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Author
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Topic: Sabbath, saturday or sunday?
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yahsway
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Member # 3738
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posted
Betty, glad you posted that scripture. Yes, the first day of the week in that scripture is known as Saturday night. That was when(and still is according to Jewish Calender and the Greek one) the 1st day of the week begins. It begins at Sundown on Saturday night according to our calender.
Notice in verse 8 it states "there were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered) so it is at night, Saturday night or the 1st day of the week.
It has always been the custom of the Jews to observe Sabbath, the 7th day and at the end of the Sabbath, at sundown, being the 1st day of the week, they have whats called Oneg, a supper, they break bread, hence verse 7 "Now on the 1st day of the week the disciples came together to break bread "and Paul spoke with them until midnight.
Nothing is said about the 1st day being the day of rest or Sabbath day, only that it was the 1st day of the week, it was Saturday after the sundown which makes it the 1st day of the week.
Back up to Chapter 20, verse 6, notice that Paul waited until after the Days of Unleavened Bread (Passover) to sail to Troas. Paul obviously celebrated this Feast day.
Look at verse 16. Paul was in a hurry to get to Jerusalem well, here is what it says " For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost, which is known in the Hebrew tongue as Shavout which was celebrated even before Christ came and died and was resurrected.
So Paul was still a Feast keeper and so why would he not still keep the 7th day Sabbath which to all Jews is known as the 1st of Gods Feasts?
okay, now go to acts chapter 21 verses 15-
Many had twisted Paul's writings or teachings and the Church in Jerusalem told Paul that they had been informed that Paul ws teaching that the Jewish Believers in Jesus needed to Forsake the Law of Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children or not ought to walk in their customs.
verse 20- "You see brother, how many Myraids of Jews there are who have Believed, and they are all Zealous for the law;
The law was not done away with, because here would have been the perfect opportunity for Paul to say "NO" we do not need to observe the Law. But he did not.
Sunday worship is just that. Its believer who get together on Sunday, the 1st day of the week to break bread and fellowship, BUT, it is not the Sabbath Day. This was made as a day of Rest. It is still the 7th day of the week, known as Saturday. It starts at sundown on Friday until Sundown on Saturday. No man has the Authority to change this day, neither did Jesus.
Most all the 1st century christians got togethere on the Sabbath and at sundown on the 1st day of the week had an oneg (Supper) and took care of any
business matters such as monetary support for the poor, ect....It was not done on the Sabbath day, that day was considered set-apart, a holy convocation as the scriptures say would be perpetual or meaning forever.
Posts: 1238 | From: Tennessee | Registered: Aug 2004
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Betty Louise
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Member # 7175
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posted
Act 20:7 And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1Cr 16:2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
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yahsway
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posted
On the topic of the Sabbath day, most all pastors know that the day known as the Sabbath day, 7th day of the week is on Saturday. I have a few quotes from some well known theologians about this very subject.
Dwight L. Moody- "The Sabbath was binding in Eden, and it has been in force ever since. This fourth commandment begins with the word 'remember', showing that the Sabbath already existed when God wrote the law on the tables of stone at Mt. Sinai. How can men claim that this one commandment has been done away with when they will admit that the other nine are still binding?"
Martin Luther- "They (Roman Catholics") refer to the Sabbath Day, as having been changed into the Lord's Day, contrary to the Decalouge, as it seems. Neither is there any example whereof they make more than concerning the changing of the Sabbath day. GREAT, say they, is the Power of the Church, since it has dispensed with one of the Ten Commandments!"
John Wesley- "But the Moral Law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, he (Christ) did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this. this is a law which never can be broken. Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind, and in all ages; as not depending on either time or place, or any other circumstance liable to change, but on the nature of God and the nature of man, and their unchangable relation to each other."
Isaac Williams Anglican/Episcopal- "And where are we told in the Scriptures that we are to keep the first day at all? We are commanded to keep the seventh; but we are nowhere commanded to keep the first day. The reason we keep the first day of the week holy instead of the seventh is for the same reason that we observe many other things, NOT because the Bible, but because the Church has enjoined it."
Bishop Seymour, Why we keep Sunday: "We have made the change from the seventh day to the first day, from Saturday to Sunday, on the Authority of the One Holy Catholic Church."
Alexander Campbell- "But', say some, 'it was changed from the seventh to the first day'. Where? When? And by Whom? No man can tell. NO; it never was changed, nor could it be, unless creation as to be gone through again; for the reason assigned must be changed before the observance, or respect to the reason, can be changed! It is all old wives fables to talk of the change of the sabbath from the seventh to the first day. IF it be changed, it was that august personage changed it who changes times and laws EX OFFICIO- I think his name is DOCTOR ANTICHRIST."
T.C.Blake- "The Sabbath is a part of the Decalogue-The Ten Commandments. This alone forever settles the question as to the perpetuity of the institution. Until, therefore, it can be shown that the Whole Moral Law has been repealed, the Sabbath will stand. The teaching of Christ confirms the perpetuity of the Sabbath."
These are just a few quotes from some Protestants theologians and Preachers on their thoughts of the Sabbath Day. There are many more. Just thought i would lay it out here.
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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posted
quote:
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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posted
2 Timothy 2
1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Messiah Yahushua.
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Yahushua Messiah.
4No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
6The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.
7Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8Remember that Yahushua Messiah of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
14Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.
15Study to shew thyself approved unto YHWH, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19Nevertheless the foundation of YHWH standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Messiah depart from iniquity.
20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ]
23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
24And the servant of the Master must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if YHWH peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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WildB
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by barrykind:
wildb states:
quote:
Reading what some people post is unwise sir. Especially if it is not forwarding the edification of God's Grace. So how many angels do you think can fit on the head of a needle?
Sir that is a foolish and unlearned question:
Now you know why nobody reads your post.
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That is all.....
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barrykind
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posted
wildb states:
quote:
Reading what some people post is unwise sir. Especially if it is not forwarding the edification of God's Grace. So how many angels do you think can fit on the head of a needle?
Sir that is a foolish and unlearned question:
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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WildB
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by barrykind:
actually this part of the post was from shaul
quote:
wildB, Jesus was never His name until the english language came about. Even in the greek it first was Iesous, then when the first KJV was printed 1611 it was printed as Iesus, then when the letter J was born it became Jesus in the english.
but i totally concur:
the latter was mine:
But truthfully i dont think you read much of what people post, and to comment on something that is so crucial to many folks without hearing the whole of the matter is unwise sir:
Reading what some people post is unwise sir. Especially if it is not forwarding the edification of God's Grace.
So how many angels do you think can fit on the head of a needle?
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That is all.....
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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posted
actually this part of the post was from shaul
quote:
wildB, Jesus was never His name until the english language came about. Even in the greek it first was Iesous, then when the first KJV was printed 1611 it was printed as Iesus, then when the letter J was born it became Jesus in the english.
but i totally concur:
the latter was mine:
But truthfully i dont think you read much of what people post, and to comment on something that is so crucial to many folks without hearing the whole of the matter is unwise sir:
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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WildB
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Member # 2917
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by barrykind:
quote:
wildB, Jesus was never His name until the english language came about. Even in the greek it first was Iesous, then when the first KJV was printed 1611 it was printed as Iesus, then when the letter J was born it became Jesus in the english.
This is very true..if wildb was really interested he could see the thread about HIS name
You are most correct.
But let me tell you lads I talk to Jesus every day and He is interested in every word I say.
Johnny Cash - I Talk To Jesus Every Day
Well you talk about important people that you say you know
Presidents and superstars of big television shows
Well I know someone personally who's bigger than 'em all
And next to him your superstars look mighty small
And I have a talk with him each day and he's interested in every word I say
No secretary ever tells me he's been called away I talk to Jesus every day
[ guitar ]
Well now I don't think that I'll ever be in any Hall of Fame
And the social register of wealthy folks might drop my name
But my name is written in the book of life I'm proud to say
And that's all that really matters anyway
And I talk to Jesus every day and he's interested in every word I say
No secretary ever tells me he's been called away I talk to Jesus every day
I talk to Jesus every day
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That is all.....
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Sha'ul
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posted
wildB are you concerned about my user name or do you want to learn, such your Messiah's real name. Sha'ul
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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posted
quote:
wildB, Jesus was never His name until the english language came about. Even in the greek it first was Iesous, then when the first KJV was printed 1611 it was printed as Iesus, then when the letter J was born it became Jesus in the english.
This is very true..if wildb was really interested he could see the thread about HIS name
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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WildB
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Sha'ul:
wildB, Jesus was never His name until the english language came about. Even in the greek it first was Iesous, then when the first KJV was printed 1611 it was printed as Iesus, then when the letter J was born it became Jesus in the english. Nothing wrong with Jesus, I was saved under that name, but His real name is Yahshua, Yeshua(however you want to spell it.) Sha'ul
Why do use the name of Sha'ul, Pauls unconverted name as a handle?
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That is all.....
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Sha'ul
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posted
wildB, Jesus was never His name until the english language came about. Even in the greek it first was Iesous, then when the first KJV was printed 1611 it was printed as Iesus, then when the letter J was born it became Jesus in the english. Nothing wrong with Jesus, I was saved under that name, but His real name is Yahshua, Yeshua(however you want to spell it.) Sha'ul
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WildB
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posted
Barry my lad, what kind of trip are you on?
Hebrews, Chapter 13, 8: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
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That is all.....
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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posted
wildb stated:
quote:
Yahshua? You mean "Jesus"!
See another thread wildb
What is His name and His Sons Name
This should clear the matter of the correct name for you sir :
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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WildB
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posted
Yahshua? You mean "Jesus"!
So impersonal some peoples kids are.
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That is all.....
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Sha'ul
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posted
One more thing, to say that Israel and christians are seperate is absolutely rediculous, God doesn't have 2 different kinds of kids. That's why Romans 11 says we are grafted into the tree of ISRAEL, Ephesians 2, we are FORMELY KNOWN AS GENTILES, Galatians 3 if we are of Messiah we are neither jew nor gentile, we are ONE IN HIM, and SEED of ABRAHAM, and heirs to the COVENANT. Sha'ul
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Sha'ul
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posted
I did not expect so many responses so fast, no way was I reading all 36 that are on here so far.But what I did read was guesses at best and some was just silly. Sorry. Sabbath has and always will be Sat. No where in scripture did it ever change no matter how much you twist it around. Plus it is NOT the mosaic law, IT IS GOD'S 4th COMMANDMENT. It is not nore ever will be sunday, it is documented fact that the catholic church changed it from sat, to sun. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Scripture couldn't say that if stuff is changed. People really need to stop looking for excuses to not be obedient to GOd's commands, that's what it really boils down to. People want that free ride on the blood of our Saviour, without having to keep any rules, so they get on the grace bus as there reason for disobedience to God's commands. Sha'ul
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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posted
becauseHElives,
To love our Lord Jesus Christ does not mean to give equal importance to the foreshadows of Christ. Jesus Christ Himself is our Sabbath. What pleases Him is a loving heart. The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We are not told to observe the Sabbath anywhere in the New Testament, but we ARE told not to judge one another about it. You should not imply that others are less spiritual or less devoted than you are if they do not observe a Saturday Sabbath.
As for Sunday being about the sun, do you not realize that Saturday is named after Saturn? Saturday is the only day of the week in which the English name comes from Roman mythology. The names of all the other days are Anglo-Saxon.
You might not have seen this posted above, so I'll post it again.
Did Constantine change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday?
NO
In the year 321 A.D., Constantine decreed, "On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed" (Codex Justinianus lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 380, note 1). Constantine seems to have made this change himself and not through the papacy, since the papacy had not really come in to being at that time. The papacy grew gradually out of the office of Bishop and for many years this was centered in Rome. In any case, it should be noted that in doing this, Constantine is not changing the Sabbath ; he is merely making Sunday the official day of rest for the Roman Empire. His motivation was probably not born out of hatred for the Jews (it's hard to say for sure why Constantine or any historical figure did what they did) but out of a desire to adopt what the Christians had practiced for nearly two and a half centuries.
It is well documented that the early church adopted Sunday as their day of worship. Acts 20:7 speaks of this, "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people …" and 1 Corinthians 16:2, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." These passages indicate that Christians were probably meeting regularly on Sunday (the first day of the week). They did this most likely because Christ rose on the first day of the week. It wasn't until hundreds of years later that the death of Christ became the focal point of Christian worship services. That is not to say they thought it unimportant; but they were primarily concerned with His victory over death realized in His resurrection.
It is important to remember that corporate worship with other believers is necessary and part of obedience, but the day that your church body chooses to worship on is not really that significant. The New Testament addresses this in a couple of different passages. Colossians 2:14-17 says, "He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality .” Also see Romans 14:5-6, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God."
Constantine Sabbath
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becauseHElives
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Member # 87
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posted
Carol ask quote:
Without repentance and faith, there is no new birth. So are you saying that a person has to keep the Sabbath before he can be reborn, or are you saying a person has to keep the Sabbath after he is reborn?
No I am saying if you or anyone else is Born Again , the things that are part of who Yahweh is, will become a part of who you are.
Yahshua , the Apostles and the early Church observed the Sabbath until the Laodicean Edict (in the year 321 A.D.) when Emperor Constantine married Pagan worship with the early Assembly and established Sunday worship. “The Lord’s Day,” instead of the Sabbath for early believers in the Assembly. This was his way of stopping the persecution that existed at that time between Jews and believers. Constantine was a Sun worshiper, so we understand that the term, The Lord’s Day was establishing a day of worship for Baal. The word “Lord,” in this context means Baal. This flies in the face of what we taught about Sunday being the actual day or worship.
All I can do is pray for spiritually blind eyes and deaf ears.
Only Yahweh can perform the needed miracle.
Religion is a demonic force….
But being Born Again is a changing of the heart, from hating the things of Yahweh to loving the things of Yahweh.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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WildB
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Caretaker:
God bless you Barry;
The Torah is not just the Mosaic Laws from Mount Sinai, but is in fact the first Five Books of Moses.
Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the Law of Moses, and nailed those ordinances to His Cross of Calvary.
The breaking of bread is the remembrance which Christ instituted, "This is my Body".
Acts 20:7 7: And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 John 3:4
23: And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Col. 2:
14: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Acts 17:
1: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3: Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4: And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
The manner of Paul was to go unto them when they gathered and reason with them out of the scriptures. The Jews and devout Greeks gathered on the Sabbath and that was when they were available with the scriptures.
Acts 13:
1: Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3: And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4: So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5: And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
14: But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15: And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16: Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
42: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43: Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44: And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45: But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47: For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49: And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
To the Jew first in the synagogues, and then to the Gentiles. When did the Jews gather and hear the Word?
1. Creation was completed in six days.
2. God rested on the seventh day.
3. God blessed the seventh day.
4. God sanctified the seventh day.
5. The reason God sanctified the seventh day was because He rested on it.
6. The seventh-day account does not have the formula "and there was evening and there was morning, a seventh day" as do the six days of creation.
7. There is no mention of the word "Sabbath" in the book of Genesis.
8. There is no command for mankind to rest in the Genesis account.
9. Nothing is expressly mentioned regarding man in the seventh-day-creation rest.
10. The seventh-day "rest" of God was most likely characterized by His delight in His new creations and in open fellowship with Adam and Eve in the sin-free, perfect environment of Eden.
11. The conditions which characterized the "rest" of God would probably have continued had it not been for man's sin.
12. The seventh day of Gen 2:2,3 may have been a regular day as were the first six days of creation, or it may have been an indefinite period of time.
13. The Genesis account does not mention an end to God's seventh-day rest. It is presented as an ongoing state by the omission of "and there was evening and there was morning, a seventh day". The fact that the Genesis account is so carefully constructed indicates that this omission was not accidental.
14. When man sinned, he was excluded from God's REST and God began His WORK of redemption to restore man back to himself.
What is this new "WORK" which God started immediately after Adam and Eve sinned? We read that "The Lord God MADE garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them" (Gen 3:21). This event was the beginning of a "WORK" which would continue throughout the centuries until it's significance would become fully revealed in the death of Christ. The death of that first lamb, while not mentioned as such in the Genesis account, was the acorn of the great truth which, through the following centuries, would grow into the great, spreading oak of righteousness by faith. It pointed forward to Christ's substitutionary life and death for lost mankind. Naked Adam and Eve were clothed with robes made from the skin of the lamb - a substitute who gave his life.
Millennia later Paul would put this same truth in these words:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27
The work of redemption was the work which God started when man sinned and was driven from Eden's rest. This work would continue until man was restored to God's true rest. Jesus is our Sabbath rest, not some 24-hour period of time
Romans 14
1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Galations 3:
23
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
No where in the Word is Noah commanded to keep the Sabbath.
