The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The Scriptural Regulative Principle of Worship

1. Does God, in Scripture, set forth His will in the matter of how He is to be worshiped?
2. If God has revealed how He is to be worshiped, how is it to be recognized?

I reviewed the subject article and believe a very important aspect of workship was left out. Please consider the following answers to above questions that were posted with article:

1. Does God, in Scripture, set forth His will in the matter of how He is to be worshiped?
Rom 12:1 “I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” AMP


2. If God has revealed how He is to be worshiped, how is it to be recognized:
Luke 9:23 “And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].” AMP

Your observations are correct but not applicable to the subject of the article in question. Dr. Williamson's subject is in regard to Corporate Worship, i.e., the official gathering of the church for the specific purpose of offering corporate worship. What you have found "left out" applies to worship in general; one's entire life, i.e., following Christ.

Do you see and understand the difference?

I see the difference but find it hard to see how the verses I posted do not apply to corporate worship. Why would such a basic principle of "worship in general", that should apply 24 hours/day, not apply to "corporate worship" which is only applicable a few hours/week?

If we are not concerned with "the basics" of worship in general during corporate worship, we may be in danger of being accused of cleaning the outside of the cup while neglecting the inside.

Sorry if you are confused about my response. The topic for this thread was in regard to Dr. Williamson's article on "The Scriptural Regulative Principle of Worship" which addresses the gathering of the people of God for the purpose of corporate worship. How a professing believer conducts his/her life on a daily basis is addressed in the two passages you provided. So, for the day-to-day "reasonable service" or "worship" they are most definitely applicable.

Yes, it is without question true that a professing Christian should live before God in all righteousness and holiness, being conformed to the image of Christ in all things, aka: sanctification. If one is errant in this matter, this would directly effect one's participation in the Lord's Supper, which administration is restricted to the corporate worship of the saints. Yet again, the topic is narrow in focus and the article is setting forth the biblical principle(s) upon which the Church is to conduct the formal worship of the one true God.

I hope this further explanation helps you to understand my previous reply.