It’s easy to get a fight started within most churches these days. Mention that the hymn books in the pews ought to be replaced. Or suggest that the elders revise the liturgy. Or raise a question over the celebration of Christmas. In other words, say “worship” and you have declared a fighting word. Reformed Christians, […]

Question: What do you believe concerning the “holy catholic church” of Christ? Answer: That the Son of God from the heginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to Himself hy His Spirit and Word, out of the whole human race,  a Church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and […]

Question: What is the task of the church? Answer: And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them […]

Question: How is the Sabbath to be sanctified? Answer: The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to […]

Question: What is the acceptable way of worshiping the only true God? Answer: The acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or any other way not prescribed in the […]

Question: What is the proper way to worship God with decency and order? Answer: The way to worship with decency and order is to follow the pattern of God’s covenant of grace where He tells us that He is our God and we respond that we are His people (Genesis 17). How much are the […]

Question: Why does the third commandment require the holy and reverent use of God’s names, titles, attributes, ordinances, word, and works? Answer: We offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:28–29). Two principles are crucial to Reformed worship — the regulative principle and the dialogical […]

Question: What does worship do for the church? Answer: Unto this catholic visible church, Christ has given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and does by his own presence and Spirit, according to this promise, make them […]

Question: What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption? Answer: The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments and prayer, all of which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. (Westminster Shorter […]

Question: What are the elements of Christian worship? Answer: The reading of the Scriptures with godly fear; the sound preaching, and conscionable hearing of the word, in obedience unto God with understanding, faith and reverence; singing of psalms with grace in the heart; as, also, the due administration of the sacraments instituted by Christ; are […]