Q1. When did God appoint the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath?

A. From the beginning of the world, Gen. 2:2, 3.

Q2. Why is it said to be from the beginning of the world, when it was not done till after man was created on the sixth day?

A. Because the world, as to its perfection of parts, did not properly begin till the creation was completely finished; which was not till man was made, who was to "have dominion over all the earth," Gen. 1:26.

Q3. How long was this seventh or last day of the week appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?

A. To the resurrection of Christ, Matt. 28:1.

Q4. Which day of the week did God appoint for the Sabbath ever since that time?

A. The first day of the week, Acts 20:7.

Q5. For how long time is the first day of the week appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?

A. To the end of the world.

Q6. How are we sure that it is appointed to continue to the end of the world?

A. Because the canon of scripture is concluded, and therefore no new revelations and institutions are to be expected, Rev. 22:18, 19.

Q7. Why is the first day of the week called the Christian Sabbath?

A. Because it was instituted by CHRIST, and uniformly observed by Christians ever since his resurrection.

Q8. Are not all divine institutions observed in virtue of some moral precept?

A. Yes; otherwise the law of the Lord would not be perfect, as it is declared to be, Psalm 19:7.

Q9. In virtue of what moral precept has the first day of the week been observed by Christians.

A. In virtue of the Fourth Commandment; even as the means of worship, instituted under the New Testament, have been observed in virtue of the second.

Q10. How can the first day of the week be observed in virtue of the Fourth Commandment, when it is not in it particularly mentioned?

A. The morality of the Sabbath does not lie in observing the seventh day in order from the creation; but in observing such a seventh day as is determined and appointed by God; which may be either the first or last of the seven days, as he shall see meet.

Q11. Under what name or designation is the Christian Sabbath foretold in the Old Testament?

A. Under the name of the EIGHTH DAY, Ezek. 43:27 - "And when these days are expired, it shall be that upon the EIGHTH DAY, and so forward, the priests shall make your burnt offerings upon the altar, and your peace offerings: and I will accept you, Saith the Lord."

Q12. Why called the eighth day?

A. Because the first day of the week now, is the eighth in order from the creation.

Q13. What is the efficient cause of the change of the Sabbath.

A. The sovereign will and pleasure of him who is "Lord of the Sabbath," Mark 2:28.

Q14. What is the moving cause of this change.

A. The resurrection of Christ from the dead, which was "early on the first day of the week," Mark 16:9.

Q15. Why is the day of Christ's resurrection appointed to be the Sabbath?

A. Because his resurrection was a demonstrative evidence that he had completely finished the glorious work of redemption, Rom. 1:4; and therefore it was his RESTING DAY, Heb. 4:10 - "He that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his."

Q16. Why might not the day of Christ's incarnation or the day of his passion, have been consecrated to be our Sabbath day?

A. Because they were both of them days of Christ's labour and sorrow, which he had to go through before he came to his rest, Luke 24:26. In his incarnation, and birth, he entered upon his work, Gal. 4:4, 5. In his passion, he was under the sorest part of his labour, even the exquisite and unspeakable agonies of his soul, Matt. 26:38.

Q17. Why might not the day of his ascension be made the Sabbath, as well as the day of his resurrection?

A. Because on the day of his ascension he entered only into his PLACE of rest, the third heavens; whereas he had entered before into his STATE of rest on the day of his resurrection; and the place is but a circumstance, when compared with the state.

Q18. Why did God change his day of rest?

A. Because his rest in the work of creation was marred and spoiled by man's sin, Gen. 6:6; whereas his rest in the work of redemption, entered into at the resurrection of Christ, is that in which he will have eternal and unchangeable pleasure, John 17:23. Besides, redemption is a far greater and more excellent work than even that of creation.

Q19. How may the change of the Sabbath from the last to the first day of the week be evinced from scripture?

A. If our Lord Jesus, after his resurrection, met ordinarily with his disciples on the first day of the week; if, after his ascension, he poured out his Spirit in an extraordinary manner on that day; if, by the example and practice of the apostles and primitive Christians, recorded in the New Testament, the first day of the week was honoured above any other for the public exercises of God's worship; if, by apostolic precept, the observance of this day, rather than any other, was enjoined for Sabbath services; and if this day is peculiarly dignified with the title of the LORD'S DAY - then it must undoubtedly be the Christian Sabbath by divine institution.

Q20. How does it appear that our Lord, after his resurrection, met ordinarily with his disciples on the first day of the week?

A. From two instances of it; expressly recorded, John 20:19, 26; where it is affirmed, that he met with them on the evening of the same day on which he arose from the dead, being the first day of the week: and that Thomas was not with them when Jesus came, ver. 24. Likewise, on that same day, eight days, he appeared to them again, when they "were within, and Thomas was with them," ver. 26. From whence it would seem, that he met with them ordinarily on that day, during his forty days' abode on the earth, after his resurrection.

Q21. How is it evident that Christ, after his ascension, poured out his Spirit in an extraordinary manner on this day?

