Topical Bible: Idolatry: Saints Refuse to Receive the Worship of

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Idolatry, the worship of anything other than the one true God, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, consistently condemned as a grave sin. Within the biblical narrative, there are notable instances where saints and heavenly beings explicitly refuse to receive worship, underscoring the principle that worship is due to God alone.

Peter and Cornelius

In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter encounters Cornelius, a Roman centurion, who falls at Peter's feet in reverence. Peter's response is immediate and clear: "But Peter helped him up. 'Stand up,' he said, 'I am only a man myself'" (Acts 10:26). This incident highlights Peter's refusal to accept any form of worship or adoration, directing all glory to God.

Paul and Barnabas in Lystra

Similarly, Paul and Barnabas face a situation in Lystra where the local populace, witnessing a miraculous healing, attempts to offer sacrifices to them, mistaking them for gods. Paul and Barnabas react with horror: "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 'Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them'" (Acts 14:14-15). Their response underscores their commitment to redirect worship to God alone, emphasizing the futility of idolatry.

Angelic Beings

The book of Revelation provides further insight into the refusal of worship by heavenly beings. When the Apostle John attempts to worship an angel, the angel rebukes him: "But he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!'" (Revelation 19:10). This directive is repeated later in Revelation: "But he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!'" (Revelation 22:9). These passages reinforce the consistent biblical teaching that worship is reserved for God alone, and even the most exalted of created beings refuse to accept it.

Old Testament Precedents

The Old Testament also provides examples of the rejection of idolatry and the refusal to accept worship. In the book of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, choosing instead to face the fiery furnace rather than commit idolatry (Daniel 3:16-18). Their steadfastness serves as a powerful testament to the exclusive worship of God.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the refusal of saints and heavenly beings to accept worship serves as a profound reminder of the biblical mandate against idolatry. These accounts consistently point believers back to the central truth that worship is due to God alone, affirming the foundational tenet of monotheistic faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 10:25,26
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 14:11-15
And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Idolatry
... Help and Assistance of angels and saints, as to ... life, salvation, safety, hope, defense,
refuse, solace, yea ... though the turpitude of this idolatry be exceedingly ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... it right to cultivate the communion of saints after a ... in the fabrication of these
objects of the heathen idolatry. ... They did not refuse to receive any one as a ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... all or not sufficiently, and who would refuse to make ... never punished covetousness,
which is a second idolatry; but he ... the Church is that of the Saints of all ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... be inferred from the fact, that idolatry continued to be ... strangers, if she have washed
the saints' feet, if ... But the younger widows refuse, for when they have ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Concerning Worship.
... among them, so neither dare they refuse, but that ... For this kind of idolatry, whereby
man loveth, idolizeth ... enjoyment [842] of God, which the saints in heaven ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

The Chorus of Angels
... and true are Thy ways, Thou King of saints! ... Scripture would have a direct tendency
to promote idolatry. ... who slight the glorious Redeemer, and refuse Him the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlix the chorus of.htm

God and the Godly
... So it is in idolatry; so it should be with us ... them mean less than they do, if we
refuse to recognise ... and white, which is the righteousness of saints,' is woven ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/god and the godly.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... not; you dare not; lest you countenance their idolatry; and nourish ... to convince me
it is a duty to refuse communion with those of the saints that differ ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

The Case of all the Protestant or Reformed Churches, With
... (2.) Idolatry of The ... The reformed churches very properly refuse to profess communion
of faith and ... heads the blood of so many thousands of the saints and of the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 22 the case of.htm

Easter Wednesday Also Suited to Easter Tuesday.
... yet is unwilling to be charged with idolatry and other ... that you believe in Christ
and refuse to join ... the earthly environment of Christians and saints, for he ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/easter wednesday also suited to.htm