Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 107. Which is the second commandment?
A. The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
Q. 49. Which is the second commandment?
A. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Observations:
1. The Romish Church diminishes and minimizes this commandment, lest the “image worship” should be shown to be unbiblical and confidence in Papal leadership be challenged. “Icon” veneration in the Greek Orthodox tradition is also forbidden. An Anglican can have statues, memorials (e.g the Memorial of the Four Reformers in Geneva) or the Reformation Memorial of the English Martrys at Oxford. That is one thing. Bowing, praying before, venerating, and worshipping them is forbidden.
2. Historically, the Romish Church has left this second commandment out of their liturgies. Psalm 115 speaks of images/idols made of wood and stone that have no ears, no eyes, no hands, etc., and are empty, worthless idols compared to God’s glory.
3. We are to worship God as appointed: (1) Reading, preaching and hearing His most holy Word, receiving Christ and His promises in the Sacraments by faith alone, and asking for those things that are most necessary and requisite---in a Biblical, orderly, intelligent and believing way. As a rule, the prayers, like the hymns, and sermons should reflect the Scriptures as closely as possible, using God’s very Word to lead the divine worship service. This is why the 1662 Book of Common Prayer excels over other approaches. 80-85% of everything said during divine worship is drawn directly from God's Word. Similarly, we advocate metrical Psalm-singing and hymns with biblical content.
4. Prayer, vows and fasting are also parts of divine worship. Various texts support this.
5. Acceptable prayer is by and through the Mediation of Christ alone. The invocation of saints is grossly repugnant to Scriptures and Christ Jesus. In prayer we ask for what God has promised, including the benefits of salvation as well as those things which are lawful, necessary and needful, for this life and the next.
6. Acceptable worship includes biblical summons to worship, confession of our sins, the absolution of our sins, confession of faith, lections with biblical responses, a sermon, and various collects of prayer for congregational and common prayer, with a benediction.
7. Worship shall be said and sung in a way that is biblical, orderly, intelligent and in a known language. The “tongues-phenomena” is one serious error embedded amongst many other serious errors amongst charismatics who do not worship or teach aright.
8. Although “set forms” are to be used, they should be said and sung "with grace in our hearts to the Lord," Col. 3:16.
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