Folly of enforcing the Regulative Principle of Worship

[Ascetic X]

The regulative principle of worship (RPW) dictates that Christian corporate worship must be limited to elements explicitly commanded or approved in New Testament Scripture. There are some variations on what is allowed under this principle.

Rooted in some Reformed, Congregationalist, Anabaptist, Presbyterian, and Baptist traditions, RPW posits that God alone determines how He is to properly be worshipped, rendering anything not specifically prescribed as absolutely and permanently forbidden.

In other words, if a practice or item is not found in New Testament scriptures, it should not be included in worship services. Old Testament worship included musical instruments, but instruments are not mentioned in the New Testament, so they are considered somehow inappropriate, harmful, or sinful.

John Calvin associated musical instruments with icons, so Calvinist churches eschewed them, as well as sanctuary dancing, as opposed to sacred tradition.

The only RPW authorized elements of public worship generally include:

• Reading of Scripture: Public reading of the Bible.
• Preaching: Exposition and teaching of the Word.
• Singing: Singing hymns and psalms.
• Prayer: Corporate prayer.
• Sacraments/Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
• Giving: Offering or collection.

The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. Crown & Covenant Publications, 2021 states:

“The Psalms are to be sung without the accompaniment of instruments, which are not part of the New Testament pattern of worship. Musical instruments were commanded for use with the offering of sacrifices in the Old Testament temple worship. The death of Christ being the perfect and final sacrifice brought an end to this way of worship. There is neither command for nor example of the use of musical instruments in the words or practice of Christ and the apostles. The command of the New Testament is to offer the sacrifice of praise—the fruit of our lips.”

This strict Regulative Principle of Worship, if applied consistently to modern churches, would necessarily also prohibit EVERYTHING that is not specifically commanded:

collection plates, pledge cards, creed recitations, choirs, pews, pulpits, crosses, microphones, church bulletins, carpet, flags, announcements, book clubs, nurseries, Sunday school, floral arrangements, hymnals, tracts, coffee and donuts, and other commonplace religious items.

 

[Marooncat79]

not true. You obviously do not understand it

I am not a psalms, nor am I American Flag in sanctuary guy (it distracts us from worship) only the others are seen as aids in worship.

 

[Salty]

not true. You obviously do not understand it

I am not a psalms, nor am I American Flag in sanctuary guy (it distracts us from worship) only the others are seen as aids in worship.

How does a flag distract from worship?

I think of the time, I was attending an Air Force Chapel. The chaplain would wear his uniform to preach in, but he wore scarf (or whatever it is called) which would hide his medals. One day I asked him why he wore it - he answered so folks would not be distracted from his message. I replied (not as a joke -but honestly) that if people came to see his medals, they would not listen to his message anyways. After that he never wore it - and never said anything about it.
I see the Flag as a way of honoring our country especially for the freedom we have.

 

[Ascetic X]

How does a flag distract from worship?

I think of the time, I was attending an Air Force Chapel. The chaplain would wear his uniform to preach in, but he wore scarf (or whatever it is called) which would hide his medals. One day I asked him why he wore it - he answered so folks would not be distracted from his message. I replied (not as a joke -but honestly) that if people came to see his medals, they would not listen to his message anyways. After that he never wore it - and never said anything about it.
I see the Flag as a way of honoring our country especially for the freedom we have.

I agree that a United States flag in a church indicates that we live in a country that supports religious freedom and was founded on Biblical principles. We should thank God for our nation and pray for God to keep us free, prosperous, and a blessing to the world.

 

[Jerome]

But then there's the 9Marksist faction of Southern Baptists [Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC]:

"at CHBC, we have removed the American flag, not only from the platform, but from the building....every Sunday we have visitors from around the world....Our membership includes people from the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Benin, China, Eritrea, Korea, El Salvador, Bolivia, Egypt, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, and more. Not all of our members agree with America’s politics....We don’t sing the national anthem, or...God Bless America or My Country ’Tis of Thee."

 

[Ascetic X]

It seems inconsistent to exclude foot washing from Christian church services, when the Regulative Principle of Worship is enforced. Foot washing would be in the category of Sacraments/Ordinances along with Baptism and the Communion (the Lord's Supper).

John 13:4–5, 12–15: [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . . .

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ”

Foot washing has continued among German Pietist groups and Anabaptist denominations like the Church of the Brethren, as well as some Adventist, Holiness, and Pentecostal churches. These take their stand on the plain directive of the Lord: “I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” Foot washing to them is both obedience and a lesson in humility.

What is puzzling, though, is not that many Christians continue this practice, but that it has never become as prominent in the church as has Communion. Foot washing is commanded by the Lord, perhaps even more strongly than is Communion. On grounds of logic and clarity the case is apparently irrefutable. Why then do the majority of Christians observe the command to break bread and take the cup in the Supper, yet regard the foot-washing directive as nonbinding?

 

[Ben1445]

It seems inconsistent to exclude foot washing from Christian church services, when the Regulative Principle of Worship is enforced. Foot washing would be in the category of Sacraments/Ordinances along with Baptism and the Communion (the Lord's Supper).

John 13:4–5, 12–15: [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . . .

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ”

Foot washing has continued among German Pietist groups and Anabaptist denominations like the Church of the Brethren, as well as some Adventist, Holiness, and Pentecostal churches. These take their stand on the plain directive of the Lord: “I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” Foot washing to them is both obedience and a lesson in humility.

What is puzzling, though, is not that many Christians continue this practice, but that it has never become as prominent in the church as has Communion. Foot washing is commanded by the Lord, perhaps even more strongly than is Communion. On grounds of logic and clarity the case is apparently irrefutable. Why then do the majority of Christians observe the command to break bread and take the cup in the Supper, yet regard the foot-washing directive as nonbinding?

Foot washing was a necessity then. It is a formality most anywhere now. The purpose of ordinances is to remember, as in the case of the Lord’s Supper and a testimony, the answer of a clear conscience toward God in the case of baptism.
Foot washing on the other hand is not symbolic. Folks are welcome to make it so if they wish, as long as they don’t consider that to be the end of the matter.
Jesus was not teaching the disciples to wash feet, He taught them to serve.

Luke 7:44
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Water available for feet washing was a basic expectation, especially when you are going to eat so near your neighbors feet.

The point is that although we are greatly exalted in Christ, we are not act as if we are above serving. The point was not feet washing.

John 13:14
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

The point is that Jesus was above the task of foot washing and He did it.
He is saying that there is no person above serving others.

Do you want to make it an ordinance? It doesn’t bother me if you do, unless that is the extent of serving others that is observed. To only wash feet is to miss the point entirely.

 

[Salty]

Free Will Baptists (no eternal security) practice feet washing!