Not all worship is acceptable to God. He has laid down strict instructions regarding the manner of worship that is acceptable to Him. Although many of the Old Testament ceremonial laws regarding worship are no longer in force in the new covenant, the principles that lay behind these ceremonial laws are ever valid. Worship today must be governed by the principles laid down in Scripture. God would prefer no worship to compromised worship. This needs to be stressed in a day where worship is geared more to the wishes of the worshippers than to observing the commands of the One who is being worshipped.
Some of the rites of worship today could be viewed poorly if the symbolism is not clearly understood. For example, the baptism of an infant, where a few drops of water fall upon the child’s head could be regarded as having little significance. Or eating a small portion of bread and drinking a small sip of wine in the Lord’s Supper might also be regarded as a waste of time. Only if we understand the rich symbolism in the rites of worship will we esteem these rites as high and holy.
6 “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, who despise my name. But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’