No where in the Word is Abraham commanded to keep the Sabbath.
Neither are Issac, or Jacob, or Joseph.
We are not under the Law of Moses given on Sinai, but under the Grace of Christ.
24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Its so refreshing to read a post that has been rightly divided from the Word.
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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Caretaker
Advanced Member
Member # 36
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God bless you Barry;
The Torah is not just the Mosaic Laws from Mount Sinai, but is in fact the first Five Books of Moses.
Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the Law of Moses, and nailed those ordinances to His Cross of Calvary.
The breaking of bread is the remembrance which Christ instituted, "This is my Body".
Acts 20:7 7: And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 John 3:4
23: And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Col. 2:
14: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Acts 17:
1: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2: And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
3: Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4: And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
The manner of Paul was to go unto them when they gathered and reason with them out of the scriptures. The Jews and devout Greeks gathered on the Sabbath and that was when they were available with the scriptures.
Acts 13:
1: Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
3: And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4: So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5: And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
14: But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
15: And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
16: Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.
42: And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43: Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44: And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
45: But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
46: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
47: For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
48: And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
49: And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
To the Jew first in the synagogues, and then to the Gentiles. When did the Jews gather and hear the Word?
1. Creation was completed in six days.
2. God rested on the seventh day.
3. God blessed the seventh day.
4. God sanctified the seventh day.
5. The reason God sanctified the seventh day was because He rested on it.
6. The seventh-day account does not have the formula "and there was evening and there was morning, a seventh day" as do the six days of creation.
7. There is no mention of the word "Sabbath" in the book of Genesis.
8. There is no command for mankind to rest in the Genesis account.
9. Nothing is expressly mentioned regarding man in the seventh-day-creation rest.
10. The seventh-day "rest" of God was most likely characterized by His delight in His new creations and in open fellowship with Adam and Eve in the sin-free, perfect environment of Eden.
11. The conditions which characterized the "rest" of God would probably have continued had it not been for man's sin.
12. The seventh day of Gen 2:2,3 may have been a regular day as were the first six days of creation, or it may have been an indefinite period of time.
13. The Genesis account does not mention an end to God's seventh-day rest. It is presented as an ongoing state by the omission of "and there was evening and there was morning, a seventh day". The fact that the Genesis account is so carefully constructed indicates that this omission was not accidental.
14. When man sinned, he was excluded from God's REST and God began His WORK of redemption to restore man back to himself.
What is this new "WORK" which God started immediately after Adam and Eve sinned? We read that "The Lord God MADE garments of skin for Adam and his wife, and clothed them" (Gen 3:21). This event was the beginning of a "WORK" which would continue throughout the centuries until it's significance would become fully revealed in the death of Christ. The death of that first lamb, while not mentioned as such in the Genesis account, was the acorn of the great truth which, through the following centuries, would grow into the great, spreading oak of righteousness by faith. It pointed forward to Christ's substitutionary life and death for lost mankind. Naked Adam and Eve were clothed with robes made from the skin of the lamb - a substitute who gave his life.
Millennia later Paul would put this same truth in these words:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
All of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:27
The work of redemption was the work which God started when man sinned and was driven from Eden's rest. This work would continue until man was restored to God's true rest. Jesus is our Sabbath rest, not some 24-hour period of time
Romans 14
1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3
Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8
For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Galations 3:
23
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
No where in the Word is Noah commanded to keep the Sabbath.
No where in the Word is Abraham commanded to keep the Sabbath.
Neither are Issac, or Jacob, or Joseph.
We are not under the Law of Moses given on Sinai, but under the Grace of Christ.
24
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Honoered Sir: [caretaker] Drew a true Brother and lover of Blessed Messiah;
First thankyou for your time and patience with me; and not refereing to me as an athiest....
i have many notes, studies that i have conducted and will try to answer how i see every post and all the threads we are envolved in..
Also i will try to be specific to each thread with clarity.
I must go to work, but would rather stay home and study out the precious "word of Yahweh"
My first answer is to a very important scripture references to Col :
First people say that Paul Preached Against Sabbath-keeping
Two passages from Paul are often quoted as proving that the seventh-day Sabbath is no longer binding. On the contrary, both passage affirm rather than deny seventh-day Sabbath-keeping. The first:
Romans 14:4. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? ... 5. One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike. ... 6. He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord... (RSV)
This passage may or may not refer to the Sabbath. Either way, would one statement about secular holidays annul the Ten Commandments? No.
The other passage is:
Colossians 2:13. And you ... God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14. having canceled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ... 16. Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. 17. These are a shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. (RSV)
"Legal demands" refers to blood atonement -- sacrifice of animals for the remission of sins. This passage is affirming Sabbath-keeping rather than denying it. Assuming Paul is writing to the Gentile believers at Colossae -- he is saying that the legal demands of the sacrificial system for atonement of sin were nailed to the cross, not the fourth commandment or any other. Yahshua died as the last sacrifice; but by his own word, his death was never intended to destroy the Torah (ordinance) of the Heavenly Father, but fulfill it in all points. Although sacrificing animals is distasteful and forbidden by Yahweh, righteous living and commandment-keeping is not.
Indeed, these Gentile (or Jewish) converts were living righteously counter to their culture by following the commandments and hailing Yahshua as Sovereign. That's why unbelievers (the majority) were passing judgment on these new believers -- because they were keeping the seventh-day Sabbath and the sacred calendar of Yahweh. Paul is admonishing them to continue in the right despite others passing judgment for these acts of devotion, for, after all, Sabbath- and Feast-keeping are earthly shadows of the heavenly substance of something that belongs to Messiah. What is his he tells us is ours also.
No passages may be taken out of the context of the entire Bible corpus to prove certain doctrines, especially those that run against the grain of the whole.
The very fact that certain of the "early church fathers" (Greek-speaking leaders of Gentile converts) vehemently insist that their parishioners do not observe the Sabbath is proof that the people were indeed keeping them. (Check any of the Epistles of Ignatius for instance.)
more later dear Brother
bondservant
barry
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Caretaker
Advanced Member
Member # 36
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posted
Sabbath-keeping is an Old Testament practice that has whole denominations (Seventh-Day Adventists, Seventh Day Baptists etc) lined up behind it. Its perhaps one of the most pervasive of the OT practices that born-again Christians feel compelled to follow. However it is something that Jesus spoke quite strongly about and which was never placed on believers in the NT.
There are four main (and somewhat separate) errors concerning the Sabbath, in order of gravity they are:
1. That you must observe the Sabbath to be saved.
2. That observance of the Sabbath is compulsory (but perhaps not essential for salvation).
3. That the Jewish Saturday Sabbath is still the Sabbath for Christians.
4. That the Sabbath is now on Sunday and Christians must observe Sunday as a day of rest.
Proponents of the Sabbath (Sabbatarians) argue that:
1. Sabbath was ordained at Creation (Genesis 2:2)
2. The Sabbath was part of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11)
3. Observing the Sabbath in a consecrated way brings blessing. (Isaiah 58:13,14)
4. Not one jot or tittle will pass away from the Law until all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17)
5. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)
6. John the apostle was "in the Spirit on the Lord’s day" (Revelation 1:10)
At first glance this seems quite convincing so lets look at those arguments a bit more deeply. Arguments B,C and D depend on the Law still being in force in some way and their being blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience. I hope that by now you will be able to see that is no longer the case. The Law has been fulfilled in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Argument A rests on God hallowing that day at Creation. While God did make the Sabbath holy He did not make it compulsory. Besides we have no idea on what day that was, if we are to believe Archbishop Usher (the biblical chronologist who said that Creation was on a Wednesday at 9:00am in the morning in 4004BC) it was a Wednesday!
Hebrews 4:9 "there remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God" is in the midst of a section that shows that the true Sabbath is not the Sabbath instituted under Joshua that the Jews observed but rather was the Sabbath rest from dead works that we find in Christ and which reaches its fulfillment when we find our rest in Heaven.
(Hebrews 4:8-11 NASB) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. {9} There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. {10} For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. {11} Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience.
The last reference to being "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" is very enigmatic. It may have referred to Sunday by then. It certainly does not suggest it was compulsory. Believers seemed to meet "on the first day of the week" and that may have been all there was to it. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Acts 20:7) There is no direct NT pronouncement saying "Sunday is now the Sabbath and you must keep it holy.". Most Christians were slaves and had no power to take a day off anyway!
Direct Teaching On The Sabbath.
Jesus And The Sabbath
Part of the reason for the intense hostility towards Jesus was His attitude towards the Sabbath. The Sabbath had become one of the chief spiritual control tools of the Pharisees. Hundreds of rabbinical regulations added to the Law made the Sabbath a very complex and burdensome issue for the average Jew. It had turned from being a joyous day of rest and celebration into yet another device for proving how spiritual one was.
Jesus was not tactful. In fact he just charged through the mass of rabbinical red tape like a cavalier with a sword. Culturally He would have come across as very undiplomatic, a sort of spiritual "bull in a china shop". We will see why in the next few verses where Jesus moves to combat the narrow cruel Sabbatarian legalism of the Pharisees. In an astonishing display of heartlessness they would not let the hungry disciples pick a few heads of grain to eat or approve a man being healed on the Sabbath. Their vicious cruelty reached its natural conclusion as they plot to destroy Jesus. The questions of the Sabbatarians are in blue and the main points Jesus makes are in red..
(Matthew 12:1-14 NASB) At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grainfields, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. {2} But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him,"Behold, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath."
{3} But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he became hungry, he and his companions; {4} how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? {5} "Or have you not read in the Law, thaton the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath, and are innocent? {6} "But I say to you, thatsomething greater than the temple is here.
{7} "But if you had known what this means,'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,'you would not havecondemned the innocent. {8} "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
{9} And departing from there, He went into their synagogue. {10} And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they questioned Him, saying,"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"-- in order that they might accuse Him. {11} And He said to them,"What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out?{12} "Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then,it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." {13} Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" And he stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. {14} But the Pharisees went out, and counseled together against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
(Mark 2:27-28 NASB) And He was saying to them,"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. {28} "Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Jesus points are:
1. Human needs over-ride religious protocol. (David and the bread)
2. That the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath with impunity.
3. That He was greater than the Temple or its priests and therefore can break the Sabbath.
4. That God desires mercy (in this case for hungry disciples) not sacrifice. Kindness has a higher priority than sacrifices, religion and Sabbath-keeping.
5. That Sabbatarian legalism just ends up condemning the innocent.
6. That the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
7. That natural common sense, even for animals would tell people to show compassion on the Sabbath.
8. That it is permissible to do good on the Sabbath.
9. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. It is there to serve our need for rest and relaxation not to be an onerous religious burden.
Jesus was not abolishing the Sabbath (that would happen on the cross) rather He was fulfilling its purpose as a day for freeing people, healing them and restoring them and as a day for showing kindness and compassion. The Sabbath was not just a day for being religious. It was a day for being loving. It w as not just a day for going to church. It was a day for feeding the hungry and healing the sick. God's Sabbath was not just a day for demonstrating your holiness and your zeal but for showing your concern for your neighbour and even your animals. It was who you were on the Sabbath not what you did on the Sabbath that was Jesus' chief concern. If you were as hard-hearted, cruel and vindictive as these Pharisees who ended up plotting murder on the Sabbath - then no matter what you "do" in terms of religious acts you are NOT keeping the Sabbath as God intended. (see Isaiah 58 which applies the same principles to fasting).
Don't Be Judgmental About The Sabbath
Paul lists Sabbath-keeping among the disputable things in Romans 14. Thus Sabbath-keeping was not an issue of first importance and certainly not essential for salvation. Good Christians could be on both sides of the issue. Many people who believe in keeping one day aside for God do so out of very real reverence for Him and not out of legalism or bondage to elemental spirits. They do so "unto the Lord" and they are not to be judged by those who see "all days alike" - and of course vice-versa. It is not an issue we are to judge one another on.
(Romans 14:1-6 NASB) Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. {2} …{5} One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. {6} He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
We are not to let people "act as our judge" on the issue. However if we do keep a Sabbath it should be as Jesus wanted it kept - as a day of compassion not of legalism. Personally I keep Sunday as a day of rest and of visiting friends and I try to make it a "computer free day" so I live in the real world in real relationships - not virtual ones. I see Sunday as a "day of personal restoration and reflection" and do not feel under any obligation to go to two services but I will normally go to one. I make sure there is plenty of space on Sunday for "being human". I run around a lot during the week and its great to crash out and snooze on Sunday afternoon. Sunday should be a day you look forward to with joy in anticipation of refreshment - not a day of even more busyness. I think that is catching the true Creation intent of a Sabbath.
Sabbaths Are Shadows
(Colossians 2:16-17 NASB) Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- {17} things which are amere shadowof what is to come; butthe substance belongs to Christ
(Galatians 4:9-11 NASB) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to theweak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? {10} You observe days and months and seasons and years. {11} I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
The Sabbath is a mere shadow. The substance - the real rest we have, is in Christ. Its simply not worth making a big deal over a shadow! Paul goes on to call these things "weak and worthless elemental things". In other words the Sabbath is a shadowy, weak, worthless, elemental thing. It is therefore NOT to be the major issue for believers that it often is. It is certainly not something we should feel enslaved to. (Gal 4:9) It is the "things to come" and the "substance" that is important - not Sabbaths, new moons, festivals etc. Christ is far above all this and it is Him we should seek.
Therefore answering the four main errors listed at the top of this chapter.
1. There are no binding Sabbaths on Christians therefore you do not have to obey the Sabbath to be saved.
2. There are no binding Sabbaths on Christians therefore the Sabbath is not compulsory.
3. The Jewish Sabbath is still Saturday but the Christian Sabbath is in Christ - not on Saturday or Sunday.
4. Sunday is the traditional day of worship for Christians but it is not a binding Sabbath that we must observe on that particular day. Days are shadows - the substance is Christ.
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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barrykind
Advanced Member
Member # 35
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posted
Sister Betty stated:
quote:
I worship God everyday and I attend Church on Wednesday night and Sunday. I make no apology for doing so.
i can appreciate worshiping the master on every day of the week, and we should, and im certainly not condeming you nor anyone else for loveing, worshiping, praying, studying about the lord or to the Lord..everyday of the week.
Thats not what this thread is about...its about and its title is:
quote:
Sabbath, saturday or sunday?
But the Sabbath is a set aside day set aside by Yahweh Himself before the Mosaic law was given.
Genesis 2:2
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
1.Exodus 16:23
And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
2.Exodus 16:25
And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field.
3.Exodus 16:26
Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
4.Exodus 16:29 )
See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
5.Exodus 20:8
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
6.Exodus 20:10
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
7.Exodus 20:11
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
8.Exodus 31:13
Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
9.Exodus 31:14
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
10.Exodus 31:15
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
11.Exodus 31:16
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
12.Exodus 35:2
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.
When you present an argument for ones beliefs, we must use and include scriptures.
For one's opinion is ones opinion.
Scripture, the precious word of Yahweh is what we must govern our doctrines on.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
We must study to show ourselves approved Sisters.
2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
bondservant
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Betty Louise
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Member # 7175
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posted
I worship God everyday and I attend Church on Wednesday night and Sunday. I make no apology for doing so.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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Sister Betty Posted:
quote:
I have been mislead in the past by SDA. I will NOT BE again.
betty
Brother Bill posted:
quote:
I stay clear of those that try to confuse the simplicity that is in Christ with many words of their opinion butchered from the Word not rightfully divided..
This has absolutely NOTHING whatsoever to do with 7th Day Adventist. This was settled some 1500 or so years before anyone ever heard of SDA.
When some one shows scores and scores of scriptures that all blend together and prove a point of Doctrine by using the timeless method of the scripture interpreting scripture. Please dont let some SDA close your mind to the truth.
That is one of the MOST TRAGIC mistake any of us can make dear Brothers and Sisters, if something is TRUTH; i dont care who believes in it, im prayerfully not going to reject it becausde the "Roman Catholic Church" or Herbert Armstrong, Branch Davidians believe it...
My goodness folks if we use that as our criteria we would certainly be in a mess.
Just saying;
Judge the facts, and study the scriptures and see, let us be as the Bereans and study the matter.
![[hug]](graemlins/hug.gif)
bondservan
barry
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
Posts: 3529 | From: Orange, Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
I challenge anyone to show me one line of scripture that states that the keeping of the literal Sabbath is no longer a commandment of Yahweh. To say so is to say that the Ten Commandments is no longer for today.
