The Five Acts of Worship?
by Gardner Hall
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 1, March 1995
It seems that some have begun to treat what are commonly called the "five acts" as if they were a heavenly checklist that God has given to local churches. Occasionally, one hears someone announce with solemn tones, "We have now completed one act of worship. Now let us move on to the next." Such smacks of ritualism, more characteristic of Catholic liturgy than of first-century Christianity.
The Bible does not officially categorize worship into five acts. Of course, there is nothing wrong in and of itself in talking of five acts of worship as long as one realizes that such is an arbitrary classification. By dividing or joining categories, other classifications could be given, both scriptural and the traditional "five acts." For example, consider:
- partaking of the bread,
- partaking of the fruit of the vine,
- giving for poor saints,
- giving for gospel preachers,
- singing hymns of praise,
- singing psalms,
- praying for the sick,
- praying to praise God,
- being edified through sermons,
- encouraging others to love and good works, etc.
That unofficial list contains ten "acts of worship," and all are authorized in Scripture. Of course, some items in the list could be combined and others divided or categorized differently, but that’s just the point! Such classifications, whether they contain five, ten, or any other number of "acts," are optional. What is important is that, however we classify various acts, everything we do for God must have His divine approval from the scriptures.
A Word of Caution
Some who ridicule the idea of "five acts" seem to have questionable motives. They want to justify their choirs, parties, blessings of animals, Karate for Christ, etc. The fact that they may be right in stating that the Bible gives no official classification of five acts does not excuse them in their efforts to cheapen worship with gimmicks, stunts, and side shows.
We can respect the word of God and avoid presumptuous attitudes towards worship, even as we caution against those who would bind traditional classifications as a kind of liturgy.
