The Regulative Principle of Worship                                                                 By Jack Kettler

 

Reformed theology adheres to the Regulative Principle of Worship (RPW), which posits that only those elements explicitly commanded or modeled in Scripture are permissible in God's worship. This principle contrasts with the normative principle, which allows for elements not forbidden by Scripture.

 

Understanding the Regulative Principle:

 

1.      Divine Sovereignty: The RPW underscores God's sovereignty over how He is to be worshipped, asserting that human innovations in worship could lead to idolatry or the worship of a false god.

 

2.      Scriptural Basis: The principle is derived from several Scriptural passages:

 

·         Deuteronomy 4:2 - "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you."

·         Leviticus 10:1-3 - The story of Nadab and Abihu, who offered "strange fire" before the Lord and were consumed, illustrating that unauthorized worship can lead to divine displeasure.

·         Exodus 20:4-6 - The Second Commandment against idolatry, interpreted broadly to mean not making or worshipping God in ways not prescribed by Him.

 

3.      Historical Development: This principle was particularly emphasized during the Protestant Reformation by figures like John Calvin and later by the Puritans. It influenced the Westminster Assembly's documents, such as the Westminster Confession of Faith, which states, "The acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture."

 

4.      Practical Implications: In practice, this means that elements of worship must find their warrant in Scripture. For example:

 

·         Preaching - Based on the command to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2).

·         Prayer - Commanded throughout Scripture (e.g., Philippians 4:6).

·         Singing of Psalms - Often exclusively Psalms due to direct commands like in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16, though interpretations vary on the inclusion of hymns and spiritual songs.

 

5.      Critique and Application: Critics argue that strict application could potentially limit the church's ability to adapt culturally relevant expressions of worship. However, proponents maintain that such limitations ensure purity and divine approval in worship.

 

Biblical Proof:

·         Exodus 20:4-6 - Prohibits making any likeness or image for worship, setting a boundary on human creativity in worship.

·         Deuteronomy 12:29-32 - Warns against adopting the worship practices of other nations, emphasizing the uniqueness of how God should be worshipped.

·         John 4:23-24 - Jesus teaches that true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth, often interpreted within Reformed circles as worshipping according to the truth revealed in Scripture.

 

Reformed theology's regulative principle thus seeks to preserve worship's purity and God-ordained nature, ensuring it reflects divine will rather than human innovation. This principle, deeply rooted in Scripture, continues to influence worship practices in many Reformed churches today.

 

Elements Commanded or Modeled in Scripture:

 

1.      The preaching of the Word:

 

·         2 Timothy 4:2 - "Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

 

2.      Prayer:

 

·         Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

·         1 Timothy 2:1 - "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people."

 

3.      Singing of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs:

 

·         Ephesians 5:19 - "Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart."

·         Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."

 

4.      Reading of Scripture:

 

·         1 Timothy 4:13 - "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching."

 

5.      Administration of Sacraments:

 

·         Baptism - Commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

·         The Lord's Supper - Instituted by Christ in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread..."

 

6.      Confession of Sin:

 

·         1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

 

7.      Giving of Tithes and Offerings:

 

·         1 Corinthians 16:2 - "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so there will be no collecting when I come."

 

8.      Benediction:

 

·         Numbers 6:24-26 - "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace."

 

Practical Application:

 

·         Worship Services are often structured around these elements, with sermons, communal prayers, singing (which might be exclusively psalms in some stricter interpretations), scripture readings, and the sacraments.

 

·         Consistency with Biblical Model: These elements are seen as consistent with how the early church worshipped as depicted in the New Testament (e.g., Acts 2:42 - "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.").

 

In practice, these elements are considered not just permissible but mandated or modeled for God's worship, ensuring that every act of worship aligns with divine prescription rather than human invention.

 

The above study was Groked and perfected with Grammarly AI.

 

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

 

Mr. Kettler is a respected author who has previously published articles in the Chalcedon Report and Contra Mundum. He and his wife, Marea, are active Westminster, CO, RPCNA Church members. Mr. Kettler's extensive work includes 18 books defending the Reformed Faith, which are available for order online at Amazon.