A. From Acts 2:1-5 - "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord, in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, - and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost," &c.

Q22. What was the day of Pentecost?

A. It was the fiftieth day after the passover, when the "new meat offering" was brought unto the Lord, Num. 28:26.

Q23. How do you prove that this was the first day of the week?

A. From Lev. 23:16; where it is said, that the morrow after the seventh Sabbath is the fiftieth day, (or Pentecost). And it is certain that the morrow after the Jewish Sabbath must be the first day of the week.

Q24. How does it appear, from the example and practice of the apostles and primitive Christians, that the first day of the week was honoured above any other, for the public exercise of God's worship?

A. From Acts 20:7 - "And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them:" where it is obvious that the disciples met ordinarily upon the first day of the week, to hear the word, and celebrate the sacrament of the supper: for it is not said, the apostle called them, but that they CAME together to break bread; and Paul, on that occasion, preached unto them.

Q25. How may it be proved from the context, that the disciples met ordinarily for the public exercises of God's worship, on the first day of the week?

A. That they did so may be proved from this, that "Paul abode with them seven days," as is evident from ver. 6, and yet upon none of the seven did they meet for communicating, or breaking of bread, but on the first day of the week only: which plainly says that they held it for the Christian Sabbath, and not the seventh or last day, which is not even mentioned.

Q26. But do we not read, Acts 13:14, that Paul preached in a synagogue on the Sabbath day, which certainly behoved to be the Jewish Sabbath or last day of the week?

A. He only preached occasionally on the Jewish Sabbath, as the fittest time, when the Jews were assembled together, to dispense gospel truth among them; but did not honour this day as a stated time for public worship.

Q27. What apostolic precept is there, for the observance of the first day of the week, rather than any other, for Sabbath services?

A. It is in 1 Cor. 16:1, 2 - "Now, concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him."

Q28. What is the argument from this text, to prove an apostolic precept, for observing the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath?

A. It may run thus: That if collections for the poor are expressly commanded to be made on the first day of the week, it plainly follows, that Christians must meet together on that day, for this and other Sabbath services.

Q29. But may not this be a temporary precept, binding for a time, upon the church of Corinth only?

A. As the words of the text expressly affirm that it was binding also upon the churches of Galatia, so the apostle directs his epistle not to the church of Corinth only, but to "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ," chap. 1:2; and consequently it must be binding upon all the churches to the end of the world.

Q30. In what place of the New Testament is there mention made of a day dignified with the title of the LORD'S DAY?

A. In Rev. 1:10 - "I was in the Spirit," says John, "on the LORD'S DAY."

Q31. How may it be proved, that what is here called the Lord's day, is the first day of the week?

A. By these two arguments: That no other day of the week but the first can justly be called the Lord's day; and that the first day of the week is so called in virtue of Christ's sanctifying it, above any other day, for his own honour and service.

Q32. Why can no other day of the week, but the first, be justly called the Lord's day?

A. Because there is no action or work of Christ (save healing on the Sabbath) mentioned or recorded as done upon any one day of the week by another, except that of his resurrection, which is unanimously affirmed by the evangelists, to be on the first day of the week.

Q33. How does it appear that the first day of the week is called the Lord's day, in virtue of his sanctifying it for his own honour and service?

A. As the seventh day Sabbath was called the Sabbath of the Lord, because instituted by him as God-creator; so the first day of the week is called the Lord's day, because instituted by him as God-redeemer; or, as the sacrament of bread and wine is called the Lord's table, and the Lord's Supper, 1 Cor. 10:21, and 11:20, because it is an ordinance of his institution; so, the first day of the week is called the Lord's day, for the very same reason.

Q34. Would the apostles have observed and recommended the first day of the week for the Christian Sabbath, if they had not been particularly instructed in this by Christ himself?

A. No, surely: for, after his passion, he spoke of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, Acts 1:3; among which the change of the Sabbath from the last to the first day of the week was none of the least; and it is certain that the apostles delivered nothing to the churches, as a rule of faith or practice, but what they received of the Lord, 1 Cor. 11:23.

Q1. What special marks of honor has God set upon this fourth commandment.

A. God has set four peculiar marks of honor on it. (1.) It is the largest of all the commands. (2.) It has a solemn memento prefixed to it. (3.) It is delivered both positively and negatively, which the rest are not. And, (4.) It is enforced with more arguments to strengthen the command on us, than any other.

Q2. Why will God have a Sabbath on earth?

A. God will have a Sabbath on earth, to give us therein an emblem of that eternal Sabbath in Heaven, wherein his people shall be serving him, and praising him without interruption, or mixture of any other business throughout eternity; Hebrews 4:9. There remains therefore a rest to the people of God.

Q3. For what other reasons will God have a Sabbath?

A. He will have a Sabbath for the honor of his name, Isaiah 58:13. If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shall honor him, not doing your own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words. For the good of men's souls; Mark 2:27. And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. And in mercy to the bodies of men and beasts.

