RCRC Adult Sunday School: Lord's Days 38

Summary (NotebookLM)

Lord's Day 38 from Ursinus' commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, explores the meaning and requirements of the fourth commandment concerning the Sabbath. It differentiates between a moral and ceremonial understanding of the Sabbath, arguing that while the specific seventh-day observance was ceremonial and fulfilled by Christ, the moral aspect of dedicating time to God's worship and rest from evil works remains. The text discusses the purposes of the Sabbath, how it is to be kept holy and profaned, and addresses the role of the ecclesiastical ministry and the institution of ceremonies in relation to this commandment.

Chapter Contents:

Lord's Day 38 of the Heidelberg Catechism, as expounded in this source, delves into the multifaceted requirements of the fourth commandment: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy." The document distinguishes between the moral and ceremonial aspects of the Sabbath, arguing that while the specific seventh-day observance was ceremonial and fulfilled by Christ, the underlying moral principles remain perpetual. These principles necessitate the maintenance of the church and ministry, diligent participation in public worship (especially on the Lord's Day), and a lifelong spiritual rest from evil works, allowing God's Spirit to work within believers. The text meticulously outlines what constitutes the sanctification and profanation of the Sabbath, as well as the purpose and nature of the church ministry and ceremonies in relation to this commandment.

Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

1. The Twofold Nature of the Fourth Commandment:

The commandment has both a moral and perpetual aspect: "that the Sabbath be kept holy."
It also has a ceremonial and temporary aspect: "as that the seventh day be kept holy."
The moral aspect centers on the necessity of public worship, the preservation of the ecclesiastical ministry, and a spiritual rest from sin.
"That the first part is moral and perpetual, is evident from the end and the causes of the commandment, which are perpetual in their character. The end or design of the commandment is the maintenance of the public worship of God in the church; or the perpetual preservation, and use of the ecclesiastical ministry."
The ceremonial aspect of the seventh-day Sabbath was specific to the Mosaic Law, a sign for the Jewish people, and a type pointing towards the sanctification achieved by the Messiah.
"Hence the Sabbath, in as far as it has respect to the seventh day, was, together with other ceremonies and types, fulfilled and abolished by the coming of the Messiah."

2. The Lord's Day in the New Testament:

The Christian church, from the time of the Apostles, observes the first day of the week (Sunday or the Lord's Day) in place of the seventh day.
"The mediate external Sabbath is that which God has instituted through the church under the New Testament dispensation, which belongs to the first day of the week, which is called Sunday, or, more properly, the Lord’s day, which the Christian church has observed in the place of the seventh day from the time of the Apostles, in view of the resurrection of Christ..."
This shift was an exercise of the liberty conferred by Christ and acknowledges the resurrection as the beginning of the spiritual Sabbath.
"The apostolic church, to distinguish itself from the Jewish synagogue, chose, in the exercise of the liberty conferred upon it by Christ, the first day of the week in the place of the seventh, because on that day the resurrection of Christ took place, by which the internal and spiritual Sabbath is begun in us."
The observance of the Lord's Day is for the sake of order in the church, not out of necessity as with the Jewish Sabbath.

3. What God Requires in the Fourth Commandment (Question 103):

First, the maintenance of the Gospel ministry and schools:"In the first place, God wills that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be maintained..."
Diligent attendance at church on the day of rest: for learning the Word, using the Sacraments, public prayer, and giving alms.
"...and that I, especially on the day of rest, diligently attend church to learn the Word of God, to use the Holy Sacraments, to call publicly upon the Lord, and to give Christian alms."
Second, a lifelong rest from evil works: allowing God's Spirit to work within, beginning the everlasting Sabbath in this life.
"In the second place, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath."

4. Sanctifying and Profaning the Sabbath:

Sanctification involves performing holy works commanded by God on this day. These include:
Rightly teaching and instructing the church.
Administering the sacraments according to divine appointment.
Diligently learning church doctrine.
Using the sacraments lawfully.
Publicly calling upon God with the church.
Charity and liberality to the poor.
Honoring the ecclesiastical ministry.
Profanation occurs by omitting holy works or performing works that hinder the ministry and proper sanctification, such as neglecting public worship without just cause or engaging in activities that could easily be deferred.

