Reformed worship

Question 1

Define worship and corporate worship.

Answer 1

Worship: It means to ascribe to God by word and acts His worth (Ps. 29:1, 2; 96:7-10)
Corporate worship: Corporate worship as such is the highest expression of worship.

Question 2

Prove from Scripture the importance of corporate worship.

Answer 2

. Its importance is seen throughout Scripture. From her earliest days, the church worshipped God corporately: Seth (Gen. 4:26), Abraham (Gen. 12: 8), the children of Israel (Exod. 12:16; Lev. 23:2ff, 7ff, 21, 24, 27, 35ff; Num. 28:18, 25ff; 29:1, 7, 12). The importance of corporate worship is stressed in Deuteronomy 12:4-14; Psalm 22:22ff; 40:9; 116:13ff; 122:1ff. It was the weekly activity of God􏰏s people on the Sabbath (Lev. 23:1-3).
Its importance is seen as well in the New Testament: Luke 4:16; Acts 2:46; 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18; 14:26; James 2:2; Hebrews 10:24, 25. God highlights the primacy of worship in John 4:22-24: 􏰇You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews

Question 3

Discuss the biblical terms for worship. What does the term (serve) teach about
participation?

Answer 3

Proskunein (Greek: often translated 􏰇worship􏰆). It means to fall to the ground in adoration. It is used to express honor given to men, but, in a peculiar manner, to God (Matt. 4:9, 10; John 4:21-24). It translates the Hebrew word shachah (Exod. 20:5; Deut. 8:19).

latreuo with noun latria, which translates ahvad and ebed (used in Psalm 100), meaning to serve as slave or hired servant. This word group teaches that worship is a service owed to God (Exod. 3:12; 23:25; Acts 7:42; 24:14; Phil. 3:3; Heb. 10:2; 12:28; Rev. 7:15; 22:3).

b. The term 􏰇serve􏰆 reminds us that corporate worship is an act of service performed by God􏰏s children. Worship, therefore, is work and we need to understand it as work. You ought to approach worship as you would any serious job. You need to think about it, study it, and train yourself to do it with skill.

Question 4

What two things do we do in worship?

Answer 4

A. First, we are to serve God: 􏰇Serve the LORD with gladness􏰆 (Ps. 100:2).
B. Second, We worship in the special presence of God. God directs His people to gather at the temple: 􏰇Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise􏰆 (v. 4).

Question 5

Give supporting passages and doctrines for the Regulative Principle

Answer 5

1. First, Scripture throughout affirms that we are to worship God only according to
   His Word. Let us consider some examples. In Leviticus 10:1, 2, God strikes Nadab and
   Abihu dead with fire, because they offered incense with strange fire.
2. Second, consider the death of Uzzah. David failed to transport the ark by its poles as commanded in Scripture. Rather, he transported it on a cart. When the oxen nearly upset the ark, Uzzah reached up to steady it. God struck him dead for touching the ark (2 Sam. 6:1-11).
3. Third, One New Testament example affirming the Regulative Principle is Christ􏰏s quoting Isaiah 29:13 in Mark 7:6-8. The Pharisees rebuked the disciples for not observing the ceremonial washings (baptisms). Christ defended His disciples by showing that these were traditions of men and thus contrary to God􏰏s Word

Question 6

2. Define “element,” “circumstances,” and “forms.”

Answer 6

The elements of worship: are those things the Scriptures teaches to be essential to worship.

The circumstances of worship: are those considerations regarding how, when, where, and in what amount to perform the elements.

The forms of worship: are the contents of a particular element of worship.

Question 7

2. Prove from 1 Timothy 2 that only men should lead in public prayer; lead in the rest of the acts of worship.

Answer 7

• 1 Tim. 2:8 teaches the requirement for male leadership in public worship. Verse 1 of the chapter gives us the context is about the work of the church in corporate worship. Vs.1-7 describes how the church could pray concerning for the world. Vs.9-11 is the role of women in corporate worship. Then, verse 8 teaches the male leadership in the worship.
• Paul’s reference to ‘everywhere’ means all places when the church assembles for corporate worship. “I want (or desire)”, this particular construction works as an apostolic commandment (See 1 Tim.5:14, Phil.1:12). Therefore, in every place that the church gathers for worship, men should lead.