Corporate Worship

Question 1

Define “regulative principle of worship”

Answer 1

Worship must be according to God’s Word
* We are not permitted to do whatever we like so long as it is not explicitly forbidden
* Saying it must be explicitly commanded is too restrictive.
* Scripture should give us warrant by direct command, principle, or example

Question 2

Define “covenant renewal worship”

Answer 2

The way God draws near to and renews covenant relations with His people through right sacrifice.
* In the OT this happened through sacrifices and offerings of animals
* Christ fulfills (not abrogates) OT sacrifices.
* NT worship of God is described in sacrificial terms (Rom 12:1; Heb. 13:15)
* therefore, sacrifical language/imagery defines and shapes the life and liturgy of the church
* Covenant renewal worship, follows this sacrificial pattern, Christ being THE sacrifice and us offering ourselves as living sacrifices and sacrifices of praise

Question 3

What is the structure or pattern of covenant renewal worship

Answer 3

There is a five-fold pattern:
1. The Lord calls us
2. The Lord cleanses us
3. The Lord consecrates us
4. The Lord communes with us
5. The Lord commissions us

Question 4

Where can we find the pattern of covenant renewal worship?

Answer 4

Leviticus 9:7-22
* call of Levites (7-14)
* Guilt offering (15)
* Ascension offering (16-17)
* Peace offering (18-21)
* blessing (22)
(see also Deut. and 2 Chron. 5-7)