5. The Institution and Purpose of the Sabbath:

The Sabbath was instituted for several key reasons:
Public worship of God in the church.
Preservation of the ecclesiastical ministry.
As a type of the spiritual and eternal Sabbath (in the Old Testament).
To remind of creation and the duty to meditate on God's works.
To encourage works of charity and kindness.
For bodily rest for humans and animals.
To foster mutual encouragement in piety and worship.
To make the church visible and distinct.

6. The Ministry of the Church:

Defined as the office instituted by God to preach the Word and administer the sacraments.
"The ecclesiastical ministry is that office which God has instituted in his church to which he has committed the preaching of his word, and the administration of the sacraments according to divine appointment."
Instituted for God's glory, the conversion of men, to accommodate human weakness in teaching, mutual encouragement, to show God's mercy in the ministry of reconciliation, and to make the church visible.
The text discusses different grades of ministers (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Bishops/Pastors, Doctors/Teachers, Governors, Deacons) and their respective duties.
Outlines qualifications for those to whom the ministry should be committed (men, those with a good report, those able to teach).

7. Ceremonies:

Defined as external and solemn actions instituted by the ministry for order or signification.
"As understood by the church, all external and solemn actions instituted by the ministry, for the sake of order, or signification, are termed ceremonies."
Differ from moral works in being temporary, not always performed the same way, signifying rather than being signified, being particular rather than general, and serving the moral end.
Two kinds: those instituted by God (part of worship, unchangeable by humans) and those instituted by the church (for order, changeable).
It is lawful for the church to institute ceremonies under certain conditions: they must be agreeable to God's Word, not superstitious, not overly numerous, and edifying.

Quotes Highlighting Key Points:

Moral vs. Ceremonial Sabbath: "The commandment is, Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy; in it you shall do no manner of work, etc. Of this, again, there are two parts―the one moral and perpetual, as that the Sabbath be kept holy; the other ceremonial and temporary, as that the seventh day be kept holy."
Purpose of the Moral Sabbath: "The end or design of the commandment is the maintenance of the public worship of God in the church; or the perpetual preservation, and use of the ecclesiastical ministry."
Shift to the Lord's Day: "The mediate external Sabbath is that which God has instituted through the church under the New Testament dispensation, which belongs to the first day of the week... in view of the resurrection of Christ..."
Requirement of Church Attendance: "...God wills that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be maintained; and that I, especially on the day of rest, diligently attend church to learn the Word of God, to use the Holy Sacraments, to call publicly upon the Lord, and to give Christian alms."
Lifelong Spiritual Rest: "...that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath."
Definition of Ministry: "The ecclesiastical ministry is that office which God has instituted in his church to which he has committed the preaching of his word, and the administration of the sacraments according to divine appointment."
Definition of Ceremonies: "As understood by the church, all external and solemn actions instituted by the ministry, for the sake of order, or signification, are termed ceremonies."

Conclusion:

Lord's Day 38 emphasizes the enduring significance of the principles underlying the Sabbath commandment, even with the shift from the seventh day to the Lord's Day in the New Covenant. It underscores the divine mandate for maintaining the church and its ministry, actively participating in public worship, and cultivating a continuous spiritual rest from sin. The detailed exposition of sanctification and profanation provides practical guidance for believers, while the discussion on the ministry and ceremonies clarifies their roles within the framework of this vital commandment.

What are the distinctions between the moral and ceremonial aspects of its core tenets?

Definition of Moral Aspects:

The moral aspect is described as perpetual and universally binding. It is evident from the end and the causes of the commandment, which are enduring in their character. The end or design of this moral part is the maintenance of the public worship of God in the church and the perpetual preservation and use of the ecclesiastical ministry. God desires a public ministry and assemblies of the faithful at all times for public praise, the stirring up and confirmation of faith, mutual strengthening in faith, preservation of doctrinal agreement, and the visibility of the church. This moral obligation requires believers to devote a certain portion of their time to sermons, public prayers, and the administration of the sacraments.

