Yes. If not, why would it not be acceptable to worship any way that one chooses?
If God does not regulate worship, it would be acceptable for one to worship according
to human precepts and doctrines. If not, why not? But Paul says such is unacceptable.
(Col. 2:16-23)
God has always required people to worship according to the regulations he has
prescribed. This was true during patriarchy, Judaism, and the current age of the gospel.
Cain and Abel lived prior to the law of Moses. They worshiped God, yet Cain's offering
was rejected and Abel's was accepted. The fact that one was accepted and the other
was rejected contains the very principle we are enunciating. Many theologians have said
that Cain's offering was rejected because he had the wrong attitude, or he offered less
than the best. The fact is, the writer of Hebrews said Abel's offering was "by faith."
(Heb. 11:4) This is proof that Yahweh had given instructions that were followed
by Abel and rejected by Cain! No one acts by faith unless he acts in harmony with
God's will. Faith is manifested by total confidence in God and full acceptance of his terms.
Anything less is not biblical faith.
Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron lived under Judaism. They offered "unauthorized
fire" before Yahweh, contrary to his command. (Lev. 10:1-2) Their punishment was swift
and decisive. They failed to yield their will to God's will. They supplanted God's plan and
added human elements. As the result they met God's disfavor and perished. They had no
right to worship God their way. The "Burger King" mindset may be fine in the world
of hamburgers, but it will not suffice in the realm of worshiping God. One demonstrates
love for his Creator when he does what God says. (Jno. 14:15,21,23) Anything else is
presumptuous.Those who worship according to "human precepts" and traditions render
their worship vain. (Matthew 15:9)
We who live in this age must likewise worship God the way he has prescribed. There
can be no deviation if the worship is to be acceptable. Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those
who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jno. 4:24) The word "must" is the
translation of the Greek word dei, and in this text it means necessary or obligatory.
The apostles of Christ followed this very principle in guiding and teaching the early
disciples. The Holy Spirit guided them "into all the truth." (Jno. 16:13) Anything not
included in the apostles' teaching is forbidden and unacceptable! (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 4:6;
Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11)
People who add instrumental music to worship (Eph. 5:19; Heb. 2:12); change the day
for the observance of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29); have choirs that
sing for the assembly (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16); have women preachers (1 Cor. 14:34-35;
1 Tim. 2:11-12) and a host of other human additions need to reconsider, turn their
hearts to God, and worship according to his regulations. Not only is this the way that is
infallibly safe; it's the only way that is right and will insure the abundant blessings of the
gracious, holy, and eternal God of spiritual Israel.
RD
Copyright 2011
If God does not regulate worship, it would be acceptable for one to worship according
to human precepts and doctrines. If not, why not? But Paul says such is unacceptable.
(Col. 2:16-23)
God has always required people to worship according to the regulations he has
prescribed. This was true during patriarchy, Judaism, and the current age of the gospel.
Cain and Abel lived prior to the law of Moses. They worshiped God, yet Cain's offering
was rejected and Abel's was accepted. The fact that one was accepted and the other
was rejected contains the very principle we are enunciating. Many theologians have said
that Cain's offering was rejected because he had the wrong attitude, or he offered less
than the best. The fact is, the writer of Hebrews said Abel's offering was "by faith."
(Heb. 11:4) This is proof that Yahweh had given instructions that were followed
by Abel and rejected by Cain! No one acts by faith unless he acts in harmony with
God's will. Faith is manifested by total confidence in God and full acceptance of his terms.
Anything less is not biblical faith.
Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron lived under Judaism. They offered "unauthorized
fire" before Yahweh, contrary to his command. (Lev. 10:1-2) Their punishment was swift
and decisive. They failed to yield their will to God's will. They supplanted God's plan and
added human elements. As the result they met God's disfavor and perished. They had no
right to worship God their way. The "Burger King" mindset may be fine in the world
of hamburgers, but it will not suffice in the realm of worshiping God. One demonstrates
love for his Creator when he does what God says. (Jno. 14:15,21,23) Anything else is
presumptuous.Those who worship according to "human precepts" and traditions render
their worship vain. (Matthew 15:9)
We who live in this age must likewise worship God the way he has prescribed. There
can be no deviation if the worship is to be acceptable. Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those
who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (Jno. 4:24) The word "must" is the
translation of the Greek word dei, and in this text it means necessary or obligatory.
The apostles of Christ followed this very principle in guiding and teaching the early
disciples. The Holy Spirit guided them "into all the truth." (Jno. 16:13) Anything not
included in the apostles' teaching is forbidden and unacceptable! (Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 4:6;
Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11)
People who add instrumental music to worship (Eph. 5:19; Heb. 2:12); change the day
for the observance of the Lord's Supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:23-29); have choirs that
sing for the assembly (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16); have women preachers (1 Cor. 14:34-35;
1 Tim. 2:11-12) and a host of other human additions need to reconsider, turn their
hearts to God, and worship according to his regulations. Not only is this the way that is
infallibly safe; it's the only way that is right and will insure the abundant blessings of the
gracious, holy, and eternal God of spiritual Israel.
RD
Copyright 2011
Amen, I certainly don't want my worship to be in vain. I want my life and worship to always be in harmony with God and His Holy Word. Why does man find it so hard to live by what "thus saith the Lord"? We find nothing wrong with following every regulation and law legislated by men.
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