El culto

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La palabra culto significa “honrar o mostrar reverencia a un ser divino”. En general, el culto puede referirse a cualquier acto de humillación para honrar a Dios, incluyendo los sacrificios en los tiempos del Antiguo Testamento. Sin embargo, normalmente se usa para describir un acto de servicio a Dios en cierta forma, como orar o alabar.

Rindiendo culto en el Templo de la Nueva Jerusalén en Pangyo de la Iglesia de Dios Sociedad Misionera Mundial

Los sacrificios en el Antiguo Testamento

Véase también: “Los sacrificios en el Antiguo Testamento”
El sacrificio ofrecido por el sumo sacerdote con un animal

En los tiempos del Antiguo Testamento, adoraban a Dios a través de sacrificios. El origen de los sacrificios se remonta al tiempo de Adán, el progenitor de la humanidad. Los hijos de Adán, Caín y Abel, presentaron cada uno una ofrenda a Dios según su parecer. Dios aceptó el sacrificio de Abel ofrecido con un cordero, pero rechazó el sacrificio de Caín ofrecido con los frutos de la tierra. A través de esto, se puede entender que la forma de sacrificio que Dios desea es ofrecer sacrificios de animales.[1] Desde entonces, muchos antepasados de la fe ofrecieron sacrificios de animales, siguiendo la forma de sacrificio de Abel.[2][3][4] La forma de sacrificio del derramamiento de sangre de animales se estableció como una ley codificada en los tiempos de Moisés. En los tiempos del Antiguo Testamento, los israelitas se comunicaban con Dios ofreciendo un holocausto continuo cada mañana y tarde, ofreciendo sacrificios cada Día de Reposo y en las siete fiestas de tres tiempos cada año según la ley. Además, traían ofrendas adecuadas a su propósito y necesidad, y las ofrecían personalmente a Dios.

Tipos de sacrificios en el Antiguo Testamento

The rituals of sacrifices carried out in the sanctuary in the Old Testament times were similar or duplicated in types, methods, and names, so it is not easy to distinguish them accurately. However, according to purpose, offering, and method, they can be roughly classified as follows.

  • Clasificación según el propósito
Se divide mayormente en ofrenda de expiación, ofrenda por la culpa y ofrenda de paz. Tanto la ofrenda de expiación como la ofrenda por la culpa contienen el significado de la redención del pecado. Cuando pecaban contra Dios, solían ofrecer una ofrenda de expiación, y cuando violaban las leyes sociales entre los hombres, solían ofrecer la ofrenda por la culpa. Las ofrendas de paz se usaban para agradecer a Dios por el perdón de pecados o para orar a Él. La persona que ofrecía el sacrificio podía comer la ofrenda junto con el sacerdote.
  • Clasificación según la ofrenda
Se puede clasificar como holocausto, ofrenda de grano y ofrenda de libación. El holocausto era el sacrificio más básico y común, y se realizaba quemando animales. La ofrenda de grano era literalmente una ofrenda presentada con granos, y había varias formas, como quemar harina, aceite e incienso, y cocer el pan. La ofrenda de libación era un sacrificio que consistía en derramar vino, etc. El holocausto era ofrecido junto con la ofrenda de grano o la ofrenda de libación.[5][6]
  • Clasificación según el método
Había una ofrenda encendida, una ofrenda elevada y una ofrenda mecida. Los holocaustos y algunas ofrendas de grano se ofrecían con fuego. La ofrenda elevada se presentaba a Dios sosteniéndola en lo alto; y la ofrenda mecida se presentaba meciéndola. En la Fiesta de las Primicias se mecía una gavilla de los primeros granos y se presentaba a Dios.

El culto en el Nuevo Testamento

De sacrificio a culto

La ley del Antiguo Testamento es una sombra de los bienes venideros del Nuevo Testamento.[7] Según la ley de Moisés, los sacerdotes sacrificaban animales derramando su sangre. El sacrificio del Antiguo Testamento, que garantizaba el perdón de pecados por el sacrificio de animales, es una profecía que muestra que Cristo sería sacrificado por los pecados de la humanidad en el futuro. La sangre de los sacrificios del Antiguo Testamento simbolizaba la preciosa sangre de Jesús derramada en la cruz.[8]Como Jesús se sacrificó como una eterna ofrenda de expiación, ya no eran necesarios los sacrificios del Antiguo Testamento.[9][10] En los tiempos del Nuevo Testamento, recibimos el perdón de pecados y todas las bendiciones a través del sacrificio de Jesús por medio del culto en espíritu y en verdad.