Furthermore, the text defines a moral and internal, or spiritual Sabbath, which includes the study of the knowledge of God and of his works, with a careful shunning of sin, and worshipping God by confession and obedience. It is also defined as a ceasing from sin and a giving of ourselves to God to do such works as he requires. This spiritual Sabbath is considered perpetual for those who are converted, although it begins in this life and will be fully enjoyed in the life to come. The text also states that all the days of one's life should involve resting from evil works and allowing the Lord to work by His Spirit, beginning the everlasting Sabbath in this life.

Definition of Ceremonial Aspects:

The ceremonial aspect is described as temporary and specifically related to the observance of the seventh day under the Mosaic law. This was instituted by God for the observance of the Mosaic worship and given to the Jews as a sacrament or a type of the sanctification of the church by the Messiah who was to come. The Sabbath as the seventh day was a sign between God and the Israelites. This ceremonial part, along with other ceremonies and types, was fulfilled and abolished by the coming of the Messiah.

The text also describes the ceremonial or external Sabbath as a certain time set apart in the church for the preaching of the word and for the administration of the sacraments, or for the public worship of God, during which time there is a suspension or abstinence from all other works. This external Sabbath had immediate forms in the Old Testament (the seventh day, new moons, seventh year) and a mediate form in the New Testament (the Lord's Day). The observance of the Lord's Day by the Christian church in place of the seventh day is based on the resurrection of Christ and is a decision of the church for the sake of order, not out of necessity.

Distinctions Between Moral and Ceremonial Aspects:

The text highlights several key differences between the moral and ceremonial aspects:

Duration: The moral aspect is perpetual, binding from the beginning to the end of the world, while the ceremonial aspect is temporary, particularly the observance of the seventh day which was abolished by the coming of Christ.
Specificity: The moral aspect is general, requiring the setting apart of some portion of time for worship, whereas the ceremonial aspect was specific, designating the seventh day in the Old Testament.
Nature: The moral Sabbath is internal and spiritual, focused on rest from sin and devotion to God, whereas the ceremonial Sabbath is external, involving the setting aside of a particular time for public worship and rest from servile work.
Purpose: The moral aspect aims at the continuous maintenance of public worship, the preservation of the ministry, and spiritual growth. The ceremonial aspect of the seventh day served as a sign for the Jews, a type of the sanctification by the Messiah, and a reminder of creation.
Binding Nature in the New Testament: While the moral obligation to set aside time for worship continues in the New Testament, the specific ceremonial requirement of observing the seventh day does not. The Christian church, in its liberty, chose the first day of the week (the Lord's Day) for this purpose.
Relationship: The moral is viewed as the end and design of the ceremonial, and the ceremonial contributes to the moral. The ceremonial Sabbath was a type signifying the spiritual Sabbath.
Changeability: Ceremonies instituted by God (like the seventh-day Sabbath in its specific form) can only be changed by God. However, the church can institute and change ceremonies related to the order of worship, provided they adhere to certain conditions. Moral laws, on the other hand, are considered perpetual and unchangeable in their core essence.
Significance: Ceremonies signify spiritual realities, such as the seventh-day Sabbath signifying sanctification by the Messiah. Moral actions are what is signified by these ceremonies, such as the spiritual rest from sin.

In summary, the text clearly distinguishes between the enduring moral requirement for regular public worship and spiritual rest, and the temporary, symbolic ceremonial practices tied to the Old Testament, particularly the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. While the specific ceremonial aspects have changed with the coming of Christ, the underlying moral principles related to the honor of God and the maintenance of the church remain.

How should one properly sanctify the Sabbath day?

According to the sources, one should properly sanctify the Sabbath day in several ways, encompassing both public and private actions, as well as a specific spiritual attitude.

