Two of the most essential elements of religion are God (or gods) and the worshipers. We have already spoken of how the Christian temple and priesthood are superior to that of other religions. We have also stated that the Christian religion is superior because it worships the one true and living God, Father, Son, and Spirit. But, so too are the worshipers in the Christian faith. The chief reason for affirming this is because they are the only ones who worship God "in spirit and in truth." Said the Lord Jesus:
"19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4: 19-24 nkjv)
All worshipers of false deities "worship what they know not." Some people say that all religions are simply different ways of finding God or being saved. However, since views about God differ so much in those religions it is unreasonable to claim that they all lead to the same God.
Sincerity is not enough for there are many who worship false gods and goddesses and are sincere in their religion, worship, and faith. According to Jesus one must not only worship God in spirit and sincerely but in truth. Worshiping a false god does no one any good. Barnes comments in his commentary:
"In spirit - The word "spirit," here, stands opposed to rites and ceremonies, and to the pomp of external worship. It refers to the "mind," the "soul," the "heart." They shall worship God with a sincere "mind;" with the simple offering of gratitude and prayer; with a desire to glorify him, and without external pomp and splendor. Spiritual worship is that where the heart is offered to God, and where we do not depend on external forms for acceptance."
This reminds us of these words of Christ:
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matt. 15: 8-9 kjv)
As James spoke of "vain religion" so had Christ. "In vain" do people worship false gods. False religion involves two great errors. The first is to worship a false god. The second is to fail to worship God in the way he has prescribed.
Bible Hub's encyclopedia says this (See here):
"False religion, as understood within the biblical context, refers to any system of belief or practice that deviates from the worship of the one true God as revealed in the Scriptures. It encompasses idolatry, heretical teachings, and any form of worship that contradicts the teachings of the Bible. False religion is often characterized by the worship of created things rather than the Creator, the propagation of doctrines contrary to biblical truth, and practices that lead people away from a genuine relationship with God."
According to Jesus there are "true worshipers"; And, if there are true worshipers, then there are false worshipers. These are they who worship the one true God, the Father, and who worship him in spirit and in truth. They worship him as he himself has directed them. They also observe and do his commandments. These are the kinds of worshipers that God seeks.
The apostle Paul describes false religion in these words:
"20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." (Rom. 1: 20-25 nkjv)
This is a good description of polytheism or paganism. Such false religion is based upon lies and has an inferior description of God. True religion is monotheistic, believing in only one God. Christianity, though believing that the Father, Son, and Spirit are each God does not believe in three Gods (tritheism), for though they are three persons they are one in essence, substance, or nature. The bible teaches the trinity of the unity and the unity of the trinity. (See John 10: 30; I John 5: 7) Anything that is created cannot be God. Anything that had a beginning cannot be God. This is why Paul condemns those who are involved in "worshiping of angels." (Col. 2: 18) This is why Protestants condemn the Catholic practice of the worshiping or adoration of saints, or praying to them and seeing them as intercessors on a par with Christ. It is a false religion that worships Mary the mother of Jesus and prays to her and makes her into a kind of goddess.
The same apostle differentiates between true religion and false also in these words:
"4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." (I Cor. 8: 4-6 nkjv)
True religion is monotheistic and believes in the above creed. The above is Christianity's basic statement of faith. All their religious exercise has this as a foundation. Paul defended this creed many times. When in Athens, Greece he affirmed it. So the record reads:
"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." (Acts 17: 22-23 kjv)
"Too Superstitious" is from the Greek word "deisidaimonesteros" and is often interpreted to mean "more religious," or perhaps "overly religious," or "very religious." It involves fearing or reverencing a deity or deities, or demigods. It literally means “fearers of demons.” This fact would lend credence to the KJV's use of the words "too superstitious," for superstition often involves the spirit world. W.E. Vine says that δεισιδαιμονία literally means being "reverent to the deity" (deido, "to fear;" daimon, "a demon," or "pagan god"), occurs in Acts 17:22 in the comparative degree."
Why does Paul refer to the deities of the Athenians as demons to be feared and worshiped, rather than as "gods" (Greek theoi)? He could have used either term in his Athenian address. He used both at times when he referred to the deities of the Polytheists in his writings. In fact, some Pagan Athenians supposed that Paul taught that Jesus was a demon or demigod. The Athenian demon servers (worshipers) said: "He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods (Greek demons): because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection." (Acts 17: 18)
"Devotions" is from the Greek word "sebasma" and denotes "whatever is religiously honoured, an object of worship of temples, altars, statues, idolatrous images" (Strong).
Notice that religious devotion must have an "object of worship." If we judge faith and religion by the quality of the deity or deities religiously served, then the faith of the Christian is superior to all other religions and belief systems. Another word, similar to "devotion" is the word "devout." It is used of people who are very religiously minded. "Devout" is from the Greek word "eulabes," an adjective literally denoting "taking hold well." It denotes one dedicated to religion.
In another place, Paul referred to all false religions, most of which are historically polytheistic, as "will worship" or "self-imposed religion." Said Paul about the religion of the Gnostics:
"These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion ("will worship" KJV), false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh." (Col. 2: 23)
Religion and religious exercise involve both internals and externals. The internal involves the state of heart and the mind of the worshiper. The external involves religious ceremony and ritual. Paul acknowledges that false religion has "an appearance of wisdom," a "show," but not the real thing. Elaborate temples, statues of idols, choirs and symphonies, sacrifices and feasts, celebrations, finely dressed priests, numerous altars, toasts and words of praise directed to the various deities, etc., these are the stuff of religion. Some translators think that "appearance" is not the best translation and say "reputation" is a better word. The Greek word is "logon" (a form of the word 'logos'). I think it denotes in this context the rhetoric and message of the false religion, being a reference to the religious language of the various cults. It denotes "wise words," which would be a religion that promotes certain mottoes, certain maxims, proverbs, adages, slogans, formulas, keys of knowledge, etc.
Having now seen how Christianity is the one true religion and superior to all other religions, having a superior God, temple, priesthood, and worshipers, we will next speak of another essential to religion and that is prayer.
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