Articles on Reformed Worship

Peruse below a series of articles relating to Reformed Worship, including the Regulative Principle. Be warned about the great dangers of Modern Bible Versions. Read about the biblical requirement for Head Coverings, and Standing for Prayer, in public worship. Furthermore, read about the absolute necessity of Family Worship in a Christian home each day, morning and evening.

The Regulative Principle – by Rev. H. Cartwright Roman Catholicism and other bodies exalt tradition to a level with Scripture and place the Church above both. Cults and others profess to be guided by the Spirit apart from the Word. The Reformers maintained that for our knowledge of the Lord’s will we are dependent upon His Word.

Bible Translations – by Rev. K. Watkins These modern versions with their missing verses are helping the devil with his work. It is far too easy to deceive our own souls and put hell away from our minds.

The Authorised Version – The Enduring Legacy – by Rev. H. Cartwright The very proliferation of translations has discouraged the Christian public from seeking to know what the Bible actually says.

Why Psalms Only – by Prof. R. George D.D. Well said Jesus, “It is written in the Psalms concerning me.” “The sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow,” are here unfolded, and these Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs are replete with Christ.

Inspired Psalmody – by Rev. Henry Bazely At the time of the Reformation one of the important subjects of controversy discussed between the Roman Catholic Church and the Reformed Church was the rule of worship. The Roman Catholic Church adopted the principle, ”Whatever Scripture does not forbid it allows”; whereas, the Reformed Churches took as their principle, ”Whatever Scripture does not command, it forbids”

The Singing of Psalms – by John Brown of Haddington No part of the Christian worship is more plainly warranted by the oracles of God than the ordinance of Singing of Psalms.

The Rev. Dr. John Kennedy, Dingwall, on Hymns A manual of praise there must be; there is no necessity for a manual of prayer or preaching. An inspired manual of praise is needed. This could he shown from the nature of the service, and is proved by the fact that the Lord once gave it. This service is the most spiritual, and therefore the most difficult of all.

Is Instrumental Music Justifiable in the Public Worship of the New Testament Church – by Rev. D. Beaton It is to be carefully observed that in the Tabernacle service, until the time of David, there was no instrumental music. Moses received the minutest instructions from God as to the furniture and order of service in the Tabernacle, but there is no hint as to instrumental music.

Musical Instruments in Worship – by Rev. K. Watkins But it is strange indeed, that Churches of Presbyterian or Dutch Reformed heritage should fall prey to the use of musical instruments. These Churches claim to believe in the regulative principle: that only what Scripture positively requires should be brought into worship.

John Calvin on Church Music To sing the praises of God upon the harp and psaltery unquestionably formed a part of the training of the law and of the service of God under the dispensation of shadows and figures; but they are not now to be used in public thanksgiving.

A Head-Covering in Public Worship –  By Rev. T. Brown I Corinthians 11, 13 – ”Is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?” The question is often asked – Does this passage of Scripture require that women present at a service of worship and prayer today are required by God to wear a hat or some kind of head covering?

Standing at Prayer – by Rev. H.C.B. Bazely Two postures during prayer are recommended by precept and example in Holy Scripture – namely, standing and kneeling

Posture in Public Prayer Of the three postures of prayer spoken of in the Bible, prostration, kneeling, and standing, the last, viz., standing, is the best suited for public worship, and the only one to which the construction of our churches is adapted.

A Communion Season in the Days of the Fathers DR. KENNEDY tells us that he was moved to write an account of the godly fathers of Ross-shire by hearing the Lord saying to him: “The memory of the just is blessed,” and I saw that the godly fathers of Ross-shire were already being forgotten and that a lifeless formality was taking the place of their godliness. I could not, therefore, refrain from an effort, such as I could make, to revive their memory and to turn the eye of a backsliding generation to their good old ways. It has been the policy of this Magazine since its beginning to do the same.

Fencing the Lord’s Table – by Jonathan Edwards As for the church of Scotland, I find they have adopted the Westminster Confession, Catechisms, and Directory, which debar all ignorant and ungodly persons from the Lord’s table, and require every one to examine himself, not only as to his knowledge, but also his faith, repentance, love, new obedience, etc.

Preparation Days of a Communion Season

Why Fast Day – by Rev A. MacPherson As some may not fully understand why the Thursday of a Communion is called the Fast Day, it may be helpful to consider the subject and see how appropriately the name describes a day set apart for humbly confessing our sins to God as part of the preparation needed for remembering the death of Christ worthily.

The Friday Fellowship Meeting – by Rev. J.P. MacQueen These truly exercised Christian soldiers were men who had to battle, not only with flesh and blood, but with doubts, fears, misgivings, and questioning of the reality of their being in a state of grace, which was indispensably necessary to their being in a state of glory hereafter, hence the importance, if not the necessity, of the institution of the Friday Fellowship Meeting.

The Fellowship Meeting and the Men – by Rev. James Macleod In former days the ”men” were highly respected for their godliness, piety, witness-bearing on the side of the Lord in the home, congregation, and their walk and conversation was in strict accordance with their profession.

Family Worship – by Rev A. Beaton Adam and Eve in a state of innocence, without a doubt, worshipped God, and what can we call this but the origin of family worship in the world. After the fall it is evident that family worship must have been the only form of worship addressed to God, as the earth still remained to be peopled

Motives to Secret Prayer – by Thomas Boston Have ye not secret sins, secret wants, and secret temptations? and shall ye not have secret prayers adapted to each, requesting of the Lord the pardon of your secret sins, the supply of your secret wants, and grace to resist and overcome your secret temptations?

Prayer for all that are in Authority – by Rev. D.B. Macleod The Civil Magistrate is a divine institution and is a blessing from God to men. The jurisdiction which they possess is not an arbitrary one, but one they are to exercise under God who requires that they act righteously and justly. Such have to give in their account to God in the day of judgment as to how they fulfilled their commission given to them by God.

The Regulative Principle of Worship is supported by the Westminster Confession of Faith. Read here.