Articles Sabbath in the Bible
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The Sabbath in the Books of Moses
While the word Sabbath does not appear in the English text, it appears in the original Hebrew twice, where it is translated “he rested”. The idea of rest in the Hebrew word shabbath is a late one, and dependent on the concept of the Sabbath day rather than the other way around. The original, earlier meaning of the word is to cease, as in Genesis 8:29. The textual use of the word suggests that it also means “to sabbatize” or “to celebrate Sabbath”. The Sabbath was necessary to preserve the week in ancient times when printed calendars were not available.Unless people were marking off the weeks by the celebration of a certainly day of the week, there could be no week. The week is not reflected in nature, as are the lunar month and the solar year. So the week is dependent on the Sabbath. So every mention of the week in the book of Genesis is an indication of the Sabbath. The week is mentioned several times in the Flood story in Genesis 6-9 , and is probably evident even more, since the dates of the Flood story generally align with the week. The term “week” was so deeply impressed on the language of the time that it was even applied to periods of seven years as in Genesis 29:27 . The word “rest” in Exodus 5:5 is shabbath in Hebrew. (Exo 5:5) And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens. This verse suggests that during the period of slavery in Egypt the people were deprived of Sabbath rest. The first thing Moses did upon returning to Egypt was to make a Sabbath reform. This is what irritated the Pharaoh. He complained that the people were observing Sabbath instead of working. A candid reading of the Hebrew Bible makes it very clear that the Sabbath goes back to creation, whether or not that is clear in the biased translations that we have. But the first mention of the Sabbath in the KJV is still before the giving of the law on Mount Sinai. Therefore, the claim that the Sabbath was first given in the Sinai covenant with the Jews falls flat in any case. (Exo16:23 ) 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 see the that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. (Exo 16:24 ) And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. (Exo 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. (Exo 16:26 ) Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. (Exo16:27 ) And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none. (Exo 16:28 ) And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?(Exo 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.
From this we can draw the following conclusions. 1) The facts that the manna came in a double portion on the sixth day, that no manna fell on the seventh day, that the manna spoiled if saved over on other days, and that the manna did not spoil on the seventh day, demonstrates that the Sabbath is a particular day of the week and not one in seven to be chosen by an individual or a church. 2) Yahuwah demanded obedience in regard to Sabbath-keeping. It was not optional. There are four prominent arguments against the observance of the Sabbath based on the Hebrew Scriptures. They are that 1) it refers to one day in seven, 2) that it is optional, 3) that is is a temporary ceremonial legislation, and 4) that it was for the Jews only. This text clearly demolishes the first two of these. (Exo20:8 ) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exo 20:9 ) Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: (Exo 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: (Exo 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. These words make up part of the Decalogue which is described as having been spoken directly and publicly by Yahuwah, Himself, to the entire group of people, numbering millions, who had left Egypt. We can be certain of the following claims in this passage: 1) The commandment refers to the weekly cycle, not just one day of it;2) the commandment specifies six days for work and the Sabbath as marked by the appearance of manna to be without work; 3) the commandment prohibits superior slaying any obligations on inferiors on the Sabbath; 4) inferiors are defined as children, employees, foreigners, and domestic animals, all of which have non-negotiable rights to be free of obligations on the Sabbath; 5) the Sabbath must be remembered during the six preceding days, so that work is organized and planned throughout the week to prevent the temptation to take care of unforeseen contingencies on the Sabbath; 6) the property owner is responsible to see that the Sabbath is kept by all those who enter on his property; 7) the divine right of imposing the Sabbath is based on the claim of divine sovereignty implied in creatorship, and having marked, blessed, and made the day sacred from creation. From this text we can draw the conclusions that 1) the obligations and blessings of the Sabbath extend beyond the mere circumstances of the giving of the manna; 2)that the social contracts of families, employees, relations with strangers, and the use of domestic animals for labor are valid; 3) that the Sabbath is not for Israel alone, but applies to foreigners and animals; 4) that the Sabbath relates to the basic process of earning a living; 5) that the Sabbath limits the authority of superiors over inferiors. This text demolishes the final two arguments against the Sabbath based on the Hebrew Scriptures. It is clearly a social and moral institution rather than a ceremonial one, because it affirms the rights of subordinates and limits the powers of superiors. It clearly extends beyond mere Jewish rights to human rights in general. It guarantees not only human rights, but animal rights.Given that working for a living is not limited to one tribe or people, but is a universal human necessity, to deny the non-negotiable rights implied in the Sabbath to non-Jews is incredibly biased. While the nature of the Sabbath is obviously universal, the same can be said for its extention in time. The Sabbath cannot be logically abrogated as long as humankind is constrained to obtain food. Many consider that the Sabbath ended at the crucifixion of Christ. However, since the crucifixion of Christ did not relieve humankind of the obligation to obtain food, it cannot by nature relieve humankind of the necessity of resting from such labors as well. (Exo31:13 ) 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. (Exo 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. (Exo31:15 ) 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. (Exo 31:16 ) Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. The Sabbath has already been established by earlier texts as dating back to creation, as being a specific day of the week, of necessary obligation, asocial rather than ceremonial institution for all humankind for all time. This passage gives the Sabbath a completely new dimension. The new claims found in this passage are 1) that the Sabbath is a sign between Yahuwah and Israel; 2) the Sabbath functions to make Israel know that Yahuwah sanctifies or sets them apart;3) the death penalty is to be given for Sabbath-breaking; 4) the Sabbath is a perpetual covenant with Israel; 5) the new details in regard to the Sabbath given here relate specifically to Israel. Foreigners and animals are not included, as mentioned in the Decalogue. On the basis of this information, we can draw the conclusion that there are universal aspects of the Sabbath, as mentioned in the Decalogue, and aspects of the Sabbath that are particularly applicable to Israel only. The particular is noted to be perpetual, which implies that the general must also be perpetual. The fact that there are universal and permanent aspects of the Sabbath and particular and possibly temporary aspects of the Sabbath has contributed to confusion. Christians have often been led unthinkingly to dispense with the universal and permanent on the basis of the particular and temporary.
