22:20)
Joshua summoned the twelve men from the Israelite, whom he had appointed, one from each tribe. Joshua said to them "Pass on before the ark of the Lord your God." (Josh 4:4) There were 12 stones like the 12 stars in Rev..	The ark of his covenant was seen within his temple; ... 12 :1 A great portent appeared in heaven: a woman ...and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev 11:19) representing the tribes of Israel.
In Joshua Chapter 6, the Israelites circle Jericho with the Ark of the Covenant and blowing horns for seven days before their victory.	In Revelation Chapter 8-11 before the introduction the Ark of the covenant (Chapter 12) the angels blow seven trumpets to herald the victory over Satan.
The Ark of the Lord is a blessing to the house (2 Sam 6:11)	Mary goes into the hills and blesses Elizabeth's house (Lk 2 38)
The Ark is captured (1 Sam 4:11) and brought to a foreign land and later returns (1 Sam 6:13)	Mary is exiled to a foreign land (Egypt) and later returns (Mat 2:14)
The Ark disappears (Jer 3:16) never to return until the New Testament Revelation story	The Ark reappears as a lady who bears a son who is seated at the right hand of God . Her children are Christians. (Rev 11:19)

I would love to have some comments on this....

Jack Chick vs Roman Catholicism - On Baptism

Yes, I know I should be working now and that I'm going to starve soon if I don't. That said, Jack Chick from Chick Publications (you know, think "chick tracts") has several articles regarding the folly of Roman Catholic doctrines. The first one that caught my eye was regarding baptism, so I started reading.

Apparently Jack Chick doesn't believe that it's necessary for salvation to be baptized... and the Catholic Church (according to the Catechism) does. That's fine. Although, it's interesting the minimal amount of scripture used on both sides (except when Jack uses verses which show that both are required). For example, Jack Chick will quote the Catechism (which says that by baptism all sins are forgiven) and then respond by saying,

"The Bible teaches that only Christ can forgive our sins, performing a "good work" like baptism will never do it."

and supports it with one verse which says:

""In whom we have redemption through his (Christ's) blood, the forgiveness of sins..." Ephesians 1:7"

But this doesn't teach that ONLY Christ can forgive sins... rather that that forgiveness of sins comes through him. The only other verse that comes to my mind regarding the exclusive ability to forgive sins was when the Pharasees accused Jesus of blasphemy because "only God can forgive sins." The verse that comes to mind regarding baptism and the forgiveness of sins is Acts 2:38 in which Peter replied:

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

and Acts 22:16, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

That seems pretty plain to me. I'll let you draw your own conclusions on these.
Jack a little while later says that,

"The Bible teaches that baptism should occur after salvation, not as a requirement for salvation."

This I don't agree with either. Rather, belief is a prerequisite for baptism, and baptism is an act of obedience coming out of faith... without which it is impossible to please God.

""He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

Jack Chick believes that baptism is not necessary for salvation. The Catholic Church believes that it is, although they consent that "in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel to that faith..."

I plan to revisit this at a later time.

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