Public Observances:

Attend church diligently on the day of rest to learn the Word of God. This involves actively listening to the preaching and instruction provided.
Participate in the use of the Holy Sacraments. This signifies engaging in the divinely appointed means of grace within the church community.
Call publicly upon the Lord. This entails joining in the prayers, confessions, and thanksgivings offered by the congregation.
Give Christian alms. This involves demonstrating charity and liberality towards the poor and needy within the community.
Ensure that the ministry of the Gospel and schools are maintained. This includes honoring and supporting those called to teach and lead in the church.

Private Observances and Attitudes:

Rest from evil works. This implies refraining from sinful activities and inclinations.
Allow the Lord to work in you by His Spirit. This suggests a posture of receptivity to God's grace and guidance.
Avoid slothfulness and idleness. The Sabbath is not meant for unproductive inactivity but for holy purposes.
Perform such works as are holy. This includes activities aligned with God's will and conducive to spiritual growth.
Meditate seriously upon the doctrine of the church and inquire into its truth. This involves reflecting on the teachings received and seeking a deeper understanding of God's Word.
Read and discourse upon divine things. This emphasizes the importance of engaging with Scripture and having conversations about spiritual matters.
While refraining from servile work that hinders the worship of God and the ministry of the church, works of love, necessity, and those that further the proper use of the Sabbath are not only permitted but may be required. Examples include acts of mercy and helping those in need.
Parents should use the Sabbath to instruct and train up their children in the worship of God.
Love and benevolence towards one's neighbor should be especially exercised and shown on the Sabbath day.

In essence, properly sanctifying the Sabbath involves dedicating the day to the public and private worship of God, engaging with the means of grace provided through the church, resting from sinful activities and unnecessary labor, and actively pursuing spiritual growth and acts of love towards others. This observance reflects the moral and perpetual aspect of the commandment, which emphasizes the importance of setting aside time for God and His people.

What are the dual aspects of the Sabbath?

The sources describe the Sabbath as having dual aspects: moral and internal (or spiritual), and ceremonial and external.

1. Moral and Internal (Spiritual) Sabbath:

This aspect is considered perpetual and universally binding. It is not tied to a specific day but represents a continuous state for believers.
It involves the study of the knowledge of God and of his works.
It requires a careful shunning of sin.
It entails worshipping God by confession and obedience.
It can be briefly defined as a ceasing from sin and a giving of ourselves to God to do such works as he requires from us.
This spiritual Sabbath begins in this life as a true rest from the labors and miseries of this life, with a consecration of ourselves to the service of God, and was formerly signified by the ceremonial Sabbath.
Ultimately, this Sabbath will be enjoyed perfectly and forever in the life to come, consisting in perpetually praising and glorifying God, being entirely freed from earthly cares and labors.
Question 103 of the catechism also touches on this, stating that God wills that "all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath".

2. Ceremonial and External Sabbath:

This aspect involves a certain time set apart in the church for the preaching of the word and for the administration of the sacraments, or for the public worship of God, during which there is a suspension or abstinence from all other works.
It is described as having a two-fold character: immediate (under the Old Testament) and mediate (through the church in the New Testament).
- The immediate Sabbath in the Old Testament included the Sabbath of days (every seventh day), the Sabbath of months (new moons), and the Sabbath of years (every seventh year). The seventh day was particularly called the Sabbath due to God's rest after creation and the required rest for the people of God.
- The mediate Sabbath in the New Testament is the first day of the week, called Sunday or the Lord's Day, which the Christian church has observed in place of the seventh day since the time of the Apostles, in view of the resurrection of Christ.
The ceremonial Sabbath of the seventh day was instituted by God for the observance of the Mosaic worship and given to the Jews as a sign of sanctification by the coming Messiah. This specific observance of the seventh day was fulfilled and abolished by the coming of the Messiah.
The New Testament ceremonial Sabbath (the Lord's Day) is observed by the church for the sake of order, and not from any idea of necessity as if this specific day were the only one to be observed. The apostolic church chose the first day of the week due to Christ's resurrection, which signifies the beginning of the internal and spiritual Sabbath in believers.