(Exo35:2 ) 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. (Exo 35:3 ) Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the Sabbath day. The new information in this passage is the prohibition of kindling fire in the house on the Sabbath day. It is not clear whether this is a general or particular aspect of the Sabbath. The association with the death sentence,however, and the inclusion in the same context as the preceding mention,suggest this to apply specifically to Israel. (Lev19:3 ) Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. This is a reiteration of the positive commands in the Decalogue. All of the others are expressed as negatives. The universal and permanent aspects of the Sabbath are reaffirmed here. (Lev19:30 ) Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. This text is ambiguous. It is not clear whether it refers to the annual festivals,the weekly Sabbath, or to one or both. But as such it can be considered are affirmation of the weekly Sabbath. (Lev23:3 ) Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall dono work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. The new aspect of the Sabbath here is the holy convocation. Everything else mentioned places this text in the same category as the permanent and universal aspects of the Decalogue. On the other hand, the convocation appears to be a ceremonial act. Whether this applies to the Mosaic covenant alone or to all people at all times is not clear. But surely to gather on the Sabbath day is not only appropriate to the spirit of the day, but is facilitated by the fact that we are clearly told not to work at making a living on that day. We are freed to gather for worship. Ceremonial obligations in reference to the Sabbath and the other annual feasts of the Mosaic covenant are mentioned in Leviticus 23 and Numbers 28:9,10 . These include animal sacrifices, food and drink offerings. It is important to remember that such ceremonial obligations are described for the Sabbath in this text, because they became a point of contention in the early church. The annual festivals are referred to as Sabbaths here, as is the day of atonement in Leviticus 16, but these are distinct from the weekly Sabbath. Another ceremonial aspect of the Sabbath was the placing of the shewbread on the table in the sanctuary. (Lev 24:8 ) Every Sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant. The partition of the Promised Land included Sabbath rest of the land in the seventh year as described in Leviticus 25 . This has no implication in regard to the weekly Sabbath. The same subject continues in the next chapter as well, but the weekly Sabbath is reaffirmed in verse two. (Lev 26:2 ) Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. The final text in the books of Moses is a tragic story. (Num 15:32 ) And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. The death sentence for Sabbath-breaking was confirmed by divine revelation and carried out in this case. The solemn obligation of the Sabbath was thus shown by the most telling possible case. Yahuwah was serious about the Sabbath as it was revealed in the books of Moses. In summary, we can say that the books of Moses show the Sabbath to date from creation, to be a specific, non-moveable day of the week, the seventh, to be obligatory, to be a safe-guard for human and animal rights, to be universal and permanent, to demand that daily tasks be set as ide and to provide a regular time when people are free from daily cares to gather for worship. Besides its universal and permanent aspects, it also had a particular and temporary application to Israel, a sign of the covenant specially made with Israel, by which the death sentence for Sabbath-breaking was legislated in addition to ceremonial aspects in additional animal sacrifices, food and drink offerings, and the changing of the shewbread in the tabernacle. The Sabbath in the Historical Books of the Bible
In 2Kings 11 is the story of the coronation of Josiah. Adam Clarke in his Commentary on the Bible notes the following in regard to the Sabbath in this chapter. “It appears that Jehoiada chose the Sabbath day to proclaim the young king, because as that was a day of public concourse, the gathering together of the people who were in this secret would not be noticed.” The story is repeated in 2Chronicles 23 . The final mention of the Sabbath in the books of Kings is (2Ki 16:18 ) And the covert for the Sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria. The books of Chronicles comment more on the legislations in the books of Moses. The first reference relates to the shewbread on the Sabbath. (1Ch 9:32 ) And other of their brethren, of the sons of the Kohathites, were over the shewbread, to prepare it every Sabbath. The special offerings for Sabbaths are also mentioned. (1Ch 23:31 ) And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the Sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number,according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the LORD. (2Ch2:4 ) Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and onthe solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. (2Ch 8:13 ) Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in theyear, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks,and in the feast of tabernacles. (2Ch 31:3 ) He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings,and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD. Chronicles has just one hint of the moral message attached to the Sabbath in the prophets to be seen later. (2Ch 36:21 ) To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill threescore and ten years. This idea that neglect of the Sabbath along with the sabbatic land statutes was the reason for the Babylonian captivity colors every mention of the Sabbath in the book of Nehemiah, especially at the end of chapter 13. There was an overriding concern not to cause the same or worse catastrophe Sabbath by neglect of the Sabbath. Nehemiah recognizes that the Sabbath is a direct divine revelation, rather than a Mosaic application. (Neh 9:14 ) And madest known unto them thy holy , and commandedst them precepts,statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant. But Nehemiah does not ignore the ceremonial aspect of the Sabbath. (Neh 10:33 ) For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the Sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God. The Sabbath in the books of Moses is primarily attached to activities of acquiring food. This universal aspect of the Sabbath, as opposed to its ceremonial aspects, is recognized by Nehemiah. He notes that not only harvesting,gathering and preparing food on the Sabbath is forbidden, but also buying it.(Neh 10:31 ) And if the people of the land bring ware or any victuals on the Sabbath day to sell, that we would not buy it of them on the Sabbath, or on the holy day: and that we would leave the seventh year, and the exaction of every debt. There is a deep psychological issue involved in the cessation of food-getting on the Sabbath. That is evident from both the Creation story and the story of the manna, but it comes into its own in Nehemiah as well. The primary purpose of the Sabbath was to counteract the natural inclination of people to consider that they sustained themselves by their own work. The stopping for re-evaluation on the Sabbath was designed to reinforce the realization that people are dependent on the Creator for sustenance.