There are 1050 commandments in the New Testament (KJV). Not one of them says to keep the Sabbath.
New Testament Commandments
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WildB
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Member # 2917
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Betty Louise:
I have been mislead in the past by SDA. I will NOT BE again.
betty
I stay clear of those that try to confuse the simplicity that is in Christ with many words of their opinion butchered from the Word not rightfully divided..
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That is all.....
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Betty Louise
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Member # 7175
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posted
I have been mislead in the past by SDA. I will NOT BE again.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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barrykind
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Member # 35
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posted
So we put the Ten Commandments on the walls of Buildings and when the govt. tells us to take them down we are mad, stating it is our right!
Most every Church in the USA has the Ten Commandments on the wall of every Sunday School Room there is..................But we say it is the "Royal Law" and we are to follow this; BUT
not the 4th [fourth] Remember the Sabbath and Keep it HOLY!
Even the ones that conceed that we are to keep the Sabbath {MOST ALL} say it was changed to Sunday:
Ludicrous!
I can post hundreds of reasons why Friday nite at sundown til Sat nite at sundown is the true Sabbath and we are to "Remember" the Sabbath and Keep it Holy!
Before the "Mosaic" Law the Sabbath was in effect.
\My Goodness even first year Bible students Know that; One has to be "churched" out of believing that!
Brother BecauseHeLives answered satisfactoryly Sister Carol and Wildb's posts; but Caretaker had some comments i will go over:
First if your truly interested read the below disertation with scriptures to why the Sabbath is Friday [sundown] to sat [sundown] and why we are to keep it and how do we keep it!
Yahweh considered the Sabbath so important, so necessary for His human creation, that He kept it Himself. In fact, the crowning achievement in His creation of the vast universe--the last act He performed--was to bless, sanctify and rest on the seventh day:
Genesis 2:2 - And on the seventh day Elohim ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then Elohim blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which Elohim had created and made
Exodus 20:8 Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
The Sabbath was important enough to be included in the Ten Commandments. Yet, out of the Ten, most believe in ignoring the one commandment which tell us to "Remember" it.
Exod 20:9 (NKJV) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day [is] the Sabbath of the Yahweh your Elohim. [In] [it] you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who [is] within your gates. 11 For [in] six days Yahweh made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that [is] in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
All throughout history man has profaned the day Yahweh sanctified for rest. It was true even in the days when Isaiah was a prophet of Israel. Yahweh told him to stand in the gates of Jerusalem and instruct the rulers and people in Sabbath keeping, and rebuke them for their Sabbath desecration. (Isaiah 56:2-6, 58:13, 66:23)
150 years later the prophet Nehemiah asked the people:
Nehe 13:17 (NKJV) Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing [is] this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 "Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our Elohim bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."
He then put forth measures for proper Sabbath keeping
Today is no exception. Keeping the Sabbath is indeed not a popular thing. We find large numbers of people reserving the seventh day Sabbath for worldly things rather than for holy things. Many start out to work on Sabbath morning. Many others spend the day doing their dirtiest cleaning chores, attending sports activities, buying, selling and just overall ignoring the Sabbath commandment. In the last 50 years, even keeping the sabbath on the first day (Sunday) is ignored by those who believe in keeping it. Especially on days that it is inconvenient for them.
Many say that Yahushua defended Himself and His disciples for breaking the Sabbath. Think about this for a moment...If Yahushua broke the Sabbath then He did not keep the 4th commandment! Certainly our perfect Messiah kept the Sabbath and kept it perfectly. The issue was in how the Sabbath was to be kept. The scribes and pharisees had added over one thousand laws to Sabbath observance such as not carrying your bed or healing on the Sabbath.
John 5:8 (NKJV) Yahushua said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed , and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry [your] bed ." 11 He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, `Take up your bed and walk.' " 12 Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, `Take up your bed and walk'?" 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Yahushua had withdrawn, a multitude being in [that] place. 14 Afterward Yahushua found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." 15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Yahushua who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews persecuted Yahushua, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Yahushua answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Yahushua did not break the Sabbath according to Yahweh's commandment and neither did the man who was healed. But the Jews of that day had added these ideas of not healing, not carrying your bed and over a thousand other commandments of men that were added to Yahweh's commandment for the Sabbath. Yahushua emphasized that working for His purpose is never breaking the Sabbath. The Levites "broke" the Sabbath by sacrificing animals. Also circumcising a child on the Sabbath would have been forbidden if you could never work for His purpose. Yahweh knows the heart. That is why Yahushua said this.
Yahushua's custom was to go the the synagogue every Sabbath.
Luke 4:16 (NKJV) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
It was a normal thing in those days. The idea of not keeping the Sabbath did not exist among the Jews of that day. This is why Yahushua did not emphasize it as much as the other commandments. The leaders of the day emphasized the outward appearance of serving Yahweh, but neglected important matters such as justice, mercy and faith.
Matt 23:23 (NKJV) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier [matters] of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Note that Yahushua did say that "These you ought to have done". All too often people think all that is required of us is justice, mercy and faith because Yahushua had to emphasize it so much. Certainly these are important. But do not neglect the other points.
Yahushua is the founder of our faith. His teachings and example is in full harmony with Yahweh's will for our lives and is our highest authority. Did Yahushua abolish or change the Sabbath as a day for rest and worship? Yahushua declared Himself as "Master of the Sabbath". No scripture said that He had or would change the Sabbath, even after His death. Yahushua kept the commandments and came to set us an example. (John 8:55, 1Peter 2:21-22). In fact, Yahushua expects His followers in these last days to be praying about the Sabbath and keeping it:
Matt 24:20 (NKJV) And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
A common form of reasoning against Yahushua's example of keeping the Sabbath is that He only 'went along' with Sabbath observance so that the law would be fulfilled. The problem with this reasoning is that it could be applied as an excuse to do away with anything Yahushua ever said or did! What percentage of His words and deeds are we to discount? This reasoning has no basis in scripture, it is only an attempt to ignore the example that Yahushua has given and also the example that the Heavenly Father gave when He created all things.
Another form of reasoning often used against Yahushua's example of Sabbath observance is that He only kept it because He was a Jew. But was the Sabbath made for all mankind or for Jews only? What did Yahushua teach?
Mark 2:27 (NKJV) And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
While it is true that man was not made for the Sabbath, the Sabbath was made for man! Notice that Yahushua never said "The Sabbath was made for Jews, not Jews for the Sabbath," He plainly said the Sabbath was made for all mankind. When Yahweh rested on the 7th day as an example for us, a Jew did not even exist. Yahushua plainly knew the Scriptures when He said that the Sabbath was made for man:
Let's read the 56th chapter of Isaiah:
It doesn't say "Blessed is the Jew that doeth this." In fact..
Isaiah 56:3 - Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to YAHWEH, speak, saying, YAHWEH hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
4 - For thus saith YAHWEH unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
5 - Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
6 - Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to YAHWEH, to serve him, and to love the name of YAHWEH, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
7 - Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
This proves that the Sabbath was intended for anyone who has "Joined himself to Yahweh" for Yahweh says that "EVERYONE who keeps from defiling the Sabbath" will be accepted in His sight. To be certain, it is written that everyone will be observing His Sabbath day after the resurrection:
Isaiah 66:22 - For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me,
saith YAHWEH, so shall your seed and your name remain.
23 - And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath
to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith YAHWEH.
"All flesh" will be observing a regular Sabbath, not just Israelites or Jews therefore the teaching that Yahushua only kept the Sabbath because He was/is Jewish is simply false and not founded on any scripture whatsoever.
The disciples kept the Sabbath
Even the Apostle Paul, after being accused of teaching that the law had been abolished, said that He keeps the commandments:
Acts 24:14 (NKJV) "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
Acts 25:8 (NKJV) while he answered for himself, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all."
Now, unless Paul was lying here he had to have been keeping the Sabbath. In fact, he said that he didn't teach anything other than what the "Old Testament" writers taught:
Acts 26:22 (NKJV) "Therefore, having obtained help from Yahweh, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come-- 23 "that the Messiah would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the [Jewish] people and to the Gentiles."
Many people would like to add: "......and abolish the law, especially the Sabbath." But this is very simply not there. You would think that such a momentous event as doing away with the Sabbath would be heavily prophesied in the Old Testament. But there is not a word about it. Rather to the contrary! (More on this later)
Even in the New Testament time period we see that the Gentiles and the Jews were keeping the Sabbath together in the Synagogue:
Acts 18:4 - And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Truly, the Sabbath was not for Jews only. James knew what day the Gentiles would be gathered:
Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to YAHWEH:
20 - But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 - For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
It was well known by James and others there that the Gentiles would be keeping the Sabbath and therefore would be in the synagogue on the Sabbath day and there they would learn more about Yahweh's law.
James also stated the same thing in his writings:
James 2:2 - For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 - and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool,"
The word that is translated "assembly" in this scripture (verse 2) is the Strong's greek word 4864 "Sunagoge", translated synagogue 55 times in the new testament. I do wonder how many people honestly believe this scripture:
Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in the Messiah Yahushua.
If you believe this then you cannot say that Yahweh holds one standard for one race of people and another standard for another race of people. This is not truth! Yahweh's law was never meant to be double sided.
Did Paul do one thing and preach another? Did he preach that the Sabbath had been abolished but yet keep the Sabbath himself? Did He really call the Galatians (some of whom were Jewish) "foolish" for observing the Sabbath day and then be a hypocrite by observing it himself?
I challenge anyone to show me one line of scripture that states that the keeping of the literal Sabbath is no longer a commandment of Yahweh. To say so is to say that the Ten Commandments is no longer for today.
Some might cite Colossians 2. Read the study on Colossians 2 and see for yourself that indeed it PROVES that the keeping of the Sabbath is for today and has not been abolished.
Exod 31:13 (NKJV) "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: `Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it [is] a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that [you] may know that I [am] Yahweh who sanctifies you.
The Sabbath is a sign between Yahweh and His people forever. And not just Israel, but for all who enjoin themselves unto the blessings and promises of Israel by accepting Yahushua the Messiah.
Isai 56:3 (NKJV) Do not let the son of the foreigner Who has joined himself to Yahweh Speak, saying, "Yahweh has utterly separated me from His people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "Here I am, a dry tree." 4 For thus says Yahweh: "To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, And choose what pleases Me, And hold fast My covenant, 5 Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off. 6 "Also the sons of the foreigner Who join themselves to Yahweh, to serve Him, And to love the name of Yahweh, to be His servants--Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, And holds fast My covenant--
We know that not just Israel was to keep the Sabbath, but EVERYONE.
The Sabbath will also be kept when Yahushua returns:
Isai 66:22 (NKJV) "For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says Yahweh, "So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass [That] from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me," says Yahweh.
Many have said that they believe that we should be keeping the Sabbath on the first day of the week (Sunday). Others say that we should keep every day as a Sabbath. What does the word of Yahweh have to say about these things? Lets examine the first statement concerning the first day of the week being the Sabbath. There are only eight passages in scripture that speak of the first day of the week. They are often used to "prove" a change of the Sabbath to Sunday so lets look at all eight to see whether any of them prescribes, allows or supports changing the Sabbath to the first day of the week.
Matt 28:1 (NKJV) Now after the Sabbath, as the first [day] of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.
The two Mary's waited until the ending of the Sabbath--as the first day of the week began to dawn--before they went to Yahushua's sepulchre. Being Sabbath observers, it is reasonable that they would wait until the ending of the Sabbath and the beginning of the first day of the week before venturing out. This scripture says nothing of changing the Sabbath.
Mark 16:1 (NKJV) Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary [the] [mother] of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first [day] of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
As Matthew 28:1 shows, the two women observed the Sabbath before venturing out on their mission to anoint the body of our Savior. They had the spices already purchased before the Sabbath. Now was a regular work day for them and not a new day of worship, as some claim.
Mark 16:9 (KJV) Now when [Yahushua] was risen early the first [day] of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
Just because Yahushua appeared to Mary Magdalene on the first day of the week, it does not mean that He changed the Sabbath to Sunday. There is no statement here even hinting that.
Luke 24:1 (NKJV) Now on the first [day] of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain [other] [women] with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Master Yahushua.
Clearly, Yahushua was already risen and gone before sunrise, which raises the question as to why there are Easter sunrise services? But again, nothing is said about resting or changing the Sabbath to Sunday.
John 20:1 (NKJV) Now on the first [day] of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw [that] the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
John's account coincides with the others and still there is no mention of changing the Sabbath to a different day.
John 20:19 (NKJV) Then, the same day at evening, being the first [day] of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Yahushua came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace [be] with you."
Some claim that this was a 'secret' meeting to change the Sabbath to Sunday. But the passage says Yahushua came and stood among them. He had died, was buried and had risen. The disciples, now locked in a room, were hiding from the Jews now that the Messiah had died. Suddenly, Yahushua stood in their midst. This would have been the perfect time to set them straight and now tell them that their had been a change in the Sabbath to the first day of the week. But their is no mention of anything of this sort. A week later, when Thomas had doubts about Yahushua, the Savior returned, but said nothing about worshipping on the first day of the week.
Acts 20:7 (NKJV) Now on the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
This is probably the scripture most quoted by those who believe that the Sabbath day was changed. Following Sabbath services, they had gathered in the evening (Saturday night). Paul was an esteemed visitor. Undoubtedly everyone wanted to talk with him after the Sabbath. They probably had many questions to ask him. This was not a Sunday worship service, but an after dinner talk lasting until midnight. Again, there is no mention of a change in the Sabbath
1Cor 16:1 (NKJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
We find in Acts 11:28-30 and Romans 15:26 that the people in Jerusalem were having a great famine. The brethren were in dire need of food and help. Paul wants the brethren to prepare a collection of food and clothing on the first day of the week and keep it at home. He would come by and pick up the collections, bringing them to the needy in Jerusalem. This had nothing to do with bringing an offering to any meeting or worship service. It was a time consuming gathering of foodstuffs and clothing for the needy which the Corinthians were to do for transporting to Jerusalem. Now notice: Paul is not telling the people to "rest and worship---but to WORK by preparing the collections. The word day in the King James is in italics. This means that it is not in the ancient manuscripts. "Day" has been added because the translators assumed that Paul meant Sunday. Rather than reading "the first day of the week" we should be reading "the first of the week." It could have been Sunday, Monday or even Tuesday and still have been the first part of the week.
There are many scriptures that verify the Sabbath day being the 7th day of the week. All throughout the 'New testament', the first day of the week is called "The first day of the week" and the 7th day of the week is called "The Sabbath". This fact alone should prove when the Sabbath truly is.
However, let us examine the pattern of the disciples after Yahushua's resurrection in the book of acts to determine what day that they attended Sabbath Services and what day they expected others to observe. We will keep a count of how many times the Sabbath is observed.
We see one example in Acts 17:1...
Acts 17:1 (NKJV) Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Acts 17:2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, Acts 17:3 explaining and demonstrating that the Messiah had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and [saying], "This Yahushua whom I preach to you is the Messiah." Acts 17:4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
Here we see that Paul went to a Sabbath service where there were both Jews and Greeks. The scripture also mentions that this was a regular custom of Paul. Was this also the custom of Yahushua the Messiah?
Luke 4:16 (NKJV) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
So here we can see that 22 years after Yahushua's death and resurrection the disciples were attending Sabbath services. In no place do we see Paul or any other disciple teaching them that they should come back the next day for a 'first day of the week' service. But they went to three Sabbath services where there were both Jews and Greeks present. So then the doctrine that says the Jews have their day (the 7th day) and the Gentiles have their day (the 1st day) is foreign to scripture.
Some would argue that Paul was at the synagogue only because that is where he would find people to witness to...not to observe the Sabbath. But the scripture does not say that. This is an assumption that those who refuse the simplicity of the scriptures want to make, not one that the scriptures support. Again, the Seventh Day is called "The Sabbath day" in this passage.
So lets see where we are at now..
Seventh day - 3 First day - 0
Another example is found in Acts 13...
Acts 13:13 (NKJV) Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. Acts 13:15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men [and] brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on."
So here is another example where Paul and the other disciples came to the Synagogue in Perga to attend the Sabbath Service.
Seventh day - 4 First day - 0
A little later in the chapter, after Paul shares Yahushua with them we see that the Gentiles were quite interested.
Acts 13:42 (NKJV) So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
Now here is a perfect situation for Paul to tell these Gentiles "Hey just come back tomorrow, we keep the Sabbath on the first day now!" But we don't see this written anywhere in scripture.
Acts 13:43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of Yahweh Acts 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of Yahweh.
So here is the fifth time that the disciples attended a Sabbath service on the day that Yahweh sanctified at creation. Again, the seventh day is called "the Sabbath" in this passage.
