These principles are intended to guide individuals in understanding how to keep the Sabbath holy and please God. Here is a breakdown of the principles mentioned:

1. The Sabbath is a day of refraining from creating and working with the creation, allowing time to appreciate God’s work in the world and in our lives. This principle is based on the account of God resting on the seventh day of creation in Genesis 2.
2. The Sabbath is a day of rest where we should lay down our burdens and stop engaging in servile work. This includes all members of the family, servants, animals, and even strangers among us. The basis for this principle can be found in Jeremiah 17, Exodus 20, and Deuteronomy 5.
3. The Sabbath is to be a holy convocation, a time to gather and worship with others. This principle is derived from passages such as Leviticus 23.
4. On the Sabbath, we should show reverence and demonstrate our love, honour, and respect for God’s authority. This principle is supported by verses like Psalm 89:7 and Habakkuk 2:20.
5. The Sabbath should be a day of delight, rejoicing, and focusing on God’s thoughts and words rather than our own. This principle can be found in Isaiah 56 and 58.
6. The Sabbath is a time of healing, both physically and spiritually. Various accounts in the Gospels (Matthew 12, Mark 1 and 3, Luke 13 and 14) illustrate the healing work performed by Jesus on the Sabbath.
7. Buying or selling on the Sabbath is discouraged. Nehemiah 13 provides an example of the people being rebuked for engaging in commerce on the Sabbath.
8. The Sabbath is an opportunity to do good, visit and comfort the sick, and engage in spiritual service to others. This principle is exemplified by Jesus’ actions on the Sabbath, as seen in John 5.
9. The Sabbath is a time for prayer. Acts 16:13 mentions a group of women gathering by the riverside on the Sabbath for prayer.
10. The Sabbath provides an occasion for reasoning with others about spiritual principles and for ministers to teach the word of God. This is indicated in Acts 17:2 and 18:4 and 11.
11. Preparation for the Sabbath, including elaborate food preparation, should be done on the day before to avoid heavy cooking or baking on the Sabbath. This principle is based on the account of manna gathering in Exodus 16.
12. Singing is encouraged on the Sabbath, as it is a time for joyful worship. Verses like Ephesians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:16, and Psalms 92, known as the “Sabbath Psalm,” support this principle.

It is important to note that this list of principles is not exhaustive, but it serves as a guide for individuals seeking to understand the biblical perspective on keeping the Sabbath holy.