Church of Christ worships God in spirit, truth

To the editor:

A recent Speak Out asked, "Are there any churches in the Cape or Jackson areas which respect our traditions, churches that don't try to entertain, don't applaud and don't try to latch on to every fad that comes along?" The response is yes.

In Mark 7:1-20, Jesus, responding to the Pharisees, says, "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the traditions of men." Jesus, teaching the woman of Samaria in John 7:7-38, states, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be his worshippers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."

Worship to God must be in accordance with his instructions in the New Testament. According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, the word translated "worship" in this passage means "to reverence, to adore." In Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, the word means "to bow down." It is clear that the object of our worship is to be God, not self.

I suggest the Church of Christ. We strive to "speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent." Our intent is to worship God in spirit and truth, not entertain. May God be glorified in all that we do.

STEVE SIMMONS

Jackson Church of Christ

Jackson