Why Sunday

[Esaias]

The objection that the 4th commandment is ceremonial seems to be based on two things.

1. It regulates certain certain physical activities, like work and resting. However, the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th commandments directly regulate physical activities as well. Bowing down to graven images, taking the Lord's name in vain, honouring your parents, adultery, murder, theft, and perjury are physical activities just as much as working, employment of servants, and assemblying for worship are. So any worries based on the 4th commandment being directed at physical activities can be disregarded.

2. It regulates time. However, the nature of the command requires a regulation of time as part of the command (since it is a command to honour Jehovah as creator by imitation of His original schedule of activity). The presence of a regulation of how we spend our time does not make it a "ceremonial, ritual ordinance that can be dispensed with in our new era of enlightened worship". It is a strange thing to suggest that Jesus doesn't have authority as Mediator and as Creator to regulate our time, or our work.

If God told you "Child, I want you to pray every morning before your feet even hit the floor", would it be a MORAL issue or a "ceremonial" issue for you?