This article makes a case for what’s known as the Regulative Principle of worship, which insists that God hasn’t left us without direction concerning what elements we should have in our Sunday gatherings. We do plan to publish more articles in time, making a case for the Normative Principle of worship.
A woman claimed she had not gone to the toilet for days. Then the man of God prayed for her and she defecated in front of a congregation. This, in the name of deliverance. In Africa, such incidents are worryingly common. But is this acceptable worship? Does this glorify God? What is acceptable public worship of the one true God? Has he determined the kind of worship that brings him glory?
What is acceptable public worship of the one true God?
In starting to answer those questions, let me make two brief points. Firstly, worship is hugely important to God. Jesus made this clear, telling the Samaritan woman that God is seeking true worshippers (John 4:23). So, to ask “What kind of worship is pleasing and acceptable before God?” is to address a matter of God’s heart. Secondly, worship can be either acceptable or unacceptable. We see this truth first illustrated by Cain and Abel. God accepted Abel’s worship; however, he rejected Cain’s. Is God is seeking not just worshipers, but true worshipers?
In this article, I argue that we are to worship God exactly as he has instituted in scripture; not according to our innovations and imaginations. Convinced of what’s called the regulative principle of worship, I believe that we aren’t free to worship however we please, particularly on Sundays. What isn’t biblically authorised is, I argue, unhelpful to the worshipper.
The Difference: Regulative and Normative Principles
The alternative view to the regulative principle of worship is called the normative principle of worship. This principle states that true worship constitutes both what is specifically instituted and what is not condemned by God in scripture.
We are to worship God exactly as he’s instituted; not according to our innovations.
The following example illustrates the contrast between the two approaches of worship. The regulative principle says, “Doing drama in public worship is not specifically commanded in scripture. So drama is unacceptable in public worship.” The normative principle, on the other hand, says, “Doing drama in worship is not specifically commanded in scripture. Neither is it condemned. Therefore, drama is acceptable during public worship.”
Why the Regulative Principle?
The regulative principle of worship has solid biblical support. In addition to Cain and Abel, mentioned above, consider the 10 Commandments. The First Commandment commands worship of the one true God (Exodus 20:3). And the Second Commandment expands on this, commanding appropriate worship (Exodus 20:4-6).
The Westminster Assembly picked up on this distinction in the Larger Catechism writing, “the sins forbidden in the Second Commandment are all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself.”
The Second Commandment opposes worship that God hasn’t instituted.
God instituted the Second Commandment to combat both idolatry and corrupted worship. Idolatry was a perennial temptation for the Israelites, as they’d lived four centuries among idol worshipers, the Egyptians. After Mt Sinai they would go on to live in an area teeming with idolatrous worship and false gods, the Ancient Near East. So the temptation to be like other nations was always dangling before them.
Corrupted worship would be both a constant snare and shortcoming of God’s people after the exodus. We read this in the prophets; for example, Malachi 1:6-10). Israel’s worship in that instance had become “polluted,” so badly corrupted that God calls for the temple to be shut. God rejected their worship, because they offered sacrifices according to their wills rather than according to God’s revealed demands. The Second Commandment opposes worship that God hasn’t instituted.
Worship Is a Serious Matter
Leviticus 10:1-3 presents a frightening example of departing from the regulative principle of worship. In it we read that two priests “offered unauthorised fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them” (Leviticus 10:1). Immediately, God consumes them with fire (Leviticus 10:2; Hebrews 12:29). God kills these two priests, the sons of Aaron, because they worshiped in ways God hadn’t prescribed.
The context of this passage is also informative. For immediately before it God accepts the worship of both Moses and Aaron, because they offered the sacrifice according to God’s word. In their case God’s fire consumes the sacrifice, but later it consumes Nadab and Abihu. Doing what God hadn’t commanded brought serious consequences. In attempting to draw near to God in worship through their own means they’re destroyed.
In attempting to draw near to God in worship through their own means they’re destroyed.
So Alexander Maclaren comments, “they were thus thrusting in self-will and personal caprice, as of equal authority with the divine commandment; that they were arrogating the right to cut and carve God’s appointments, as the whim or excitement of the moment dictated.” The fire was their innovation, which God doesn’t tolerate.
I believe it follows that we must only worship according to what God has instituted in scripture. Even religious leaders aren’t permitted to add to the worship of God. You may argue that God was too severe in his judgement against Nadab and Abihu, but this shows how serious God is with matters of worship (see 1 Corinthians 11:29).
Make God Your Worship Leader
Jesus highlighted the regulative principle of worship when he told the Samaritan woman that those who worship God must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23). By “in spirit” he meant worship that originates from sincere, regenerate hearts. By “truth” he meant true worship is carried out according to God’s revealed will in scripture. Worship should be informed by God’s character and will; not by one’s emotions or imaginations, innovation or creativity.
Worship should be informed by God’s character and will.
Polluted worship is a constant snare for the churches today, just as it was in Israel’s. Bizarre things are done in the name of worship. In other places, pragmatism reigns. But how should churches worship God? How can we be certain our worship honours and glorifies him? On what grounds can we reject the wild and outrageous aspects of much contemporary worship? The solution: the regulative principle of worship.
We must only adopt elements in worship that God has specifically instituted in the Bible. Just one question is necessary in determining the elements of worship: “Has God instituted this in his word?” Any element of worship that God hasn’t instituted, no matter how treasured, traditional or seemingly helpful, corrupts our worship of God. It is strange fire that God hasn’t commanded.