The practical aspect of avoiding work to gain one's livelihood on the Sabbath is not well developed in the books of Moses. There is the manna story, and the detail not to gather firewood for cooking, but aside from that the details are sparse. This passage of Nehemiah focuses on transporting and the buying and selling of food as also forbidden. In summary, the historical books add little to our knowledge of the ceremonial aspects of the Sabbath. But they do enhance our understanding of why we should set aside our daily labors on that day. First of all, the details of transporting and buying and selling food are prohibited, which is a clarification over the books of Moses. The attachment of the Sabbath to the process of food-getting is made more precise, so that we understand how important the Sabbath is in making us understand in a practical way that we are dependent, not on our own work to sustain us, but on the divine blessing and providence that makes that work effective. It is precisely the relationship of human efforts to gain sustenance on the six working days and the pause to reflect on the reality of constant dependence on Yahuwah for life and nourishment that the Sabbath reveals in a practical way. The failure of Christians to realize that the Sabbath is a practical revelation of our complete dependence on Yahuwah for life is at the root of Christian failure to understand the process of grace in the provision of salvation and eternal life as well. The Sabbath in the Psalms and Prophetic Books of the Bible
While the Psalms are the prayerbook of the second temple, with its pageant of worship on the Sabbath and other holy days of Judaism, the Sabbath itself goes largely unmentioned. It is mentioned in the Psalms only in the heading of one of them.(Psa 92:1 ) A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath day. It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD,and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High. There is every probability that the entire fourth book of Psalms, the section containing Psalm 92, was compiled for the purpose of Sabbath worship. The prophets, quite predictably, focus on moral issues in relation to the Sabbath,just as they do in relation to many other aspects of the Law. We see that immediately at the beginning of Isaiah. (Isa 1:13 ) Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and Sabbath, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Here Yahuwah complains through Isaiah about the hypocrisy of maintaining religious forms as a cover for injustice. This is the central theme of most of the prophets,even when other concerns are evident. This text in Isaiah relates especially to the ceremonial aspects of Sabbath observance.
Isaiah recognizes that the Gentile convert to the worship of the true God,Yahuwah, is also responsible to maintain the Sabbath. He is not to make a distinction between himself and Israel. (Isa 56:3 ) 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. The Jewish and entire Middle Eastern culture considers offspring one of the most important parts of life. Isaiah takes the importance attached to having children in the Middle East and uses it to emphasize the importance of the Sabbath. He shows that Sabbath observance lays up a treasure in heaven that is of even greater importance than having children. (Isa 56:4 ) For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; (Isa 56:5 ) 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. (Isa 56:6 ) Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbathSabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant. Those who would contend that the Sabbath is abrogated generally focus on the Sabbathas a legal and ceremonial duty. They never focus on its real role as affirming dependence on Yahuwahand safeguarding the non-negotiable rights of subordinates. By the same token, they never discuss the fact that the Sabbath is not a mere obligation,nor even a mere safeguard to human and animal rights, but also a delight. Every true Sabbath-keeper has experienced such delight. Isaiah also notices this aspect of Sabbath observance. (Isa 58:13 ) If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD ,honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words.... Finally,Isaiah points to the future observance of the Sabbath. Depending on one's view of the prophecy, the Sabbath is to be a central part of the delight of the return from captivity on the part of the Jews or in the restored new earth tocome. (Isa 66:23 ) 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 the LORD. Jeremiah mentions the Sabbath in a more limited context than does Isaiah. He merely reaffirms the principles of Sabbath observance mentioned in Nehemiah. Jeremiah actually wrote before Nehemiah, and no doubt strongly influenced Nehemiah's actions and writing. (Jer 17:21 ) Thus saith the LORD; Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day,nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; (Jer 17:22 ) Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.... (Jer 17:24 ) And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently hearken unto me, saith the LORD, to bring in no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work therein;... (Jer 17:27 ) But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day; then will I kindle afire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and its hall not be quenched. It is also from the writings of Jeremiah that Nehemiah realized the role that the neglect of the Sabbath played in triggering the Babylonian captivity. (Lam1:7 ) Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old, when her people fell into the hand of the enemy, and none did help her: the adversaries saw her, and did mock at her Sabbaths. (Lam2:6 ) And he hath violently taken away his tabernacle, as if it were of a garden: he hath destroyed his places of the assembly: the LORD hath caused the solemn feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest.
