Why we worship the way we do?

Do you believe in the normative principle of worship?
That is that element of wotship not specifically condemned in the bible is ok.

Or:

Do you believe in the regulative principle of worship?
That is that only elements of public worship authorized in the Bible are proper?

I you are totally new to this idea, here is a good thing to listen to.

 

By the way, one important distinction is elements vs circumstances.

The color of your walls are circumstances and make no difference for this discussion.
The number of restrooms are circumstances and make no difference for this discussion.
What time you meet for services are circumstances and make no difference for this discussion.
What particular instruments used for the music are circumstances and make no difference for this discussion.

 

Did you actually listen to any of it?
They state right up front that it is not a discussion only for their denomination but for all reformed churches which includes reformed baptists.

This discussion is from a baptist point of view of course but that link doesn't get into any of the differences between Baptists and presbyterians and is thus very helpful.

 

That is not the point of this discussion.
The point is, are we limited to what God has specifically ordained or are we allowed to use a circus to bring people to church since that is not condemned in the Bible.


Within both sides there will be disagreement.

I for one believe in the regulative principle but I don't believe that musical instruments are wrong.
I do believe that special, solo music is.

 

This is all too true and why we need to reconsider how we worship.

The point is, do we use only which is positivly ordained in the Bible, or can we use ANYHING not condemned in the bible.
Does that make sense?

Please do not make this into a musical vs non musical instrument thread as that is not the point.


The point is, are we allowed to be creative in theway that we worship publicly?

This is not at all about private worship, just corporate worship on Sunday.

 

Umm, actually I know of an independent baptist church in Indiana that actually DID have a circus one sunday.
It does happen.

And THIS is the whole point of this thread. ANd this is a serious thread I am not meaning to be lighthearted in this one.

You don't see any prohibition, neither do I.

But I don't see any authorization and neither do you.

So it comes down to which way should we approach this?

Please listen to the audio files, they are really helpful.

 

Anything that is applicable to the Church today so mostly the NT but the OT to where it is applicable.

He would say there was not authorization for it.
I believe there is but I agree with Spurgeon in principle though.

You also have to make a distinction between corporate and private worship.
I believe a lot more freedom is given to private worship.

 

When the a local body of believers meets on Sunday morning is public, corporate worship.
If that same group wants to meet on Monday evening to play softball, that is fine. They can even glorify God in their games but that is different than Sunday public worship.

 

I might add that a wednesday night prayer meeting also could come under private worship since that is an extra Biblical service. It is not wrong but neither is it required.

 

I don't know of a proof text that makes the distinction as such but I think it is obvious that in the entire body of scripture there is a time to assemble together as believers. You do agree with this don't you?

 

Thank you Jim, that is the exact purpose of this thread.