Seventh day - 5 First day - 0
Here is another example in Acts 16...
Acts 16:11 (NKJV) Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next [day] came to Neapolis, Acts 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met [there].
It was the custom of the Jews of that day for the rabbi to shut down the synagogue if there were not at least 10 men that would show up for the Sabbath meeting. This could very well be why there were women meeting by the riverside for prayer. Nevertheless, we see that the disciples sought a place to meet for the Sabbath and they did. Again, the seventh day is called "the Sabbath Day" in this passage.
Seventh day - 6 First day - 0
Acts 18:1 (NKJV) After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. Acts 18:2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. Acts 18:3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
So we see that he worked on the other days as a tentmaker...but on the Sabbath He was not. And here again we see that both Jews and Greeks are in the synagogue and on the Sabbath. Paul also is among them attending the Sabbath services. The interesting thing about this verse is that instead of the scripture saying that they attended only one or three sabbath services, it says that he was there every Sabbath persuading both Jews and Greeks. Again, the seventh day is called "the Sabbath" in this passage so we know that we can at least count one. Let's do that..
Seventh day - 7 First day - 0
Now if Paul was in Corinth and was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath, if we could find out how long he stayed in Corinth then we would know how many Sabbaths he actually attended. Let's look furthur..
Acts 18:5 (NKJV) When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews [that] Yahushua [is] the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook [his] garments and said to them, "Your blood [be] upon your [own] heads; I [am] clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain [man] named Justus, [one] who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Master with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized. 9 Now the Master spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." 11 And he continued [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
A year and six months! Finally the ruler of the synagogue was converted to Yahushua and Paul was there a year and six months! So the scripture says that Paul was there every Sabbath and that he was there for a year and six months. If we counted this by our present calendar that would give us 52 Sabbaths in a year plus 26 Sabbaths in the following six months which gives us a total of 78 Sabbaths! Now lets add this to our present total:
Seventh Day - 84 First day - 0
So we can see that the disciples observed the Sabbath and attended a Sabbath service 84 times in the book of acts alone! Again, the seventh day is called "the Sabbath" in this passage.
Now how many times do we see them meeting together on the first day? Some would cite one example in Acts 20. Let's examine the text...
Acts 20:6 (NKJV) But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Acts 20:7 Now on the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
Here we see an example of the disciples gathering together on the first day of the week. There is no mention of a Sabbath being observed in this verse. Nowhere is this day called "The Sabbath". In fact, we know that Paul was ready to depart the next day. According to verse 7, Paul spoke to them a message because for this very reason.
Now some would say that coming together to 'break bread' constitutes a meeting that includes the observance of partaking in Yahushua's body. But this is not true...consider this verse:
Acts 2:44 (NKJV) Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising Yahweh and having favor with all the people. And Yahweh added to the assembly daily those who were being saved.
According to this scripture, breaking bread was not an uncommon thing to do on a daily basis. It was one of the customs in those days to eat their 'daily bread'. Even in Yahushua's prayer He said "Give us this day our daily bread".
So we cannot confirm that this scripture in Acts 20 is a Sabbath day observance. In fact, nowhere does it say that the first day of the week is the Sabbath. But the 7th day of the week is always called "the Sabbath" in the 'new testament.' Unless you don't believe in the New Testament, you would have to conclude that this was not a Sabbath meeting. So what was it really? Many may not realize that in scripture, a new day begins at sundown. This would mean that at sundown on 'Saturday', the first day of the week begins. This was most probably an 'after Sabbath' fellowship meal where Paul continued to speak until midnight because he wanted to get as much teaching in as possible before he departed the next day.
Nevertheless some will hang onto this one verse so that they don't have to forsake tradition and keep the true Sabbath. But you can search the scriptures from Genesis to Revelations and you will not find a single verse that says His Sabbath was changed to a different day. There is not a single verse that tells us that the Ten Commandments are not to be kept. And there is not a single verse that prophesied either of these two events occurring! In fact, the scriptures declare the seventh day to be the Sabbath in the Law, in the words of the prophets, in the writings about Yahushua and in the acts of the apostles as well as in the scriptures that speak of Yahweh's kingdom. Therefore that final tally will remain at:
Seventh Day - 84 | First day - 0
There is also evidence that the early disciples kept the Sabbath on the true day:
"The primitive Christians did keep the Sabbath of the Jews;.therefore the Christians for a long time together, did keep their conventions on the Sabbath, in which some portion of the Law were read: and this continued till the time of the Laodicean council." The Whole Works of Jeremey Taylor, Vol. IX, p416 (R. Heber's Edition, Vol.XII, p.416)
"The ancient Christians were very careful in the observation of Saturday, or the seventh day..It is plain that all the Oriental churches, and the greatest part of the world, observed the Sabbath as a festival...Athanasius likewise tells us that they held religious assemblies on the Sabbath, not because they were infected with Judaism, but to worship [Yahushua], the [Master] of the Sabbath, Epiphanius says the same." Antiquities of the Christian Church, Vol. II, Book XX, chap. 3, Sec. 1, 66.1137, 1138
"Ambrose, the celebrated bishop of Milan, said that when he was in Milan he observed Saturday, but when in Rome observed Sunday. This gave rise to the proverb 'When you are in Rome, do as Rome does,' " Heylyn, The History of the Sabbath, 1613
Constantine later enforced keeping a Sabbath on the first day of the week, which he calls "the venerable day of the sun." Venerable means 'commanding respect'.
The text of Constantine's Sunday Law of 321 A.D. is:
"One the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."
This doesn't even really sound like Yahweh's Sabbath which forbids any kind of work at all on His day!
Later, those who observed the Sabbath were persecuted and killed by the Catholic church. When the Jesuit St. Francis Xavier arrived in India he immediately requested to the pope to set up the Inquisition there.
"The Jewish wickedness" of which Xavier complained was evidently the Sabbath-keeping among those native Christians as we shall see in our next quotation. When one of these Sabbath-keeping Christians was taken by the Inquisition he was accused of having *Judaized*; which means having conformed to the ceremonies of the Mosaic Law; such as not eating pork, hare, fish without scales, of having attended the solemnization of the Sabbath." Account of the Inquisition at Goa, Dellon, p.56. London, 1815
"Of an hundred persons condemned to be burnt as Jews, there are scarcely four who profess that faith at their death; the rest exclaiming and protesting to their last gasp that they are Christians, and have been so during their whole lives." Ibid p.64
Today, some of the leading Baptists even have admitted that the Sunday Sabbath isn't in the scriptures:
"There was and is a commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath day was not on Sunday...It will be said, however, and with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week....where can the record of such a transaction be found? Not in the New Testament. Of course, I quite well know that Sunday did come into use in early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from the Christian Fathers and other sources. But what a pity that it comes branded with the mark of paganism, and christened with the name of a sun god, when adopted and sanctioned by the papal apostasy, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to Protestantism!" Dr. Edward Hiscox, author of The Baptist Manual
Those who think that since we are in Yahushua, everyday is the Sabbath would think twice if they knew that if this were the case, then they would never be permitted to work or do anything having to do with our own pleasures on the Sabbath. There are many blessings attached to keeping the Sabbath day holy. So lets find out what it means to keep this day Holy:
Deut 5:13 (NKJV) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day [is] the Sabbath of Yahweh your Elohim. [In] [it] you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who [is] within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
So not only are we to rest, but those who work for us are to rest also. If we own a business, it is not acceptable to have all the employees working while we enjoy a restful Sabbath day. This commandment also includes anyone who we temporarily hire to work for us. For instance, when we go to restaurants we are hiring the cook and the waiter and the person who rings up the bill as a servant to work for us. Also anytime we purchase anything on the Sabbath such as groceries and other merchandise we are hiring others to stock the shelves, clean up and ring up the bill for us because we are paying for their service when we purchase the items. Nehemiah rebukes buying and selling quite sharply in this scripture:
Nehe 13:15 (NKJV) In those days I saw [people] in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all [kinds] [of] burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned [them] about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold [them] on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing [is] this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 "Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our Elohim bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath."
So buying and selling is clearly forbidden on the Sabbath. Going to restaurants and shopping malls and grocery stores is no way to keep the Sabbath holy. The Sabbath is a day of rest and prayer and worship. Not a day for doing our own pleasures:
Isai 58:13 "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, [From] doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy [day] of Yahweh honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking [your] [own] words, 14 Then you shall delight yourself in Yahweh; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of Yahweh has spoken."
So keeping the Sabbath day holy not only means that we aren't to buy or sell, but also means that we are to refrain from our own pleasures such as sporting events, television, movies, etc. Also we are not even to speak our own words! Even our speech should be about Yahweh and His word. I assure you, if we keep the Sabbath day in this manner it will be much easier keeping Yahweh's commandments because we have one day each week to refresh ourselves spiritually. It is a day that we can look forward to during the week that we can fully refresh ourselves both physically and spiritually. Yahweh never made our bodies to withstand constant labor day after day. It is no wonder that so many people we meet are so tired all of the time. And it is no wonder that people often fall away
Cooking and Preparation day.
When Yahweh brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, he re-instituted the Sabbath day. No doubt that the Egyptians expected them to work seven days a week. Here is Moses telling the children of Israel what they should do in preparation for the Sabbath:
Exod 16:23 (NKJV) Then he said to them, "This [is] [what] Yahweh has said: `Tomorrow [is] a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to Yahweh. Bake what you will bake [today], and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.' "
On preparation day, we should prepare our food that will be eaten on the Sabbath so that we will not have to cook or prepare it on the Sabbath. There are many variations of how to do this which will not be discussed in this study. I encourage all who want to know more to either email me or study it out for themselves.
What is permitted on the Sabbath?
Now there are some things that are always okay to do on the Sabbath that the Scribes and Pharisees in Yahushua's day would think forbidden:
John 5:10 (NKJV) The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry [your] bed."
Luke 13:14 (NKJV) But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Yahushua had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, "There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day."
Luke 6:7 (NKJV) So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
Luke 6:1 (NKJV) Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate [them], rubbing [them] in [their] hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, "Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?"
Note that in the above verses that the issue was not whether or not to keep the Sabbath but rather how the Sabbath should be kept! Let's look at Yahushua's response to these accusations:
Healing on the Sabbath:
Luke 13:15 (NKJV) The Master then answered him and said, "Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead [it] away to water it? 16 "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound--think of it--for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
Luke 14:5 (NKJV) Then He answered them, saying, "Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?" 6 And they could not answer Him regarding these things.
John 5:16 (NKJV) For this reason the Jews persecuted Yahushua, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Yahushua answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."
Mark 2:27 (NKJV) And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
John 7:22 (NKJV) "Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 "If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?
Also take into consideration that the Levites sacrificed animals on the Sabbath day and therefore had to work. This is Yahushua's answer to them when the disciples began to pluck grain to eat on the Sabbath:
Matt 12:3 (NKJV) But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 "how he entered the house of Yahweh and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests ? 5 "Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath , and are blameless? 6 "Yet I say to you that in this place there is [One] greater than the temple. 7 "But if you had known what [this] means, `I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless
Yahweh expects us to keep the Sabbath day holy. But it is always ok to do good on the Sabbath day and clearly Yahushua and the disciples did not have time to prepare for the Sabbath because they were doing Yahweh's work. So if we have to do a little work on the Sabbath or cause another to do a little work on the Sabbath for Yahweh's purpose then this is not breaking the Sabbath. Of course one could take this to the extreme as well and say that it is impossible for them to refrain from going to work on the Sabbath or they would be fired and then not have any food. This is ridiculous. Yahweh will provide for us. We needn't be concerned about our food if we are obeying His Sabbath.
So, in summary we can see that Yahweh wants us to keep His Sabbath Holy by not working, buying, selling, causing others to work for us, speaking idle or vain words or doing our own pleasures on the Sabbath. There are only exceptions if we are fulfilling Yahweh's purpose for something. And this I leave to one's own heart for only Yahweh knows our heart. To add a bunch of laws to try and apply to specific situations is legalism. And this is what the scribes and Pharisees were practicing. Yahushua clearly taught against that.
Baptist: Sunday Sabbath not in the scriptures
"There was and is a commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath day was not on Sunday...It will be said, however, and with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week....where can the record of such a transaction be found? Not in the New Testament. Of course, I quite well know that Sunday did come into use in early Christian history as a religious day, as we learn from the Christian Fathers and other sources. But what a pity that it comes branded with the mark of paganism, and christened with the name of a sun god, when adopted and sanctioned by the papal apostasy, and bequeathed as a sacred legacy to Protestantism!" Dr. Edward Hiscox, author of The Baptist Manual
"There was never any formal or authoritative change from the Jewish seventh day Sabbath to the Christian first day observance" William Owen Carver, The Lord's Day in One Day p.49
Roman Catholic: No such law in the bible
"Nowhere in the bible do we find that [Yahushua] or the apostles ordered that the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of [Yahweh] given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath day, that is, the seventh day of the week, Saturday. Today, most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the [Roman] church outside the bible." Catholic Virginian, Oct. 3, 1947
Question: "Have you not any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?"
Answer: "Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her - she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority" Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism 3rd ed. p. 174
Some theologians have held that G-d likewise directly determined the Sunday as the day of worship in the NEW LAW, that he himself has explicitly substituted Sunday for the Sabbath. But this theory is entirely abandoned. It is now commonly held that G-d simply gave His church the power to set aside whatever day or days she would deem suitable as holy days. The church chose Sunday, the first day of the week, and in the course of time added other days as holy days." John Laux A Course in Religion for Catholic High Schools and Academies 1936, vol. 1 p. 51
Anglican/Episcopal: The Catholics changed it
"We have made the change from the seventh day to the first day, from Saturday to Sunday, on the authority of the one holy Catholic Church" Bishop Seymour Why We Keep Sunday
Lutheran: They err in teaching Sunday Sabbath
But they err in teaching that Sunday has taken the place of the Old Testament Sabbath and therefore must be kept as the seventh day had to be kept by the children of Israel.....These churches err in their teaching, for scripture has in no way ordained the first day of the week in place of the Sabbath. There is simply no law in the New Testament to that effect" John Theodore Mueller, Sabbath or Sunday, pp.15, 16
"We have seen how gradually the impression of the Jewish Sabbath faded from the mind of the Christian church, and how completely the newer thought underlying the observance of the first day too possession of the church. We have seen that the Christian of the first three centuries never confused one with the other, but for a time celebrated both." The Sunday Problem, a study book by the Lutheran Church (1923) p.36
"They [Roman Catholics] refer to the Sabbath Day, as having been changed into the L-rd's Day, contrary to the Decalogue, as it seems. Neither is there any example whereof they make more than concerning the changing of the Sabbath Day. Great, say they, is the power of the Church, since it has dispensed with one of the Ten commandments!" Augsburg Confession of Faith, art. 28;written by Melanchthon and approved by Martin Luther, 1530; as published in The Book of Concord of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Henry Jacobs, editor (1911), p.63
Presbyterian: Sunday kept the Gentiles happy
"Sunday being the first day of which the Gentiles solemnly adored that planet and called it Sunday, partly from its influence on that day especially, and partly in respect to its divine body (as they conceived it) the Christians thought fit to keep the same day and the same name of it, that they might not appear carelessly peevish, and by that means hinder the conversion of the Gentiles, and bring a greater prejudice that might be otherwise taken against the gospel" T.M. Morer, Dialogues on the L-rd's Day
Moody Bible Institute: "Sabbath was before Sinai"
"The Sabbath was binding in Eden, and it has been in force ever since. This Fourth Commandment begins with the word 'remember,' showing that the Sabbath had already existed when [Yahweh] wrote the law on the tables of stone at Sinai. How can men claim that this one commandment has been done away with when they admit that the other nine are still binding? D.L. Moody, Weighed and Wanting, p.47
Methodist: Yahushua did not abolish the moral law
The moral law contained in the Ten Commandments, and enforced by the prophets, He [Yahushua] did not take away. It was not the design of His coming to revoke any part of this. This is a law which can never be broken...Every part of this law must remaining force upon all mankind and in all ages; as not depending either on time or place, or any other circumstances liable to change, but on the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other." John Wesley, Sermons on Several Occasions, Vol.1, No. 25
"Take the matter of Sunday. There are indications in the new testament as to how the church came to keep the first day of the week as its day of worship, but there is no passage telling Christians to keep that day or to transfer the Jewish Sabbath to that day." Harris Franklin Rall, Christian Advocate July 2, 1942 pg. 26
There is no biblical command, example or even inference that the Sabbath day has been abolished or changed to the first day of the week. Following Yahushua's death, the Sabbath was observed by His followers. The first day of the week (beginning Saturday at sunset) they came to the tomb to anoint His body. But they found His tomb empty. At His first appearance since His resurrection, Yahushua found His disciples behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jews. This was not to celebrate the resurrection. They did not believe that He had risen! It was the earliest opportunity He had to go and prove to the disciples that He was not dead, but living.