While Ezekiel emphasizes the Sabbath as a sign of the special covenant between Yahuwah and Israel, he also recognizes some other issues in regard to the Sabbath. He especially focuses on idolatry, and the fact that the Sabbath brings a knowledge oYahuwah. We have already seen how the Sabbath brings knowledge of Yahuwah in a practical way, by showing that humankind is constantly dependent onYahuwah for life and nourishment, and by showing that superiors have limited powers over their subordinates. Ezekiel notes that such knowledge is essential to avoiding idolatry. The idolatry of Israel was associated with neglect of Sabbath observance. There is a direct relationship between the increasing neglect of the Sabbath in the early centuries of Christianity and the rise of a false theory of Yahuwah and the Trinity. These go hand in hand, occurring over the same period of time. Ezekiel does not fail to describe the results of idolatrous Sabbath-breaking in Israel,with the consequent implications for the same phenomenon among Christians later. (Eze 20:21 ) Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them;they polluted my Sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness. Sabbath-breaking idolatry in the book of Ezekiel is also associated with neglect of justice in carrying out divine judgments in cases of dispute. (Eze 20:24 ) Because they had not executed my judgments,but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols. Two chapters later, Ezekiel points out how Sabbath-breaking affects human perceptions, so that a person is incapable of distinguishing between holy and unholy, clean and unclean. Sabbath-breaking goes hand in hand with the idea that uncleanness and Christianity are compatible. Idolatry, Sabbath-breaking, and eating loathsome things without a qualm are seen all around us today, and only repeat what Ezekiel saw in his own day. (Eze 22:8 ) Thou hast despised mine holy things, and hast profaned my Sabbaths... (Eze 22:26 ) Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths,and I am profaned among them. (Eze 23:38 ) Moreover this they have done unto me: they have defiled my sanctuary in the same day, and have profaned my Sabbaths. Ezekiel returns to the issue of social justice and the Sabbath, which was left rather sketchily stated in chapter 20. In his final predictions of the coming rise of justice, he mentions the reinstatement of Sabbath observance along with justice before the law. (Eze 44:24 ) And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies;and they shall hallow my Sabbaths. Ezekiel's prediction of the second temple has never been fulfilled in detail. But the restitution of the ceremonial aspects of the Sabbath to some extent were reflected in its services. (Eze 45:17 ) And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the Sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel. (Eze 46:1 ) Thus saith the Lord GOD; The gate of the inner court that looketh toward the east shall be shut the six working days;but on the Sabbath it shall be opened, and in the day of the new moon it shall be opened. (Eze 46:3 ) Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the Sabbath and in the new moons. (Eze 46:4 ) And the burnt offering that the prince shall offer unto the LORD in the Sabbath day shall be six lambs without blemish, and a ram without blemish. (Eze 46:12 ) Now when the prince shall prepare a voluntary burnt offering or peace offerings voluntarily unto the LORD, one shall then open him the gate that looketh toward the east,and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he did on the Sabbath day: then he shall go forth; and after his going forth one shall shut the gate. Thus Ezekiel carefully distinguished between the social and moral aspects of the Sabbath on one hand, and the ceremonial and signal aspects on the other. He wrote about both, but in different passages. Two minor prophets joined their voices to the Sabbath message. Hosea speaks of the cessation of the ceremonial figures. (Hos 2:11 ) I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons,and her Sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. The message of Hosea complements that of Isaiah 1:13 . Because the ceremonies of the faith have been used as a cover for moral and social injustice, they are to betaken away in punishment, and Israel is to be left bare, vulnerable and visible in her unfaithfulness. The Sabbath is a central issue in this matter, simply because it contains both the moral and social elements and the ceremonial ones.Here again there is a striking parallel today. Just as ancient Israel failed to keep in mind the social justice that the Sabbath implied, while all the time maintaining the sacrifices and ceremonies, so too Sabbath-keepers today are strong to contend for the specific day and the Sabbath as a sign of obedience,but generally fail to recognize the Sabbath as a witness to constant human dependence on Yahuwah for life and nourishment and as a practical safeguard to human and animal rights by limiting the powers of superiors. This social and moral aspect of the Sabbath, so neglected by ancient Sabbath-keepers, is also mentioned by Amos. (Amo 8:5 ) Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? The prophets greatly enhance our understanding of the Sabbath. The first issue the prophets approach is the ceremonial observance of the Sabbath as a form of hypocrisy among those who used it to cloak social injustice. Isaiah, Hosea and Amos emphasis that point. Jeremiah focuses on the Sabbath as a sign of Yahuwah's covenant with Israel. Jeremiah brings more detail into proper Sabbath observance and shows how its neglect helped to cause the Babylonian Captivity.Ezekiel emphasizes the role of the Sabbath as a sign of the special covenant between Yahuwah and Israel. At the same time he shows how neglect of the Sabbath causes idolatry, inability to distinguish between holy and unholy, clean and unclean, and social injustice before the law. He predicts the restitution of the ceremonial aspect of Sabbath observance in the second temple. Isaiah goes on to show that the Sabbath blessings belong to the Gentile convert as well as to Israel, and how Sabbath-keeping is a greater treasure than even the greatest treasure in Middle Eastern thought, offspring. Isaiah points out that the Sabbath is not a burden, but a delight, and he predicts its restitution after the Captivity and in the view of many in the earth made new. The Sabbath in the Gospels
The expression the Law and the Gospel is an old one and often heard. But more often than not, it is spoken with the intention of separating and contrasting the two, rather than keeping them together as one. If, as many Christians seem to contend, the Gospel supersedes and does away with the law, then the so-called Old Testament need never have been preserved in the Bible at all. But the reality is that Yahuwah has preserved the Bible among Christians, both testaments. That fact should alert us to the fallacy of separating the law from the Gospel.The one is the foundation of the other, and the second is the illumination of the former. Indeed, Christ said “Think not that I am come to destroy the law,or the prophets.” Matthew 5:17 . The Sabbath is first mentioned in the Gospels in Matthew 12. (Mat 12:1 ) At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. (Mat 12:2 ) 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. (Mat 12:3 ) But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungered, and they that were with him; (Mat 12:4 ) How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shew bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? (Mat 12:5 ) 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? (Mat 12:6 ) But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. (Mat 12:7 ) But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. (Mat12:8 ) For the Son of man is Lord even of theSabbathday. This story is repeated in Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5 . A number of issues should be noted. First of all, by one interpretation of law, as long as the grain was not removed from the field, there was no breaking of the Sabbath by harvesting and eating it. Thus by Rabbinical method itself, the accusation of Sabbath-breaking may fall. Secondly, the lack of hospitality on the part of the very people who raised the criticism was a breach of law. The disciples were forced to gather food in order not to break the Sabbath by fasting. The critics themselves had placed them in this situation of a double bind for hostile purposes. Interestingly, Yahshua does not accuse the critics, but offers a Scriptural antecedent for their behavior on the Sabbath, the example of David. By interpreting this Scripture in this way, Yahshua took advantage of the opportunity to affirm his messianic authority as the son of David, and his divinely appointed role in the interpretation and implementation of Scripture. He thus denies the authority of Rabbinical method, replacing it with messianic authority. His interpretation is specifically not in accordance with the rules of Rabbinical interpretation. It is authoritative instead. This affirmation of messianic authority on the part of Yahshua comes to a pinnacle in the final verse. This passage really says little about Sabbath observance as such. The subject of the episode is messianic authority. Still, the sentence in Mark 2:28 gives pause. (Mar 2:27 ) And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. While the sentence primarily condemns the implication behind Pharisaical thought,that the Sabbath was a value in itself to be served by human action, another idea rises from the beginning of the sentence. The Sabbath was made for man.That is, the Sabbath was not made for Jews, but for all humankind. Furthermore,the Sabbath is a divine creation, a gift of grace, for humankind. The way one relates to the gift reveals what one thinks of the Giver.
