The Scriptural basis for our worship style ...
Why do we practice this type of worship?
"Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)
"For it is we . . . who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus and who put no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians 3:3)
Why do we stand to sing?
"Then some Levites . . . stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel with very loud voice." (2 Chronicles 20:19)
"After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. . . And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’" (Revelation 7:9-10)
Why do we clap our hands?
"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." (Psalm 47:1)
Why do we lift our hands?
"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord." (Psalm 134:2)
"I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.(1 Timothy 2:8)
Why do we sing choruses as well as hymns?
" . . . Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. . ." (Ephesians 5:18-19)
Why do we have audible Praise?
"I will praise You, O Lord, with all my heart. . . I will sing praise to Your name, O most high." (Psalm 9:1-2)
"After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God for true and just are His judgments." (Revelation 19:1)
Why do we sing in tongues and in English?
"I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." (1 Corinthians 14:15)
What is Prophecy?
"But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:3)
Why do we have speaking in tongues and the interpretation of these tongues in the church?
"Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues." (1 Corinthians 14:39)
"If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three - should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret." (1 Corinthians 14:27)
Why does the whole church pray at once for specific needs?
". . . Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God." (Acts 4:23-24)
Why do we anoint people with oil and pray over them?
"Is anyone of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up." (James 5:14-15)