Chapter 50 : The Public Reading of the Holy Scripture

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50-1. The public reading of the Holy Scriptures is performed by the minister as God’s servant. Through it God speaks most directly to the congregation, even more directly than through the sermon. The reading of the Scriptures by the minister is to be distinguished from the responsive reading of certain portions of Scripture by the minister and the congregation. In the former God addresses His people; in the latter God’s people give expression in the words of Scripture to their contrition, adoration, gratitude
and other holy sentiments. The psalms of Scripture are especially appropriate for responsive reading.

[DIGEST: The current text dates to 1975 [M3GA, 3-15, Item 2, p. 57]

ANTEDCEDENT TEXTS:
PCA 1973, Part III - The Directory for the Worship of God, Chapter III
[no comparable text]

Continuing Presbyterian Church 1973, Proposed text,


PCUS 1933,

PCUS 1925, Directory for Worship, III-

PCUS 1894,

OTHER COMPARISONS:
UPCNA 1926, Part IV-Worship, VI-343
The reading of the Scriptures is an integral part of public worship, and should have a place in every service. The importance of this ordinance demands studious and prayerful preparation on the part of the minister. With due reverence and thoughtfulness he should so read the Word that the message of the Spirit may be clearly expressed.

RPCES 1973, Directory of Worship, VI-1
The reading of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in the congregation is part of the public worship of God and ought to be performed by ministers and teachers in such a manner that all may hear and understand.

OPC 2005, Directory for Worship, III-2
The public reading of the Holy Scriptures is performed by the minister as God's servant. Through it God speaks most directly to the congregation, even more directly than through the interpretation of Holy Writ in the sermon. For this reason the minister does well to refrain from interspersing the reading of God's Word with human comments, and the congregation should attend to the reading with deepest reverence. The reading of the Scriptures by the minister is to be distinguished from the responsive reading of certain portions of Scripture by the minister and the congregation. In the former God addresses his people; in the latter God's people give expression in the words of Scripture to their contrition, adoration, gratitude and other holy sentiments. The psalms of Scripture are especially appropriate for responsive reading.