WILL THE APOCRYPHA HELP ME UNDERSTAND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP?

Dear Mr. Waddey:
I have been told that the Apocrypha throws valuable light on how we should worship. Is this true? Sonny

Dear Sonny: 
As a student of Biblical History, I too have an interest in the Books of the Jewish Apocrypha. These are 14 books written by uninspired authors during of the Inter-Testamental Period; ca. 400 B.C. to the beginning of the Christian era.  The very term, "Apocrypha" means, "of dubious authenticity" (Webster). While they are interesting and enlightening on Jewish beliefs and practices of the first century, they have no bearing on how Christians are to worship and serve God today. Catholics cherish them, but then they consider those books to be canonical, of equal value with the 66 books we know.  Liberal theologians often cite them because they don't view the 66 books of our canon as of authoritative value for faith and worship.

Since we are disciples of Jesus (Matt. 28:19-20); and since he alone is head over all things to the church (Eph. 1:22-23); and since he has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:28); and since his words will judge us in the last day (John 12:48), we must look to his New Covenant to find how he wants us to worship him. Christ did not cite Apocryphal sources to support his teachings, nor do we need to do so.  Those books are of the same value as the writings of other uninspired men such as John Calvin, John Wesley or Joseph Smith. They are interesting but of no value or authority when we desire to know the will of our Lord.