--- title: "Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 21 of the RP Testimony: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=69" --- # Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day | RP Testimony 1. All people are required to worship the true God, in a scriptural manner, with sincerity of heart. Sincerity cannot make unscriptural worship acceptable to God. Proper worship is to be conducted in an orderly manner. The tendency to emphasize ritual, liturgy and ceremony is contrary to the Scriptures. Acts 24:16; John 16:2; Isa. 1:11-15; John 4:24; Heb. 10:19-22. 2. Worship is to be offered only in accordance with God’s appointment, and in harmony with the scriptural principle that whatever is not commanded in the worship of God, by precept or example, is forbidden. Lev. 10:1-3; 2 Sam. 6:1-11; Matt. 15: 8-9. 3. The use of pictures or images of Jesus in worship, or as aids to devotion, is unscriptural. The Scriptures do not provide a sufficient description of His physical appearance to picture Him. The work of artists should not be received as accurate representations of His Person. Ex. 20:4-5. 4. Public prayer is to accompany the reading and preaching of the Word. Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 14:13-19. 5. Singing God’s praise is part of public worship in which the whole congregation should join. The Book of Psalms, consisting of inspired psalms, hymns and songs, is the divinely authorized manual of praise. The use of other songs in worship is not authorized in the Scriptures. The Greek words in the New Testament which are translated “psalm,” “hymn” and “song” all appear in the Septuagint (Greek) version of the Book of Psalms. Ps. 95:2; Ps. 40:3, (4); Ps. 96:1; Col. 3: 16; Eph. 5:19; Mark 14:26; 1 Cor 14: 26; Jas. 5:13. 6. The Psalms are to be sung without the accompaniment of instruments, which are not part of the New Testament pattern of worship. Musical instruments were commanded for use with the offering of sacrifices in the Old Testament temple worship. The death of Christ being the perfect and final sacrifice brought an end to this way of worship. There is neither command for nor example of the use of musical instruments in the words or practice of Christ and the apostles. The command of the New Testament is to offer the sacrifice of praise—the fruit of our lips. Num. 10:10; 2 Chron. 29:25-30; Heb. 9:12; Heb. 13:15. 7. Religious fasting is an ordinance of God in which the believer voluntarily abstains from food for a season for the purpose of seeking the will of God, strength for service or deeper spirituality. It should be accompanied by meditation, self-examination, humiliation before God, confession of sin, repentance and renewed dedication to a life of obedience. Ex. 34:28; 1 Kings 19:8; Dan. 10:2-3; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:12-13, 15; Matt. 4:2; Matt. 6:16-18; Mark 9:29; Acts 13:2-3. 8. The presentation of tithes and offerings is warranted as part of worship. 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Mal. 3:10; 1 Chron. 29: 6-13; Ex. 23:15. 9. Heads of families are responsible for leadership in family worship. Gen. 18:19; Eph. 6:4. 10. Worship in small groups is also encouraged by the Scripture. Acts 5:42; Acts 12:12. 11. We reject the teaching that the Fourth Commandment is no longer binding under the New Testament. 12. God promises rich blessings for keeping the Lord’s Day holy. Isa. 56:2-7; Isa. 58:13-14; Mark 2:27. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowWorshipGiving God the honor, love, praise, and service he requires.SabbathA day set apart to God for holy rest, worship, and duties of necessity and mercy.FastingVoluntarily going without food for a time while seeking God in prayer and repentance.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.TitheA tenth; the share God’s people were commanded to give under the Old Testament law.RepentanceTurning from sin to God with sorrow for sin and a desire to obey him. ### Testimony 21.1 Worship should be sincere, orderly, and consistent with Scripture. Sincerity does not justify unbiblical practices or an excessive emphasis on ritual. [Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-1) ### Testimony 21.2 In worship, we should include only what God authorizes by biblical command or example. This explains the rule often called the regulative principle of worship. [Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-2) ### Testimony 21.3 The Testimony rejects using pictures of Jesus in worship or as devotional aids. Scripture gives no adequate description from which to make an accurate portrait of him. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-3) ### Testimony 21.4 Public prayer should accompany Scripture reading and preaching. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-4) ### Testimony 21.5 The whole congregation should sing God’s praise from the Book of Psalms. The Testimony says other songs are not authorized for worship. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-5) ### Testimony 21.6 Psalms should be sung without instruments. The Testimony connects the temple’s instrumental worship with sacrifices fulfilled by Christ, and finds no New Testament authorization to continue it. [Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-6) ### Testimony 21.7 Fasting means voluntarily going without food for a time to seek God, together with prayerful reflection, repentance, and renewed obedience. [Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-7) ### Testimony 21.8 Giving tithes and offerings is an authorized part of worship. [Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-8) ### Testimony 21.9 Heads of households should lead their families in worship. [Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-9) ### Testimony 21.10 Scripture also encourages believers to worship together in small groups. [Read original point 10 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-10) ### Testimony 21.11 The Testimony rejects the idea that the Fourth Commandment no longer applies under the New Testament. [Read original point 11 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-11) ### Testimony 21.12 God promises blessing to those who keep the Lord’s Day holy. [Read original point 12 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/#point-12) ### Talk about it Why should the Bible guide how we worship God? ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - Why does God’s Word guide the way we worship? - How can you prepare to listen, pray, and sing with the church? #### Scripture to remember Psalm 95:6 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Psalm%2095%3A6) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Learn one line of a Psalm selection with your family. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=69) ## Related reading - [Keeping the Lord’s Day](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/lords-day/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-and-highest-end-of-man/) - [Why We Worship This Way](https://ctkrp.org/worship/scripture/) - [Find teaching on worship](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=worship) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 21](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/) - [Chapter 20](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/) - [Chapter 22](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-22-lawful-oaths-and-vows/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/