This story is repeated in Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11 . It is far different in character from the preceding. Here Yahshua affirms that healing is lawful by reference to a Rabbinical verdict. There was Rabbinical disagreement on the issue of whether an animal fallen into a pit could be rescued without breaking the Sabbath. Some Rabbis affirm that it is lawful. Yahshua's answer was completely within the Rabbinical context. What is implicit in the story is Yahshua's acceptance of the validity of Sabbath law. While those who would abrogate the Sabbath generally believe that the abrogation took place after the crucifixion and in function of the death of Christ, they still often appeal to the Gospel texts referring to a pre-crucifixion era to support abrogation. This is a clear exegetical error. If in fact the Sabbath can be shown to have been abrogated before the crucifixion, then the Christian argument of its abrogation as a shadow of things to come must also fall. For the Sabbath-keeper this story is important in affirming that actions of mercy are appropriate to the Sabbath. The next text to occur is (Mat 24:20 ) But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day. Sabbath-keepers refer to this text as proving that the intention of Christ is to affirm Sabbath-keeping after his resurrection, at a time when most Christians claim the Sabbath is abrogated as a shadow of things to come, which are fulfilled in the crucifixion. The response to this argument is that the command merely acknowledges the situation in Jewish-dominated Palestine just before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. The Sabbath-keeping of the Jews would make it hard for the presumed non-Sabbath-keeping followers of Christ to flee. There are several problems with this argument, most prominent of which being that there is no evidence of non-Sabbath observance among the followers of Christ at that time. Even after the rise of Sunday observance near the beginning of the second century according to Mozna and Bacchiocchi, Sabbath was still observed by all Christians (Samuele Bacchiocchi, From Sabbath to Sunday: A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity, Biblical Perspectives, 1977). Therefore, the prophecy had to refer to a Sabbath-keeping community. If Yahshua intended that his death should abrogate Sabbath-keeping, he lost the opportunity of telling his followers to stop observing the Sabbath, as it might facilitate their flight from Jerusalem. Instead, he affirmed their Sabbath observance. Whether or not the command is relevant to later generations, the affirmation of Sabbath observance by his followers as late as C.E. 70 reduces the argument that it was abrogated by his death to exegetical error, failure to harmonize all relevant textual evidence. Matthew 24:20 is proof positive that Yahshua did not accept the idea that Sabbath observance came to an end at the cross. It establishes a precedent that requires us to find a harmonizing exegesis of Colossians2:16,17 , and failing that to deny canonicity to the epistle to the Colossians.It is far preferable to accept Sabbath observance and interpret Colossians in harmony with Matthew if at all possible. The final reference to the Sabbath in the first Gospel is (Mat 28:1 ) In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. While some readers of the Bible make much of the Greek in this and similar texts, the KJV translation is essentially correct. The word for week actually means week in the context and the word for dawn, however, it is interpreted, does not affect the fact that the Sabbath is mentioned in passing and affirmed. Given that the disciples did not yet know of the resurrection, the Sabbatarian argument that this affirms the Sabbath after the crucifixion is weak. A similar passage is found in Mark. (Mar 16:1 ) And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
The Sabbath is mentioned only in passing in this passage. The focus of the passage is the Messianic authority of Yahshua, much in the same way as in the first Sabbath passage of Matthew. The Sabbath reform that Yahshua brings forward is seen by both Matthew and Mark to be intimately connected with his role and status as Messiah. The implication is that rejection of the Sabbath is to reject the Messiah himself. In fact, we see that in practice, for non-Sabbatarian Christianity often denies Yahshua, at least by making him the second person of the Trinity rather than the only-begotten son of Yahuwah or Christ. This same story is reflected in Luke 4:31-37 . Mark6:1-5 remarks on Yahshua visiting his home town on the Sabbath. More even than Matthew, Mark focuses on Yahshua' messianic authority in connexion with the Sabbath. In this passage Yahshua shows his power in his authoritative teaching. (Mar6:2 ) And when the Sabbath day was come,he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? But he is met by the unbelief bred of familiarity. For this reason he did not do many miracles there, and at the same time avoided confrontation about healing on the Sabbath. This story perhaps refers to the same occasion as reported in(Luke 4:16 ) And 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 for to read. Yahshua' interpretation of the haftarah reading as a prophecy of his own ministry was calculated to bring on the reaction that it did. The Sabbath is mentioned only one more time in Mark, when Joseph of Arimathaea asked Pilate for the body of Yahshua. (Mar 15:42 ) And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is,the day before the Sabbath. The same evening is mentioned in Luke (Luke 23:54 ) And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on. (Luk23:56 ) And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment. While it is no surprise that the Sabbath should be observed, it is perhaps significant that it is mentioned in the Gospel as a given, not as something strange. The expressions of John in some places show slightly more distancing. While the focus of Matthew is on the discussion of Jewish interpretation of how the Sabbath should be kept, and the focus of Mark is on the Sabbath as an indicator of Yahshua' messianic authority, the focus of Luke is different still. Only in Luke do we find that all of the miracles of healing that Yahshua is reported to have initiated himself, without being asked, were performed on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is thus associated with Yahshua' acts of mercy. These differences in the synoptic Gospels reflect the differences generally among the three. Matthew is the most Jewish of the Gospels, Mark focuses of power and authority, and Luke focuses on mercy and social issues. It is to be expected that these differences of perception should be reflected in the Sabbath as well.