No scripture concerning the first day of the week gives authority to replace Sabbath worship with Sunday observance. Whether these eight New Testament passages even refer to Sunday is not entirely clear. In each of the verses, the word day appears in Italics or parentheses in the King James and New King James. That means that the word day did not exist in the original manuscripts. It was assumed by translators who brought the Greek into English.
To say that the Sabbath has been changed to the first day of the week is to say that the Ten commandments are no longer necessary to keep. For one of the commandments is:
Exod 20:9 (NKJV) Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day [is] the Sabbath of Yahweh your Elohim.
It is the day that He sanctified at Creation:
Gene 2:2 (NKJV) And on the seventh day Elohim ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then Elohim blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which Elohim had created and made
The Ten commandments were written in stone by Yahweh's own finger.
Reve 11:19 (NKJV) Then the temple of Yahweh was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
Do you suppose that the 4th commandment is cut out of the Ten Commandments in this ark? Or do you suppose that the 4th commandment has the entire section about Him resting on the 7th day scratched out? All of the Ten Commandments were written in stone to signify that it is forever. We must beware of spiritualizing away something that has its original kept safe in heaven. And I for one can tell you, keeping the true Sabbath the way that we should be keeping it reaps eternal blessings!
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The HEART of the issue is truly the issue of the HEART!
John 3:3;Mark 8:34-38;James 1:27
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Betty Louise
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Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday?
by Matt Slick
In the Old Testament, God stated, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you," (Exodus 20:8-10, NASB). It was the custom of the Jews to come together on the Sabbath, which is Saturday, cease work, and worship God. Jesus went to the synagogue on Saturday to teach (Matt. 12:9, John 18:20) as did the apostle Paul (Acts 17:2; 18:4; ). So, if in the Old Testament we are commanded to keep the Sabbath and in the New Testament we see Jews, Jesus, and the apostles doing the same thing, then why do we worship on Sunday?
First of all, of the 10 commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17, only 9 of them were reinstituted in the New Testament: (six in Matt. 19:18, murder, adultery, stealing, false witness, honor parents, and worshiping God; Rom. 13:9, coveting. Worshiping God properly covers the first three commandments) The one that was not reaffirmed was the one about the Sabbath. Instead, Jesus said that He is the Lord of the Sabbath (Matt. 12:8).
Upon the completion of Creation God rested... on the seventh day. But, since God is all powerful, He doesn’t get tired. He doesn’t need to take a break and rest. So, why did does it say that He rested? The reason is simple: Mark 2:27 says, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath." In other words, God established the Sabbath as a rest for His people, not because He needed a break, but because we are mortal and need a time of rest, a time to focus on God. In this, our spirits and bodies are both renewed.
The Old Testament system of Law required keeping the Sabbath as part of the overall moral, legal, and sacrificial system by which the Jewish people satisfied God’s requirements for behavior, government, and forgiveness of sins. The Sabbath was part of the Law in that sense. In order to "remain" in favor with God, you had to also keep the Sabbath. If it was not kept, then the person was in sin and would often be punished (Ezekiel 18:4; Rom. 6:23; Deut. 13:1-9; Num. 35:31; Lev. 20:2, etc.).
But with Jesus’ atonement, we are no longer required to keep the Law. We are not under Law, but grace (Rom. 6:14-15). The Sabbath is fulfilled in Jesus. He is our rest. We are not under obligation, by Law, to keep it and this goes for the Sabbath as well. It is not a requirement that we keep the Sabbath. If it were, then we would still be under the Law. But, we are not.
Evidence of the Change of Days can be Seen in the NT
The New Testament has ample evidence that the seventh day Sabbath is no longer a requirement.
* Rom. 14:5-6, "One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God."
The entire section of Rom. 14:1-12 is worth careful study. Nevertheless, the instructions here are that individuals must be convinced in their own minds about which day they observe for the Lord. If the seventh day Sabbath were a requirement, then the choice would not be man's, but God’s.
* Col. 2:16-17, "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ."
Notice here that time sequence mentioned. A festival is yearly. A new moon is monthly. A Sabbath is weekly. No one is to judge in regard to this. The Sabbath is defined as a shadow, the reality is Jesus. Jesus is our Sabbath.
* Acts 20:7, "And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight."
The first day of the week is Sunday and this is the day the people gathered. This passage can easily be seen as the church meeting on Sunday. It has two important church functions within it: breaking bread (communion) and a message (preaching). Additionally, Luke did not use the Jewish system of counting days: sundown to sundown. He used the Roman system: midnight to midnight. This is a subtle point that shows the Jewish Sabbath system was not the one utilized by Luke.
* 1 Cor. 16:1-2, "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come."
Notice here that Paul is directing the churches to meet on the first day of each week and put money aside. It would seem that this is tithing. So, the instructed time for the church to meet is Sunday. Is this an official worship day set up by the church? You decide.
* Rev. 1:10-11, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea."
The New Bible Dictionary says regarding the term, ‘The Lord’s Day’ in Revelation 1:10: "This is the first extant occurrence in Christian literature of heµ kyriakeµ heµmera. The adjectival construction suggests that it was a formal designation of the church’s worship day. As such it certainly appears early in the 2nd century (Ignatius, Epistle to the Magnesians, 1. 67).
In many churches today, the term "The Lord’s Day" is used to designate Sunday, the same as it was in the second century.
I hope this is evidence enough to show you that the Bible does not require that we worship on Saturday. If anything, we have the freedom (Rom. 14:1-12) to worship on the day that we believe we should. And, no one should judge us in regard to the day we keep. We are free in Christ, not under law (Rom. 6:14).
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Posts: 5051 | From: Houston, Texas | Registered: May 2008
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
Originally posted by becauseHElives:
if you do not add true repentance to the cross you have nothing.....
if you do not add take up your cross and follow Yahshua you have nothing....
obedience to Yahshua's commands are not legal requirements but evidence of a changed heart, a New Birth...
The olive tree (Romans 11:16-24)
If you have not been grafted in you are no part of Yahweh!
I agree with all that. But are you saying that a person has to keep the Sabbath before he can be reborn, or are you saying a person has to keep the Sabbath after he is reborn?
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Caretaker
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Heb. 9:
1: Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary.
2: For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.
3: And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
4: Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
5: And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
8: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10: Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12: Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
5. The ten commandments (tablets) are part of the first covenant that was replaced by the new covenant of Heb 8:13
* Notice that the Ten Commandments were the first abolished covenant: Heb 8:13 "When He said, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. "Now even the first covenant had ... the TABLES OF THE COVENANT." Heb 9:1-4
* 2 Corinthians 3:2-11 The abolished Old Covenant was the 10 commandments:
2: Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4: And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
5: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6: Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7: But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9: For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10: For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11: For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
That which was written on Stone Tablets is DONE AWAY, fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord on the Cross of Calvary.
Col. 2:
11: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13: And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14: Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15: And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16: Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
18: Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19: And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
20: Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21: (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22: Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23: Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
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plankeye p
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"What day is the real Sabbath and why?"
The day? The seventh day.
Why? God said so.
Peace
p.i.p.
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i am what "I AM" says i am
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becauseHElives
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if you do not add true repentance to the cross you have nothing.....
if you do not add take up your cross and follow Yahshua you have nothing....
obedience to Yahshua's commands are not legal requirements but evidence of a changed heart, a New Birth...
The olive tree (Romans 11:16-24)
If you have not been grafted in you are no part of Yahweh!
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Carol Swenson
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That's right Betty. There is no Christ plus...
plus the Sabbath
plus Baptism
plus the law
plus plus plus
We can add nothing to the cross of Christ.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Betty Louise
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This is what Paul said to those who were teaching that Christians had to go under the law or become a Jew before they could be saved:
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The Bible does not say: If we confess Jesus as our Lord of our life and WORSHIP ON SATURDAY, we shall be saved.
Again adding the burden of Sabbath worship is going back to the law. Paul would be offended at such teaching.
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
The Church is the Israel of Yahweh!
The church and Israel are separate
The olive tree (Romans 11:16-24)
This is a symbol of the nation of Israel (Jer. 11:16-17; Hosea 14:4-6). Please keep in mind that Paul was not discussing the relationship of individual believers to God, but the place of Israel in the plan of God. The roots of the tree support the tree; again, this was a symbol of the patriarchs who founded the nation. God made His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and He cannot deny them or change them. Thus, it is God’s promise to Abraham that sustains Israel even today.
Many of the Jewish people did not believe. Paul pictured them as branches broken off the tree. But he saw an amazing thing taking place: other branches were grafted into the tree to share in the life of the tree. These branches were the Gentiles. In Romans 11:24, Paul described this “grafting in” as “contrary to nature.” Usually a cultivated branch is grafted into a wild tree and shares its life without producing its poor fruit. But in this case, it was the “wild branch” (the Gentiles) that was grafted into the good tree! “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).
To say that the olive tree, with its natural and grafted branches, is a picture of the church would be a great mistake. In the church, “there is no difference”; believers are “all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). God does not look on the members of Christ’s body and see them as Jews or Gentiles. The olive tree illustrates the relationship between Jew and Gentile in the program of God. The “breaking off of the branches” is the equivalent of “the fall” (Rom. 11:11), “the diminishing” (Rom. 11:12), and “the casting away” (Rom. 11:15). To read into this illustration the matter of the eternal destiny of the individual believer is to abuse the truth Paul was seeking to communicate.
Paul warned the Gentiles that they were obligated to Israel, and therefore they dared not boast of their new spiritual position (Rom. 11:18-21). The Gentiles entered into God’s plan because of faith, and not because of anything good they had done. Paul was discussing the Gentiles collectively, and not the individual experience of one believer or another.
It is worth noting that, according to Bible prophecy, the professing Gentile church will be “cut off” because of apostasy. First Timothy 4 and 2 Timothy 3, along with 2 Thessalonians 2, all indicate that the professing church in the last days will depart from the faith. There is no hope for the apostate church, but there is hope for apostate Israel! Why? Because of the roots of the olive tree. God will keep His promises to the patriarchs, but God will break off the Gentiles because of their unbelief.
No matter how far Israel may stray from the truth of God, the roots are still good. God is still the “God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob” (Ex. 3:6; Matt. 22:23). He will keep His promises to these patriarchs. This means that the olive tree will flourish again!
Wiersbe
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becauseHElives
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quote:
The Sabbath was given to Israel, not the church.
The Church is the Israel of Yahweh!
you are part of the Israel of Yahweh (the Body of Christ) (One New Man) or you are not part of Christ at all!
This is the Great Mystery of the Ages, the Apostle Paul spoke of. Jew and Gentle made one!
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 ¶ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Also take note of Eph 2:15
What does Paul say about the Law?
We’ve seen what Jesus said about His Father’s Law. We know how He feels about it. Nothing Jesus ever said or did, worked to weaken man’s obligation to the Law of God. He took issue with the human additions to His Father’s Law, and He always sought to clear away the rubbish that surrounded it, but He was ever faithful to honor it. “Have ye not read in the law?” “Is it not lawful for Me?” “Thou knowest the commandments...” “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” If He could have changed the Law that man had transgressed, He would not have needed to sacrifice His life for the sins we had committed. A quick abrogation of the Law would have removed all of our stain and guilt. But it was because the great King, the Ancient of Days, could never change the foundation of His divine Government, that Christ’s sacrifice was deemed the only remedy. The Law could not be changed. In light of the plan of salvation, the Lamb of God must take our place under the condemnation of an unchangeable, yet transgressed Law of the eternal God.
Bearing that in mind, let’s explore just what it was Paul was saying about our relationship to the Law of God. It does sound like Paul was for abrogation. We will cover what Paul said concerning the Law in all of his epistles, with exception of one. His letter to the Galatians I will treat by itself in a section of this essay dedicated only to that epistle.
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (Romans 6:14, 15). “Not under the law” is what Paul just said—that does sound pretty clear—not under the law’s condemnation or even damnation. But then later Paul writes, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.” (Romans 7:12). “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:31). Here is an apparent turnabout in reasoning. Actually, its not a turnabout at all; Paul never meant to demolish God’s Ten Commandment Law. If the Law of God is holy, why should it ever be abolished? If the commandments are just and good, we should want them, shouldn’t we? If we don’t want a righteous Law, does the fault lay in the commandments or in our own rebellious heart? But how can we “establish the law” and not “make void the law through faith,” yet not be “under the law?”
Here’s a clue into what the inspired Paul was thinking. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” (Romans 3:19). Here Paul has grouped the whole world into being in the same status—under the Law. And the point driven home is that we are all guilty before the great Judge. So the first definition of being under the Law, given by Paul to the Roman Christians, is being under its condemnation. Another clue comes from the following statement, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh…” Romans 8:3. In other words, the Law and us have a history in bad working relations. When we go to obey it, we find we can’t. The problem is not with the Law, but with us. Should we then void out the Law, so that we will have an easier time trying to sleep at night? Should we lower the standard in order to please a weakened race of sinners? And how can we “establish the law” if we are “weak through the flesh?” The clues listed in this paragraph deal with two major issues in Paul’s writings: our Justification and our Sanctification. These questions will be looked at later, but, at this point, we can’t say Paul believed in abolishing the Law.
In one more place, Paul says this: “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.” (1 Timothy 1:8). In other words, the Law can be bad if misused, or good if properly used for its intended purpose. But at another place: “The strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15:56). Is Paul wishy-washy on the subject of obedience to God? He seems to go back and forth, for and against the Law. This has confused many people. So far, Paul’s relationship to the Law almost seems inconclusive.
Let’s look at his letter to the Ephesians. “For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” (Ephesians 2:14-17).
A slightly different repetition comes from the epistle to the Colossians. “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come.” (Colossians 2:12-16).
The two statements, “the law of commandments contained in ordinances,” and “blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,” speak to the same item. Together they say, “the handwriting,” “the law of commandments contained in ordinances.” These handwritten laws in ordinances pertained to the 613 laws God gave Israel through Moses. They were written by a man’s hand (Moses’), as opposed to the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God. (Deuteronomy 10:4). It wasn’t the Ten Commandments Paul referred to in his epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians. Those Ten represent eternal principles for the human race, precepts beginning at our creation. That which was abolished was the 613 ceremonial laws written by Moses. They looked forward, representing “a shadow of things to come.” (Colossians 2:16).
This voiding of Mosaic laws becomes even clearer when looking at Daniel’s prophecy of the Messiah. Daniel wrote, “And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself…. And He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” (Daniel 9:26-27). The sacrificial system, which at first began in Eden (Genesis 3:21; 4:4) and later was developed for Israel in the wilderness of Sinai, all pointed to Christ, the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” “The precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.” (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19, 20). All that which pointed forward to the Messiah, ended at His death on Calvary.
Not only the sacrificial system ended, but the whole Jewish economy was finished, since it all looked forward to the Messiah. It had also become corrupted by selfishness and greed and ambition. The beautiful religion which God had handed down to Israel was bankrupt of the original spirit imbuing it in its beginning. As Paul writes, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people… In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” (Hebrews 8:10-13). The Mosaic laws had also been adulterated with human philosophies. “Wherefore the Lord said, … this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men.” (Isaiah 29:13).
The decayed religion and depravity in Israel, worthy of rejection by God, came at the end, just as Christ had promised in Daniel’s prophecy. “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.” (Daniel 9:24). The Lord God knows, far in advance, exactly when He will have to reject a nation. Should they continue to rebel against God and be noxious to man, their whole nation would be swept away, as the angel Gabriel prophesied to Daniel. “And the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.” “Even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.” (Daniel 9:26-27).
Because they refused to obey the principles of God’s law, He would do to them as He forewarned them 1,500 years previous. “The land is defiled [by the Canaanites]: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (for all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) that the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.” (Leviticus 18:25-28). Not the rough, ancient Baal worship, but a sophisticated, philosophical paganism took root in Judaism. The religion they defiled came to an end at the cross. But Christ gave them another 3 ˝ year probation, which ended Daniel’s prophetic timeline (Daniel 9:24). Afterward, when the nation wasn’t remedied, the Lord cut them off, and the new dispensation went to the Gentiles at the stoning of Stephen and the conversion of Paul. The exclusive, proud, and prejudiced religion that created an impasse between the recalcitrant Jews and Gentiles was removed by Christ. By His principles of self-sacrifice, He had “broken down the middle wall of partition” between the believing Jews and the rest of the world, “that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
One statement is interesting. “If that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.” (Hebrews 8:7). This fault lay not in the Ten Commandments, but in the stipulations of the first covenant, which we will cover in the epistle to the Galatians.
