Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1995 - Rparchives.org

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1_69to himself, and the flock of God committed to him, and by wiseobserving the ways of Divine Providence, may be careful to furnishhis heart and tongue with further materials of prayer andexhortation, as shall be needful upon all occasions.They did not conceive of their Directory as a mere rule-book prescribing afixed order and form of words for services of public worship, but rather ascollocation of practical spiritual counsels building upon and applying thefundamental doctrine as formulated in The Confession of Faith, chapters 20-22, and 25-29, and accordingly commended to the church as fullyconsistent with the regulative principle of Scripture.It is in this spirit that the Reformed Presbyterian Church sends out her newDirectory for the Public Worship of God. At the threshold of the twentyfirstcentury, we look back with thankfulness to the legacy of the Apostlesand the Reformers, and build upon the biblical heritage of our fathers in thefaith. We also look forward with anticipation to the blessing of God in all thedays he gives to us and our descendants before the coming of the Lord JesusChrist at the end of the age.Chapter ITHE HEART OF WORSHIPI. True worship is the faithful response of God's people to the worthinessof God to receive all glory and honor. Worship is the expression of thebeliever's love for, dependence upon, and joy in the Triune God, Father, Sonand Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Scriptures. Worship is acceptable to Godonly as it is offered from the depth of our being in the name of the LordJesus Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. Those who worshipHim must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).2. The worship of God is essential to spiritual life and growth, and shouldbe engaged in regularly and reverently, both privately, in our homes, andpublicly, in the assemblies of the church.3. In private worship, as individuals and in families, we recommend thesinging of a Psalm, the reading of a passage of Scripture, and a season ofprayer. Family worship ought to be cultivated as a vital focal point andmeeting place for the family members every day, setting the tone anddirection for living life in covenant with the Lord in the home.4. In public worship, we are called by the church to assemble ourselvestogether (Hebrews 10:25). God commands his particular blessing in theseappointed times of corporate worship. From the resurrection of our Lord,the first day of the week, the Lord's Day, has been set aside as the ChristianSabbath, to be kept holy as- the day for the church's worship and the