Here Yahshua returns to the argument of the ox in the pit, reflected in the Talmudic word the Mishna, book 4, Qama Bava 3:10. This appears to be the single most important Rabbinical argument that Yahshua uses to justify his acts of healing on the Sabbath. What is notable is that he engages in such discussion, thus affirming the obligation of the Sabbath by discussing how it should be observed. It is notable as well that he meets his critics on their own ground with their own methods. The same argument is pressed in the following chapter, in regard to another healing initiated by Yahshua and thus showing the Sabbath as an icon of mercy. (Luk14:1 ) And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath day,that they watched him. (Luke 14:2 ) And,behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. (Luk14:3 ) And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day? (Luk14:4 ) And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; (Luke 14:5 ) And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the Sabbath day? (Luke 14:6 ) And they could not answer him again to these things. The Sabbath issue in John differs from that in the synoptics in a similar way to the differences in the usage of the term son of Yahuwah. In the synoptic the term son of Yahuwah is merely an equivalent for the term Christ or Messiah. In John this concept is enlarged to focus on Yahshua as life-giver. The accusations of claiming deity found in John are associated with accusations of Sabbath-breaking. In response, the concept of Yahshua as life-giver is associated with the Sabbath healings. This association of ideas is already apparent in the first event in John. (John 5:9 ) And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked:and on the same day was the Sabbath.... (John 5:10 ) The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.... (John 5:16) And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these thing son the Sabbath day.... (John 5:18 ) Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. The text states the two accusations, of claiming deity and Sabbath-breaking,outright. Strangely, rather than focusing on the ministry and message of Yahshua,who presents his role as Christ to bring life and victory over death on the Sabbath, most Christian commentators actually accept the accusation against Yahshua as true, and present him as a Sabbath-breaker and claiming to be Yahuwah, Almighty. One can hardly see this as other than defamation and blasphemy as well as failure to penetrate the message of Yahshua as expressed by John. Why the claims of hostile witnesses should be accepted in exegesis but not in other contexts is a mystery. According to John, Yahshua uses a different argument to justify the acts of healing mercy on the Sabbath. (John 7:22 ) Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the Sabbath day circumcise a man. (John 7:23 ) If a man on the Sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me,because I have made a man every whit whole on the Sabbath day? Instead of the ox-in-the-pit argument based on Rabbinical discussion, he appeals directly to the harmonizing of Torah law. This actually constitutes an argument directed at the Sadducees, who denied the oral law. Thus the Gospels portray Yahshua as defending his Sabbath actions by using both Pharisean Rabbinical arguments and Sadducean Torah arguments. But John astutely brings forward another type of Sabbath action on the part of Yahshua (John 9:14 ) And it was the sabbathSabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes.... (John 9:16 ) Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. Many Gospel narratives show Yahshua' critics trying to trap him with sophistry. Yahshua always turns the tables with an astute answer. John 9 presents Yahshua using the Sabbath to cause division among his critics. Again, the thoughtless reader is tempted to take the hostile accusation against Yahshua at face value. He thus misses the thrust of the conflict between Yahshua and his critics, and how wisely Yahshua is able to deal with them. The final mention of the Sabbath in the Gospels is John's remark on the crucifixion. (John 19:31 ) The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. In sum, the Gospels show Yahshua interacting on the issue of the Sabbath. He never abrogates the Sabbath. He enters into detailed discussion with his critics on how the Sabbath should be observed. He justifies his practice of mercy on the Sabbath by using both Rabbinical and Sadducean methods, thus turning the table son his accusers. He establishes his messianic authority by his Sabbath action sin both teaching and healing, and finally affirms his messianic role as life-giver through his Sabbath reform. The Sabbath in the Acts and the Epistles
In contrast to the Gospels, the book of Acts mentions the Sabbath only in passing,without entering into the issue of Sabbath theology and practice. The Sabbath is a mere assumption in the book of Acts. Given the rather complex structure of the Sabbath as presented in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Gospels, rather complex discussion would be required for dismantling it. It is so entwined with the central issues of the Gospel itself, that to abandon it would require the invention of a completely new Gospel system. That is, in fact, what non-Sabbatarian Christians do. The first mention is in (Act 1:12 ) Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey. The second mention is (Act 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. This text is ambiguous, and should not be used to support or deny Sabbath-keeping on the part of the apostles at this period. Verse five would suggest by the expression “synagogue of the Jews” that the mere mention of the word synagogue does not imply a Jewish institution as opposed to a place of gathering for the followers of Christ. However, the following verses identify it as a Jewish place of gathering and show that Paul and his companion have come there,whether or not to participate in the Sabbath reading of the law, at least for the purpose of bringing the message of Christ to the Jews of that place. That situation neither establishes nor denies Sabbath observance.