Jesús enseña a la mujer samaritana a guardar culto en espíritu y en verdad.

Enseñanzas de Jesús

“Jesús le dijo: Mujer, créeme, que la hora viene cuando ni en este monte ni en Jerusalén adoraréis al Padre. […] Mas la hora viene, y ahora es, cuando los verdaderos adoradores adorarán al Padre en espíritu y en verdad; porque también el Padre tales adoradores busca que le adoren.”

- Juan 4:21–23


En los días de Jesús, se sacrificaban animales cada día de acuerdo con la ley del Antiguo Testamento en Jerusalén. Sin embargo, Jesús dijo “ni en Jerusalén”, lo cual implica que ya no es necesario sacrificar animales según el Antiguo Testamento. En los tiempos del Nuevo Testamento, el pueblo adora a Dios en espíritu y en verdad según el ejemplo que dio Jesús y que los apóstoles guardaron siguiendo su ejemplo.

Propósito del culto

To Receive the Forgiveness of Sins and Be Reconciled to God

One of the greatest purposes of worship is the forgiveness of sins. Worship is the only ceremony for mankind, who has been separated from God because of their sins, to receive the forgiveness of sins and come to God.[11][12][13] In the Old Testament times, the Israelites sacrificed animals to be forgiven of their sins, and they offered worship services with the blood of animals. In the New Testament times, however, Christ Himself, represented as the Lamb, sacrificed Himself for the forgiveness of sins of mankind.[14] Through this, people are freed from the chains of sin, and the way is opened to be reconciled to God, from whom they had been separated because of their sins.[15] They should offer worship to God in order to remember and commemorate the love of Christ who sacrificed Himself for mankind, sinners.

To Confirm Their Relationship With God

God and His people meet and communicate spiritually through worship. God said that He made a covenant with His people through sacrifice, that is, worship.[16] Worship is designed to strengthen the covenant people have made with God the Creator and serve Him with conviction. Through worship, people acknowledge their relationship with God as Parents and children, King and people, Creator and creatures. There are many gods and lords in the world.[17] If they do not serve only God completely, they won’t be able to avoid destruction.[18] Through worship, they serve the true God only, which enables them to become more connected to God with an inseparable cord of love.[19][20]

To Give Thanks and Glory to God

God is the Creator of all things in the universe. He gave life and breath to human beings, saved them who had become sinners, and promised them the kingdom of heaven through the words of truth. God established the plan of redemption and fulfills His will while people don’t realize it.

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

- Apocalipsis 4:11


God’s people live in the grace of God, receiving His love and care every day. Worshiping God, who is worthy to receive glory, honor, and thanks, is a ritual that God’s people ought to perform.

Blessing of Worship

Worship service contains God’s will to bless those who serve God with the right of heavenly people and of God’s children, and also to make everything go well with them in the end. When God’s people give thanks and glory to God in spirit and truth, God grants them many blessings. The blessing of worship can be confirmed through the promises of God contained in the sacrifices of the Old Testament.

  • The Old Testament sacrifice was the only way for sinners, who had been separated from God because of their sins,[21] to receive the forgiveness of sins and come to God.[22][23] The forgiveness of sins is the purpose of worship for the saints who hope for salvation, but it is also a great blessing from God.
  • When they offer a sacrifice (worship), they can prosper both physically and spiritually. Solomon received wisdom from God by offering a thousand burnt offerings and became the wisest king of his time, and his kingdom greatly prospered under God’s blessing.[24] The house of Obed-Edom, where the ark of the covenant was kept, was greatly blessed, which shows that those who worship and serve God in the temple will be blessed.[25]
  • When people keep worship according to God’s commandments, they will receive the blessing of spiritual wisdom and understanding. The prophet Isaiah prophesied that people will lose wisdom and understanding if they obey the rules of men.[26] The rules of men refer to false worship such as Sunday worship and Christmas which are not found in the Bible. If they practice false worship, that is, rules of men that are not found in the Bible, they will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Only when they keep the worship services and the feasts commanded by God, can they receive wisdom and understanding through the blood of Christ, so that they can fully realize the mystery of God and the administration of redemption.[27]
  • The meaning and blessing contained in the worship of the feasts is even more special. Since different blessings of God are promised in each and every one of the seven feasts in three times, people can all receive God’s blessings when they keep the feast worship. Feast worship is the passage through which they can receive numerous blessings such as the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, the blessing of being protected from disasters, the living hope for resurrection, the promise of ascension, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the Sabbath worship, which is a weekly feast, is promised the blessing of being acknowledged as God’s people and entering the eternal rest.

