What does the church believe on observing the Lord's Day?
Westminster Confession of Faith- Chapter 21:
VIII. This Sabbath is to be kept holy unto the Lord when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their own works, words, and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations; but also are taken up the whole time in the public and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy.
1978: BB-Minute 122
11. Express the view that, in any alteration of the hours of trading in shops, regard should be given to the sanctity of the Lord’s Day and to the position of the proprietors of such businesses and the welfare of employees.
1982 B.B Min. 156
4. Affirm its opposition to any extension of retail trading hours which would further erode the Christian Sabbath, Sunday.
1983 B.B. Min. 123
34. Acknowledge that the alteration of normal trading days for butchers’ shops as described in the Meat and Allied Trades Federation of Australia, Queensland Division, circular to all members (127-82), dated 12/11/82, opens the way whereby persons employed in the Meat and Allied Trades may find themselves required to work against their wishes on days which have traditionally been regarded as of special significance in the life of the Church.
35. Express to the Meat and Allied Trades Federation, Queensland Division, and to the Minister of Commerce and Industry its grave concern as to the possible ramifications of the alteration of the normal trading days as described in the circular to all members (127-82) of the Meat Allied Trades Federation, Queensland Division, dated 12/11/82.
1986 B.B. Min. 149
9. Note the Sabbath Observance Report as a general statement for guidance in this matter.
SABBATH OBSERVANCE REPORT (Refer Min. 149.9 Above)
“There is proper concern about the lack of Sabbath consecration even in Presbyterian circles.
Our Subordinate Standard, derived from God's Holy Word, declares that "the first day of the week" is "to be kept holy unto Him" as "the Lord's Day" alias "the Christian Sabbath" (Gen. 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Isaiah 61:2-7; Matt. 5:11-18; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Rev. 1:10). Further, "this Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord when men, after a due preparing of their hearts and ordering of their common affairs beforehand, do not only observe an holy rest all the day from their works, words and thoughts about their worldly employments and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the public. and private exercises of His worship, and in the duties of necessity and mercy (Exodus 16:23-30; 31:15-17; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Isaiah 58:13; Matt. 12:1-13). [Thus the Westminster Confession of Faith, 21:7-8].
It is noted that the Subordinate Standard of The Presbyterian Church of Queensland here disadvises "worldly employments and recreations" on the Christian Sabbath alias the Lord's Day, and advises "ordering .... common affairs beforehand". To this, the Westminster Larger Catechism (Q.117-21) adds that, apparently before the Sabbath, "we are to prepare our hearts -- and such foresight, diligence and moderation -- to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business", so that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day (Jeremiah 17:21-22; Luke 23:54-56 etc.). The fourth Commandment of God's Holy Law prohibits "all profaning (of) the day.... by all needless works, words and thoughts about our worldly employments and recreations" (Jeremiah 17:24-27; Isaiah 58:13). For "we are very ready forget" God's Sabbath, (Ezek. 22:26). We all "too often take our minds from thinking of it, either to prepare for it or sanctify it". (Deut. 5:14-15; Amos. 8:5). For "Satan with instruments much labour(s) to blot out the glory and memory of it", and "to bring in all irreligion and (Lamentations 1:7).
Home Missionary Grant's letter specifically mentions the important issue of Sabbath harvesting in rural areas. This matter seems to be covered by our Subordinate Standard (above). More importantly, it also seems to, be covered by our Supreme Standard. (See Exodus 16:23,28,29; 31:13ff; 35:1ff; Numbers 15:32ft; Deut. 5:12-15). This certainly seems to prohibit all unnecessary Sunday harvesting. Possibly, but only by way of high exception and necessity, Joshua 6:3-4 and Mark 2:23-28 might here be appealed to, especially in cases of unavoidable warfare and the pangs of hunger, and perhaps if a Sabbath storm was suddenly threatening to destroy an unharvested crop. Here, as elsewhere, illuminated by all of the above Scriptures, "let each man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He who regards the day regards it unto the Lord; and he who does not regard the day to the Lord, he does not regard it!" (Romans 14:5-6).
"On the seventh day, God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it". (Genesis 2:2-3). Thus God's "works were finished, from the foundation of the world. For ...God rested on the seventh day from all His works.", (Hebrews 4:3-4). Nevertheless, even in Post-Calvary New Testament times, "there still remains the keeping of a Sabbath ('sabbatismos') for the people of God. For he who has entered into his rest ('katapausis'), also ceases from his own works like God did from His!", (Hebrews 4:9-10 cf. Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 20:8-11).
While the Church set forth the standards which the Scriptures and the Westminster Confession outline, it does not presume to legislate for the conscience of each individual member of the Church. (Romans 14 and WC Ch.20) The relationship of God and His children is a personal one, and if a person like the Apostle Paul "in good conscience" sees a need which requires to be fulfilled at any time, it is for that person to determine what action should be taken.”
1987 B.B. Min. 329
12. Instruct the Clerk of Assembly to advise the Premier and the Minister for Employment and Industrial Affairs that the Assembly is strongly opposed to any form of trading hours that either dishonours Sunday, the Lord’s Day, as a day of worship and rest from lawful work for fragments and weakens family life.
1991 B.B. Min. 203
16. (a) Note the 1986 Sabbath Observance Report (1986 WB pp 87-88).
(b) Encourage Ministers and Sessions to promote a Biblical use of the Lord’s Day in the life of the family and their Congregations.
(c) Advise the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, Leader of the Liberal Party, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Racing, the Minister for Manufacturing, Commerce and Small Business, the Minister for Employment, Training and Industrial Relations, the Chairman of the Industrial Council, the Chairman of the Confederation of Industry and the Media, that the Assembly is gravely concerned that the recent extensions to Sunday trading and the adjustment of penalty rates relating to Sunday labour will weaken the family, will cause difficulty for those who wish to attend Public Worship Services, and is an affront to the sanctity of the Christian Sabbath (on which acts of piety, mercy and necessity alone are permitted), for which God will hold society accountable.
2006 B.B. MIN. 134
11. Note that the Moderator, the Clerk and the Convener of the Public Questions Committee, issued a statement in the name of the Church, stating that the Church is concerned that any changes to laws in the area of employment and industrial relations do not make it more difficult for families to attend worship and that the Church is concerned that employees are not pressured/required to work at the expense of time which needs to be spent with the family and within the life of the local Church. (CoA November 2005, Minute 37.
2007 B.B. MIN. 99
16. Note Assembly Paper 17, the letter from the Lord Mayor of Brisbane to the Clerk of Assembly of 25 May 2007 re “the requirements that employees of Council, in particular a member of your Church employed in our libraries, work on Sundays”.
17. Advise the Lord Mayor of Brisbane that the Church has no problems with members of the Church being engaged in working in areas of necessity or mercy on Sundays, but has strong objection to members of the Church being compelled to work in areas of employment for only the convenience of the community on Sunday; and that we are also concerned that employees who request not to be required for such Sunday work due to their Christian commitment, will become subject to disciplinary action, with the possibility of the termination of employment.
18. Forward a copy of the Lord Mayor’s letter, together with a copy of the letter to the Lord Mayor, to the Heads of Churches, for its information and action as appropriate.
2008 B.B. MIN. 102
7. Note that the Brisbane City Council has an inflexible employment policy which requires staff to work on Sunday, even if it was possible for the staff member to exchange such rostered work with another employee, and that communicants be advised through Sessions and through New Directions of the Council’s policy.