Symbolics 3Symbolics 3The 1689 Baptist ConfessionThe 1689 Baptist Confession

[Chapters 21-32][Chapters 21-32]

Chapter 22Chapter 22

Of Religious Worship Of Religious Worship

and the Sabbath Dayand the Sabbath Day

Part 2Part 2

Introduction: The Overall Treatment Introduction: The Overall Treatment Its Regulative Its Regulative

Principle Principle Its Appointed Day Its Appointed Day

Its Regulative Its Regulative PrinciplePrinciple

Its ExplanationIts ExplanationIts IllustrationIts IllustrationIts ArgumentationIts ArgumentationIts ClarificationIts Clarification

Introduction: The Overall Treatment Introduction: The Overall Treatment II. The Appointed Day of WorshipII. The Appointed Day of WorshipIntroductionIntroductionA.A. Its Institution (par 7) Its Institution (par 7) B.B. Its Sanctification (par 8)Its Sanctification (par 8)(We will follow this outline in our exposition.)(We will follow this outline in our exposition.)

Introduction: The Assumed RelationIntroduction: The Assumed RelationPar 1 on the regulative principle teaches that Par 1 on the regulative principle teaches that

God has the right to appoint how He will be God has the right to appoint how He will be worshipped. worshipped.

This framework helps us appreciate the logic of This framework helps us appreciate the logic of Puritan teaching on the Sabbath. Puritan teaching on the Sabbath.

Every element of worship is appointed by God Every element of worship is appointed by God and not by the church. and not by the church.

Thus, the day of worship also is not for man to Thus, the day of worship also is not for man to decide, but must also be divinely appointed.decide, but must also be divinely appointed.

Introduction: The Relevant Paragraphs Introduction: The Relevant Paragraphs 77 As it is the law of nature, that in general a As it is the law of nature, that in general a

proportion of time, by God's appointment, be set proportion of time, by God's appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in apart for the worship of God, so by his Word, in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly binding all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto him, …kept holy unto him, …

Introduction: The Relevant Paragraphs Introduction: The Relevant Paragraphs 77 … which from the beginning of the world to … which from the beginning of the world to

the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changed into the first day of the week, which is changed into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's day: and is to be continued to called the Lord's day: and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the observation of the last day of the week being the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.abolished.

Introduction: The Relevant Paragraphs Introduction: The Relevant Paragraphs 88 The sabbath is then kept holy unto the The sabbath is then kept holy unto the

Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all aforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations, about their worldly employment and recreations, but are also taken up the whole time in the but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy. in the duties of necessity and mercy.

A. Its Institution (par 7)A. Its Institution (par 7)1.1. The Natural Necessity of the The Natural Necessity of the

Appointed DayAppointed DayAs it is the law of nature, As it is the law of nature,

that in general a proportion of time, that in general a proportion of time, by God's appointment,by God's appointment,

be set apart for the worship of Godbe set apart for the worship of God

1. The Natural Necessity of the 1. The Natural Necessity of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

The law of nature requires an appointed day for The law of nature requires an appointed day for worship.worship.

The light of nature shows that …The light of nature shows that …(1) God must be worshipped(1) God must be worshipped(2) This worship must be corporate(2) This worship must be corporate(3) Corporate worship requires an appointed time(3) Corporate worship requires an appointed time(4) This time must be appointed by God (4) This time must be appointed by God (Human appointment violates the prerogatives of (Human appointment violates the prerogatives of

God in His worship.) God in His worship.)

2. The Positive Enactment of the 2. The Positive Enactment of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

so by his Word, in a positive … commandmentso by his Word, in a positive … commandment General revelation (the law of nature) makes General revelation (the law of nature) makes

clear that an appointed day is necessary.clear that an appointed day is necessary.But the law of nature does not specify the day.But the law of nature does not specify the day.Resting for worship on the 7th day or 1st day is Resting for worship on the 7th day or 1st day is

not written by creation on the hearts of men. not written by creation on the hearts of men. There must be a positive law to specify the time. There must be a positive law to specify the time. Positive Positive means something in addition to or not means something in addition to or not

revealed by nature, but by revealed by nature, but by special revelationspecial revelation. .

2. The Positive Enactment of the 2. The Positive Enactment of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

"If the sabbath is a moral law, why aren’t "If the sabbath is a moral law, why aren’t gentiles indicted in the Bible for breaking it?" gentiles indicted in the Bible for breaking it?"

