Both the Continental Reformers and the Scottish/English Reformers taught that the Christian Sabbath continues today and that the Civil Magistrate has a duty and obligation to uphold & promote the Christian Sabbath and to punish Sabbath breakers with civil penalties. This Biblical Truth is given by example from Nehemiah 13.
God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil magistrates, to be, under Him, over the people, for His own glory, and the public good; and, to this end, hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of evildoers.
-Westminster Confession of Faith 23.1
Every nation ought to recognize the Divine institution of civil government, the sovereignty of God exercised by Jesus Christ, and its duty to rule the civil affairs of men in accordance with the will of God. It should enter into covenant with Christ and serve to advance His Kingdom on earth. The negligence of civil government in any of these particulars is sinful, makes the nation liable to the wrath of God, and threatens the continued existence of the government and nation.
We reject the view that nations have no corporate responsibility for acknowledging and obeying Christ.
-RP Testimony 23.4-5 |