There is yet another statement that needs to be addressed. Paul sounds to be against more than just the ceremonial law written on scrolls. He speaks against the law written in stone. “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.”
(2Corinthians 3:2-9). Here, Paul describes the Ten Commandments, “written and engraved in stones,” as “the ministration of death,” and “the ministration of condemnation.”
Does this mean that the Ten Commandments were superseded by the ministration of the Spirit?
Was the written word to be ignored for the euphoria of spiritual exercises?
For this answer we need to look at the bigger picture.
First, Paul speaks of a ministration, a covenanted system of ministry. He compares the old covenant of a theocracy, to the new covenant without a theocracy. In the original theocratic government of Israel existed civil laws, religious laws, a culture, and later, exclusive man-made rules and taboos borrowed from heathen nations—quite a mixture of original and altered, divine laws and human-made substitutions. This conglomeration of God-given and human-invented laws Christ experienced not only when He came in the flesh but even when speaking to the Jews back in Isaiah’s day.
“Well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:7-9).
Again, we see that the corruption of the true religion, being “taught by the precept of men,” was key in God’s decision to reject the Jews as His honored people.
The original theocracy was strict and harsh, but it was just what the ignorant Israelites needed when they came out of Egyptian slavery. Those civil laws acted as a barrier against crime and corruption, just as modern civil laws do today.
The ceremonial laws acted as a barrier against sin, since they explained the exceeding sinfulness of sin and provided an antidote through faith in God. (Hebrews 3:18, 19; 4:2).
Above and behind it all stood the great Judge, the Ten Commandments. This religious government worked well for centuries. But there were times that enforcement of laws would lapse and chaos would ensue. Prior to the reign of David, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 21:25).
Later, in Isaiah’s day, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Isaiah 5:20-23).
Even later, “For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the Lord; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah. And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.” (Jeremiah 1:15, 16).
Later yet, “In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals.” (Nehemiah 13:15).
Down to the end of the Old Testament, just before the Spirit of God ceased His voice to Israel, He spoke one last time through Malachi, “But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept My ways, but have been partial in the law.” (Malachi 2:8, 9).
Upon ascending the throne, David immediately established a strong central monarchy and resolved the nation’s lackadaisical attitude toward law and order. Corporal and capital punishment was used in a righteous way, blending mercy and justice. “And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed? And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died. And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed.” (2 Samuel 1:14-16). He also said, “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalms 120:7). David’s reign was the glory of the world, an example on Earth of the kingdom of heaven. Had Solomon remained faithful, his reign would have outshined his father’s. But the seeds of idolatry and the influence of the heathen nations, begun during Solomon’s backsliding reign, supplanted the beauty of holiness given to Israel. After Solomon’s passing, the kingly line was up and down in faithfulness and blessing. Death was all too often experienced—by kings under pagan-influenced law-enforcement trying to subjugate the people, and also by God, in working to inhibit the spread of pagan corruption among His chosen people. After the passing of His last prophet, Malachi, the Lord God of Israel was forced to distance Himself from them. The life which Israel had chosen made it impossible for Him to reach them, their rebellion had become incurable. Thus, the prophetic silence during the final 400 years, B.C.E. In the end, with His Spirit removed far from them, the religious leadership became extreme and abusive in their control of the people.
What glory still resided in the Jewish “ministration of death” was decaying and readying itself to vanish away. To retain that old, worn, and dead system was to retain a useless, good-for-nothing corpse. In one generation following the clearest presentation of love and righteousness Israel had ever witnessed, in her Messiah, the nation would be dismantled and the survivors led away in chains.
The Jewish Christians who had remembered Christ’s warning of the destruction of Jerusalem and escaped the terrible siege, were left behind, together with many Christian Jews who lived outside Palestine, and also the Gentile believers.
Thus began the new children of Israel, a “holy nation” (1Peter 2:9),
children of faith (Deuteronomy 32:20),
the true, spiritual Circumcision (Philippians 3:3).
Stripped of its service of dead routines, God’s chosen group was circumcised of pretentious, formal religion and left with the sensitive and cleansed service of love that God had desired of His people since bringing Israel out of Egypt.
The ministration of the Spirit now shone with a glory and purpose never known except by but few Israelites, during the existence of the nation.
Yet, the Ten Commandments were not discounted by the early church. Justification with God allowed them to trust and love Him, while they feared Him and kept His commandments. As we saw in previous sections of this essay, those commandments show up again and again in the New Testament.
Serving the Law
We have firmly nailed down the perpetuity of the God’s Law. Both Old and New Testaments, and Jesus Christ bridging the two, state our duty to obey its requirements. It’s authority over us is from everlasting to everlasting.
Now we turn to Paul’s letter written to the Galatians. In order to understand what he was saying to them, it doesn’t do to just pick out select statements by Paul. To really know what he was communicating, one must read and study and dissect the whole epistle. We must read between the lines and learn what were the actual issues with which he was dealing. To whom was he speaking? What were their hang-ups? Were they dedicated Christians like the Philippians and Ephesians? Were they Jews or Gentiles? What was their background and the background of Paul’s letter to them?
The reason all this is so important is that otherwise we can miss the whole point of the epistle. Not using the context has led to so much misunderstanding of the epistle to the Galatians and of the Bible as a whole, and consequently of God and His plans for us. Not taking the counsel of the whole Bible into account has brought disastrous doctrines into the church—thus the study from the four previous essays concerning the Law.
One overriding issue in Galatians is that Paul’s gospel was not an invention of his own mind. The mysteries he expounded were firmly rooted in the word of God of his day, the ancient Hebrew Scriptures. Paul didn’t make it all up, he understood the scriptures by revelation (Galatians 1:16-18). So even if an angel were to come and convince them otherwise, that glorious being should be considered accursed by God (vs. 8). Thus Paul laid the foundation to the Galatians, that when he spoke of the law and gospel he was speaking by authority of heaven.
On that note, even Peter, James and John didn’t have the authority to dismiss the claims of the gospel Paul preached, though they had attained high acclaim in the church (Galatians 2:9). They were even rebuked by Paul for repudiating the principal precepts of Christ by allowing pretense to displace sincerity because of the fear of offending legalistic leaders of the established religion, a God-forsaken Judaism (vs. 11-14).
Pretense, imitation righteousness, fake service to God, all Paul threw off. It is a yoke of bondage and product of Satan which God hates, and He moved upon Paul to publicly cast it away as refuse. Christ had given the church something better. After a thousand years of patient waiting since David’s wonderful revival of spirituality, and 400 years of dead silence from heaven since the last prophet Malachi, Christ wouldn’t wait any longer for the Jewish religion to reform. The captivity that it had brought, the souls it had kept in Satan’s snare, the obstacles it constructed to keep the Gentiles from a knowledge of God, must be openly and convincingly rejected, proven alien to God by His word through His servants, and by miracles and providences dismaying the ignorant (Galatians 3:5; 4:15).
At this point in our discussion, let’s make it be clear that when Paul spoke of the law, he was referring to Judaism—that mounting conglomeration of doctrines of men mixed with original divine precepts. It is ever and always Satan’s best deception to mingle truth with error, for error by itself is too easily detected and avoided, even by blind sinners which we all are. For Paul to speak of the law, he must address all that those people knew to be the law—showy rituals, vengeful human regulations that had assumed the spirit of the Roman Lex Talionis or the Law of Retaliation, thousands of rules beyond the original 613 Mosaic laws, acceptable self-sufficiency which never leads to conversion. All must go. Stripped of all that made the Hebrew religion dead to true holiness and consecration to God, the new product was a religion, circumcised by God. Free to serve God, the church now stood naked and open, crucified together with Christ (Gal. 2:20).
And there was no going back. The break from the past was determinedly ordered of heaven. (Isaiah 10:23; Daniel 9:27; Matthew 27:51). Any move in that direction would be brought with swift judgment by Paul, if no one else would stand up against the defection. Faith was the new keynote—going it alone, from the world’s standpoint; going it with God alone. Let the world, even the religious world, huddle together and try to imbue each other with the sparks of their own fire (Isaiah 50:11). Spoken of the Jews, “They shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.” (Isaiah 8:22).
Out with the dead rituals, and in with the blessedness. Out with empty going through the motions, in with self-sacrifice (Galatians 4:8-10, 15). Out with distancing oneself from God, and in with dying with Christ and living for Him (vs. 2:20). Out with a lackadaisical, lukewarm worshiping the group, in with a religion that accepted personal accountability to God and duty to man (vs. 6:14). No more carelessness toward the duty of uplifting a dying and crying world under the devil’s thumb. No more pretense, no more self-pity, no more self-manufactured morality. The cross was raised, the ax laid to the root. God had waited long enough; war on sin and selfishness was declared, beginning with the professed true religion.
How would the massive, well-established formalism be sloughed off? Through the heaven-sent message of grace by faith alone, period. (vs. 3:5-14). Not grace by faith plus works, but grace by faith alone, which is the only combination that really does work to uplift humanity. Grace by faith plus our own effort has been at the foundation of every false religion from the very beginning (Genesis 4:3). This unholy mix has allowed self-congratulation to remain imbedded in our sinful race. In Paul’s question, “Where is boasting then?” we see how invasive pride has been, it had even invaded the true religion. He explains the solution, “It is excluded.” “By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” (Romans 3:27, 28). Here must be the ground zero for God’s attack on sin.
But doesn’t justification by faith alone, “without the deeds of the Law,” completely destroy the arguments in favor of God’s law in the previous parts of this essay? No, John, James, and even Christ all maintain the gospel and the Law, that they both are equal in weight and importance, and both necessary for our salvation. This premise becomes wonderfully clear in this absolutely indispensable epistle to the Galatians.
Many sincere, well-meaning Bible students have concluded that Paul speaks of only the ceremonial law when writing to the churches of Galatia. But this is incorrect. The context indicates that he was also speaking of the Ten Commandment Law of God, the Decalogue. More than the ceremonial laws, God’s moral law deals with “righteousness” (Galatians 3:21), “sin” (vs. 22), and “justification by faith” (vs. 24).
This is very important to understand, because the real force of this letter doesn’t come through otherwise, and neither does the true liberty of being adopted children of God through the gospel.
We are dealing with some deep issues here. We must translate doctrine to real practical life now. The issues are about sin (separation from the God of love and law,) righteousness (the love and laws that God stands for,) and justification (a removal of our rebellion and a reconciliation with that God who loves His creatures as well as He does laws of righteousness and perfection.) Anybody need peace with God? Anyone been searching for Him and His acceptance? We will find God’s love grounded in law; a love so unchangeable He gives us His everlasting covenant carved in tables of stone.
But what we see, in this epistle to the Galatians, is that God didn’t just act when this world’s need for grace arose. He couldn’t; the human bent to presumption wouldn’t let Him. Instead He waited. And He waited a long time. We could say that He waited ever since bringing Israel out of Egypt. He spent centuries working out the full gospel message for us.
At that time He declared to Israel His terms of their covenant. If they would be obedient to Him, He would protect and care for them because He loved them. And what was their reply? Was it, “Woe is us, for we are undone and naked before You; You know how corrupted we are by Egyptian slavery and You choose us to represent You?” Was that their answer to His terms? Not at all. Their reply— “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do.” (Exodus 19:8.) Did they really know what there were saying? Did they really know their weaknesses? Obviously not. So God met their brazen foolishness with a mercifully small sample of His power. Down came the booming Voice from Mt. Sinai; down went every arrogant man, woman, and child, quivering on the ground. A little later, as if they forgot the lesson at the giving of the Ten thundering Commandments, Christ gave them another opportunity to rethink all that entailed obedience to the all-powerful God of holiness. “[Moses] took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient.” (Exodus 24:7). Thus, the first covenant was faulty (Hebrews 8:7) because it was based on the self-sufficiency of a nation ignorant of spirituality and surrender to God.
Despite their sincerest promises to be good, not even 50 days later, they got tired of being holy. They decided to have a raging party at the bottom of the holy mount, right in their God’s presence. Did they know what obedience meant? Did they comprehend the holiness of God? Obviously, they did not; and it would take 1500 more years to teach them. At the end of that long period and many ups and downs in loyalty to Jehovah, they might finally appreciate the gift of holiness when God would offer it to them. This came after four centuries of silence from heaven, and six centuries of subjugation and foreign rule. Centuries of pagan influences, moving in and altering the landscape of Hebrew religion and culture. One empire followed another; without let up, one wave of darker idolatry succeeded another.
Not until “in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full,” (Daniel 8:23) when outright demon-possession was rampant, and Satan’s not-so-obvious control of hypocritical morality even more pervaded the world, did God send forth His Son (Galatians 4:4, 5). Not only were the Jews under the curse of the law, but, through disease and death, the whole world reeled from its disobedience (Romans 3:19; 5:13-14). This is why Paul can speak to both Jews and Gentiles as one group (Galatians 4:8-10). Both groups were in trouble and didn’t know it; both were Law-breakers. Both had adopted idolatry and rebellion toward God and His requirements. Both were the pawns of the devil. Satan just approached each prey from different angles, that’s all. He’s wily and voracious, and eventually gets the whole world to worship him (Revelation 13:3-4).
Christ’s adversary knows he must get us to distrust God before he can lead us to serve himself. One proven method by Satan is to move us into unbelief by getting us involved in pleasing God but keeping us ignorant of God’s love for us. This brought the whole Gentile world to appease God, and that through the most grotesque self-inflictions (1Kings 18:28). Instead of trusting in a loving God, it descended into a never-ending attempt to please a perceived tyrant in heaven. And we are prone to this anyway since Eden, when the Father banished us from His presences and we came under the new careless and abusive management of Lucifer.
This same relationship to God happened in Israel; they just tried to “appease” the Deity from a different approach. If they weren’t allowed to appease Him by human sacrifice or self-flagellation, they would try to do so by being “good enough.” One way or the other, our proud human nature will work hard to prove that we don’t need help or blessings, especially from God. We’re children of wrath, and we like our misery (kind of.) We will ignorantly assume that God hates us and we’ll build an evil straw-man of Divinity; then we have all the fire-power to feed our angry selves in self-improvement and still remain comfortably at arm’s length from God.
Thus both Gentiles and Jews “did service unto them which by nature are no gods” and “observe[d] days, and months, and times, and years.” Both ended up worshipping gods; Tammuz, Jupiter, Caesar, Abraham, Moses, David. Both claimed the most ancient religion and history, both had their sacred calendars they prided in, both considered the other vulgar and unclean. Pride controlled both nemeses. Both limited their thoughts to this miserable world. All felt the bitterly painful separation from God and free reign of the demonic hosts; all were “driven to darkness.” (Isaiah 6:12; Romans 1:20-22).
Now God could act. He had promised, “Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for Him.” (Isaiah 30:18). Now the human race was ready to listen. To many, this world offered only slavery by men and possession by devils.
“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:23,24).
Here we see the crux of the matter. In keeping the commandments, in trying to be moral, the children of Noah had not served God. They had served the law. Even the Jews, the holiest people that this world could produce, were not serving God. They thought they were, but they didn’t know Him, or they would not have killed the Son of God. They had only known the law, and they served it, thus they could not obey it. (Romans 9:31, 32). This was the issue. Obedience can only come by serving a Person and receiving the appreciation in return, creating a bond. They chose to serve the Law over the Person behind the Law. Thus, surrender to God’s love and heart conversion never happened, a work God had wanted to do for them all along (Isaiah 6:9-12). Legalism and workaholism is the natural human inclination. Paganism stays busy outside of religion; papal religion works real hard within it. Often when we start our journey of following Christ, we naturally do so legalistically and self-sufficiently, because that is all we know. Legalistic obedience comes from the devil’s training while we were under his control. That is the spirit of the world, the devil’s world. We come to God ignorant of our true condition, not realizing what real trust and obedience are, and He works with us to bring us to faith, and then to Christ for reconciliation, reunion, and restoration with heaven.
If we are truly determined to know the unknown God, we will eventually get to Him. The road back will be full of difficulty, serving a distant, impersonal God of our devising, a God we define by His laws, His Bible. But we can get to Him, in spite of all that Satan contrives to hinder us. He offers two paths of equal deception. And either path—that of the modern religious person (like the Jews of old) or the atheist/agnostic (the Gentiles of the Bible)—the devil fills with trouble, stress, loneliness, and disease. But if we persevere the long, arduous, and circuitous route from sin to peace with God, we will find Jesus joyfully ready with open arms, and we will recognize heaven’s ceaseless work to lead us all the way out of legalism into full trust in love and righteousness.