The reason is that it is a positive commandment The reason is that it is a positive commandment revealed only by special revelation. revealed only by special revelation.

Positive commandments, as the Confession Positive commandments, as the Confession makes clear, may also be moral. makes clear, may also be moral.

The positive character of the sabbath does not The positive character of the sabbath does not mean it is “ceremonial” even in part.mean it is “ceremonial” even in part.

3.3. The Moral Perpetuity of the The Moral Perpetuity of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

in a … moral and perpetual commandment, in a … moral and perpetual commandment, binding all men, in all ages, binding all men, in all ages,

he hath particularly appointed one day in seven he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a sabbath to be kept holy unto himfor a sabbath to be kept holy unto him

3.3. The Moral Perpetuity of the The Moral Perpetuity of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

The sabbath is called The sabbath is called moral and perpetualmoral and perpetual. . This may be affirmed for three reasons. This may be affirmed for three reasons. It was …It was …instituted as a creation ordinanceinstituted as a creation ordinanceincluded in the Ten Commandmentsincluded in the Ten Commandmentscontinued in the Lord's daycontinued in the Lord's day

Instituted As A Creation OrdinanceInstituted As A Creation Ordinance (1) The Evidence—In Three Passages(1) The Evidence—In Three PassagesGen 2:3Gen 2:3Exod 20:8-11Exod 20:8-11Mark 2:27-28Mark 2:27-28 (2) The Significance—The Creational Is Perpetual (2) The Significance—The Creational Is Perpetual Matt 19:4-8Matt 19:4-81 Tim 2:131 Tim 2:131 Cor 11:8, 91 Cor 11:8, 9

Included In The Ten CommandmentsIncluded In The Ten Commandmentsalone spoken by God (Deut 5:22). alone spoken by God (Deut 5:22). alone written on stone by the finger of God alone written on stone by the finger of God

(Exod 31:18) (Exod 31:18) alone placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Deut alone placed in the Ark of the Covenant (Deut

10:5) 10:5) written in the hearts of believers (Jer. 31:33) written in the hearts of believers (Jer. 31:33) cited as moral in NT (Rom. 13:8-10; Matt. cited as moral in NT (Rom. 13:8-10; Matt.

22:18, 19; 1 Tim 1:8-11). 22:18, 19; 1 Tim 1:8-11).

Continued In The Lord's DayContinued In The Lord's DayThe Lord's day embodies the sabbath principle. The Lord's day embodies the sabbath principle. Many conspicuous parallels prove this. Many conspicuous parallels prove this. (1) The Sabbath was a (1) The Sabbath was a Lord's DayLord's Day: Isa 58:13 : Isa 58:13 the the

holy dayholy day of the Lordof the Lord Matt 12:28 Matt 12:28 Lord of the sabbathLord of the sabbath (2) Like the sabbath and unlike any other ordinance (2) Like the sabbath and unlike any other ordinance

the Lord's day is 1 day of weekly re-occurrence. the Lord's day is 1 day of weekly re-occurrence. (3) Like the sabbath and unlike any other ordinance (3) Like the sabbath and unlike any other ordinance

the Lord's day presupposes the week of creation. the Lord's day presupposes the week of creation.

Continued In The Lord's DayContinued In The Lord's Day (4) Like the sabbath and unlike any other (4) Like the sabbath and unlike any other

ordinance, the Lord's day memorializes both ordinance, the Lord's day memorializes both creation and redemption. creation and redemption.

The sabbath memorialized the old creation and the The sabbath memorialized the old creation and the Exodus redemption. Exodus redemption.

The Lord's day memorializes a new creation and a The Lord's day memorializes a new creation and a greater redemption. greater redemption.

(5) Like the sabbath, the Lord's day is a day (5) Like the sabbath, the Lord's day is a day belonging especially to God. belonging especially to God.

16 times the OT speaks of "my sabbaths.“16 times the OT speaks of "my sabbaths.“

Continued In The Lord's DayContinued In The Lord's Day (6) Like the sabbath the Lord's day is a holy day. (6) Like the sabbath the Lord's day is a holy day. The sabbath was holy (Gen 2:3; Exod 20:8). The sabbath was holy (Gen 2:3; Exod 20:8). The Lord's day is also a holy day. The Lord's day is also a holy day. HolyHoly = set apart to God as His special possession. = set apart to God as His special possession. To be holy = belonging especially to God (Exod To be holy = belonging especially to God (Exod

13:2; Num. 16:3-7). 13:2; Num. 16:3-7). If the Lord's day is God's special possession, it is If the Lord's day is God's special possession, it is

holy and must be sanctified. holy and must be sanctified. Remember the Lord's day, to keep it holy!Remember the Lord's day, to keep it holy!

