The First Commandment (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The First Commandment (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

The First Commandment is Section XXXIV of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

This section interprets the first commandment as the duty to know, trust, love, fear, and worship the one true God. Sadler links idolatry with false confidence and forgetfulness of God.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "The God into Whose Name we have been baptized." He further explains the section by saying, "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost."

Theological Themes

• Exclusive worship of God
• Faith and trust
• Fear of God
• Idolatry of the heart

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• Exodus 20:3
• Hebrews 11:6
• Romans 1:28
• John 14:1
• Matthew 6:26-30
• Proverbs 9:10

Anglican Context

This section belongs to Sadler's treatment of the baptismal promise to keep God's commandments. It is connected with the Decalogue in the Church Catechism and with the use of the commandments in Anglican moral and liturgical instruction. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Ten Commandments
• Church Catechism
• Anglican Ethics
• Book of Common Prayer