What the Bible says about Rites
(From Forerunner Commentary)

The pagan religion of Rome was a series of rites rather than a body of doctrine. In effect, the emperor declared, "This you must do, but you can think as you please." Roman worshippers believed they needed only to perform the proper ceremonies of religion, whether they understood them or not. As far as they were concerned, a hypocritical skeptic could be just as "religious" as a true believer as long as he offered sacrifice in the temples of the gods. Conversely, it is vital that true Christians believe and behave in accordance with God's doctrine. Jesus states unconditionally, "[T]rue worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:23-24). What we believe in our minds and feel in our hearts, we will perform in our actions. When based on truth, Christianity follows this principle. As John writes, "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him" (I John 3:18-19). Jesus Christ's way of life requires genuine obedience to God's doctrines. Martin G. Collins Basic Doctrines: Doctrine Related Topics: Doctrine

 

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