WCF 21.6

21.6. Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath-day

Neither prayer, nor any other part of religious worship, is now under the Gospel either tied unto, or made more acceptable by any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed: but God is to be worshipped everywhere, in spirit and truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so, more solemnly, in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly or wilfully to be neglected, or forsaken, when God, by His Word or providence, calls thereunto.

Proof texts

• John 4:21 — [21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
• Mal. 1:11 — [11] For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts.
• 1 Tim. 2:8 — [8] I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
• John 4:23, 24 — [23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
• Jer. 10:25 — [25] Pour out your wrath on the nations that know you not, and on the peoples that call not on your name, for they have devoured Jacob; they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.
• Deut. 6:6, 7 — [6] And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. [7] You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
• Job 1:5 — [5] And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
• 2 Sam. 6:18, 20 — [18] And when David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts [20] And David returned to bless his household. But Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel honored himself today, uncovering himself today before the eyes of his servants' female servants, as one of the vulgar fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”
• 1 Pet. 3:7 — [7] Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
• Acts 10:2 — [2] a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God.
• Matt. 6:11 — [11] Give us this day our daily bread,
• Matt. 6:6 — [6] But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
• Eph. 6:18 — [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
• Isa. 56:6, 7 — [6] “And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant — [7] these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
• Heb. 10:25 — [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
• Prov. 1:20, 21, 24 — [20] Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; [21] at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: [24] Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
• Prov. 8:34 — [34] Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
• Acts 13:42 — [42] As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.
• Luke 4:16 — [16] And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.
• Acts 2:42 — [42] And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited John 4:21 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 20 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q57 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WSC Q58 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q57 · WSC Q58 · WSC Q59 · WSC Q60 · WSC Q61 · WSC Q62 · WLC Q115 · WLC Q116 · WLC Q117 · WLC Q118 · WLC Q119 · WLC Q120 · WLC Q121 · 1689 22.1 · IAR 6.1 · SHC 4.1 · SHC 4.2 · SD 22.1