The Regulative Principle
The Regulative Principle of Worship
Worship · 5 verses
Acceptable worship includes only those elements that God has commanded in Scripture. We may not add to or subtract from His prescribed worship. Human innovations, however well-intentioned, corrupt true worship. God determines how He will be worshipped, not man.
Scripture References
“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.”
“Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”
“But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”
“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”