Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church header
PDF Print E-mail

Worship and Liturgy

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29 (ESV)

“Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.” (Answer to Larger Catechism Question # 1)

At Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church we seek to worship God according to the principles and commands of the Bible. The belief the Bible alone should direct the church in how to worship God, and thus God may not be worshiped with man-made ceremonies or innovative worship practices, is called the “Reformed” approach to worship. (It is “Reformed” because it was rediscovered in the days of the Protestant Reformation, in particular by John Calvin and the Protestants who followed his biblical teachings.)

The Reformed approach to worship recognizes God is sovereign over the worship practice of His church, and thus believers should approach God in the way He has revealed in Scripture, and not according to their own fancies or mere human custom.

The Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 21, Section 1 explains this Reformed worship principle in the following words: “But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the holy Scripture.” (This principle of Reformed worship is also called “the regulative principle of worship,” meaning all of the “elements” or practices of worship are regulated by the principles and commands of Scripture, and thus nothing may be done in worship that does not have either explicit or implicit Scripture warrant.)

The Reformed approach to worship and liturgy (i.e., the order of service) has the following characteristics:

  • It is reverent and God-centered, not man-centered and casual.
  • It is simple and dignified—on the one hand avoiding both the “high church” extreme of ceremonial pageantry, excessive ritualism, and formalistic externalism; and on the other hand avoiding the opposite extreme of “low church” (or “no church”) “charismania,” out-of-control revivalistic hyper-emotionalism, and the “mega-church” Hollywood-style religious stage show.
  • It is centered on the God-ordained means of grace (the Word and sacraments) and other worship ordinances prescribed in Scripture. The reading and preaching of God’s Word are the central features of Reformed worship, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
  • It is spiritual without being disorderly or hyper-mystical. While some fixed forms are used (for example, the Apostles’ and Nicene creeds, the Lord’s Prayer, an occasional responsive or unison reading from Scripture, and occasional written prayers of confession of sin, etc.), a scripted liturgy or prayer book approach to worship is rejected in favor of free prayer (usually led by the Minister of the Word).
  • It is joyful and orderly. The Reformed approach to worship takes seriously the biblical principle that “...all things should be done decently and in order” (1 Cor.14:40, ESV) in the public assembly of worship, while at the same time recognizing the numerous biblical commands and exhortations to worship God with joy (Exod. 15:1-2, 20-21; Psa. 21:1; 33:1-3; 34:1-3; 66:1-2; 81:1-3; 92:1-4; 96:1-13; 100:1-5; 105:1-3; 122:1; 149:1-6a; Phil. 4:4; Heb. 13:15; etc.). Having an orderly, structured liturgy (order of service) does not stifle true joy in our worship; rather, it helps to enhance and direct our rejoicing in the Lord to its proper end (the glory of God and the edification of His church)!

The usual parts or biblical “elements” of Reformed worship include the following practices:

  1. The public reading of God’s Word (2 Kings 23:1-2; Ezra 8:1-8; Lk. 4:16-19; Acts 15:21; Col. 4:16; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Rev. 1:3).
  2. The preaching of God’s Word (Acts 5:42; 2 Tim. 4:2; Heb. 13:7).
  3. Prayer, with thanksgiving (Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; Heb. 4:14-16).
  4. The singing of Praise (“psalms, hymns and spiritual songs,” Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Psa. 95:1-2; Matt. 26:30; etc.).
  5. The observance of the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt.28:19; Acts 2:38-39; Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).
  6. Giving of Tithes and Offerings (1 Chron. 29:1-9; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:10-15).
  7. Creeds/public reaffirmations of faith (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:9; Heb. 10:15; 1 Tim. 3:16; Rev. 4:11; such public confessions of faith may be viewed as a renewing of our vows of faith in and allegiance to our Triune God).

Occasional elements of Reformed worship may include:

  1. Religious oaths and vows (Psa. 116:14; Eccles. 5:4-5; eg. membership vows, baptismal vows, wedding vows, and other oaths and vows on special occasions).
  2. Solemn fasting and thanksgivings upon special occasions (Joel 2:12; Est.4:16; Matt. 9:15; Acts 14:23; Neh. 12:27-43).

Unbiblical, man-made and/or idolatrous worship practices that you will not find at Redeemer Orthodox Presbyterian Church and other churches that follow historic Reformed principles of worship:

  1. Worshiping, venerating, or bowing toward the elements of bread or wine used in the Lord’s Supper.
  2. Genuflecting before a cross or crucifix.
  3. Using statues, icons, or pictures of God, Christ, Mary, or the saints in the worship services (a violation of the second commandment - Exod. 20:4-6).
  4. Getting “slain in the Spirit” and other manifestations of “charismania.”
  5. Liturgical dancing.
  6. Modern revivalistic practices and emotionally-manipulative “new measures” such as the so-called “altar call” and “sinner’s prayer.”
  7. Stage shows and dramatic presentations in the worship service.
  8. The lighting of candles as an act of worship.
  9. Speaking in tongues, prophecy, and other revelatory gifts. (Note: We believe these gifts were genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit, but that they were only in operation during the apostolic age, before the New Testament Scriptures were completed. Thus, while we affirm that the Holy Spirit continues to bless believers with spiritual gifts, we believe the revelatory and sign gifts ceased with the closing of the apostolic age.)

In conclusion, Reformed worship and liturgy are biblical, God-centered, reverent, simple, orderly, and spiritual. Reformed worship is “spirit and truth” worship (Jn.4:24) which is guided by the principles and commands of Holy Scripture, motivated by love for God and gratitude for God’s redeeming work in Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Thus it is glorifying to God and edifying to believers.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 (ESV)

 
 
Powered by TNTMAX