Though the “regulative principle of worship” may be an odd or unfamiliar phrase, we hope you’ll come to undertsand and accept it as a good label for the second commandment’s authoritative import regarding worship.
Aug 12, 2008
The Ten Commandments | part 12: second commandment & the regulative principle
Running time: 16:31
2 comments Topics:
Law Ten Commandments worship
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2 comments so far
Jan 31, 2011Tyler #
You guys are addressing a big issue in our church. We need to go to the word first, not to opinions. However, what do you do with, for example, Psalm 33?
“Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; praise is becoming to the upright.
Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Doesnt it seem to allow for some liberty in our worship? I’m not endorsing a lot of what goes on, I’m just asking the question.
Feb 1, 2011Rev. John Sawtelle #
Tyler,
The only “liberty” that we have in worship, is the liberty to do that which fits within the framework of what God commands. For example, God commands that we worship Him in song; however, he does not command us to sing a certain number of songs in a given worship service. We are at liberty to choose as many songs as our sanctified common sense determines appropriate for the occassion. This is not at all a violation of the regulative principle since it does not claim the liberty to sing whatever songs we would like; it simply recognizes that within the framework of what is Biblically required we are allowed some variation in terms of how we apply what is actually commanded. Let me know if this helps or you would like a different example.
Grace and peace,
Pastor John