Q4. Is this commandment moral and perpetual, or ceremonial and temporary?

A. It is, and must needs be moral, and not ceremonial; because all the reasons that enforce it are perpetual, and the Sabbath continued when the ceremonial law ceased, and was vanished; Matthew 24:20. But pray you, that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath-day.

Q5. What day of the seven is the Christian Sabbath?

A. The first day of the week is our Sabbath, since the resurrection of Christ. This is the day which was foretold to be our Sabbath; Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. The Lord has marked it for himself, by setting his own name on it; Revelation 1:10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. And the apostles and primitive church constantly set it apart to religious uses and ends; Acts 20:7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, etc. 1 Corinthians 16:2. Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Q6. When does the Christian Sabbath begin?

A. It appears that this day is not to be reckoned from evening to evening, but from morning to morning; because the Christian Sabbath must begin when the Jewish Sabbath ended, but that ended towards the morning, Matthew 28:1. In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary, to see the sepulcher.

Q7. What is the ground of changing the day?

A. The solemn commemoration of our redemption by the resurrection of Christ from the dead, is the ground of translating the Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week: Psalm 118:24. This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Mark 16:9. Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

Q8. Is it the whole day, or only some hours of the day, that are set apart for God?

A. Not a part, but the whole day is the Lord's; and it is as dangerous to halve it with God in point of time, as it was for Ananias and Sapphira to halve their dedicated goods, and bring in but a part. Remember that you keep holy the Sabbath-day, is the command.

Q9. Is there any other clay holy besides this day?

A. No day but this is holy by institution of the Lord; yet days of humiliation and thanksgiving may be lawfully set apart by men on a call of providence; but popish holidays are not warrantable, nor to be observed; Galatians 4:10. You observe days, and months, and times, and years.

Q10. But seeing every day should be a Sabbath to a Christian, what needs any other set time?

A. Though Christians must walk every day with God, yet every day cannot be a Sabbath, because God calls us to other duties on those days, but will have this to be a solemn and entire day to himself.

Q11. But if a man scruple the change of the Sabbath, may he not keep both days weekly?

A. No; for then, by doing more than God requires, he breaks a plain command, Six days shall you labor.

Q12. At what time should Christians be up, and at their duties, on the Lord's day?

A. As early in the morning as their strength will permit, to prepare by private for public duties; yet the public are not to be entrenched on by private duties; Acts 10:33. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God. Of the Sabbath

Q1. Was the sabbath appointed from the beginning of the world?

A. Yes: God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it when the heavens and the earth were finished, Gen. 2:1-3.

Q2. Was it in remembrance of the work of creation?

A. Yes: Because that in it he rested from all his work, Gen. 2:3.

Q3. Was it observed before the giving of the law upon mount Sinai?

A. Yes: For before that it was said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath to the Lord, Exod. 16:23.

Q4. Was that appointed to be kept on the seventh day of the week?

A. Yes: For he spake of the seventh day on this wise, Heb. 4:4.

Q5. Was the law of the sabbath given more particularly to Israel?

A. Yes: I gave them my sabbath to be a sign between me and them, Ezek. 20:12.

Q6. Was it religiously observed among them?

A. Yes: For their enemies did mock at their sabbaths, Lam. 1:7.

Q7. Did they sanctify the sabbath in solemn assemblies?

A. Yes: Moses of old time is read in the synagogues every sabbath day, Acts 15:21.

Q8. Was the blessing confined to the seventh day?

A. No: For the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it, Exod. 20:11.

Q9. Was the sabbath to continue in gospel times?

A. Yes: For there remaineth the keeping of a sabbath to the people of God, Heb. 4:9 marg.

Q10. Did Christ intend it should continue?

A. Yes: For he said, Pray that your flight be not on the sabbath day, Matt. 24:20.

Q11. Did he in order to that expound the fourth commandment?

A. Yes: For he allowed that it is lawful to do well upon the sabbath day, Matt. 12:12.

Q12. Is there the same need of sabbaths now that ever there was?

A. Yes: For I gave them my sabbaths that they might know that I am the Lord, Ezek. 20:12.

Q13. Is the sabbath changed now to the first day of the week?

A. Yes: For on the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread, Acts 20:7.

Q14. Was it because on that day of the week our Lord Jesus rose from the dead?

A. Yes: For he rose as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, Matt. 28:1.

Q15. And because on that day the Spirit was poured out?

A. Yes: For that was when the day of Pentecost was fully come, Acts. 2:1.

Q16. Was it fit there should be an alteration?

A. Yes: For it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but the Lord liveth that brought them up from the land of the north, Jer. 16:14, 15.

Q17. Did the apostles observe the first day of the week?

A. Yes: On the first day of the week let everyone lay by, 1 Cor. 16:2.

Q18. Did the primitive church call it the Lord's day?

A. Yes: I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, Rev. 1:10.

Q19. In a thing of this nature ought we to acquiesce?

A. Yes: For if any man will be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God, 1 Cor. 11:16.