Matthew 12:30a says: “He who is not with Me is against Me…” This is the uncompromising assertion of the text. What we may call the unmistakable amplification of these words comes next: “and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” In these words Jesus amplifies...
The Regulative Principle of the Church 12: Its Specific Application (Part 1)
A clear understanding of and a thorough commitment to the regulative principle of the church is, I am convinced, absolutely crucial if biblical church reformation is ever to become a reality in our churches. The regulative principle is intended, as we have seen,...
The Regulative Principle of the Church 11: Its Necessary Clarification—Parts and Circumstances
Chapter 1, paragraph 6 of the 1689 Confession provides an important clarification of the regulative principle. ...there are some circumstances concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to human actions and societies, which are to be ordered...
Should We Witness for Christ? (Part 2)
My first blog post on "witnessing" for Christ might leave the impression that I am among those who suggest that evangelism is something only pastors and/or those with a special call to evangelism need to worry about. I am not. In fact, I think the Bible raises...
The Regulative Principle of the Church 10: Its Biblical Support—Fourth Argument
The fourth argument for the regulative principle of the church is found in the explicit testimony of Scripture. The Bible explicitly condemns all worship that is not commanded by God (Lev. 10:1-3; Deut. 17:3; Deut. 4:2; 12:29-32; Josh 1:7; 23:6-8; Matt....
The Regulative Principle of the Church 9: Its Biblical Support—Third Argument
A third argument for the regulative principle of the church is grounded on the sufficiency of the Scriptures. The wisdom of Christ and the sufficiency of the Scriptures is called into question by the addition of un-appointed elements into worship. The reasoning...
Should We Witness for Christ? (Part 1)
As I read books on missions and evangelism, I often feel that important, biblical distinctions are getting lost in the shuffle. The New Testament root which in its verbal infinitive form means to witness or testify is often and without explanation applied to the...
The Regulative Principle of the Church 8: Its Biblical Support—Second Argument
The second argument for the regulative principle of the church has to do with the inevitable tendency of human tradition. The introduction of extra-biblical practices into worship inevitably tends to nullify and undermine God's appointed worship (Matt. 15:3, 8, 9; 2...
The Regulative Principle of the Church 7: Its Biblical Support—First Argument
Four biblical arguments for the Puritan regulative principle of the church and its worship must now be presented. Here is the first one. It is the prerogative of God alone to determine the terms on which sinners may approach him in worship. Bannerman eloquently...
The Regulative Principle of the Church 6: Its Ecclesiastical Framework (Part 3)
The Distinctive Regulation of the Church of God as the Place of His Special Presence—1 Tim. 3:15 1 Timothy 3:15 is, of course, a key text for the doctrine of the church, but I had never realized its full implications for the regulative principle till I was doing...
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