The tone in regard to the Sabbath as a Gentile practice is raised somewhat, however,later in the chapter. This text shows clearly that no Sunday gatherings were made at that time for the Gentile believers. They too gathered on the Sabbath.(Act 13:42 ) And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath... (Act 13:44 ) And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. The assumption that the Gentile believers would be present on the Sabbath to hear the reading of the law appears in Acts 15 as an argument for the imposition of no more than avoidance of things offered to idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood. The clear implication of the word “for” (gar) at the beginning of verse 21 is that if they were not listening to the reading of the law, then more should have been imposed on them. Furthermore, the word synagogue here clearly refers to the Jewish institution in regard to “old time”, but is ambiguous in regard to the time at which it was spoken. It may well include the place of gathering for the followers of Christ, in which case we must assume that the liturgy at that period included the Torah lesson being read, perhaps in Greek or perhaps in the Palestinian fashion, in Hebrew with a translation or “targum” of each verse. (Act 15:21 ) For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day. Sabbatarians sometimes refer to the following verse as proof that the Sabbath was kept outside of Jewish institutions. This is based on the false premise that the word synagogue must always refer to a Jewish institution where Christ is notknown or preached regularly. That is simply not the case. Secondly, it is based on the false assumption that Jews who did not know Christ always had a building in which to gather on the Sabbath. That too is obviously Sabbath not the case. This verse can well refer to an ordinary place of gathering for ordinary Jews. It does not support or deny Sabbath observance among Gentiles. (Act 16:13 ) And on the we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. The following verse can also be considered merely evidence of Paul's custom of joining the Jews on the Sabbath in order to preach Christ to them. (Act17:2 ) And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, however,the following verse includes Gentiles in the place of gathering and on the Sabbath. (Act 18:4 ) And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. Most of the book of Acts merely assumes the Sabbath within a Jewish context. Only afew passages suggest Sabbath observance on the part of Gentiles. The epistles mention the word Sabbath in only one text. (Col 2:16 ) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of theSabbathdays:(Col 2:17 ) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Much has been made of this text as an abrogation of the weekly Sabbath, which is supposed, by the preceding passage, to have been “nailed to the cross.” This interpretation neglects the exegetical principle in regard to New Testament writings to examine the Hebrew passages to which the subject makes reference.The New Testament is a great measure a book of commentary on the Hebrew Scriptures. Much weak exegesis is the result of failure to consider this vital fact. The five subjects mentioned in verse 16 are all gathered in only one place: Leviticus 23 . There the animal sacrifices and the food and drink offerings appropriate to the weekly Sabbath, the first day of the month, and the annual feasts, are presented. Much care is needed in interpreting the Pauline epistles. Peter, who lived at the time and new the circumstances, still found them difficult to understand. Even the most skillful and knowledgeable of us today must realize that we can easily jump to false conclusions when it comes to Paul. We should therefore be careful about being dogmatic in our understanding of Paul.
The text implies that the animal sacrifices, not being mentioned, are not a cause of dispute. They could only be offered in the temple in Jerusalem. No doubt some were saying the same for the food and drink offerings, and others were disagreeing. The text also implies that the people of this church were engaged in observing all of the festivals mentioned, including but not exclusively the Sabbath.Paul's remark gives no indication of whether such observance is right,superseded, wrong or necessary. He does not refer to that issue at all. He refers only to the issue of food and drink offerings on those days. He thinks they should not be a matter of conflict. The word Sabbath does not occur elsewhere in the epistles, although some references to days may be relevant. The seventh day, in reference to the Sabbath, is appealed to in Hebrew 4 as a figure of the rest that remains for Israel in Christ. That passage does not deal with actual Sabbath observance at all,either positively or negatively. In sum, Acts and the epistles give little new information on the Sabbath. As such,they provide no discussion warranting change. Furthermore, if they did teach that the Sabbath was abrogated and done away with, what would that prove? That would only prove that the epistles are in conflict with the Law and the Gospel.In that case, we should be constrained to reject them as non-canonical and spurious, as no divine revelation at all. As they stand, however, they can well be harmonized with the Gospel, which gives a vital, spiritual understanding of the Law in regard to the Sabbath. By a strange twist of illogic, those who oppose Sabbath observance often make accusations of legalism. Yet they themselves affirm all of the other moral principles of the law as binding on all and expect others to avoid adultery, murder, theft and the like. Why legalism is attached to one moral practice and not to another cannot be explained rationally. It is based on a mere prejudice, or on the misunderstanding that everything related to the Sabbath is ceremonial and a shadow of things to come, just because some things are. For them the Sabbath must include animal sacrifices, food and drink offerings, death sentence, and the renewing of shewbread, or then nothing at all. Such people do not even recognize the moral and social aspects of the Sabbath presented in the Decalogue, nor the Sabbath as a vehicle of divine mercy as presented in the Gospels. Actually, they are the legalists in regard to the Sabbath. Sabbath observance does not weaken the importance of Paul's discourse on the law to the Galatians any more than avoidance of adultery and murder do. The same view on the Law and faith can be maintained by the Sabbath observer as by the monogamist and non-violent. The Sabbath as seen in the Bible fosters the concept and experience of salvation by faith through grace. There are four major arguments against Sabbath observance proposed by Christians on the basis of the Sabbath. 1) There are direct commands for all of the other commandments of the Decalogue in the New Testament, but not for the Sabbath; 2) Yahshua broke the Sabbath and thus showed it to be abrogated; 3) The Sabbath consists entirely of ceremonial obligations which are shadows of things to come and “nailed to the cross”; 4) The text of the New Testament does not show the early church to have kept Sabbath. These as well as the four major arguments based on the Old Testament have all been adequately responded to here in some detail. In sum, a Bible harmony of the passages in reference to the Sabbath is neither difficult nor in conflict with the Gospel. Rather, it contributes to the better understanding and implementation of the Gospel itself. It intimately integrates recognition of divine sovereignty, it illuminates Yahuwah as Creator and Provider, it limits the power of the powerful and alone among moral commandments transforms human society to one of justice and order from being under the law of the jungle. The Sabbath becomes the vehicle for the penetration of the Gospel of life and mercy into the world. Its neglect is one of the major factors for the limited influence of the Gospel of Christ in the world today. Hits: 9022 Comments (52)
  written by enriqueto belauro, November 09, 2009
to all my beloved bro. and sis.we are now living in the clossest endtimes.and we are talking the seal of the beast(satan)sunday, and the seal of (God) sabbath ezekiel 20:12/20:20..exodus 31:13 to test our faithfulness to God here are his law.Rev.14:12 we need to obey his 4th com.for this is the highest form of worhip to God.also 4th com. the only comandment that contain God seal.Dont ever miss it! or else mark of the beast (sunday) take over your mind.God Bless Wlc!!