In summary, the Sabbath has both an enduring moral and spiritual dimension focused on rest from sin and devotion to God throughout life, and a historical and practical ceremonial dimension involving designated times for public worship, which evolved from the specific seventh day in the Old Testament to the Lord's Day in the New Testament. The ceremonial aspect serves, in part, to facilitate and signify the moral and spiritual realities.

Explain the perpetual and temporary parts of Sabbath.

The sources explain that the Sabbath commandment has both perpetual (moral) and temporary (ceremonial) parts.

The Perpetual (Moral) Part:

This aspect of the Sabbath is considered moral and perpetual because it is evident from the end and the causes of the commandment, which are perpetual in their character.
The end or design of the commandment is the maintenance of the public worship of God in the church; or the perpetual preservation, and use of the ecclesiastical ministry.
God designs that there should at all times be a public ministry of the church, and that there should be assemblies of the faithful to which his doctrine may be preached.
The reasons for this perpetual aspect include:
- That God may be publicly praised and worshipped.
- That the piety and faith of the elect may be stirred up and confirmed.
- That believers may mutually strengthen each other in faith and provoke one another to love and good works.
- That agreement in doctrine and worship may be preserved and perpetuated.
- That the church may be visible in the world.
Because these reasons do not relate to any particular time but to all times and conditions, the moral part of this commandment binds all men from the beginning to the end of the world to observe some Sabbath, or to devote a certain portion of their time to sermons, public prayers, and the administration of the sacraments.
In the Heidelberg Catechism (Question 103), this is reflected in the requirement that "God wills that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be maintained; and that I, especially on the day of rest, diligently attend church to learn the Word of God, to use the Holy Sacraments, to call publicly upon the Lord, and to give Christian alms". It also includes the idea that "all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, allow the Lord to work in me by His Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath". This aligns with the internal, moral, and spiritual Sabbath which is defined as rest from sin and a giving of ourselves to God.

The Temporary (Ceremonial) Part:

This aspect is described as ceremonial and not perpetual, specifically the requirement that the seventh day be kept holy.
The Sabbath of the seventh day was instituted by God during the promulgation of the law for the observance of the Mosaic worship and given to the Jews as a sacrament or a type of the sanctification of the church by the Messiah who was to come. It was a sign between God and the children of Israel.
The reason given for the commandment, drawn from God's resting on the seventh day after creation, properly relates to the circumstance of the seventh day, thus to the ceremonial part.
This ceremonial aspect of the seventh-day Sabbath was fulfilled and abolished by the coming of the Messiah, just like other ceremonies and types.
While God commanded a careful observance of the Sabbath, which was typical, this was to indicate the greatness and necessity of the thing signified, which was the spiritual Sabbath.
The New Testament church, in the exercise of its liberty in Christ, chose the first day of the week (the Lord's Day) to replace the seventh day due to the resurrection of Christ, which signifies the beginning of the internal and spiritual Sabbath in believers. This new ceremonial observance is for the sake of order and is not seen as a matter of necessity in the same way as the seventh-day Sabbath was for the Jews.

In essence, the perpetual part of the Sabbath commandment emphasizes the ongoing need for public worship, the maintenance of the ministry, and a personal spiritual rest from sin and devotion to God. The temporary part refers to the specific day of the week designated for rest and worship, which was the seventh day under the Old Testament and is now observed as the first day of the week (the Lord's Day) in the New Testament for reasons of order and commemoration of Christ's resurrection.

How did the apostolic church choose its Sabbath?

According to the sources, the apostolic church chose the first day of the week, also known as Sunday or the Lord's Day, as its day of rest and worship in place of the seventh day Sabbath for specific reasons.

The apostolic church made this choice to distinguish itself from the Jewish synagogue.
This decision was made in the exercise of the liberty conferred upon it by Christ. The New Testament understanding was that believers were not restricted or tied down to Saturday or any other particular day in the same way as under the Mosaic law. The necessity of observing a specific seventh day as a matter of ceremonial worship had ceased with the coming of Christ.
The primary reason for choosing the first day of the week was the resurrection of Christ, which took place on that day. The resurrection is seen as the event by which the internal and spiritual Sabbath is begun in believers.
The observance of the first day of the week in the Christian church is for the sake of order and propriety, without which the ministry of the church would not be properly constituted. It is not observed with the idea of necessity as if this were the only day to be observed by the church.
The sources also note that the early disciples were recorded as coming together on the first day of the week to break bread, and Paul preached to them. This indicates an early practice within the apostolic church of gathering for worship on this day.