Day of Worship

God’s people keep the weekly feasts and the annual feasts according to the regulations.[28]

Weekly Feasts

  • Sabbath: The Sabbath is a weekly feast, which commemorates the power of God the Creator. The Sabbath in the Bible is the seventh day, Saturday.
  • Third Day Worship: The Third Day Worship, when they can receive the blessing of being sanctified, is held on the third day, Tuesday evening.[29]

Annual Feasts

As for the annual feasts, there is the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Day of Resurrection (Feast of Firstfruits), the Pentecost (Feast of Weeks), the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Each of the seven feasts, which are observed in three times, has its own prophetic meaning and blessings.

Special Worship

A special worship service is held when there is a special purpose. Special worship services can be offered on special occasions.

Forms of Worship

Although there is no standardized worship service recorded in the Bible, the format of worship of the early Church is seen through the work of Jesus and the apostles. In the early Church, worship was held in various places: the homes of the saints, the outdoor spaces, synagogues where many Jews gathered, etc.

  • Sermon: Jesus set an example of giving a sermon in a synagogue on the Sabbath day.[30][31] The apostles too gave a sermon while keeping worship in a synagogue.[32]
  • Prayer: Worship was also a time of prayer. When the Bible recorded that Paul and Silas were looking for a place to keep the Sabbath worship, it described it as them “looking for a place of prayer.”[33]
  • Praise: An act of praising is also accompanied during worship. Apostle Paul taught that the saints should praise, teach the word of God, etc. in an orderly way when they gather.[34]
  • Feast Ceremony: According to the meaning of the feast worship, special ceremonies are held on some feasts. The Bible records holding the Holy Supper on the Passover, and breaking bread on the Resurrection Day.[35][36]

Véase también

Referencias

  1. ↑ «Génesis 4:1–5». 
  2. ↑ «Génesis 8:20–21». 
  3. ↑ «Génesis 12:7». 
  4. ↑ «Génesis 15:9». 
  5. ↑ «Éxodo 29:41–42». 
  6. ↑ «Números 15:5–6». 
  7. ↑ «Hebreos 10:1». 
  8. ↑ «Hebreos 7:27». 
  9. ↑ «Romanos 5:6–11». 
  10. ↑ «Hebreos 10:8–18». 
  11. ↑ «Isaías 59:1–2». 
  12. ↑ «Levítico 4:13–20». 
  13. ↑ «Levítico 5:18–19». 
  14. ↑ «1 Corintios 5:7». 
  15. ↑ «Efesios 2:12–19». 
  16. ↑ «Salmos 50:4–5». 
  17. ↑ «1 Corintios 8:5». 
  18. ↑ «Jeremías 10:11». 
  19. ↑ «Levítico 26:12». 
  20. ↑ «Juan 4:23». 
  21. ↑ «Isaías 59:1–2». 
  22. ↑ «Levítico 4:13–20». 
  23. ↑ «Levítico 5:18–19». 
  24. ↑ «1 Kings 3:4–14». 
  25. ↑ «2 Samuel 6:9–11». 
  26. ↑ «Isaías 29:13–14». 
  27. ↑ «Efesios 1:7–9». 
  28. ↑ «Levítico 23:1–44». 
  29. ↑ «Números 19:1–22». 
  30. ↑ «Marcos 1:21». 
  31. ↑ «Lucas 4:16». 
  32. ↑ «Hechos 13:13–44». 
  33. ↑ «Hechos 16:13». 
  34. ↑ «1 Corintios 14:26–40». 
  35. ↑ «1 Corintios 11:23–26». 
  36. ↑ «Hechos 20:7». 
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