THE CHURCH hand or not, should distribute it among themselves or whether each should eat the portion just as it is given to him, whether they should hand back the cup to the hand of the deacon or pass it to their neighbour, whether the bread in their
should be leavened or unleavened, whether red or white wine should be used all this is of no importance. These things are merely material instruments about which we can decide 1 freely." Under no circumstances must we idolize what are after all simply the forms of worship. Otherwise we are no
longer serving the Lord of the church in the freedom of the children of God but are serving idols in the spirit of bondage. "It would be extraordinary indeed if in those matters in which the Lord has granted us freedom, in order that we
might have greater scope
we were
for the edification of the church, a slavish uniformity without
to strive to attain
really caring
about the true ordering of church
life.
For
when we appear
before the judgment seat of God in order to our deeds we shall not be asked about of account give ceremonies. In any case, such uniformity in outward matters will receive no consideration we shall rather be asked about ;
the right use of freedom. But the right use will be that one which has contributed most to the edification of the church." 2 Such is the opinion of Calvin who has been branded as
The church
does not live and grow by strict with specific forms. It does not live at all by our conformity but works, solely by the Word of God. Now and then it is even good if complete uniformity does not prevail "so that it may be manifest that the Christian faith does not consist in such matters". 3 Every structure of church life can only have the purpose of contributing to the strengthening of the legalistic.
church through the power of the Word. That is the decisive viewpoint which should determine our use of ecclesiastical custom, and ritual. This consideration too should prevent us from arbitrarily creating new forms of church organization and worship as we please and making innovations. The church is free in such i
In.
IV,
17, 43.
2
OS
i,
432.
207
3
CR
14,
285; 15, 538.