Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day, XXI:7

As it is the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in His Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment binding all men in all ages, He has particularly appointed one day in seven, for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which, in Scripture, is called the Lord's Day, and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath.

It is right that an appropriate portion of time be set aside regularly for the worship of God, for such is the duty of creatures toward their Creator, particularly when the Creator is of such perfect character as is the God who has revealed himself in Scripture and taken on human nature in the person of Jesus Christ.

The commandment to set aside one day in seven is a "positive, moral, and perpetual commandment," a creation ordinance that was established in the very earliest days (Genesis 2:2-3). Because it was given at the beginning to the progenitor of all men it binds "all men in all ages." It is not merely a ceremonial law or a civil law given to ancient Israel.

God particularly appointed one day in seven (but not explicitly "the seventh day") for a Sabbath, to be kept holy to him. This began as the final day of the week as humans conventionally mark time, but since Christ's resurrection it has legitimately been changed to the first day of the week. This first day was known in New Testament days as the Lord's Day and was the occasion of the gathering together of the body of Christ in worship and fellowship. Creation is the great fundamental fact in religion, whether natural or revealed; Christ's resurrection is the great central fact of Christianity. The Sabbath is a monument or memorial to both of these. It is to be observed perpetually. The consummation of human history will see the permanent establishment of God's Sabbath as fulfilled and perfectly observed.

The Sabbath of God has a twofold purpose: It provides a proper rest from labor and the little necessary details of life, and a suitable "tithe" of time and attention to the worship of God.

Tomorrow: The practicalities of Sabbath-keeping.