Memorize:
1. What does God require in the first commandment?
That as much as I love my soul’s salvation, I flee all idolatry and superstition, and so acknowledge, trust and honor God as the only God. (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)
2. What does God require in the second commandment?
That we make no image of God, but worship him only as he has taught us in his word. (Acts 17:29)
3. What does God require in the third commandment?
That instead of profaning or abusing the name of God, we always call upon him reverently, so that he may be rightly confessed, worshiped and praised in our words and deeds. (Psalm 19:14)
4. Does God, then, forbid the use of oaths?
No. When oaths are used in the courts or elsewhere to confirm the truth to God’s glory, he honors such a witness. This is clearly taught in the Old and New Testaments. (Romans 1:9)
Things to Look Up:
- How does Psalm 115:4,5 describe the idol gods?
- What penalty does God inflict on those who commit idolatry? Romans 1:24,25.
- Mention the different parts of worship in your church. Can you find New Testament texts which show that these are approved by God?
- How did God punish cursing in the Old Testament? Leviticus 24:10-16.
- What kind of an oath did God himself take? Hebrews 6:13,14.