In summary, the apostolic church, recognizing its freedom in Christ from the ceremonial requirements of the seventh-day Sabbath and seeking to distinguish itself from Jewish practices, chose to observe the first day of the week (the Lord's Day) primarily to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to establish an orderly structure for the public ministry of the Word and sacraments. This new observance was rooted in the significance of Christ's resurrection as the beginning of the spiritual rest for believers.

What constitutes proper Sabbath sanctification?

Proper Sabbath sanctification, according to the sources, involves both abstaining from certain activities and engaging in specific holy works. It has both moral and ceremonial dimensions.

Key aspects of properly sanctifying the Sabbath include:

Maintaining the Public Worship of God and the Ministry: God wills that the ministry of the Gospel and schools be maintained. This is a perpetual end of the Sabbath commandment. The Sabbath was instituted in part for the preservation of the ecclesiastical ministry.
Diligent Church Attendance and Learning: Individuals should diligently attend church, especially on the day of rest, to learn the Word of God. This involves frequenting the public gatherings of the saints to hear and learn doctrine, meditating on it, and inquiring into its truth. Neglecting church attendance without just cause is a form of profanation.
Using the Holy Sacraments: Proper sanctification includes the use of the Holy Sacraments according to divine appointment in the public assemblies of the church. This opposes neglect, contempt, profanation (improper manner or by the wrong people), and superstitious uses of the sacraments.
Public Prayer: Believers should call publicly upon the Lord, uniting their confession, thanksgiving, and prayer with the church. Neglecting or being inattentive to public prayers, offering them hypocritically, or merely repeating them without edification is contrary to proper sanctification.
Giving Christian Alms and Performing Works of Love: Sanctifying the Sabbath involves giving Christian alms and performing works of love to the needy. Neglecting the poor or giving alms merely to be seen by others is opposed to this.
Resting from Evil Works and Allowing God's Spirit to Work: God wills that individuals rest from their evil works, allow the Lord to work in them by His Spirit, and thus begin in this life the everlasting Sabbath. This aligns with the moral and internal Sabbath, which is a ceasing from sin. The Sabbath is not to be spent in slothfulness and idleness, but by avoiding sin.
Performing Holy Works: Keeping the Sabbath holy means performing such works as are holy, as God instituted the Sabbath for divine worship, and people sanctify it by devoting it to that purpose.
Honoring the Ecclesiastical Ministry: Proper sanctification includes the honor of the ecclesiastical ministry through reverence, love, obedience in things belonging to the ministry, and gratitude, which encompasses supporting the ministry and maintaining schools. Contempt of the ministry in various forms is a profanation.

Conversely, the Sabbath is profaned by omitting these holy works or performing works that hinder the ministry of the church and are contrary to its proper sanctification. These include neglecting teaching, improperly administering or neglecting sacraments, neglecting church doctrine, misusing sacraments, neglecting public prayer or praying insincerely, neglecting the poor, and showing contempt for the ministry.

It's important to note the distinction between the ceremonial Sabbath of the seventh day, which had specific prohibitions against servile work but allowed for works of necessity and mercy, and the moral and spiritual Sabbath, which is perpetual and focuses on rest from sin and dedication to God. The Lord's Day in the New Testament is observed for the sake of order in the public worship of God and commemorates Christ's resurrection.

Distinguish moral and ceremonial aspects of Sabbath.