We can learn much about God’s methods today from the way He dealt with the human race in the past. Until heaven’s greatest demonstration of its love for us at the cross, God’s offer of grace we would have quickly transformed into presumption, as seen in the Israelite picnic below Sinai. The hold Satan had upon the fallen race was so unrelenting, that the death of the heavenly Son of God alone could inspire faith in us; only the love pouring from the broken body and spirit of Jesus could reconcile us to His Father, and teach us responsible, accountable love; only the truth streaming from the cross could rivet our attention away from the bewitching spell sin had upon us.
Without that spell broken, faith could not happen. The best response we had to offer was selfish. Compassion was self-pitiful, faith was only make-believe, and love only infatuation and presumptuous self-indulgence. The wisdom of God worked out our salvation by keeping law in place, in spite of its eventual decline into Lex Talionis. Even despite the absence of grace in the world to balance the violent power of uncontrolled law (because humanity had brought itself to completely lose the ability to be gracious,) the human race was safer with violent law than without any law at all. Thus the heaven-ordained need for world empires until Christ should come to establish better laws, laws of the coming kingdom where “mercy and truth are met together.” (Psalms 85:10). And we still experience this whole process today.
The concept of God binding us up with law we find revealed in heaven’s messages through Jeremiah. He lived at the time when God was about to do something real big for mankind. “And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, My servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.” (Jeremiah 43:10). “Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” (Jeremiah 51:7). “Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.” (Joel 1:3, 4).
Babylon swept in, conquering civilizations, bringing the rule of law where pagan antinomianism was corrupting the earth. After Babylon, followed a succession of three more empires, each conquering the previous nation. While each conquest brought morality to a new low, some form of law and order compared better than the muck of mysticism and Satan’s desire for a world of complete lawlessness. No pagan empire could prevent the decline of morality, but the natural government need of civil control slowed the descent until the Messiah could come to truly fix the problem sin had brought our fallen race.
Israel had been given the opportunity to be placed at the top of the world. “Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.” (Exodus 19:56) By accepting the offer of “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation,” the result would be world domination. “And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them.” (Deuteronomy 28:13). This promise was fulfilled for a very short space during the rule of David and Solomon, an example to the world of righteous rule. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
Disobedience to the covenant of Jehovah prevented that beautiful plan from being executed for the blessing of the world. The faith and beautiful magnanimity that those two kings exemplified never took root in the nation. In keeping with the spirit of the heathen nations, a formal, legalistic approach to God remained in tact, while conversion, true heart bonding, and real consecration were known by only a small remnant among the myriads of Israel. All the profession that formal, distant service to God had to offer could not provide a barrier against the licentious religions around them. Again and again, the whole nation was lured into idolatry. Only the law, unmoved from its original place in their economy, kept the nation from complete desolation at the hand of God and at their own hands. It was legalism that caused Israel to lose their sovereignty and leadership position in the world.
Then Messiah came. The only Son of God corrected all of our misunderstandings and freed us from the hold sin had had on us. “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.” (Matthew 11:12, 13). Never before had men known the extent of self-sacrificing love that God brought to bear against the power of sin. Moses’ offer to lay down his life for the people, and all the other demonstrations of unselfish service in the pages of sacred history, had been lost sight of. The Scriptures had been neglected in the pursuit of ostentatious worship copied from pagan nations for almost a thousand years. A personal friendship to God was unknown. When the Gentiles sought Israel for hope and a saving knowledge of God, all that they received were dead rituals and human teachings. The ceremonies were empty of any revelation of God’s loving character.
Christ brought all that back to light when He arrived. From the very start of His ministry, He shined forth with unabated glory the grace and power of God in His every word and deed. How could the disciples fast, when it wasn’t time to fast? They lived in the presence of an incessant love that made them drink it all in! From His inauguration address on the mount of blessing, “Blessed…Blessed…Blessed,” to His parting words, “Lo, I am with you always,” “having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” (Matthew 28:20; John 13:1).
His body nailed down, that rough cross dropped into its deep hole, those crushed feet and mangled hands for the first time held back from blessing the world, that modest body humiliated with nakedness, that sorrowful and earnest brow with thorns cramming it down; that bloody face spewn with Priests’ saliva still interceding and praying for us, His mouth, constant to honor His Father and to exalt His Father’s Law now stricken with the woe of the world’s sin, His arms pinned back by the Father’s providence, calling out to the world His Father’s message, “Everyone, come to Me!” a heart that only stopped loving when pierced by the blade of a rusty spear: these were all the subjects that the apostles took to the world, and that Paul had brought to the cities of Galatia. He led the people to that cross, the greatest demonstration ever of justice and mercy, together forging responsible love. Their faith took hold of the mighty argument of the cross and they broke from the service to all that had held their attention. All the barriers against sin that the law had weakly provided now love for Christ provided, and much, much more. Deeper than ever was their loyalty to righteousness. All that they could give to God in the way of obedience, before knowing the love of God, was stained by selfishness and a resentment toward Him. They had been separated from God, children of wrath. They hopelessly bristled under that separation until Christ redeemed them back to Himself again, and from Himself to His Father—now their Father. After having tried hard to please God or appease Him, now they found God had been working all along to please them and appease them. Knowing the work of the Almighty in sending His son for their reconciliation, they experienced a blessedness that transported them as if to heaven (Ephesians 2:6; Revelation 5:9, 10). Living in the light of God’s love (1 John 1:7), heaven and earth were again reunited (Ephesians 3:15), awaiting the redemption of the purchased possession (Ephesians 1:14).
Without the harsh, but effective rule of violent law, they would never have been prepared to appreciate this precious Gift from heaven. God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth, yet He would cause centuries of suffering upon the race, if necessary, to properly ready them for His wonderful gift of forgiveness. That entrance of the Anointed One, the Messenger of mercy, that central point in the history of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, must not be bungled by man’s presumption. Squashing human presumption under the heaviest burden of Satan’s falsely-advertised kingdom of fun, and allowing him almost complete freedom with the fallen race that God still had claims on, God must permit for His successful mission to redeem humanity.
Just when Satan thought he had us, heaven slipped us from his grip. Just when sin had almost destroyed us, we were rehabilitated by the loving ministry of the Servant of heaven. What a wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, what a wonderful Savior to me. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, where rivers of pleasure I see.
Folks, in all this epistle to the Galatians can we see a lesson for us today? Paul’s message stated in our vernacular: “Is obedience to the Law today antagonistic to the gospel of Christ? God forbid. If obedience could have given life, truly righteousness should have been by the Law. But the scripture has concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to those who trust in Him. But before faith comes, we are kept in legalism and bound down under laws and rules, shut away from the faith which eventually is revealed to us. Therefore, obedience to stern law has been our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that He might reconcile us to God, and thus to God’s Law.” “Thus He can be just and the justifier of anyone who has come to Jesus.” Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
And now, another equally exciting concept. “Once faith comes in, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For we are now the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Coming from someone as I, who believes in the perpetuity of God’s Law, this may sound like I’m very confused. How can I reconcile the authority of God’s Law while no longer being under it?
It is simply this: that after centuries of being under stern law, the concept of obedience became deeply ingrained in the world. God showed them mysticism and spiritualism to be what it was, loose and destructive, and He also showed His demand for law and rules. Restraint and supervision was seen as a necessity by those who submitted to it. Those, humbled and meek, who then heard the word of God’s grace, now subconsciously incorporated humble submission and obedience to rules into their new understanding of God’s love. They saw no problem with God’s Law and His claim on them. Thus, religion is still intact; God’s Law is still valid. By Christ’s infusing law with grace, He drives pretentious legalism away and brings His children to His Father and to His Father’s Law.
Even more than that! Now those who served the Law and were driven to look to heaven for grace, and now trust in Jesus, can look away from the Law’s condemnation and behold Jesus alone; for there is no discrepancy between Jesus and His Father’s Law (John 15:10). In His person the Law of God shines out in new and living luster. From His self-sacrificing life and death, a demonstration and affirmation of the Law of self-sacrificing love brought life into what had appeared cold and personless. His grace is foremost in our thinking, while His Law remains playing in the background, “For we are now the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” This is what Abraham and David discovered, but was lost sight of by the succeeding generations.
Thus the perpetual nature of God’s Law is retained and we are perfectly happy with it, so long as we look upon Jesus who mirrored that Royal Law of mercy and justice. We surrender up our rebellion through the work of the Holy Spirit, and are reconciled to our Father and His Law because now we are on good terms with Jesus.
Only those who wrestled with obedience to law and accepted the importance of discipline were ready for the gospel when it arrived; thus the stern work of John the Baptist to prepare the people for the work of the Messiah. They could accept Christ’s warnings as messages of love, and they recognized in the nudges of His rod and staff His help to keep them true and good. Everyone else, who rejected the importance of discipline and correction, was blinded. Nations who would hear the glorious gospel, but were ignorant of restraint and abstinence, would need to learn it before comprehending the infinite love of God, which has been the work of missionaries throughout the Christian age since. But many who rejected Roman law and the gifts of submission and humility, or who altered the Mosaic laws to suit themselves, rejected the grace of God presented by Jesus and His apostles, and they became the enemies of the gospel.
“He that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true…. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:33, 36). “And whosoever shall fall on this Stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Matthew 21:44). Those who have refused to come under the rod of iron that Christ has represented (Revelation 19:15) throughout the whole period of departure into sin from Eden until His reign in glory, will never surrender their miserable heart, that “gall of bitterness,” and “bond of iniquity.” (Acts 8:23).
We need to know bounds, we need limitation. “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” (Matthew 7:14). It is only for our happiness that God gives us His requirements, just as good parents do the same for their children. Otherwise, their children become impossibly unhappy. Today’s news is full of stories of misguided children who had no rules at home. History has been marred with the heinous crimes against humanity by those who refused to come to God, and thus became unable to bow their pride, which ate them up until they became murderous. Of these it was written, “the wrath of God abideth on” them.
The divine psychology forever retains the demands of law throughout the realms of the universe, upon the fallen human race, and even upon the redeemed children of God. Through the warning away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, God instituted restraint in the garden of Eden before sin ever existed; this, simply to add to the happiness of His innocent, sinless couple by showing His care for their development.
But in our fallen state of rebellion, once we do surrender to law, the gospel finds a special place in our hearts. Justification or reconciliation with God becomes a reality that couldn’t happen while we refused law. True reconciliation to God can only be received by those who have accepted His rulership, that is, His Law. Only the peace and humility experienced by acceptance of the claims of His Law can, from deepest gratitude, receive the promises of the gospel. Only that humility of a child will bring forth the fruit of childlike simplicity and charity. Fellowship and brotherly love is never so close and genuine than for those who have bowed the pride and submitted to the Father’s requirements—the Law and the prophet testimonies.
When we can finally accept correction and reproof and discipline, when the lofty looks of man are finally laid in the dust (Isaiah 2:11, 12), then we will hear the musical voice of Jesus saying to us, “Wilt thou be made whole?” “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” (John 5:6, 8).
And then when we hear that majestic invitation, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light,” we will truly find rest. We will be reconciled to Christ, and through Him we will be reconciled to His Father—now our Father; and to His Father’s Law—our Law. We won’t mind the yoke, we won’t mind His Law; we will glory in His burden because we finally have Him, Him who is “chiefest among ten thousand.” (Song 5:10) The Law has transformed itself from stone to flesh, the requirements from legalism to fluid, living tissue. We will carry it yoked with Jesus, He will be carrying it with us; we will be carrying it together. We have His Law in our heart. We are crucified together with Christ (Galatians 2:20).
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
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Caretaker
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http://www.globalchristians.org/ebooks/The%20Sabbath.htm
Sabbath-keeping is an Old Testament practice that has whole denominations (Seventh-Day Adventists, Seventh Day Baptists etc) lined up behind it. Its perhaps one of the most pervasive of the OT practices that born-again Christians feel compelled to follow. However it is something that Jesus spoke quite strongly about and which was never placed on believers in the NT.
There are four main (and somewhat separate) errors concerning the Sabbath, in order of gravity they are:
1. That you must observe the Sabbath to be saved.
2. That observance of the Sabbath is compulsory (but perhaps not essential for salvation).
3. That the Jewish Saturday Sabbath is still the Sabbath for Christians.
4. That the Sabbath is now on Sunday and Christians must observe Sunday as a day of rest.
Proponents of the Sabbath (Sabbatarians) argue that:
1. Sabbath was ordained at Creation (Genesis 2:2)
2. The Sabbath was part of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11)
3. Observing the Sabbath in a consecrated way brings blessing. (Isaiah 58:13,14)
4. Not one jot or tittle will pass away from the Law until all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:17)
5. There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)
6. John the apostle was "in the Spirit on the Lord’s day" (Revelation 1:10)
At first glance this seems quite convincing so lets look at those arguments a bit more deeply. Arguments B,C and D depend on the Law still being in force in some way and their being blessing for obedience and cursing for disobedience. I hope that by now you will be able to see that is no longer the case. The Law has been fulfilled in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Argument A rests on God hallowing that day at Creation. While God did make the Sabbath holy He did not make it compulsory. Besides we have no idea on what day that was, if we are to believe Archbishop Usher (the biblical chronologist who said that Creation was on a Wednesday at 9:00am in the morning in 4004BC) it was a Wednesday!
Hebrews 4:9 "there remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God" is in the midst of a section that shows that the true Sabbath is not the Sabbath instituted under Joshua that the Jews observed but rather was the Sabbath rest from dead works that we find in Christ and which reaches its fulfillment when we find our rest in Heaven.
(Hebrews 4:8-11 NASB) For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. {9} There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. {10} For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. {11} Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience.
The last reference to being "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" is very enigmatic. It may have referred to Sunday by then. It certainly does not suggest it was compulsory. Believers seemed to meet "on the first day of the week" and that may have been all there was to it. (1 Corinthians 16:2, Acts 20:7) There is no direct NT pronouncement saying "Sunday is now the Sabbath and you must keep it holy.". Most Christians were slaves and had no power to take a day off anyway!
Direct Teaching On The Sabbath.
Jesus And The Sabbath
Part of the reason for the intense hostility towards Jesus was His attitude towards the Sabbath. The Sabbath had become one of the chief spiritual control tools of the Pharisees. Hundreds of rabbinical regulations added to the Law made the Sabbath a very complex and burdensome issue for the average Jew. It had turned from being a joyous day of rest and celebration into yet another device for proving how spiritual one was.
Jesus was not tactful. In fact he just charged through the mass of rabbinical red tape like a cavalier with a sword. Culturally He would have come across as very undiplomatic, a sort of spiritual "bull in a china shop". We will see why in the next few verses where Jesus moves to combat the narrow cruel Sabbatarian legalism of the Pharisees. In an astonishing display of heartlessness they would not let the hungry disciples pick a few heads of grain to eat or approve a man being healed on the Sabbath. Their vicious cruelty reached its natural conclusion as they plot to destroy Jesus. The questions of the Sabbatarians are in blue and the main points Jesus makes are in red..
(Matthew 12:1-14 NASB) At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grainfields, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. {2} But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him,"Behold, Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath."
{3} But He said to them, "Have you not read what David did, when he became hungry, he and his companions; {4} how he entered the house of God, and they ate the consecrated bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those with him, but for the priests alone? {5} "Or have you not read in the Law, thaton the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath, and are innocent? {6} "But I say to you, thatsomething greater than the temple is here.
{7} "But if you had known what this means,'I DESIRE COMPASSION, AND NOT A SACRIFICE,'you would not havecondemned the innocent. {8} "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
{9} And departing from there, He went into their synagogue. {10} And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. And they questioned Him, saying,"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"-- in order that they might accuse Him. {11} And He said to them,"What man shall there be among you, who shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it, and lift it out?{12} "Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! So then,it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." {13} Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" And he stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. {14} But the Pharisees went out, and counseled together against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
(Mark 2:27-28 NASB) And He was saying to them,"The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. {28} "Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
Jesus points are:
1. Human needs over-ride religious protocol. (David and the bread)
2. That the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath with impunity.
3. That He was greater than the Temple or its priests and therefore can break the Sabbath.
4. That God desires mercy (in this case for hungry disciples) not sacrifice. Kindness has a higher priority than sacrifices, religion and Sabbath-keeping.
