We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day,[1] and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes[2] by abstaining from all secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity;[3] by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public;[4] and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
[1] Acts 20:7. On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them.
[2] Exod. 20:8. Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Rev. 1:10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day. Ps. 113:2-4.
[3] Isa. 58:13, 14. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day: and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob. Isa. 56:2-8.
[4] Heb. 10:24, 25. Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is. Acts 13:44. The next Sabbath Day came almost the whole city together to hear the Word of God.
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of Divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society;[1] and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed;[2] except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,[3] who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.[4]
[1] Rom. 13:1-7. The powers that be are ordained of God. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.
[2] Matt. 22:21. Render therefore unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's, and unto God the things that are God's. Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8.
[3] Acts 5:29. We ought to obey God rather than man. Matt. 10:28. Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7, 10; Acts 4:18-20.
[4] Matt. 23:10. Ye have one Master, even Christ. Rev. 19:16. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Ps. 72:11; Ps. 2; Rom. 14:8-13.