The worship practices of the early Christian church, as recorded in the New Testament and early Christian writings, centered on fellowship, teaching, prayer, the breaking of bread (communion), and communal worship. The early Christians adapted some elements from Jewish traditions while focusing on Jesus’ teachings and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Here’s an overview of how the early church worshiped:
1. Gathering in Fellowship
- Meeting Together Regularly: The early Christians often met daily, gathering in homes or sometimes in the Temple courts in Jerusalem. Acts 2:46 describes this communal spirit:
> “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” - Community and Support: The early church emphasized fellowship and unity. They encouraged and supported one another, sharing resources and caring for the needs within the community (Acts 2:44-45).
2. Prayer as a Central Element
- Praying Together: Prayer was a central part of early Christian worship, both in communal and personal settings. Acts 1:14 describes the disciples and other believers devoted to prayer together after Jesus’ ascension.
- Prayers of Thanksgiving, Supplication, and Intercession: The early church prayed for guidance, protection, and strength. They thanked God for His blessings, sought forgiveness, and interceded for others, following the example of Jesus and the teachings of the apostles (Acts 4:24-31).
3. Teaching and Studying the Apostles’ Doctrine
- Learning from the Apostles: Teaching was fundamental to the early church’s worship, with the apostles sharing Jesus’ teachings, explaining the Scriptures, and helping new believers understand the faith. Acts 2:42 mentions that they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.”
- Scripture-Centered Instruction: The early church valued Scripture as the foundation of their faith and practice, frequently referring to Old Testament passages and prophecies fulfilled in Jesus.
4. The Breaking of Bread (Communion)
- Celebrating the Lord’s Supper: The early Christians regularly observed the “breaking of bread” (or communion) as a way to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection. This practice commemorated Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples and reinforced the unity of believers (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
- Communion in Homes: Communion was often celebrated in homes, where small groups of believers would share a meal, including the bread and wine, symbolizing Jesus’ body and blood. This meal was both a time of fellowship and a sacred remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice.
5. Praise and Worship Through Song
- Singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs: Music was an essential part of early Christian worship. They sang psalms and hymns, expressing praise, gratitude, and reverence for God. Paul encouraged the church to sing “psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit” as a way to teach and encourage each other (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
- Songs of Praise and Instruction: Songs were not only a way to worship but also a way to teach and reinforce core Christian beliefs. They reminded believers of God’s character, the teachings of Jesus, and the hope of eternal life.
6. The Gifts and Work of the Holy Spirit
- Manifestation of the Spirit: In the early church, worship often included the work of the Holy Spirit, manifesting in various ways, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing, and other spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14).
- Order and Edification: Paul instructed that the use of spiritual gifts in worship should be orderly and focused on building up the church. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14, he emphasizes that everything should be done “for the strengthening of the church” (1 Corinthians 14:26).
7. Giving and Supporting One Another
- Sacrificial Giving: The early Christians practiced generosity and shared resources, supporting one another’s needs. Acts 4:32-35 describes how believers sold possessions and shared what they had so that “there was no needy person among them.”
- Offering Collections: The early church also took up offerings to support those in need, including other churches. For instance, Paul organized a collection from various churches to support believers in Jerusalem who were struggling financially (2 Corinthians 8-9).
8. Encouraging One Another and Building Up the Faith
- Mutual Encouragement: Worship gatherings were a time to encourage each other in faith, especially in the face of trials and persecution. The writer of Hebrews exhorts believers to continue meeting together and to “encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
- Exhortation and Accountability: Early Christians were also encouraged to hold one another accountable, correcting each other when needed and helping each other stay on the path of faith.
9. Baptism as an Act of Worship and Commitment
- Public Declaration of Faith: Baptism was an essential initiation into the Christian community. New believers were baptized to publicly declare their faith in Jesus and their commitment to follow Him. This practice continued the command Jesus gave in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Symbol of New Life: Baptism symbolized death to the old life and rebirth into a new life in Christ, aligning with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).
10. Expectancy of Christ’s Return
- Hope in the Second Coming: The early church lived in anticipation of Christ’s return, which influenced their worship and encouraged them to remain faithful. Communion itself was a reminder of the Lord’s coming again (1 Corinthians 11:26).
- Encouragement to Persevere: This hope provided strength and motivation to endure persecution, knowing that their worship and faithfulness would be rewarded when Jesus returned.
Summary
The early church’s worship was characterized by fellowship, prayer, the teaching of Scripture, breaking of bread, singing, the work of the Holy Spirit, generosity, and a deep sense of community. Their worship was both joyful and solemn, grounded in their relationship with Christ and their commitment to one another. Worship was not limited to formal gatherings but was integrated into their daily lives, reflecting their dedication to following Jesus in every aspect.
Their model of worship—rooted in love, devotion, and community—continues to inspire Christian worship practices today.