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Heidelberg Catechism, Question 103

Question 103

What doth God require in the fourth command?

First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained (2 Tim. 2;2); and that I, especially on the Sabbath, that is, on the day of rest, diligently frequent the Church of God (Heb. 10;25); to hear his word, to use the sacraments, publicly to call upon the Lord (Acts 20;7), and to contribute to the relief of the poor, as becomes a Christian (1 Cor. 16;2). Secondly, that all the days of my life I cease from my evil works, and yield myself to the Lord, to work by his Holy Spirit in me, and thus begin in this life the eternal Sabbath (Heb. 4;9-11).

Scripture references for paragraph 1

Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.

2 Timothy 2:2

2And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.

1 Corinthians 9:11

11If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much for us to reap a material harvest from you?

1 Corinthians 9:14

14In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Deuteronomy 12:19

19and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.

Hebrews 10:25

25Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Acts 2:42

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Acts 2:46

46With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart,

1 Corinthians 14:19

19But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:29

29Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

1 Corinthians 14:31

31For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

Acts 20:7

7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.

Psalms 68:26

26Bless God in the great congregation; bless the LORD from the fountain of Israel.

Acts 1:14

14With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

1First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

2for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

3This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

Acts 17:2

2As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

1 Corinthians 16:2

2On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.

Ezekiel 20:12

12I also gave them My Sabbaths as a sign between us, so that they would know that I am the LORD who sanctifies them.

Isaiah 58:13

13If you turn your foot from breaking the Sabbath, from doing as you please on My holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight, and the LORD’s holy day honorable, if you honor it by not going your own way or seeking your own pleasure or speaking idle words,

Isaiah 58:14

14then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Hebrews 4:9-11

9There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God.

10For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.

11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.

Isaiah 66:23

23From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.

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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