J- The Directory of Worship (47-63)

Question 1

What parts of the Directory For Worship have constitutional authority (if any)

Answer 1

“… BCO 56,57, and 58
.’…BCO 56, 57, and 58 have been given full constitutional authority by the Eleventh General Assembly
after being submitted to the Presbyteries and receiving the necessary two-thirds (2/3) approval of the
Presbyteries. “- BCO The DirectoryFor tire Worship of God
47. What rule guides public worship? The Scriptures.
“Since the Holy Scriptures are the only infallible rule for faith and practice, the principles of public
worship must be derived from the Bible, and from no other source.
The Scriptures forbid the worshipping of God by images, or in any other way not appointed in His Ward,
and requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire all such religious worship and
ordinances 06 God has appointed in His Word (WSC 51,50) “-BCO 47-1

Question 2

-What is the purpose of public worship?

Answer 2

1 To glorify God.
“The end of public worship is the glory of God. His people should engage in all its several parts with an
eye single to His glory. Public worship has as its aim the building of Christ ‘s Church by the perfecting of
the saints and the addition to its membership of such as are being saved-all to the glory of God. Through
public worship on the Lord’s day Christians should learn to serve God all the days of the week in their
every activity, remembering, whether they eat or drink. or whatever they do, to do all to the glory of God
(1 Corinthians 10:31). “-BCO47-3

Question 3

What are the proper elements of worship?

Answer 3

Reading of Scripture
Singing of psalms and hymns
Prayer
Preaching of the Word
Presentation of offerings
Confession of Faith
Observing the Sacraments
On Special occasions taking oaths.
"The Bible teaches that the following are proper elements of worship service: reading of holy Scripture,
singing of psalms and hymns, the offering of prayer, the preaching of the Word. the presentation of
offerings, confession the faith and observing the Sacraments; and on special occasions taking oaths. "-
BCO 47-9

Question 4

In brief, how ought we to keep the Lord’s Day?

Answer 4

By keeping it holy, participating in public and private worship, and resting.
“It is the duty of every person to remember the Lord’s day; and to prepare for it before its approach. All
worldly business should be so ordered. and seasonably laid aside, as that they may not be hindered
thereby from sanctifying the Sabbath. as the Holy Scriptures require. “-BCO 48-3
“The whole day is to be kept holy to the Lord; and to be employed in the public and private exercises of
religion. Therefore, it is requisite, that there be a holy resting, all the day, from unnecessary labors; and
an abstaining from those recreations which may be lawful on other days; and also, as much as possible,
from worldly thoughts and conversation. “-BCO 48-4

“Let the provisions for the support of the family on that day be so ordered that others be not improperly
detained, from the public worship of God, nor hindered from sanctifying the Sabbath. “-BOC 48-5
“Let every person and family, in the morning, by secret and private prayer, for themselves and others,
especially for the assistance of God to their minister, and for a blessing upon his ministry, by reading the
Scriptures, and by holy meditation, prepare for communion with God in his public ordinances. “-BCO 48-
6
“Let the time not used for public worship be spent in prayer, in devotional reading, and especially in the
study of the Scriptures, mediation, catechizing, religious conversation, the singing of psalms, hymns, or
spiritual songs; visiting the sick, relieving the poor, teaching the ignorant, holy resting, and in performing
such like duties of piety, charity, and mercy. “-BCO 48-7

Question 5

Who is responsible for deciding who preaches in a church?

Answer 5

The session
“No person should be invited to preach in any of the churches under our care without the consent of The
Session “-BCO 53-6

Question 6

What vows do parents make at the baptism of their children? (summarize)

Answer 6

Set before him a godly example
Pray with and for him
Teach him the doctrines of true religion
Strive to bring him up in the admonition of the Lord
“…1. Do you acknowledge your child’s need of the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, and The renewing
grace of the Holy Spirit?

Question 7

Do you claim God’s covenant promises in (his) behalf, and do you look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ
for (his) salvation, as you do for your own?

Answer 7

3. Do you now unreservedly dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon divine
   grace, that you will endeavor to set before (him) a godly example, that you will pray with and for (him),
   that you will teach (him) The doctrines of our holy religion, and that you will strive, by all the means of
   God’s appointment, to bring (him) up in The nurture and admonition of the Lord? “-BCO 56-5

Question 8

Who admits people to the Lord’s Supper?

Answer 8

.~. The Session
C “The time when young persons come to understand The Gospel cannot be precisely fIxed. This must be
left to the
prudence of the Session, whose office it is to judge, after careful examination, the qualifications of those
who apply for admission to sealing ordinances. “-BCO 57-2
.What vows are made?
Same vows as those made by communicant members:
Acknowledgement of sin and need of salvation in Christ
Endeavor to live as becomes a believer
Promise to support the church and submit to its authority and discipline