LORD’S DAY 35
Q. 96. What doth God require in the second commandment?
A. That we in no wise represent God by images,1 nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.2 That we in no wise represent God by images,1 nor worship Him in any other way than He has commanded in His Word.2
- Deut. 4:15. Isa.40:18. Rom. 1:23, &c. Acts 17:29.
- 1 Sam. 15:23. Deut. 12:30.
Q. 97. Are images then not at all to be made?
A. God neither can nor may be represented by any means.1 But as to creatures, though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make or have any resemblance of them either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.2 God neither can nor may be represented by any means.1 But as to creatures, though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make or have any resemblance of them either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.2
- Deut. 4:15, 16. Isa. 46:5. Rom. 1:23.
- Ex. 23:24. Ex. 34:13, 14. Num. 33:52. Deut. 7:5.
Q. 98. But may not images be tolerated in the churches as books to the laity?
A. No; for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have His people taught, not by dumb images,1 but by the lively preaching of His Word.2 No; for we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have His people taught, not by dumb images,1 but by the lively preaching of His Word.2
- Jer. 10:1, &c. Hab. 2:18, 19.
- 2 Tim. 3:16. 2 Pet. 1:19.
LORD’S DAY 35
Image Worship
1. What is the second commandment?
“Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6; Deuteronomy 5:8-10.
2. What does God require in the second commandment?
That I in no wise represent God by images. Deuteronomy 4:15-19.
3. How does the requirement of the second commandment affect our worship?
We do not worship God in any other way than He has commanded us in His Word. John 4:24.
4. Are images, then, not at all to be made?
God neither can nor may be represented by any means. Isaiah 40:18-25; 46:5-7.
5. But may images of creatures be made?
Though creatures may be represented, God forbids to make or have any resemblance of them, either to worship them or to serve God by them. Exodus 23:24; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5.
6. May not images be tolerated in the churches as books to the laity?
No, we must not pretend to be wiser than God, who will have His people taught, not by dumb images, but by the lively preaching of His Word. II Timothy 4:2; Romans 10:14, 15.