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Theology of Worship Term Paper [1/ i
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~ March 13: Proposal Due (20% of

THEOLOGY OF WORSHIP
grade) 1\\\

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TH 357
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II Topic/title of paper
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'I ' all Thesis statement
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Temple and Community

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'l Summary of your research strategy
li Bibliography of sources (at least 5 titles) IIA

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In the Acts of the Apostles

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Luke's Theology of Worship: Luke's Theology of Worship:

Luke and The Acts of the Apostles Luke and The Acts of the Apostles
~ Luke 24:50-53:
"When he had led the out to the ~ What are the important elements of a
vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his theology of worship in this passage?
hands and blessed them. While he iJ Adoration of the ascended, glorified
was blessing them, he left them and Jesus is the centrepiece of worship in
was taken up into heaven. Then they the New Testament church.
worshiped him and returned to ':1 Praisecontinues to be offered to the
Jerusalem with great joy. And they God of their ancestors in the Temple.
stayed continually in the temple,
praising God. "

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Question #1 The Temple in Jerusalem

~] What is the significance of the fact that in
the book of Acts, the word "worship" in any

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of its traditional forms is only once used in

connection with the actions of a Christian
meeting?
~ "In broad terms, Christian life and ministry

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are viewed as the way to worship or serve

the God of Israel under the new covenant.
More specifically, such worship is the rl/ A
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expression of faith in Jesus as Lord and

Christ" (p.137). I~a!/(

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Question #2
rM: Why did the apostles continue to
meet in the temple after Jesus'
ascension?
@' The place of revelation
~ Like Jesus, they wanted to proclaim
the word of salvation in the centre of
Judaism
The case of Stephen (ch. 7)
~ Stephen's speech "raised
fundamental questions about the
permanence of the institutions of
Judaism."
~ It provided "a theological introduction
to Luke's narrative of the Gentile
mission, by reaffirming that the Lord
of heaven and earth cannot be tied to
a single place" (7:48-50).
~ Preaching about Jesus must be at the
heart of a theology of worship
"Those who are concerned about God­
honouring worship will be concerned about the
proclamation of the gospel, in the world and the
church, in public teaching and private
dialogue."
@: "Ifworship is an engagement with God on
the terms that he proposes and in the way
that he alone makes possible, preaching
Christ is the key to that engagemenf' (p.
144).
Question #3
~ Why did the apostles cease to meet in
the temple?
~ Opposition and arrest (4:3; 5:25-26)
~ Exclusion of Christians from the
temple and the synagogues
The Outpouring of the Spirit (ch. 2)
[!i What does Peter's Pentecostal
sermon reveal about Luke's theology
of worship?
II Joel 2:28-32: A new dispensation of
God's Spirit - not only for prophets and
special leaders, but "all his people."
!) The Spirit is witness that Jesus is the
"present Lord" ... the glorified Lord
Jesus is the new point of contact
between heaven and earth for people of
every race without distinction (p.143).
Acts 13: 1-3: the Church at Antioch
.@.i The Church at Antioch: what is the
significance of the fact that this is the
only case where the language of
worship (Ieitourgeo) is used in the
context of a Christian gathering in the
book of Act?
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Acts 2:42-47: Essential features
of early Christian worship
1&11. Apostolic preaching and
teaching
"Teaching and preaching the apostolic
word in the Christian congregation ... is
an essential aspect of what may be
termed 'congregational worship'
because it is an act of worship or service
designed to glorify God. At the same
time, its aim should be to provoke
acceptable worship in the form of prayer,
praise and obedience in church and in
the context of everyday life" (p. 153).
Acts 2:42-47: Essential features
of early Christian worship
!!1i 3. Fellowship (koinonia)
it "One in heart and mind" (4:32)
." "Together" (1 :14; 2:46; 4:24; 5:12)
1m Sharing of possessions for the benefit of
the body
i~~ 4.Eating together, breaking bread
(vs. 42, 46)
'ill Was this the Lord's Supper?
Summary:
~ 1. Although the church gathered together
regularly for "corporate worship," almost
nothing is said about the form of their
gatherings.
~ 2. Gatherings included both large and
small groups-the temple and their homes.
il 3. Worship was centred around the risen,
ascended Christ, and was expressed in
obedience to the word, prayer, praise, and
acts of service and sharing in every
circumstance of life.
[Wj 4. Such worship was the primary "method"
of evangelism- "overheard worship" (H.
Best).
Acts 2:42-47: Essential features
of early Christian worship
[{i)12. Fellowship (koinonia)
"Common participation in Christ
necessarily leads to a mutual fellowship
amongst members of the Christian
community."
"We proclaim to you what we have
seen and heard, so that you also may
have fellowship with us. And our
fellowship is with the Father and with his
Son, Jesus Christ" (I John 1:3, 4).
Acts 2:42-47: Essential features
of early Christian worship
\ili 5. Prayer (lit. "the prayers") (vs. 42)
~ 6. Praise (vs. 47)
Ii 7. Evangelism (vs. 47)
[I What was the nature of the evangelistic
outreach of this church?
praising God and enjoying the favor
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of all the people. And the Lord added to
their number daily those who were being
saved" (vs. 47).
~ If 'there is no longer any "cultus"
in the ancient sense', it is equally
true, conversely, that all life has
become 'cultus' in a new sense.
Life has no other purpose than to
be rendered up to God in
adoration and gratitude.
(C. F, D. Moule)