Regulative principle
A view held among orthodox Christians
The principle that the public worship of God should include only what He has commanded or appointed in Scripture, whether by explicit command, example, or good and necessary inference.
Also called: regulative principle of worship, RPW, regulative worship
What it means
The regulative principle holds that God alone decides how He is to be worshipped. The Westminster Confession says He "may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men ... or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture" (WCF 21.1; LBCF 1689 22.1 is the same). So public worship is made up of the elements Scripture appoints: reading and preaching the Word, prayer, singing, the sacraments, giving, oaths, and vows on special occasions.
Its supporters point to Nadab and Abihu, struck down for offering "unauthorized fire, which He had not commanded", and to Jesus' rebuke of worship that teaches the commandments of men. The principle protects the conscience: no one is bound to worship in ways God has not required.
Holders distinguish elements, which must be commanded, from circumstances such as the time, place, and order of the service, which are left to wisdom. They differ among themselves on applications such as hymns and instruments.
In Scripture
Do everything God commands; do not add to it or take away from it.
Nadab and Abihu offered unauthorized fire, which the Lord had not commanded, and died.
True worshippers worship the Father in spirit and truth, as He seeks.
Worship that teaches human precepts as doctrine is in vain.
Self-made worship has an appearance of wisdom but no value.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 21.1; LBCF 1689 22.1; WCF 20.2
On this site: Worship
Related terms
Normative principleA view held among orthodox Christians
The principle that public worship may include whatever Scripture does not forbid, so long as it is consistent with Scripture and edifying.
Exclusive psalmodyA view held among orthodox Christians
The conviction that only the inspired Psalms of Scripture should be sung in the public worship of God, usually without instruments.
Means of graceHistoric orthodoxy
The ordinary ways God has appointed to give and strengthen faith in His people, chiefly the Word, the sacraments, and prayer.