"Many people claim that Christians are free to employ a variety of practices in worship, as long as the means employed are not specifically forbidden in scripture. (If something is not forbidden, it must be o.k.) When their worship activities are challenged, their response is, "Show us what is wrong with this practice."

"We reject this view as inadequate. Certainly, any method of worship which is demonstrably unbiblical should be discarded immediately. But we reject the idea that the burden of proof rests upon us to prove a negative -- to show that every new fad in worship violates some particular scriptural prohibition.

"We believe that the scriptures contain a general prohibition against all elements in worship besides those which God himself has instituted. In other words, the burden of proof falls upon those who wish to introduce a practice into worship, to prove that God has required it in his word. This is the force of the scriptural law of worship; it guards against man-made innovations in worship. (Emphasis added.)

"...All of our worship should possess two preeminent characteristics: (1.) we must come to the Lord with sincere hearts filled with love for him; (2.) we must worship God using only the means established in his word. Any worship which lacks either of these qualities is sinful; we must not approach the Lord with corrupt motives or with improper methods. - Kevin Reed, Biblical Worship, free at http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/BibW_ch0.htm

"I know how difficult it is to persuade the world that God disapproves of all modes of worship not expressly sanctioned by his word. The opposite persuasion which cleaves to them, being seated, as it were, in their very bones and marrow, is, that whatever they do has in itself a sufficient sanction, provided it exhibits some kind of zeal for the honor of God. But since God not only regards as fruitless, but also plainly abominates, whatever we undertake from zeal to his worship, if at variance with his command, what do we gain by a contrary course? The words of God are clear and distinct, "Obedience is better than sacrifice." "In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," (1 Sam. 15:22; Matt. 15:9). Every addition to his word, especially in this matter, is a lie. Mere "will worship" (ethelothreeskeia) is vanity [Col. 2:23]. This is the decision, and when once the judge has decided, it is no longer time to debate." (John Calvin, The Necessity of Reforming the Church, p. 18 (emphasis added), free at http://www.swrb.ab.ca/newslett/actualnls/nrc_ch00.htm )

(The Regulative Principle of Worship) is the equivalent of God's sovereignty in soteriology. That is, the "Christian" humanists (Arminians) try to ascribe salvation to their own wills and not to God's will as the Bible clearly proclaims (John 1:13, Romans 9). Similarly the Bible condemns human invention in worship as will worship (Col 2:23)..." (emphasis added) (The Regulative Principle of Worship in History, free at http://www.swrb.ab.ca/newslett/actualnls/crtpwors.htm)

"Of the views generally held by the Reformers on the subject of the organization of the church, there are two which have been always very offensive to men of a loose and latitudinarian tendency, - viz., the alleged unlawfulness of introducing into the worship and government of the church any thing which is not positively warranted by Scripture, and the permanent binding obligation of a particular form of church government." (William Cunningham, "Leaders of the Reformation" in The Reformers and the Theology of the Reformation [Banner of Truth, reprinted 1989], p. 31).

"Still the change in question is not a small matter. It crosses the line betwixt appointed and discarded observances, betwixt simple and aesthetic devotion. It gets into the region of sensuous and sensational worship; it breaks open the floodgates, and exposes the Church to an inundation of error and change." (Dr. James Begg, Anarchy In Worship, Lyon & Gemmell, Edinburgh, 1875, available at http://www.swrb.ab.ca/catalog/b.htm )

"What is the biblical alternative to the Regulative Principle of Worship? All views of worship principally lead either to Rome or to Westminster. Thus, that which prevents churches from becoming epistemologically consistent with their Romish views of worship is ultimately preference, expediency, and mere pragmatism, not biblical principle." (Rev. Greg L. Price, Foundation For Reformation: The Regulative Principle Of Worship, Free online at http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualnls/REFORMATION-RPW-GP.htm )

FOR MORE, SEE:

http://www.swrb.com/newslett/actualNLs/REFORMATION-RPW-GP.htm

Thought-Provoking Quotes On Worship, Pt. I

Thought-Provoking Quotes On Worship, Pt. II

Thought-Provoking Quotes On Worship, Pt. III