John 4.23-24: 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. (24) God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (ESV)
God’s plan of salvation is narrow, particular, and specific. It is only through faith in Jesus. But the opportunity for salvation is global. It is open and available to everyone on the planet who will believe. Going back to verse 20, it is revealed that there was a debate between the Samaritans and the Jews regarding what was the official place of worship at that time. The Samaritans said it was on Mount Gerizim. The Jews by the authority of the Old Testament said it was in Jerusalem. It is clear from many references in the Old Testament that during the time of the Old Testament, God lived in the Temple in Jerusalem, and therefore he would be worshipped there. In Joel 3.17 God speaking through the prophet says, “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain.” (ESV). And in 2 Kings 19.15 it says, “Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, “O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone.” (NKJV)
In verse 23 Jesus teaches that the issue of the official place of worship has been superseded with the truth that true worship is in spirit and in truth, and the official place of worship is no longer specifically designated. The practical reality of this is that the place of worship with the coming of Jesus will now be wherever a believer in Jesus is located. The potential places of worship therefore are global. I believe that as the Gospel unfolded and God sent his Holy Spirit to live physically in the bodies of believers in Jesus, as it is revealed in the Book of Acts and confirmed in 1 Corinthians 6, wherever a believer is or goes, that can be his or her place of worship at that moment in time.
The worshiper, with the Holy Spirit inside, now has the opportunity to worship in spirit and in truth.