Most people know how easy it is to just go with the flow and do things "...because that’s just what I was told..." I learned a long time ago it’s best not to just do stuff without knowing why. Here is a brief list of some things we do in church and the reasons behind them. We have given some scriptures that explain why our style is the way it is. These are not here to get hung up on and argue over. Simply just a few descriptions from scripture of why we do what we do.

Why do we worship God?

"You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only you shall serve." Matthew 4:10, Psalm 95:6, Revelation 15:1

In other words, God is God...you’re not. Give Him some respect.

How should we worship God?

"...God is spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." John 4:23-24, Psalm 96:9

In other words, this life now isn’t all there is. Learn to live in that place where God is. Might as well. You’re on your way there when you’re dead. 

Why do we clap and lift our hands during worship?

"Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord." Psalm 134:2
"Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name." Psalm 63:4
"O clap your hands all you people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. "Psalm 47:1

In other words, Tom Brady or the Red Sox aren’t the only things to get excited about.

Why are musical instruments a part of the worship service?

"Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet...with the lute and harp...with the timbrel and dance...with stringed instruments and organs...upon the loud cymbals...upon the high sounding cymbals." Psalm 150:3-5, Revelation 14:2

In other words, God loves music and wants us to use our talents to celebrate Him.

Why do we pray for the sick with the laying on of hands and anointing with oil?

"They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Mark 16:18
"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:14

In other words, God doesn’t like you sick any more than you like to be sick.

Why do we believe in speaking spiritual languages, and the supernatural enablements of the Holy Spirit? (At appropriate times of course. The church isn’t a circus.)

"But the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for the profit of all...to one the gifts of healing...working of miracles...to another different kinds of tongues; to another in interpretation of tongues. “1 Corinthians 12:7, 10 14:5,

"But he that prophesies speaks edification, and exhortation, and comfort to men." 1 Corinthians 14:3; 1:1

In other words, the Christian should be the expert in spiritual things, not the local wicked witch of the east.