Based on the sources and our conversation history, the Sabbath commandment has both moral (perpetual) and ceremonial (temporary) aspects. These two parts can be distinguished as follows:

Moral (Perpetual) Aspect:

This aspect is moral and perpetual because it is evident from the enduring end and the causes of the commandment.
The fundamental design is the maintenance of the public worship of God in the church and the perpetual preservation and use of the ecclesiastical ministry.
God intends for there to be a public ministry and assemblies of the faithful at all times for the preaching of His doctrine.
The underlying reasons for this perpetual requirement include:
- That God may be publicly praised and worshipped.
- That the piety and faith of the elect may be stirred up and confirmed.
- That believers may mutually strengthen each other in faith and encourage one another to love and good works.
- That agreement in doctrine and worship may be preserved and perpetuated.
- That the church may be visible in the world.
Because these reasons are applicable to all times and conditions of the church and world, the moral part of this commandment binds all people from the beginning to the end of the world to observe some Sabbath, dedicating a portion of their time to sermons, public prayers, and the administration of the sacraments.
This is reflected in Lord's Day 38, Question 103, which states that God wills the ministry of the Gospel and schools to be maintained, and that individuals should diligently attend church on the day of rest for learning, sacraments, prayer, and giving alms. It also includes the lifelong aspect of resting from evil works and allowing God's Spirit to work.
This aligns with the internal, moral, and spiritual Sabbath, defined as rest from sin and a giving of ourselves to God. This spiritual Sabbath, though begun in this life, will be fully enjoyed in the life to come.
The moral aspect continues even after the ceremonial Sabbath has been abolished in the New Testament. We are still bound to the Sabbath in its general moral sense, requiring a certain day for instruction and sacraments, though not a specific day.

Ceremonial (Temporary) Aspect:

This aspect is ceremonial and not perpetual, specifically the requirement that the seventh day be kept holy.
The Sabbath of the seventh day was instituted by God during the giving of the law for the observance of Mosaic worship and was given to the Jews as a sacrament or a type of the sanctification of the church by the Messiah who was to come. It served as a sign between God and Israel.
The reason given for the commandment, based on God's resting on the seventh day after creation, properly pertains to the circumstance of the seventh day and thus to the ceremonial part.
This ceremonial aspect of the seventh-day Sabbath was fulfilled and abolished by the coming of the Messiah, similar to other ceremonies and types.
While the typical observance of the seventh-day Sabbath was commanded, it was to highlight the significance of the spiritual Sabbath.
In the New Testament, the apostolic church, exercising its liberty in Christ and seeking to distinguish itself from Jewish practices, chose the first day of the week (the Lord's Day) for worship and rest, primarily to commemorate the resurrection of Christ. This new ceremonial observance is for the sake of order and propriety in the public ministry and is not considered a matter of the same necessity as the seventh-day Sabbath was for the Jews.
Objections raised by the Jews regarding the abolishment of the seventh-day Sabbath are addressed by emphasizing the distinction between the perpetual moral law and the temporary ceremonial additions.

In summary, the moral aspect of the Sabbath emphasizes the ongoing need for public worship, the sustenance of the church's ministry, and a personal spiritual rest and devotion to God. The ceremonial aspect pertains to the specific day designated for rest and worship, which was the seventh day under the Old Testament and is now observed as the first day of the week (the Lord's Day) in the New Testament for reasons of order and commemoration of Christ's resurrection, without the same binding necessity as the former.

What constitutes profanation of the sabbath?

Based on the sources and our conversation history, the profanation of the Sabbath occurs when holy works are omitted or when actions contrary to the proper sanctification of the Sabbath and the ministry of the church are performed. Here are specific examples drawn from the sources:

Neglecting or Omitting Required Actions:

Omission or neglect of the duty of teaching God's Word, both privately and publicly. This includes shepherds (ministers) not feeding their flocks.
Omission or neglect to exhort the church to the proper use of the sacraments.
Neglecting to diligently learn the doctrine of the church by absenting oneself from public assemblies without just cause, not giving proper attention during sermons, or failing to meditate on God's Word.
Neglecting to obtain knowledge of church teachings from those called to study and teach.
Neglect and contempt of the sacraments.
Neglect or want of attention to the prayers of the church.
Neglect and contempt of the poor, and failing to give Christian alms or perform works of love.
Withholding honor from the ecclesiastical ministry through lack of reverence, love, obedience, or gratitude, including neglecting to support the ministry financially or to maintain schools.

