I find it interesting the differences in the various confessions we have made over the last century concerning the Lord’s Day and how it is special. Please compare the readings from the Baptist Faith and Messages (1925, 1963, and 2000).
1925:
XIV. The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from worldly amusements, and resting from secular employments, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.
Ex. 20:3-6; Matt. 4:10; Matt. 28:19; 1 Tim. 4:13; Col. 3:16; John 4:21; Ex. 20:8; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Acts 20:7; Rev. 1:1; Matt. 12:1-13.
1963:
VIII. The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from worldly amusements, and resting from secular employments, work of necessity and mercy only being excepted.
Ex. 20:8-11; Matt. 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Col. 2:16; 3:16; Rev. 1:10.
2000:
VIII. The Lord’s Day
The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1ff.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3,33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10.
Do you see the shift in attitude and thinking?
and should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private, and by refraining from worldly amusements, and resting from secular employments, works of necessity and mercy only excepted.
and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Isn’t it interesting that there was no change from 1925 to 1963? As I look at the latter paragraph from 2000, it seems to say that if we have the time to give God on Sundays, we can stop by His House and worship Him. I realize that may not be the intention but it is the impression that is given. We will make sure to show up at the 8:30am service so we don’t miss getting into line early at the local buffet and that in itself can be a whole series of posts. We squirm in the pews hoping the message is finished in time so we can get home and hear what Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long have to say about the NFL game rather than what God’s Word has to say about holiness and righteousness. It is a weakening of our position and an erosion of the holiness and sanctity of the Lord’s Day. I think this is one reason why we have 16 million Southern Baptists on the rolls of our churches yet can’t get half of them to church. This simple paragraph says it is not important to keep Sundays holy. Come by the church if your conscience and time schedule permits it quietly whispers to the backslider. I understand that times and culture have changed but must we surrender the holiness of Sundays?
As I look at the word “conscience” I am reminded of a story told about the burning of John Hus. As the fires were being lit to consume his body, a poor widow brought forth some kindling for the fire. She had spent her entire meager savings to buy the kindling and she insisted that it be placed as close to Hus as possible. Just as Hus followed his conscience in standing for the Gospel and being burned at the stake for the sake of the Gospel, the widow was following her conscience in feeding the fire. My point is this, the conscience is at best a goad for the individual, not a guide. The guide for the Christian is the Bible. The Scripture references are very clear that we are to keep the Lord’s Day holy.
I found this clip on Godtube interesting. In it, Oprah shares her beliefs and I am thankful there was someone there willing to confront her about the Truth. Oprah uses the objection that it is not fair for the person who does not have the chance to hear the Gospel therefore there are many ways to God and a person will be judged according to their works. I submit a simple illustration to refute her claim. As we can see, the very characteristic of God people are depending on (His Goodness) is the very characteristic that will condemn them. Let me illustrate.
I am doing some research on the book of Romans. I have used John Phillips, John MacArthur, F.F. Bruce, Adam Clark, Living Application Bible, New Geneva Study Bible, and notes from the Online Bible 2007 for these notes.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
