Q 58: How do they who have been redeemed fulfill the second commandment?

A 58: The redeemed of the Lord fulfill the second commandment by worshiping God according to all His Word and following Him in all His ways. (Deut. 12.29-31; Deut. 13.1-4)

Theologians speak of a “regulative principle” of worship, and by this they mean that God has provided guidelines – in terms of forms and elements, as well as content – for worshiping Him. There is a “pattern” of sound worship and we may discern this pattern in the Scriptures, beginning in God’s Law. When God gave Moses the instructions for building the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and for the priests and Levites, He repeatedly directed him to make sure to make these worship preparations according to the pattern revealed in the mount. God has not changed in His view of how He will be worshiped. He regulates worship according to a pattern of His own devising and design. Our responsibility, if we would fulfill the requirements and gain the benefits of worship, is to bring our worship into line with what God has revealed, and to resist all efforts to innovate or alter God’s directions for worship.

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