Performing Contrary or Hindering Actions:

Performing servile works that hinder the worship of God and the design and use of the ministry of the church. While not every kind of work is forbidden, those that impede the proper observance are.
Unlawful administration of the sacraments, such as altering the divinely instituted ordinances, excluding those who should be admitted, admitting those who should be excluded, or failing to properly instruct the people in their lawful use.
Profanation of the sacraments by observing them in a manner different from God's commands or by those for whom they were not instituted.
Superstitious use of the sacraments, such as tying salvation to the observance of rites or directing them to unappointed ends.
Offering prayers hypocritically without heartfelt devotion.
Engaging in a mere repetition of prayers without any edification to the church.
Giving alms for the sake of being seen by men, rather than out of genuine charity.
Showing contempt for the ministry of the church by abolishing it, entrusting it to unworthy individuals, not recognizing it as God's ordained means, treating ministers with contempt or reproach, disregarding their teachings in one's life, overlooking acts of charity associated with it, undermining its effectiveness with trivial or wicked behavior, withholding necessary support, failing to defend it, neglecting duties of gratitude towards ministers, not supporting schools, neglecting learning, or deriding ministers' weaknesses.
Preventing one's own family or others from attending the public instructions of the sanctuary through advice, example, or other means.
Showing curiosity by desiring to know or hear things God has not revealed that are unnecessary and cause strife.

In essence, any action or inaction that undermines the public worship of God, the ministry of the Gospel, the proper use of the sacraments, diligent learning of God's Word, sincere prayer, acts of charity, and the honor due to the ecclesiastical ministry constitutes a profanation of the Sabbath. This includes both the outward observance of the day and the underlying spiritual attitudes and actions.

Explain the purpose of ecclesiastical ministry.

The purpose of the ecclesiastical ministry, according to the sources, is multifaceted and fundamentally rooted in God's will for the church. The sources explicitly detail several key reasons for its institution:

The Glory of God: God wills to be praised and called upon not only privately by individuals but also through the public voice of the whole church. The ministry serves as a vehicle for this public expression of worship: "Bless God in the congregations".
Conversion of People to God: The ministry is an instrumentality by which people may be converted to God. God has appointed various roles within the ministry (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) for the perfecting of the saints.
Accommodation to Human Weakness: God, in His wisdom, accommodates Himself to our weakness and infirmity by teaching people through other people. The ministry provides a structured way for this to occur.
Mutual Encouragement to Godliness: The ministry facilitates a context where believers can provoke one another by their example to godliness, and to the praise and worship of God: "I will declare your name unto my brethren".
Demonstration of God's Mercy: God demonstrates His mercy by committing the great work of the ministry of reconciliation into the hands of men, a work that the Son of God Himself discharged.
Visibility of the Church: The ministry ensures that the church is visible in the world, allowing the elect to know where they ought to belong and rendering the reprobate inexcusable for despising God's call: "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world".
Maintenance of Public Worship: The maintenance of the public worship of God in the church is a central design of the Sabbath commandment, implying the necessity of the ministry to facilitate this worship through sermons, public prayers, and the administration of sacraments.
Preservation and Use of the Ecclesiastical Ministry: God designs for the perpetual preservation and use of the ecclesiastical ministry. This ensures the continuous teaching of doctrine and administration of sacraments.
Instruction of the Church: The ministry is divinely instituted to give instruction to the church concerning God and His will, based on the holy Scriptures delivered by the prophets and Apostles.
Administration of Sacraments: Alongside teaching, the ministry is responsible for the administration of the sacraments according to divine appointment. These public exercises are crucial for exciting and cherishing faith and repentance in the elect.

In essence, the ecclesiastical ministry serves as God's ordained means to establish, nurture, and sustain His church, facilitating worship, proclaiming His Word, administering His sacraments, and guiding believers in their faith. It is a vital component of God's plan for His people in the world.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Lord's Days 38