HenryWSC 59

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 59

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Was the sabbath appointed from the beginning of the world? Yes: God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it when the heavens and the earth were finished,
Gen. 2:1–3
. Was it in remembrance of the work of creation? Yes: because that in it he rested from all his work,
Gen. 2:3
. Was it observed before the giving of the law upon mount Sinai? Yes: for before that it was said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath to the Lord,
Ex. 16:23
. Was that appointed to be kept on the seventh day of the week? Yes: For he spake of the seventh day on this wise,
Heb. 4:4
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Was the law of the sabbath given more particularly to Israel? Yes: I gave them my sabbath to be a sign between me and them,
Ezek. 20:12
. Was it religiously observed among them? Yes: for their enemies did mock at their sabbaths,
Lam. 1:7
. Did they sanctify the sabbath in solemn assemblies? Yes: Moses of old time is read in the synagogues every sabbath day,
Acts 15:21
. Was the blessing confined to the seventh day? No: For the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it,
Ex. 20:11
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Was the sabbath to continue in gospel times? Yes: For there remaineth the keeping of a sabbath to the people of God,
Heb. 4:9
marg. Did Christ intend it should continue? Yes: for he said, Pray that your flight be not on the sabbath day,
Matt. 24:20
. Did he in order to that expound the fourth commandment? Yes: for he allowed that it is lawful to do well upon the sabbath day,
Matt. 12:12
. Is there the same need of sabbaths now that ever there was? Yes: for I gave them my sabbaths that they might know that I am the Lord,
Ezek. 20:12
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Is the sabbath changed now to the first day of the week? Yes: for on the first day of the week the disciples came together to break bread,
Acts 20:7
. Was it because on that day of the week our Lord Jesus rose from the dead? Yes: for he rose as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week,
Matt. 28:1
. And because on that day the Spirit was poured out? Yes: for that was when the day of Pentecost was fully come,
Acts 2:1
. Was it fit there should be an alteration? 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
.
Did the apostles observe the first day of the week? Yes: On the first day of the week let everyone lay by,
1 Cor. 16:2
. Did the primitive church call it the Lord’s day? Yes: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,
Rev. 1:10
. In a thing of this nature ought we to acquiesce? Yes: For if any man will be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God,
1 Cor. 11:16
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HenryWSC 59