How to Spot a Truly BIBLICAL Church Service
So you’re looking for a good church, but you’re confused by all the different options out there. One says this, another says that. You’re just trying to do what’s right—but it feels like a maze.
I’ve been there too. You want to please God and be part of a church that takes His word seriously—but how do you know which one to trust?
This series is here to give you clear, biblical guidance so you can find a church that truly belongs to Jesus—not one that is built on man’s traditions.
In our first article, we saw how the Christian world became so divided with thousands of different churches all teaching different things, often contradicting each other.
In our second article, we discovered that the most important thing to look for in a church is whether or not they preach the same gospel the Apostles preached.
In today’s article, we’re talking about how Christ’s church worshiped in the Bible and why it matters when you are trying to find a good church.
Does How We Worship God Matter?
Some think, “As long as your heart’s in the right place, it doesn’t matter.”
But what did Jesus say to the Samaritan woman at the well?
“‘But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.’” (John 4:23–24 | ESV)
Did you hear that? Not spirit or truth. It must be both. That means it has to come from the heart, but it also has to follow God’s instructions.
Jesus also said to the scribes and Pharisees,
“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:8–9 | ESV)
The scribes and Pharisees were wrong on both accounts. Their hearts were far from God, and they were teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. They were not worshiping in spirit and truth, which made their worship vain or worthless.
The key point here is that if we worship God with a sincere heart but not according to truth, it is worthless. Unfortunately, that is what you find in many modern churches—very sincere people worshiping in vain.
What Did the New Testament Church’s Worship Look Like?
So let’s look at what the Bible says about how the church in the New Testament worshiped God and see if we can find a church like that today.
To be clear, we’re talking about the weekly assembly of the saints—what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 11 when the whole church comes together. Of course, we can worship God privately or in small groups anytime, but the Bible teaches there’s a special, weekly gathering where we come together to worship and encourage one another.
“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some…” (Hebrews 10:24–25 | ESV)
This assembly is not optional. It’s something we’re called to do regularly.
So, the first question is...
When Did the Early Church Assemble?
In 1 Corinthians 11–14, Paul refers to a time when the whole church gathers. Then, in 1 Corinthians 16:1–2, he tells us when that gathering happened:
“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper...”
(1 Corinthians 16:1–2 | ESV)
So, when were Christians instructed to give? On the first day of every week.
Another clue comes from Acts 20. Paul was in a hurry to get back to Jerusalem, but he still waited seven days in Troas so that he could meet with the church. Why? Because that’s when the whole church came together. What day was that?
“We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days. On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them...” (Acts 20:6–7 | ESV)
It was the first day of the week—Sunday.
So, when you’re looking for a faithful church, you want one that assembles on Sunday—not Saturday.
Under the Old Covenant, Jews rested on the Sabbath (the seventh day). But under the New Covenant, Christians came together to worship on the first day of the week—Sunday.
Avoid churches that meet on Saturday and keep the Sabbath. There is no example in the New Testament of Christians assembling for worship on the Sabbath.
(If you’d like to study the Sabbath more in-depth, check out our article on that topic.)
What Did Worship Look Like?
Now that we’ve established when the church gathered, let’s look at what they did.
If you walked into a New Testament church assembly, what would you see?
Here are the five key things every New Testament church did when they came together—five things to look for in a biblical church today:
1. Teaching the Word
There was preaching and teaching from God’s word.
”What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” (1 Corinthians 14:26 | ESV)
2. Prayer
They spent time in prayer together.
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42 | ESV)
“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” (Acts 12:5 | ESV)
3. Giving
Christians gave as they had prospered, with a cheerful heart—every first day of the week.
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2 | ESV)
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“ (2 Corinthians 9:7 | ESV)
4. The Lord’s Supper
They took the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week, using unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, in remembrance of Christ.
“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7 | ESV)
“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” ( 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 | ESV)
5. Singing
They sang psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to one another—making melody in their hearts to the Lord.
“…addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart…” (Ephesians 5:19 | ESV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16 | ESV)
What to Look for in a Biblical Church
To sum it up, here’s what to look for in a church that follows the New Testament pattern:
Meets on Sunday (not Saturday)
Teaches and preaches the word faithfully
Offers sincere, heartfelt prayer
Takes the Lord’s Supper every week
Encourages cheerful, voluntary giving—not mandatory tithing
Sings together—no choirs or bands performing, just the church singing to one another
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, many churches today don’t follow the New Testament pattern. If your current church doesn’t, don’t settle. Talk to your leaders with love and humility. But if they won’t change, it may be time to move on.
God wants you to be part of a church that worships in spirit and in truth. That church still exists—and you can find it.
If you’re near us, we’d love for you to visit and experience worship that strives to follow the New Testament pattern.
