Liturgy

The term "liturgy" is not explicitly found in the Bible, but its roots can be traced back to the Greek word "leitourgia," which means "public service" or "work of the people." This term is often associated with the corporate worship practices of the early Christian church, drawing parallels from the Jewish tradition of communal worship found in the Old Testament. For example, the book of Exodus (Exodus 30:16) describes the Israelites' worship practices and the service of the priests, who were responsible for conducting rituals and sacrifices, which can be seen as a form of liturgy.In the New Testament, liturgical practices began to develop more formally as the early church sought to establish a structure for worship. Acts 2:42 highlights the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers—elements that reflect early liturgical practices. Additionally, the Apostle Paul, in his letters, often addressed the conduct of worship within the church (e.g., 1 Corinthians 14), emphasizing the importance of order and edification in communal gatherings. Thus, while the specific term "liturgy" may not appear, the concept is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, representing a collective expression of faith and worship within the community of believers.