Christ, the head of the church, has instituted ordinances, means of grace, and an order of worship, to be used in the church by all his people - in private, in the family, and in the congregation.1 Through these ordinances, God gives grace, and nourishes and increases the grace given. They are the ordinances of preaching, reading and hearing the word, prayer, praise, mutual instruction, conversation, (cydymddiddan), the exercise of every part of church discipline, and the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.2
These ordinances are to be observed especially on the Lord’s day (that is, the first day of the week), which was sanctified to be wholly spent in the service of God.3 They are to be observed at other times also. No specific rules have been given respecting the length of the service, the manner of conducting it, and every matter of detail; but the church is to judge and act according to the general rules: ‘Let all things be done with charity, unto edification, decently, and in order.’4
1 Deut. 12:32; Josh. 24:14; Eph. 4:11-14; Psa.119:68; Prov. 8:34; 2 Chron. 34:31; Luke 1:6; Matt. 18:20. 2 Matt. 6:5; 13:19; 28:19; Mark 11:24; 16:15; Acts 2:42; 10:2, 33, 42; 15:21; 1 Tim. 2:8; 2 Tim. 4:2; Rev. 1:3; John 4:21; 5:39; 14:13-14; James 5:13; Heb. 3:13; 10:24-25; Isa. 66:2; Phil. 4:6; Eph. 5:19; 6:18; Col. 3:16; 4:2; Psa. 65:1; 1 Peter 2:2; Rom. 8:26; 1 Thess. 5:17; Eccles. 5:1; 1 Cor. 14:19; Jer. 10:25; 1 Cor. 11:23-26. 3 Exod. 20:8; Isa. 56:6-7; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2; Rev. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:2. 4 1 Cor 14:26,40; 16:14; Eph. 4:15-16.
