Question 101

May we then swear religiously by the name of God?

Yes: either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects (Ezra 10;5); or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm fidelity and truth, to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbours (Josh. 9;19); for such an oath is founded on God’s word, and therefore was justly used by the saints, both in the old and new testament (Heb. 6;16).

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

Ezra 10:5
5So Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath.

Exodus 22:10
10If a man gives a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any other animal to be cared for by his neighbor, but it dies or is injured or stolen while no one is watching,

Exodus 22:11
11an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.

Nehemiah 13:25
25I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!

Joshua 9:19
19All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.

Deuteronomy 10:20
20You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.

Joshua 2:12
12Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign

Hebrews 6:16
16Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.

Isaiah 45:23
23By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Deuteronomy 6:13
13Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.

Isaiah 65:16
16Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth, and whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the former troubles will be forgotten and hidden from My sight.

Romans 1:9
9God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you

John 16:23
23In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

Source and edition

Heidelberg Catechism. RCA English, E. R. Good & Bro., Tiffin, 1879. RCA English, E. R. Good & Bro., Tiffin, 1879

Public Domain (historic text); CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikisource transcription). Source transcription.

Transcription licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0.

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