Worship in Spirit and Truth
Reprinted from The Carolina Messenger
David R. Pharr

Near to the Samaritan city of Sychar at Jacob's well, Jesus had an unusual conversation with a Samaritan woman (John 4:4-26). Among the things Jesus said to her were some significant points about worship.

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth"(vv. 19-24).

Realizing that Jesus was a prophet, the woman presented Him with an issue of controversy between the Samaritans and the Jews. For several centuries the Samaritans had recognized Mount Gerizim as the sacred place for worship. It was near where they were, thus her reference to "this mountain." It should be remembered that there was absolutely no divine authority for the worship at Gerizim. It had been designated by men and perpetuated by tradition.

On the other hand, she observes, the Jews held that Jerusalem was the proper place for worship. This worship was at the temple in Jerusalem. Which system of worship is correct—the traditions of her fathers, or the teachings of the Jews? The Lord's answer shows us some important principles about worship.

A New System Coming (v. 21)

At the time of this conversation the Old Testament system was still in force. Jesus knew, however, that the time ("hour") was coming when the requirement that worship be at Jerusalem would be abolished. Very soon the issue regarding Gerizim and Jerusalem would be totally moot. The temple service would be ended and worship would be offered to God under a new covenant.

In the new system, a temple location would not be an issue. It is very important to keep in mind that the issue addressed was not whether worship is something that is performed at any place at all, but whether it was to be at either of these specific places. Jesus does not say, as some have imagined, that worship is something so inward and ethereal that there are no prescribed actions. Neither does He imply that the worship assembly (in what ever place it might be held) is not a vital part of the new system.

Old System Was Still Valid (v. 22)

Some worship was not acceptable. In very plain words Jesus tells this woman that Samaritan worship was wrong. Because of their failure to follow the plan of God their worship was not pleasing to God. It was not that they did not know about God. But in fact they were following the traditions of men ("our fathers"). (Cf. Matt. 15:3, 6.)

The worship system of the Jews, however, was valid. Certainly Jesus was not saying that every Jew worshiped acceptably. His point is that the worship system which the Jews were supposed to be following, and which involved worship at Jerusalem, was based on the authority of God (Deut. 12:5-11; I Kings 9:3; II Chron. 7:12). Jesus in no way suggested that the Jerusalem requirement was not important at that time. Instead His words show that while the Mosaic law was still binding, obedience to the requirements of that law was essential, even as to the exact place where worship was to be offered.

The principle to be remembered is that while the different covenants have different specific requirements, the requirements of each covenant are bound on those to whom the covenant is given. Up to the time when the new system would come into place, the requirements of the Old Testament system were absolutely valid. We are not under that system. We do, however, worship the same God—a God who expects His requirements to be kept.

An Eternal Principle (vv. 23-24)

In verse 21 Jesus spoke of a new system of worship which was still future--"the hour cometh." The then existing law regulated the place of worship, but the future law would have no restrictions as to place. Covenants and their requirements are changed according to God's purposes. In verse 23, however, He declares a principle that does not change with the change of covenants. It is the eternal principle that worship must be in spirit and truth. Covenants change; eternal principles do not.

This point is significant because of the misuse some have made of the text. It is wrongfully assumed that worship in spirit and truth was not a requirement under the law of Moses. It is mistakenly thought that any worship that required certain prescribed rituals at a certain place could not be in spirit and truth. This totally misses the purpose of God in the Jewish system. Though often ignored by the people, it was always God's purpose that their worship be spiritual and certainly that it be according to truth.

One who asserts that the Old Testament system was a system of legalism should reflect seriously on the fact that God was the author of that system. When under the law of Moses they worshiped sincerely and scripturally at the temple in Jerusalem, they were true worshipers, the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. That was true worship in that hour that Jesus said "now is." When we sincerely worship as the New Testament teaches, this is true worship in the hour that Jesus said "cometh."

From Spirit To Spirit

The spirit of man is the inward man. External rituals alone do not suffice. The inward man must actively participate in every act of worship. God is a Spirit. Worship to the God who is Spirit must originate in the spirit of man. The nature of worship must be compatible with the nature of God; it must be spiritual. All obedience must be from the heart (Rom. 1:9; 6:17). If one's heart is not in it, he might carefully observe all the proper acts of worship and still be worshiping in vain.

The Meaning of Truth

The truth is the revelation from God (John 17:17; 3:21; 8:32; 16:13). Worshiping in truth is to worship according to instructions from God. To worship by other standards is to worship in vain (Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:20-23). Ordinances are to be kept according to apostolic instructions (I Cor. 11:2). Under the Old Testament system the truth regarding worship involved the observance of the temple rites. We are now under a new covenant and the truth that applied under the temple system does not pertain to us. The principle which requires conformity to truth is the same, however, and under the New Testament system the truth regarding worship involves those things ordained by Christ through His apostles.

Some have argued that to worship "in truth" simply means to be genuine in what we do. While it might seem that some argument might be made for this in verse 24, it will not fit the context of verse 23. In verse 23 Jesus has already used an adjective for genuine ("true worshipers"). If "truth" is also to be understood as worship that is genuine, the words of Jesus contain a superficial redundancy. He would be saying that genuine worshipers worship in a genuine way. This would be a truism, like saying, "Red cars must be red"; or, "Real things must be real." Jesus was speaking to an ordinary woman and to her ordinary words would have their ordinary meaning.

Two Elements, One Worship

In the Greek only one preposition (en, "in") joins the two nouns, "spirit" and "truth." This emphasizes the fact that true worship is impossible without both elements. The single preposition does not indicate that both spirit and truth mean essentially the same thing, but that neither can be acceptable without the other. There can be no acceptable worship by the inward man without submission to the instructions of truth; neither can there be acceptable worship when the truth's instructions are only outwardly followed without the sincere participation of the spirit within.

In Matthew 15:8-9 we find the reverse of acceptable worship. In contrast to worship "in spirit," there are those who honor "with their lips" (ritual), but whose "hearts are far from me." Further, instead of worship that is according to the truth, "But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."

The Father Seeks Such

The woman had challenged Jesus with an issue that was sensitive to the Samaritans. Jesus did not retreat from the controversy. Instead He plainly stated the failure of Samaritan worship, upheld the correctness of the system then in place for the Jews, and stated clearly the eternal principle of worship that must be followed by Jews and Samaritans, as well as all others. There is more to the Lord's words to this woman, however, than just the rebuke.

Three times He speaks of worship to "the Father" (vv. 21, 23). What is more, He shows the possibility of God being her Father by the words, "ye shall . . . worship the Father" (v. 21). To this is added the assurance that "the Father seeketh such to worship him" (v. 23). It is the will of God that all people be His children and that they worship Him in spirit and truth. There is the implication that this woman, a woman living in sin and under a false system of religion, would be acceptable to God if she would accept the plan of God.

Application

There is an effort in some quarters to minimize the importance of biblical instructions on worship. Some apparently are ready to adopt unscriptural practices. With many there appears to be a cancer of dissatisfaction with the New Testament order. On the other hand, some seem content to follow the form of New Testament worship without any real inward commitment. There is no sense of God's majesty, no overflowing heart of praise.

The words of Jesus address both errors. The Father seeks those who give homage to Him from their hearts and who also worship in harmony with the instructions of His word of truth. This is the only worship that is pleasing to God.

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