MOSES
Puritan Board Freshman
There are many who hold to the Regulative Principle of Worship and yet deny the validaty of weekly communion...(e.g., RPCNA supprt RPW but only have communion 4 times per year)
I see an inconsistency in that position.
The RPW is based on Sola Scriptura...that is good, BUT . . . as in all doctrinal positions it should be based on TOTA SCRIPTURA as well. Basing your position on the scripture alone is good, but basing your position on the scripture alone and the "whole" or all of scripture too is even better.
So the RPW should be based on sola scriptura and tota scriptura.
Tota scriptura and the RPW as it relates to this topic comes into play here:
A study of worship in the whole bible brings one to the conclusion that there is a "heavenly pattern" of worship. In this pattern from Old Testament through New Testament we see things repeated again and again in worship...AND...one of the key elements in this pattern is:
The covenant meal, or peace offering, or partaking of the sacrifice.
When this part of the heavenly pattern of worship is neglected, then worship is NOT complete...for the pattern is consistent in scripture and when we depart from that pattern then we depart from true worship, we are acting contrary to the RPW when doing such things.
Here is some examples of the consistency of this pattern found in scripture where partaking of a "meal" is part of the worship service.
- Worship in eden before the fall. Adam and Eve heard the word of God, responded in faith and obedience and partook of the tree of life (meal).
- Exodus. Israel offers burnt offerings. Moses reads the book of the covenant. People respond in faith. AND Isael partakes of the peace offerings(meal)
- Dedication of the temple. Assembly for worship. Sin is dealt with in burnt offerings. Israel enters God's presence. Singing. Word of God proclaimed. Prayer. Fire consumes the sacrifice and glory fills the temple. Israel partakes of peace offerings (meal)
- Book of Rev. Assembling for worship (ch 4). Sin offering (ch. 5) Entering God's presence (ch 5). Psalm of praise (ch 5). Reading the word of God, prayers, fire consuming sacrifices and glory filling temple, psalm of praise (read the whole book you'll see it all)...and finally, the peace offering or the "meal" wedding supper of the lamb (meal)
A short study of worship in the Torah will also show that a partaking (eating) of the sacrifice was essential for the worship service...
note: the torah was based on the heavenly pattern.
note: the nt book of Revelation is a picture into heaven itself and you see the SAME pattern.
Also: The meal is essential in Christ making the new covenant
The meal is essential to RPW.
note: Peter J. Wallace has a good article on this. He is an OPC pastor...but he does not deal with the RPW or weekly communion only the heavenly pattern itself.
I see an inconsistency in that position.
The RPW is based on Sola Scriptura...that is good, BUT . . . as in all doctrinal positions it should be based on TOTA SCRIPTURA as well. Basing your position on the scripture alone is good, but basing your position on the scripture alone and the "whole" or all of scripture too is even better.
So the RPW should be based on sola scriptura and tota scriptura.
Tota scriptura and the RPW as it relates to this topic comes into play here:
A study of worship in the whole bible brings one to the conclusion that there is a "heavenly pattern" of worship. In this pattern from Old Testament through New Testament we see things repeated again and again in worship...AND...one of the key elements in this pattern is:
The covenant meal, or peace offering, or partaking of the sacrifice.
When this part of the heavenly pattern of worship is neglected, then worship is NOT complete...for the pattern is consistent in scripture and when we depart from that pattern then we depart from true worship, we are acting contrary to the RPW when doing such things.
Here is some examples of the consistency of this pattern found in scripture where partaking of a "meal" is part of the worship service.
- Worship in eden before the fall. Adam and Eve heard the word of God, responded in faith and obedience and partook of the tree of life (meal).
- Exodus. Israel offers burnt offerings. Moses reads the book of the covenant. People respond in faith. AND Isael partakes of the peace offerings(meal)
- Dedication of the temple. Assembly for worship. Sin is dealt with in burnt offerings. Israel enters God's presence. Singing. Word of God proclaimed. Prayer. Fire consumes the sacrifice and glory fills the temple. Israel partakes of peace offerings (meal)
- Book of Rev. Assembling for worship (ch 4). Sin offering (ch. 5) Entering God's presence (ch 5). Psalm of praise (ch 5). Reading the word of God, prayers, fire consuming sacrifices and glory filling temple, psalm of praise (read the whole book you'll see it all)...and finally, the peace offering or the "meal" wedding supper of the lamb (meal)
A short study of worship in the Torah will also show that a partaking (eating) of the sacrifice was essential for the worship service...
note: the torah was based on the heavenly pattern.
note: the nt book of Revelation is a picture into heaven itself and you see the SAME pattern.
Also: The meal is essential in Christ making the new covenant
The meal is essential to RPW.
note: Peter J. Wallace has a good article on this. He is an OPC pastor...but he does not deal with the RPW or weekly communion only the heavenly pattern itself.