Question 103 - What does God require in the fourth commandment?

Answer - First, that the ministry of the gospel and the schools be maintained¹ and that, especially on the day of rest, I diligently attend the church of God² to hear God's Word,³ to use the sacraments,⁴ to call publicly upon the LORD,⁵ and to give Christian offerings for the poor.⁶ Second, that all the days of my life I rest from my evil works, let the LORD work in me through His Holy Spirit, and so begin in this life the eternal sabbath.⁷

¹ Deut. 6:4-9; 20-25; I Cor. 9:13, 14; II Tim. 2:2; 3:13-17; Tit. 1:5. ² Deut. 12:5-12; Ps. 40:9, 10; 68:26; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25. ³ Rom. 10:14-17; I Cor. 14:26-33; I Tim. 4:13. ⁴ I Cor. 11:23, 24. ⁵ Col. 3:16; I Tim. 2:1. ⁶ Ps. 50:14; I Cor. 16:2; II Cor. 8 and 9. ⁷ Is. 66:23; Heb. 4:9-11.