Church Is For Worship?

Is the modern church assembly aligned with the New Testament's vision? In this episode, we uncover surprising truths about the purpose of Christian gatherings, challenging the idea that worship is their central focus. Through a detailed exploration of passages like 1 Corinthians 14 and Hebrews 10, we’ll see how the Bible emphasizes mutual edification over performance or passive participation. We’ll address common objections, clarify misconceptions about Acts 13, and examine how today’s gatherings often miss the mark—whether they’re overly dull or overly dramatic. Discover how returning to the New Testament’s blueprint can transform church assemblies into places where believers are truly built up, reflecting God’s purpose and glory. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/built-up-not-pumped-up-the-biblical-blueprint-for-church-gatherings/ Dr. Wadsworth's YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBymWQLP-rkGoTzyS81-MIi5q63Aq4UgI&si=_p3wVIbKqW9IeMHl

In this episode we take a closer look at early church gatherings and how they differ from today’s worship services. Drawing from New Testament passages and Dr. Tom Wadsworth’s research, we uncover the original purpose of Christian assemblies—mutual edification and encouragement. Could our modern focus on performance-style worship be missing the mark? Join us as we explore what God truly intended for His people when they come together. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/performers-and-pew-warmers-is-this-what-god-intended/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

In this episode, we explore a surprising truth: the New Testament never applies "worship" terminology to church assemblies. While modern gatherings often focus on worship, the early church saw their assemblies through a different lens. We dive into the Greek word threskeia—mistranslated as "worship" in Colossians 2:18—to uncover its true meaning tied to Jewish temple rituals and ceremonies. This shift away from ritualistic practices illuminates the early church's purpose: mutual encouragement, teaching, and equipping believers to live out the gospel. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/assembly-required-what-church-gatherings-were-meant-to-be/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Did you know that the New Testament never instructs Christians to gather for “worship” as we often define it today? In this episode of Ready4Eternity, we explore the surprising truth behind the Greek words translated as “worship” in Scripture. Words like proskuneo, latreuo, and sebomai were tied to Jewish temple rituals—practices the early church intentionally left behind. Instead, the New Testament paints a picture of worship as a way of life: reverent, godly living that honors God in spirit and truth. Join us as we uncover the meaning of the sebo word group, examine why early Christians didn’t adopt temple rituals, and consider what this means for modern church gatherings. If you’ve ever wondered if worship is more than a Sunday morning activity, this episode will challenge your perspective and deepen your understanding of worship in the new covenant. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/24-7-worship-why-early-christians-didnt-need-sunday-services/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Have you ever wondered why modern churches call their gatherings “worship” when the New Testament never uses that term for Christian assemblies? This episode unpacks the Greek term leitourgeo—often translated as “worship” or “serve”—and its roots in temple service. Drawing on Dr. Tom Wadsworth’s research, we explore how this word relates to priestly duties in the Bible and why equating it with modern “worship” misses the mark. Discover the difference between service and worship, the New Testament’s focus on ministry and mutual edification, and how understanding leitourgeo can reshape our view of church gatherings. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey into the language and meaning behind biblical texts! Read: https://ready4eternity.com/your-church-isnt-a-temple-so-why-call-your-gatherings-worship/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

What does the Bible really mean when it talks about “worship”? In this episode of Ready4Eternity, we dive into two Greek words, latreuo and latreia, often translated as "worship" or "serve." Drawing from the research of Dr. Tom Wadsworth, we explore how these terms were used in their original context, both in the Old Testament’s Septuagint and the New Testament. Discover why worship in the Bible was historically tied to sacrifice and how the New Testament redefines this concept for Christians today. Far from being confined to rituals, worship becomes a daily offering—a life of service, integrity, and love that reflects God’s character. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/serving-not-just-singing-the-new-testament-truth-about-worship/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

What did "worship" mean to first-century Christians, and why doesn't the New Testament instruct believers to gather for worship as we understand it today? Discover how the original meaning of proskuneo—prostration and physical homage—differs from modern practices. We'll explore its roots in the Old Testament, its connection to temple rituals, and why this word is absent from descriptions of early church gatherings. This episode sheds light on the New Testament's focus on mutual edification, not ritualistic homage, offering fresh insights into the true purpose of Christian assemblies. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/bowing-down-or-building-up-rethinking-worship-in-the-new-testament/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

What does it really mean to worship? In this episode, we explore how the New Testament's original language and intent challenge our modern assumptions about worship. We trace the English word "worship" back to its roots and uncover how its evolving meaning has shaped our understanding of Christian gatherings. You'll learn about the five key Greek words often translated as "worship" or "serve" in the Bible, their connections to temple rituals, and how early Christians redefined worship in light of Christ’s sacrifice. Join us as we uncover how honoring God goes far beyond religious ceremonies—it’s about living a transformed life. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/what-is-worship-rethinking-a-misunderstood-word/ https://ready4eternity.com/the-purpose-of-going-to-church-is/ https://ready4eternity.com/what-is-worship-rethinking-a-misunderstood-word/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tom Wadsworth to explore a vital yet often misunderstood topic: the true purpose of early Christian gatherings. Many of us assume that worship has always been the central focus of church meetings, but Dr. Wadsworth’s research reveals a different story. Together, we discuss how modern church practices have shifted away from the original biblical model, which prioritized mutual edification and spiritual growth and excluded temple-based worship rituals. Dr. Wadsworth breaks down the disconnect between the New Testament assemblies and today’s church services, the meaning behind key Greek words for worship, and why reclaiming the biblical intent of gathering matters for Christians today. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tom Wadsworth to explore a vital yet often misunderstood topic: the true purpose of early Christian gatherings. Many of us assume that worship has always been the central focus of church meetings, but Dr. Wadsworth’s research reveals a different story. Together, we discuss how modern church practices have shifted away from the original biblical model, which prioritized mutual edification and spiritual growth and excluded temple-based worship rituals. Dr. Wadsworth breaks down the disconnect between the New Testament assemblies and today’s church services, the meaning behind key Greek words for worship, and why reclaiming the biblical intent of gathering matters for Christians today. ▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 00:00 - Intro 02:39 - Tom's background of research and dissertation development 04:55 - The purpose of gatherings 06:58 - Understanding worship language and edification 08:52 - The difference between ancient and modern gatherings 11:10 - The worship anomaly 15:12 - Are worship and edification mutually exclusive? 17:09 - If you're not getting something out of the meeting, maybe you're not the problem after all 19:10 - Greek words for worship 26:15 - Martin Luther's translation work 28:30 - Why weren't these worship words used in the early church? 31:38 - God's people as temples 32:40 - How can we be sure these words didn't take on new meaning? 39:30 - Christianity is a way of life 40:43 - The shift toward worship services as we know them 45:33 - How we got off track and the continuing reformation 50:18 - Why is this important to the average person? 52:08 - How does this affect our modern churches? 55:50 - Ignore the walls, focus on the people 57:15 - Pushback and responses 1:00:00 - How small groups affect edification 1:03:10 - Conclusion The Assembly: How We Got Worship Wrong: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBymWQLP-rkGoTzyS81-MIi5q63Aq4UgI&si=tuXacmFHhkGv72vW Tom's web site: https://www.tomwadsworth.com/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.