What
does God require in the Fourth Commandment?
First, that the ministry of the gospel and Christian education be
maintained, and that I diligently attend church, especially on the Lord’s Day,
to hear the Word of God, to participate in the holy sacraments, to call publicly
on the Lord, and to give Christian service to those in need.
Second, that I cease from my evil works all the days of my life, allow
the Lord to work in me through His Spirit, and thus began in this life the
eternal Sabbath.
I. Sabbath Keeping
Begins with Education
A. Paul’s instruction to Timothy for organizing the
Apostolic church emphasizes organizing education.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2)
B. Synagogue practice focused so much on education at
all levels that the Jews commonly called their assemblies Schools.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:15 AV)
C. The organizational practice of the Apostolic church
concentrated on Bible instructions and application.
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to
doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by
prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these
things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take
heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this
thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
(1 Timothy 4:13-16)
II. Rest and Assembly Form
The Second Feature of Sabbath
A. Distractions which keep God’s people from gathering to
worship Him are prohibited. Six
days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy
convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all
your dwellings. (Leviticus 23:3)
B. The Apostolic Church
set the pattern of public communal worship which we continue to observe to this
day. And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many
wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were
together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and
parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with
one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their
meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
(Acts 2:42-46 )
III. Sabbath Assemblies
Focus on the Bible
A. Public worship brings the Word of God to bear on life so that
people come to know and rely on God. So
then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:17)
B. Beautiful forms, ceremonies, liturgies, and exotic
languages must never crowd out Bible teaching. Yet in the church I had
rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach
others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
(1 Corinthians 14:19)
C. The Bible regulates public sacraments in a Sabbath context. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take,
eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
(1 Corinthians 11:24)
D. The Bible directs church finances as it calls for the
weekly gathering of the tithes . Upon
the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
(1 Corinthians 16:2)
IV. Ultimately Sabbath
Sets the Heart on Heaven
A. Jesus rose from the grave on the Sabbath to go ahead and prepare a
permanent Sabbath home for His people. In
my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2)
B. As believers gather in local assemblies we remember the
world wide plan for the gospel to prevail everywhere.
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and
from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith
the LORD. (Isaiah 66:23)
C. Keep your heart on the great eternal Sabbath of Jesus in the world
to come. Let us therefore fear,
lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem
to come short of it. For
unto us was the gospel preached, as well as
unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith
in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he
said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although
the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a
certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day
from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it
was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long
a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken
of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he
that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God
did from his. Let us
labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same
example of unbelief. (Hebrews
4:1-11)