5. That Sabbatarian legalism just ends up condemning the innocent.
6. That the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
7. That natural common sense, even for animals would tell people to show compassion on the Sabbath.
8. That it is permissible to do good on the Sabbath.
9. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. It is there to serve our need for rest and relaxation not to be an onerous religious burden.
Jesus was not abolishing the Sabbath (that would happen on the cross) rather He was fulfilling its purpose as a day for freeing people, healing them and restoring them and as a day for showing kindness and compassion. The Sabbath was not just a day for being religious. It was a day for being loving. It w as not just a day for going to church. It was a day for feeding the hungry and healing the sick. God's Sabbath was not just a day for demonstrating your holiness and your zeal but for showing your concern for your neighbour and even your animals. It was who you were on the Sabbath not what you did on the Sabbath that was Jesus' chief concern. If you were as hard-hearted, cruel and vindictive as these Pharisees who ended up plotting murder on the Sabbath - then no matter what you "do" in terms of religious acts you are NOT keeping the Sabbath as God intended. (see Isaiah 58 which applies the same principles to fasting).
Don't Be Judgmental About The Sabbath
Paul lists Sabbath-keeping among the disputable things in Romans 14. Thus Sabbath-keeping was not an issue of first importance and certainly not essential for salvation. Good Christians could be on both sides of the issue. Many people who believe in keeping one day aside for God do so out of very real reverence for Him and not out of legalism or bondage to elemental spirits. They do so "unto the Lord" and they are not to be judged by those who see "all days alike" - and of course vice-versa. It is not an issue we are to judge one another on.
(Romans 14:1-6 NASB) Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. {2} …{5} One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. {6} He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.
We are not to let people "act as our judge" on the issue. However if we do keep a Sabbath it should be as Jesus wanted it kept - as a day of compassion not of legalism. Personally I keep Sunday as a day of rest and of visiting friends and I try to make it a "computer free day" so I live in the real world in real relationships - not virtual ones. I see Sunday as a "day of personal restoration and reflection" and do not feel under any obligation to go to two services but I will normally go to one. I make sure there is plenty of space on Sunday for "being human". I run around a lot during the week and its great to crash out and snooze on Sunday afternoon. Sunday should be a day you look forward to with joy in anticipation of refreshment - not a day of even more busyness. I think that is catching the true Creation intent of a Sabbath.
Sabbaths Are Shadows
(Colossians 2:16-17 NASB) Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- {17} things which are amere shadowof what is to come; butthe substance belongs to Christ
(Galatians 4:9-11 NASB) But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to theweak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? {10} You observe days and months and seasons and years. {11} I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
The Sabbath is a mere shadow. The substance - the real rest we have, is in Christ. Its simply not worth making a big deal over a shadow! Paul goes on to call these things "weak and worthless elemental things". In other words the Sabbath is a shadowy, weak, worthless, elemental thing. It is therefore NOT to be the major issue for believers that it often is. It is certainly not something we should feel enslaved to. (Gal 4:9) It is the "things to come" and the "substance" that is important - not Sabbaths, new moons, festivals etc. Christ is far above all this and it is Him we should seek.
Therefore answering the four main errors listed at the top of this chapter.
1. There are no binding Sabbaths on Christians therefore you do not have to obey the Sabbath to be saved.
2. There are no binding Sabbaths on Christians therefore the Sabbath is not compulsory.
3. The Jewish Sabbath is still Saturday but the Christian Sabbath is in Christ - not on Saturday or Sunday.
4. Sunday is the traditional day of worship for Christians but it is not a binding Sabbath that we must observe on that particular day. Days are shadows - the substance is Christ.
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A Servant of Christ,
Drew
1 Tim. 3:
16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh..
Posts: 3978 | From: Council Grove, KS USA | Registered: Jun 2002
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Betty Louise
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I too need my rest time. Not only because I am pushing 60 but because of health reasons. This said, Churches that want to make worshiping on the Sabbath a requirement of salvation and are abandoning salvation by grace and going back to salvation under the law.
betty
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Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
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WildB
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quote:
Originally posted by Carol Swenson:
We are not obligated to follow the Mosaic Sabbath—resting, but are now free to follow the risen Christ—serving.
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I try to give my body some down time(rest)once a week for health reasons.
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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Carol Swenson
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quote:
I can not speak for the rest of you, but the God I serve does not change...He is the same yesterday, today, forever ....
Hebrews 13:8 - 10 (NASB)
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited. We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.
Stop serving the tabernacle. We are not obligated to follow the Mosaic Sabbath—resting, but are now free to follow the risen Christ—serving. The Sabbath was given to Israel, not the church.
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becauseHElives
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I can not speak for the rest of you, but the God I serve does not change...He is the same yesterday, today, forever ....
Yahshua was so right, "few will find eternal life"
Yahweh does not change, neither does His Word.
Gill's Exposision On The Entire Bible
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,.... And so, difficult to enter in at; and when entered, the way is unpleasant to the flesh to walk in, being hedged up on each side with afflictions and tribulations; and moreover, is like the "narrow place", or , "the strait place", as the Septuagint in Numbers 22:26 render it; in which the angel that met Balaam stood; and in which there was no turning to the right hand or the left; and such is the way to eternal happiness.
The great encouragement to walk on in it is, because it is that way which leadeth unto life: unto eternal life: it certainly leads thither; it never fails of bringing persons to it; believers in Christ, all that walk in Christ the way, though they are said to be "scarcely" saved, by reason of their afflictions and trials, they meet with in their way to the kingdom; yet they are, and shall be certainly saved: they shall be safely brought to glory; which will be an abundant recompense for all the troubles and sorrows that have attended them in their journey.
And few there be that find it; the way, and so consequently the life it leads to. "The gate is strait"; small and little, and so unobserved: there is but one way to heaven, and the generality of men neglect it. "The way is narrow", and so disagreeable; the company few, and not engaging. Men choose large gates, broad ways, and much company. The flesh loves to walk at liberty, unconfined, and uncontrolled, and with a multitude to do evil: hence, Zion's ways are thin of passengers; a small number, comparatively speaking, walk thereto, and will be saved; a remnant, a little flock, a little city, and few men in it. It is asked in the Talmud (q),
"why is the world to come created with "jod?" (the least of the letters in the "Hebrew alphabet") the answer is, because , "the righteous which are in it are few".''
A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME
The Bible uses analogies so that we can understand deep principles. For example, our body is compared to a "tent." This is taught in the Bible. The Feast of Tabernacles means Feast of Booths or "tents". This physical body of ours is certainly very temporary. In 2 Peter 1:13-14, Peter refers to his weak physical body as a tabernacle. "Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shown me." KJV
Why do most people think that we are immortal already? It is because Satan told Eve "ye shall not die." And she believed him over God. The Bible teaches that we can achieve immortality, but it is not automatic, else why would Romans 2:7 say that we must "seek" immortality. Since the Bible says that we must SEEK immortality, it is obvious that no one seeks for what they already have in hand. Aside from that, the scriptures say that only God "has immortality." l Timothy 6:16
There are other analogies in the Bible...analogies are "shadows of things to come." For example, Colossians 2:16-17 says, "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days, which are a shadow of things to come..." A "shadow" is an analogy or "a type" of something coming in the future. What is the Sabbath a type of? Did you know that the Bible
teaches that there is a clear connection between keeping the Sabbath and eternal life? We will find out later why...
"...Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that lays hold on it; that keeps the Sabbath from polluting it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. (It's over for me) For thus says the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant, (10 commandments) Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. (eternal life) Isaiah 56:1-5
Did you catch that? God says to the eunuchs...hey, you may think that you are a "dry tree" but IF YOU KEEP THE SABBATH, I'll give you a name better than of sons and daughters, I WILL GIVE YOU AN EVERLASTING NAME THAT SHALL NOT BE CUT OFF. Why is the Sabbath connected to Eternal life? It's very simple to understand...every Sabbath, when we rest from our physical human labors, it is an analogy of resting from being a physical human being! Let's go to the New Testament now to the book of Hebrews to see what it says about the connection between the Sabbath and eternal life. Don't forget that the book of Hebrews is written to the first fruits...the first ones in God's plan to rest from being physical human beings. Hebrews 4:1 says, "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. (entering eternal life) "vs3...For we which have believed do enter into rest, (eternal life) as He said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh day (The Sabbath) on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my (God's) rest....
Verse 9 continues this thought..."There remains therefore a rest ("A keeping of the Sabbath") to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his (God's) rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his."
Even the physical works of God...the earth and the heavens are not eternal. Everything physical will eventually cease to exist and will not come to mind anymore. "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Isaiah 65:17
EVERYTHING THAT IS PHYSICAL WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY FROM THE PRESENCE OF GOD, EVEN THE EARTH AND STARS. Now, take a close look at this word concerning the Sabbath. "From one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, (Paniym..."to face" me.) Clearly, keeping the SABBATH REPRESENTS COMING FACE TO FACE WITH AN ETERNAL GOD....IMMORTAL BEINGS WILL BE THE ONLY THINGS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO REMAIN BEFORE GOD'S FACE FOREVER.
"For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, (Paniym..."to face" me) says the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain (a promise of eternal life!) And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, ("to face" me) says the LORD. Not only during the millennial reign of Christ, but throughout eternity! Isaiah 66:22-23
WE SEE HERE AN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SABBATH AND IMMORTALITY. The Sabbath and the Holy Days are when ETERNAL BEINGS will come to appear before God's face and we will do it forever and ever.
Keith Bailey gave a sermon once that speculated on why God created this huge universe. It is possible that later in God's plan, when we are all spirit beings that we will be spread across the universe, but every Sabbath, we will all come back to appear before God's face to worship him and to congregate together. That makes sense. God beings are not constrained by space or time, they can travel instantly across the universe.
Throughout eternity, the spiritual nations will come every Sabbath to appear before God. The millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment are a time of rulership over physical fleshly nations, but when those things are over, and the new heavens and the new earth come, then, there will be a time of God's eternal rulership over spiritual nations. The Sabbath will be eternally kept.
Psalms 22:27-28 says, "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. ("to face thee") For the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations." The physical Sabbath is type of something great to come. In the future, there will be no need for a physical earth anymore. A spiritual one will replace it. The earth and the universe as we know it, are very, very old, it may soon be time for God to fold them up like a garment. In conclusion, Revelation 21:4-6 speaks of our future rest from the HARDSHIPS OF BEING HUMAN..."And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former (human) things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (eternal life) This is the "rest" that will come from God...that we picture every Sabbath.
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Strive to enter in at the strait gate:for many, I say unto you will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. ( Luke 13:24 )
Posts: 4578 | From: Southeast Texas | Registered: Jun 2002
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Carol Swenson
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We are created to need sleep every night, and to need rest one day a week. Animals also need to rest one day a week. And farm land needs to rest one year out of seven. These aren't just OT laws, they are facts for healthy physical existence.
But...
We are not obligated to follow the Mosaic Sabbath—resting, but are now free to follow the risen Christ—serving.
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What day is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday? Do Christians have to observe the Sabbath day?
It is often claimed that “God instituted the Sabbath in Eden” because of the connection between the Sabbath and creation in Exodus 20:11. Although God's rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3) did foreshadow a future Sabbath law, there is no biblical record of the Sabbath before the children of Israel left the land of Egypt. Nowhere in Scripture is there any hint that Sabbath-keeping was practiced from Adam to Moses.
The Word of God makes it quite clear that Sabbath observance was a special sign between God and Israel: “The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested” (Exodus 31:16–17).
In Deuteronomy 5, Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the next generation of Israelites. Here, after commanding Sabbath observance in verses 12–14, Moses gives the reason the Sabbath was given to the nation Israel: “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day” (Deuteronomy 5:15).
God's intent for giving the Sabbath to Israel was not that they would remember creation, but that they would remember their Egyptian slavery and the Lord's deliverance. Note the requirements for Sabbath-keeping: A person placed under that Sabbath law could not leave his home on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:29), he could not build a fire (Exodus 35:3), and he could not cause anyone else to work (Deuteronomy 5:14). A person breaking the Sabbath law was to be put to death (Exodus 31:15; Numbers 15:32–35).
An examination of New Testament passages shows us four important points: 1) Whenever Christ appears in His resurrected form and the day is mentioned, it is always the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, 9, 10; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1, 13, 15; John 20:19, 26). 2) The only time the Sabbath is mentioned from Acts through Revelation it is for evangelistic purposes to the Jews and the setting is usually in a synagogue (Acts chapters 13–18). Paul wrote, “to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews” (1 Corinthians 9:20). Paul did not go to the synagogue to fellowship with and edify the saints, but to convict and save the lost. 3) Once Paul states “from now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6), the Sabbath is never again mentioned. And 4) instead of suggesting adherence to the Sabbath day, the remainder of the New Testament implies the opposite (including the one exception to point 3 above, found in Colossians 2:16).
Looking more closely at point 4 above will reveal that there is no obligation for the New Testament believer to keep the Sabbath, and will also show that the idea of a Sunday “Christian Sabbath” is also unscriptural. As discussed above, there is one time the Sabbath is mentioned after Paul began to focus on the Gentiles, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (Colossians 2:16–17). The Jewish Sabbath was abolished at the cross where Christ “canceled the written code, with its regulations” (Colossians 2:14).
This idea is repeated more than once in the New Testament: “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord” (Romans 14:5–6a). “But now that you know God — or rather are known by God — how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years” (Galatians 4:9–10).
But some claim that a mandate by Constantine in A.D. 321 “changed” the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. On what day did the early church meet for worship? Scripture never mentions any Sabbath (Saturday) gatherings by believers for fellowship or worship. However, there are clear passages that mention the first day of the week. For instance, Acts 20:7 states that “on the first day of the week we came together to break bread.” In 1 Corinthians 16:2 Paul urges the Corinthian believers “on the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.” Since Paul designates this offering as “service” in 2 Corinthians 9:12, this collection must have been linked with the Sunday worship service of the Christian assembly. Historically Sunday, not Saturday, was the normal meeting day for Christians in the church, and its practice dates back to the first century.
The Sabbath was given to Israel, not the church. The Sabbath is still Saturday, not Sunday, and has never been changed. But the Sabbath is part of the Old Testament Law, and Christians are free from the bondage of the Law (Galatians 4:1-26; Romans 6:14). Sabbath keeping is not required of the Christian—be it Saturday or Sunday. The first day of the week, Sunday, the Lord's Day (Revelation 1:10) celebrates the New Creation, with Christ as our resurrected Head. We are not obligated to follow the Mosaic Sabbath—resting, but are now free to follow the risen Christ—serving. The Apostle Paul said that each individual Christian should decide whether to observe a Sabbath rest, “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).
We are to worship God every day, not just on Saturday or Sunday.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Saturday-Sunday.html
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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WildB
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Member # 2917
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Personally, having to work a continuous seven day operation for more than 33 years in the boiler rooms aboard ships and at Fords.
My day of rest was taken on a Monday, Tuesday, or a Thursday, Friday. These days were are Saturday and Sunday.
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays were just like any other day to us as it mattered to the overall operation of providing services to the others.
Matthew, Chapter 12 Matthew, Chapter 13 >>
1: At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
2: But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
3: But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him;
4: How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the showbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?
5: Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?
6: But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
7: But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
8: For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
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That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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Did Constantine change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday?
NO
In the year 321 A.D., Constantine decreed, "On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed" (Codex Justinianus lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 380, note 1). Constantine seems to have made this change himself and not through the papacy, since the papacy had not really come in to being at that time. The papacy grew gradually out of the office of Bishop and for many years this was centered in Rome. In any case, it should be noted that in doing this, Constantine is not changing the Sabbath ; he is merely making Sunday the official day of rest for the Roman Empire. His motivation was probably not born out of hatred for the Jews (it's hard to say for sure why Constantine or any historical figure did what they did) but out of a desire to adopt what the Christians had practiced for nearly two and a half centuries.
It is well documented that the early church adopted Sunday as their day of worship. Acts 20:7 speaks of this, "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people …" and 1 Corinthians 16:2, "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made." These passages indicate that Christians were probably meeting regularly on Sunday (the first day of the week). They did this most likely because Christ rose on the first day of the week. It wasn't until hundreds of years later that the death of Christ became the focal point of Christian worship services. That is not to say they thought it unimportant; but they were primarily concerned with His victory over death realized in His resurrection.
It is important to remember that corporate worship with other believers is necessary and part of obedience, but the day that your church body chooses to worship on is not really that significant. The New Testament addresses this in a couple of different passages. Colossians 2:14-17 says, "He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality .” Also see Romans 14:5-6, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God."
http://www.gotquestions.org/Constantine-Sabbath.html
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