Continued In The Lord's DayContinued In The Lord's Day (7) Like the sabbath, the Lord's day is a day of (7) Like the sabbath, the Lord's day is a day of

corporate, public worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. corporate, public worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2). 16:1,2).

As a day of worship, it is a day of rest. As a day of worship, it is a day of rest. 1—All days of worship are sabbaths in the Bible. 1—All days of worship are sabbaths in the Bible. 2—The Lord's day is a holy day and must be 2—The Lord's day is a holy day and must be set set

apart fromapart from ordinary labors and ordinary labors and set apart toset apart to worship. worship. Such a day is clearly a day of rest. Such a day is clearly a day of rest.

3—Engaging in worship demands resting from 3—Engaging in worship demands resting from other labors. other labors.

4. The Epochal Alteration of the 4. The Epochal Alteration of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

which from the beginning of the world to the which from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, resurrection of Christ was the last day of the week, and from the resurrection of Christ was changed and from the resurrection of Christ was changed

into the first day of the week, which is called the into the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's day: Lord's day:

and is to be continued to the end of the world as and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath, the Christian Sabbath,

the observation of the last day of the week being the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.abolished.

4. The Epochal Alteration of the 4. The Epochal Alteration of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

a.a. The Difficulty with Its Alteration StatedThe Difficulty with Its Alteration StatedMany feel this is the weak point of the Christian Many feel this is the weak point of the Christian

sabbath. sabbath. They argue that, if the sabbath is moral, it cannot They argue that, if the sabbath is moral, it cannot

be altered. be altered. 77thth Day Adventists and Baptists conclude that the Day Adventists and Baptists conclude that the

appointed day of worship is still the 7appointed day of worship is still the 7 thth day. day. Others conclude that, since the day is changed, Others conclude that, since the day is changed,

the sabbath cannot be a moral law still in force. the sabbath cannot be a moral law still in force.

4. The Epochal Alteration of the 4. The Epochal Alteration of the Appointed DayAppointed Day

b.b. The Difficulty with Its Alteration The Difficulty with Its Alteration ResolvedResolved

(1)(1) By the Positive Basis of Its AlterationBy the Positive Basis of Its Alteration(2)(2) By the Cosmic Reason for Its AlterationBy the Cosmic Reason for Its Alteration(3)(3) By the Distinctive Method of Its By the Distinctive Method of Its

AlterationAlteration

The Positive Basis of Its AlterationThe Positive Basis of Its AlterationThe answer to this argument is actually found in The answer to this argument is actually found in

the language of the Confession itself. the language of the Confession itself. It calls it It calls it positive moral, and perpetualpositive moral, and perpetual. . This law is composed of two separate elements: This law is composed of two separate elements:

the law of nature and the positive enactment. the law of nature and the positive enactment. The law of nature cannot be and is not altered. The law of nature cannot be and is not altered. The positive enactment may be and is. The positive enactment may be and is. The alteration of the day is no argument against The alteration of the day is no argument against

the morality and perpetuity of the sabbath. the morality and perpetuity of the sabbath.

The Cosmic Reason for Its AlterationThe Cosmic Reason for Its AlterationThe sabbath was instituted at creation. The sabbath was instituted at creation. How can a creation ordinance be altered? How can a creation ordinance be altered? Rod Henry’s Argument!Rod Henry’s Argument! Only by a new creation! Only by a new creation! But Christ has inaugurated a new creation (2 Cor But Christ has inaugurated a new creation (2 Cor

5:17; Gal 6:15; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1). 5:17; Gal 6:15; 2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1). Thus, one expects a change in the 7Thus, one expects a change in the 7 thth day Sabbath. day Sabbath. The 7th day, shadow of the new creation, is fulfilled The 7th day, shadow of the new creation, is fulfilled

(Col 2:16, 17), and the 1(Col 2:16, 17), and the 1stst day sign comes. day sign comes.

The Distinctive Method of Its AlterationThe Distinctive Method of Its AlterationAnother difficulty put forward is that there is no Another difficulty put forward is that there is no

explicit, scriptural mention of this change. explicit, scriptural mention of this change. We must remember the way the day of worship was We must remember the way the day of worship was

first appointed. first appointed. God set apart the 7th day by resting (Gen. 2:3 ). God set apart the 7th day by resting (Gen. 2:3 ). Christ does the same.Christ does the same.Christ entered His rest from His work on the 1Christ entered His rest from His work on the 1stst day. day. The 7th day memorialized the old work of creation—The 7th day memorialized the old work of creation—

the 1st a new creation. the 1st a new creation.

