Principles of Law-Keeping

Telos: That the Congregation may understand the how the Ten Commandments are to be interpreted and how they should be kept.

The Lord helping us, we want to examine 8 principles, all of which are given in our Larger Catechism, Q. 99 “What rules are to be observed for the right understanding of the Ten Commandments?” I am persuaded that these rules or principles are derived from Scripture and would greatly help us in our understanding and application of the Law of God.

1.Principle of Perfection: Perfect Conformity Required
2.Principle of Totality: Not Just in the Letter but in the Spirit
3.The Principle of Interconnection: No Law is broken in Isolation
4.The Principle of Negation: where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is forbidden, & vice versa.
5.Principle of Execution: Transgression is always Forbidden but Duty does not imply constant performance.
6.Principle of Classification: The Decalogue represent classes of commandments.
7.Principle of Responsibility: Causing others to sin is a Crime.
8.Principle of Participation: Partaking of other's sin is also sin.