1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 22
Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
The light of Nature shews that there is a God, who hath Lordship, and Soveraigntye over all; is just, good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the Heart, and all the Soul, and with all the Might. But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true God, is instituted by himself; and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be Worshipped according to the imaginations, and devices of Men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way, not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Jeremiah 10:77Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.
Mark 12:3333and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, which is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
Deuteronomy 12:3232See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it.
Exodus 20:44You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.
Exodus 20:55You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
Exodus 20:66but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
Religious Worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to Angels, Saints, or any other Creatures; and since the fall, not without a Mediator, nor in the Mediation of any other but Christ alone.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 4:99“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”
Matthew 4:1010“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
John 6:2323However, some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
Matthew 28:1919Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Romans 1:2525They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.
Colossians 2:1818Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind.
Revelation 19:1010So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
John 14:66Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
1 Timothy 2:55For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of natural worship, is by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the Name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his Will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 95:1-71Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation!
2Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song.
3For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
4In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.
5The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.
6O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
7For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice,
Psalms 65:22O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.
John 14:1313And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:1414If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.
Romans 8:2626In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
1 John 5:1414And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 Corinthians 14:1616Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
1 Corinthians 14:1717You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Timothy 2:11First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—
1 Timothy 2:22for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.
2 Samuel 7:2929Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with Your blessing the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”
2 Samuel 12:2121“What is this you have done?” his servants asked. “While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate.”
2 Samuel 12:2222David answered, “While the child was alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let him live.’
2 Samuel 12:2323But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
1 John 5:1616If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he should ask God, who will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. There is a sin that leads to death; I am not saying he should ask regarding that sin.
The reading of the Scriptures, Preaching, and hearing the word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in our Hearts to the Lord; as also the Administration of Baptism, and the Lords Supper are all parts of Religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover solemn humiliation with fastings; and thanksgiving upon special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Timothy 4:1313Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching.
2 Timothy 4:22Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.
Luke 8:1818Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
Colossians 3:1616Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
Ephesians 5:1919Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,
Matthew 28:1919Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 28:2020and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
1 Corinthians 11:2626For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Esther 4:1616“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
Joel 2:1212“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
Exodus 15:11Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.
Psalms 1071Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy
3and gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.
4Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no path to a city in which to dwell.
5They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them.
6Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
7He led them on a straight path to reach a city where they could live.
8Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
9For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.
10Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and chains,
11because they rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.
12He humbled their hearts with hard labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
13Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke away their chains.
15Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
16For He has broken down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron.
17Fools, in their rebellious ways, and through their iniquities, suffered affliction.
18They loathed all food and drew near to the gates of death.
19Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
20He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.
21Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
22Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare His works with rejoicing.
23Others went out to sea in ships, conducting trade on the mighty waters.
24They saw the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep.
25For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea.
26They mounted up to the heavens, then sunk to the depths; their courage melted in their anguish.
27They reeled and staggered like drunkards, and all their skill was useless.
28Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.
29He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30They rejoiced in the silence, and He guided them to the harbor they desired.
31Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
32Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders.
33He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground,
34and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.
35He turns a desert into pools of water and a dry land into flowing springs.
36He causes the hungry to settle there, that they may establish a city in which to dwell.
37They sow fields and plant vineyards that yield a fruitful harvest.
38He blesses them, and they multiply greatly; He does not let their herds diminish.
39When they are decreased and humbled by oppression, evil, and sorrow,
40He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.
41But He lifts the needy from affliction and increases their families like flocks.
42The upright see and rejoice, and all iniquity shuts its mouth.
43Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
Neither Prayer, nor any other part of Religious worship, is now under the Gospel tied unto, or made more acceptable by, any place in which it is performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped every where in Spirit, and in truth; as in private families daily, and in secret each one by himself, so more solemnly in the publick Assemblies, which are not carelessely, nor wilfuly, to be neglected, or forsaken, when God by his word, or providence calleth thereunto.
Scripture references for paragraph 6
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
John 4:2121“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
Malachi 1:1111For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.
1 Timothy 2:88Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.
Acts 10:22He and all his household were devout and God-fearing. He gave generously to the people and prayed to God regularly.
Matthew 6:1111Give us this day our daily bread.
Psalms 55:1717Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.
Matthew 6:66But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Hebrews 10:2525Let 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 2:4242They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
As it is of the Law of nature, that in general a proportion of time by Gods appointment, be set a part for the Worship of God; so by his Word in a positive-moral, and perpetual Commandement, binding all men, in all Ages, he hath 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 is called the Lords day; and is to be continued to the end of the World, as the Christian Sabbath; the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Exodus 20:88Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
1 Corinthians 16:11Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia:
1 Corinthians 16:22On 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.
Acts 20:77On 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.
Revelation 1:1010On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,
The Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employment, and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.
Scripture references for paragraph 8
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Isaiah 58:1313If 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,
Nehemiah 13:15-2315In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day.
16Additionally, men of Tyre who lived there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem.
17Then I rebuked the nobles of Judah and asked, “What is this evil you are doing—profaning the Sabbath day?
18Did not your forefathers do the same things, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling His wrath against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!”
19When the evening shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem, just before the Sabbath, I ordered that the gates be shut and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my servants at the gates so that no load could enter on the Sabbath day.
20Once or twice, the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem,
21but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.
22Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember me for this as well, O my God, and show me mercy according to Your abundant loving devotion.
23In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab.
Matthew 12:1-131At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat them.
2When the Pharisees saw this, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
3Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?
4He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for them to eat, but only for the priests.
5Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent?
6But I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.
7If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.
8For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
9Moving on from there, Jesus entered their synagogue,
10and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse Jesus, they asked Him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11He replied, “If one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out?
12How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
13Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other.
Source and edition
1689 London Baptist Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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