Conclusion:Conclusion:There is good reason to hold a Christian Sabbath. There is good reason to hold a Christian Sabbath. This real reason why people want nothing to do it This real reason why people want nothing to do it

is that they do not like what they think it means in is that they do not like what they think it means in terms of its practical observance. terms of its practical observance.

They fear a They fear a sabbatarian bogeymensabbatarian bogeymen. . Is this the way we should determine our values?Is this the way we should determine our values?Would you argue this way about God’s laws about Would you argue this way about God’s laws about

taxes or sex? taxes or sex?

II.II. Its Sanctification (par 8)Its Sanctification (par 8) Introduction:Introduction:The question is how to keep the Sabbath holy: The question is how to keep the Sabbath holy: The The

sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men…men…

A. Preparing A. Preparing B. RestingB. RestingC. WorshipingC. WorshipingD. LivingD. Living

A. PreparingA. PreparingThe sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord,

when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehandand ordering their common affairs aforehand

Two kinds of preparation are required: preparation Two kinds of preparation are required: preparation of our hearts and the preparation of our affairs.of our hearts and the preparation of our affairs.

A. PreparingA. PreparingThe biblical basis? The biblical basis? References to the day of preparation for the References to the day of preparation for the

Sabbath (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54). Sabbath (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54). The dictates of sanctified common sense. The dictates of sanctified common sense. To cease from your own employments and rest To cease from your own employments and rest

on the Lord’s Day, you have to prepare. on the Lord’s Day, you have to prepare. Can you tithe and not prepare financially? Can you tithe and not prepare financially? How can you give God a seventh of your week How can you give God a seventh of your week

without preparing? without preparing?

B. RestingB. Restingdo not only observe an holy rest all day, do not only observe an holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, from their own works, words and thoughts,

about their worldly employment and about their worldly employment and recreationsrecreations

B. RestingB. RestingIsa 58:13-14: Isa 58:13-14: If because of the sabbath, you If because of the sabbath, you

turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on turn your foot From doing your own pleasure on My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the My holy day, And call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, holy day of the LORD honorable, And honor it, desisting from your own ways, From seeking desisting from your own ways, From seeking your own pleasure And speaking your own your own pleasure And speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the LORD, word, Then you will take delight in the LORD, And I will make you ride on the heights of the And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of earth; And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, For the mouth of the LORD Jacob your father, For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.has spoken.

B. RestingB. RestingWarning! Do not interpret this scrupulously. Warning! Do not interpret this scrupulously. The Confession is not condemning small talk. The Confession is not condemning small talk. he disciples walked through and ate the grainhe disciples walked through and ate the grainJesus went to dinner on the Sabbath Jesus went to dinner on the Sabbath It is a matter of our hearts. It is a matter of our hearts. It is nonsense for a man not to watch the NFL It is nonsense for a man not to watch the NFL

game, but to spend all his time discussing the game, but to spend all his time discussing the ins and outs of the college games from Sat.ins and outs of the college games from Sat.

C. WorshipingC. Worshipingbut are also taken up the whole time in the public but are also taken up the whole time in the public

and private exercises of his worshipand private exercises of his worshipThe purpose is that we might devote ourselves to The purpose is that we might devote ourselves to

the public and private exercises of worship. the public and private exercises of worship. First, we devote ourselves to public worship in First, we devote ourselves to public worship in

church. church. Second, we give ourselves to personal worship. Second, we give ourselves to personal worship. Third, we use the time for family worshipThird, we use the time for family worship

D. LivingD. Livingand in the duties of necessity and mercyand in the duties of necessity and mercy

Something that must be done every day must also Something that must be done every day must also be done on the Sabbath. be done on the Sabbath.

Eating, milking, nursing, policing, soldiering. Eating, milking, nursing, policing, soldiering. Mercy must be shown to the needy. Mercy must be shown to the needy. The Sabbath is a special day for acts of mercy. The Sabbath is a special day for acts of mercy. Jesus often demands mercy on the Sabbath! Jesus often demands mercy on the Sabbath! He often healed intentionally on the Sabbath! He often healed intentionally on the Sabbath!