WHAT IS THE 2ND COMMANDMENT ABOUT? The puritan preacher Thomas Watson rightly discerned that the 1st commandment forbids worshipping a false god, the 2nd forbids worshipping the true God in a false way. Watson writes:
“In the 1st commandment worshipping a false God is forbidden; in the 2nd, worshipping the true God in a false manor.”
Westminster Shorter Catechism A51 “The 2nd commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in His word.”
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO MAKE ‘A CARVED IMAGE'? All of us imagine the true God in ways that are contrary to His word – this is a violation of the 2nd commandment. In the same way, when we worship God in ways not commanded in His word – we have let our imaginations take over, violating the 2nd commandment.
When the Israelites worshipped God under the form of a golden calf, they were using their imagination to conceive the _____________ ____________ according to their own desires. If imagination leads our thoughts about God, we too will fall into serious sin.
THE 2ND COMMANDMENT & THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLE The principle articulated Deut.12:32 "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.”
The different versions of the regulative principle:
• The Puritan/Reformed/Calvinistic Version:
• The Roman Catholic or Lutheran Version:
The principle illustrated Nadab & Abihu & unauthorized fire: Leviticus 10:1-3 Why did God kill these 2 zealous worshippers? Because they offered something in worship that God had not ________________.
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Rev. Ryce and Janine, his wife of 20 years, were born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and previously served in ministry at Tucson Reformed Church (2010-14) and Springs Reformed Church (2014-22), the Christian & Missionary Alliance (2007-09), and the Evangelical Presbyterian...
