Q. 18. What is meant by the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”?
We should observe the times which God has appointed in his Word and regularly rest from routine employment. We should not profane the Lord’s Day or neglect to assemble with God’s people for worship.
God calls us to rest also in Christ by faith, and to anticipate the eternal Sabbath.
Genesis 2:2–3; Deuteronomy 5:12–14; Nehemiah 13:15–19, 21–22; Psalm 127:2; Ecclesiastes 4:6; Isaiah 66:23; 58:13–14; Jeremiah 17:24–26; Ezekiel 22:26; 23:38; Amos 8:4–6; Matthew 11:28–30; 12:1–14; Mark 2:27–28; 6:31; Luke 4:16; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1–2; Hebrews 3:7–4:11; Hebrews 10:25; Revelation 1:10; 14:13.
- Heidelberg Catechism 103
The times … the Lord’s Day. Christians gather for corporate worship every Lord’s Day—Sunday, the first day of the week—because that is when Christ rose from the dead (Justin Martyr, First Apology 67). For our own good, the good of others, and the glory of God’s name, we should gather with the church every Sunday unless prevented by extraordinary circumstances. Hebrews 10:25 warns against “neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some.” If a Christian is called to some necessary work, such as that of a doctor or caregiver, which frequently prevents them from attending the Sunday gathering, they should seek pastoral counsel and take the greatest possible care to assemble with their local church as often as possible (see Q. 41).
Regularly rest. The Sabbath commandment calls us away from our regular work and busy schedules to stop, rest, relax, and enjoy the Lord our God. It reminds us that God is God, and we are not; therefore, we can live restful instead of anxious lives. For this reason, those who are especially busy in Sunday ministry (e.g., ordained ministers) often take another day for physical and emotional refreshment.
Rest also in Christ. The Sabbath commandment points us to the spiritual rest that God provides for his people in Jesus Christ. “Rest is universally loved but found pure and entire in God alone” (Augustine, Letter 55 13.23).
The eternal Sabbath. The Sabbath commandment points us to the final rest that God has prepared for his people in the new creation. “When we are restored by him, and perfected with greater grace, we shall have eternal leisure to see that he is God, for we shall be full of him when he shall be all in all” (Augustine, City of God 22.30).
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