Principles and Practices for the Glory of God
The Westminster Larger Catechism opens with a foundational question: What is the chief end of man? The answer declares that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. This truth is reaffirmed in 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (ESV)
The context of this verse addresses Christian liberty and how it should be exercised responsibly and lovingly, avoiding any stumbling blocks for fellow believers. Paul teaches that the ultimate aim of the Christian life is to reflect God’s holiness and sovereignty in all things, turning even the most ordinary decisions into opportunities for worship and gratitude. This reinforces the truth that Christian ethics is not limited to major life choices, but encompasses every aspect of life—from the smallest activities to the most significant—always subject to the will of God.
This principle is also evident in the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Christ begins by revealing the identity of the citizens of His Kingdom—as the light of the world and the salt of the earth—and then proceeds to teach them the ethics of the Kingdom, including prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. The apostle Paul follows a similar structure in his epistles: he first establishes Christian doctrine and identity, and then instructs believers on Christian ethics and practice. The principle is clear: what God says we are must shape what we do. From this perspective, being precedes doing. This means that our actions must flow from our identity in Christ, avoiding mere external practices that lack a foundation in biblical truth.
This perspective leads us to an essential reflection on the life of the church. In a Reformed Christian church, it is vital to distinguish between biblical, unbiblical, and non-biblical (or extra-biblical) practices. Biblical practices are derived directly from Scripture and are normative for the church. Unbiblical practices are contrary to biblical teaching and must not be tolerated. Non-biblical or extra-biblical practices—those not explicitly prescribed in Scripture—must be evaluated in light of the general principles of Scripture and Christian prudence. Examples include the use of a church nursery, YouTube channels, pastoral attire such as suit and tie, and the presence of a baptistery. While these elements are not commanded in Scripture, they may be legitimate if they are in conformity with biblical principles. However, no practice should ever replace or compromise fidelity to the Word of God.
The authority and sufficiency of Scripture are foundational pillars of the church. Our Baptist Confession of Faith affirms that “the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man’s salvation, faith, and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture.” Thus, in matters where Scripture speaks clearly, there is no room for innovation. In other areas—such as the circumstances of worship—there is space for decisions guided by Christian prudence. The Reformed Regulative Principle distinguishes between the elements of worship, which must be strictly biblical, and the circumstances of worship, which may be shaped by cultural or logistical factors, provided they respect the principles of Scripture.
As the church of Christ, we must continually reflect on our identity and mission, asking the foundational questions: Who are we? Where have we come from? Where are we going? What do we do and why do we do it? The church’s practice must be grounded in principle. These are the core values that guide and illuminate our practices in the short, medium, and long term. We must be intentional as we reflect on our practices and identity. Should we continue doing what is right? Is there anything we should improve? Should we rethink practices that lack solid biblical foundations? The ultimate goal is not merely to adjust practices or correct errors, but to align the church entirely with the mission entrusted to her by the Lord. May everything we do be for the glory of God, faithfully expressing our Christian identity in a biblical, edifying, and God-honoring manner.
Summary of Class Taught by Pastor Gilson Santos
Church: Igreja Batista da Graça – São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil
Date: January 26, 2025
This class, led by Pastor Gilson Santos, was part of the ongoing biblical and theological formation of the congregation of Igreja Batista da Graça. The church seeks to remain faithful, biblical, and missionally aligned in all areas of church life.
