A set of beliefs, a form of worship, ritual, prayer and a code of moral behaviour. True faith in God, moral standards and good works are important in relation to a biblical understanding of true religion, which is contrasted with the false religion of paganism.
Belief
Hebrews 11:6 See also Genesis 15:61SA Genesis 4:3–8; 1 Kings 20:23 Jonah 3:5; James 2:19 Belief by itself is insufficient for salvation.
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Worship
Jonah 1:16 See also 2 Kings 19:37 parallel Isaiah 37:38; Jeremiah 44:17–19; Acts 17:22–23
Then the men feared the LORD greatly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him.
Ritual
Mark 7:3–4 See also Exodus 32:2–6; 1 Kings 18:22–29; Hebrews 10:11
Now in holding to the tradition of the elders, the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat until they wash their hands ceremonially. And on returning from the market, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions for them to observe, including the washing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches for dining.
Prayer
Isaiah 44:17 See also 1 Kings 18:26; Isaiah 45:20; Luke 2:37; Acts 10:4
From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.”
Code of behaviour
Nehemiah 9:13–14 See also 2 Kings 23:3 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:31; Matthew 19:16–20 parallels Mark 10:17–20, Luke 18:18–21; Matthew 23:23 parallel Luke 11:42 Religious people do not always see the inconsistencies in their behaviour; Luke 1:6; John 18:28; James 1:26
You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments. You revealed to them Your holy Sabbath and gave them commandments and statutes and laws through Your servant Moses.
True religious practice
Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Moral standards
1 Corinthians 7:19 See also Matthew 15:16–20 parallel Mark 7:18–23; Mark 12:33; Luke 11:39–41; Romans 10:2–4, Romans 14:17
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.
Good works
1 Timothy 5:4 See also Matthew 19:21 parallels Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22; Ephesians 2:10; James 2:14–17
But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show godliness to their own family and repay their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.