 written by daniel 8, November 08, 2009
After you receive Jesus Christ by faith pray to the Holy Spirit (SEAL OF GOD) be in your life. Your old man die , and the Holy Spirit will teach us look Jesus Christ as the perfect exemplo and the bible the only book 100% garant with not mistakes. Saturday dont save you . Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit is the promece of God to us.
Paul said in Colossians:2:16 16Therefore 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. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. The bible is the only book I believe. Is the world of God .Maranatha came Jesus Christ the Son of God MARANATHA ,came JESUS CHRIST the Lord the Son of God!!
 written by Valdirene Ribeiro, November 04, 2009
küisted Barusthejisere Jesus briüng us a trist comum
Mayte tükü okay.
 written by Thomas Olivas, November 02, 2009
God said his laws stand for eternity. thats forever.
God's character is his law. Sounds like you are saying God has no character. Sounds like you are saying God does not exist. Sounds like you worship sunday sounds like you took the mark of the beast in the forehead. no offense, but no one took God's law away. Everyone has transgressed the law , and all of heaven was sorrow because that means death for man. God can not change his law. Jesus His son had sympathy for us and pleaded to the Father that He would like to die our death, so we can live. That is grace that we have a beautiful family. But , we get back up and dust ourselves off and get back on the path. come on now, don't deceive your own self. tom shalom Glory to Jesus Christ the Amen forever and ever. thats eternity. Praise God.
 written by endtime elijah, October 27, 2009
Thanks Daniel,
u post- written by daniel 8, October 23, 2009 Paul said . reply- No one here has said 'keeping Sabbath saves you'. We do not keep the commandments to be saved - but BECAUSE we are saved. It is all a matter of our love for Creator Redeemer causing us to obey and be fully surrendered to Him. John makes it plain - Take note - LOVE / COMMANDMENTS -- if you don't keep them yet SAY you LOVE HIM YOU ARE A LIAR!!!! 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. John 14:15 If ye LOVE me, keep my COMMANDMENTS. John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. Stop kicking against the pricks! Shalom!!
written by daniel 8, October 23, 2009
Paul said . In this cheper Paul said , dont judge you saved a day or not , who eat meat or not. You guys want people saved saturday , but saturday dont saved nobody. Faith in Jesus Christ save you and after you need receive the Holy Spirit. If you guys said to me saturday is big the Holy Spirit , your salvation is in dangers . Because the Holy Spirit is the SEAL OF GOD , not saturday. Living the true gospel . How you judge me ??? I am prist the bible. Look this way. I am not judge you, if you want saved saturday amem !But dont input the finger in my face and said if I dont saved I am going to hell. Look what Paul said about it. saturday don saved anybody .
Romans 14 1Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3Let 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. 4WHO ART THOU THAT JUDGEST ANOTHER MANS SERVANT? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5ONE MAN ESTEEMETH ONE DAY ABOVE ANOTHER: ANOTHER ESTEEMETH EVERY DAY ALIKE.LET EVERY MAN BE FULLY PERSUADED IN HIS OWN MIND. 6He 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. 7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For 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. 9For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10BUT WHY DOST THOU JUDGE THY BROTHER? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. 14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 16Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Paul : is said if you saved a day amem , dont judge who dont , and the one dont saved dont judge the other. Tha day dont saved anybody. The faith in Jesus Christ saved you. After like Paul said , you need receive the Holy Spirit. I am prist the bible, the only 100% garanty book. Ellen White book is not the book I follow. I am a christian I follow Jesus Christ.Maranata came Jesus Christ the Son of God.
 written by marjorie whyte, October 23, 2009
I DARE ALL who 'try' to claim that true believers should not continue to keep the original 7th day Sabbath - which you all claim is not COMMANDED in the NEW Testament -
Read Matt.23:2,3 - and show how to remove the original 7th day Sabbath from 'ALL WHATSOEVER' in 'MOSES' SEAT.. Then read Matt. 28:19,20 - again the same 'ALL WHATSOEVER'- preach and teach to ALL NATIONS (JEWS and GENTILES). This was AFTER the cross! Show how to remove the original 7th day Sabbath from Christ's last COMMAND on earth before you go on and 'TWIST TO YOUR OWN DESTRUCTION' the writings of PAUL who was OBEDIENT to CHRIST and followed His perfect example EVERY SABBATH!!! Then reach into the future and also remove it from NEW JERUSALEM (Isaiah 66:22,23) Show why if it is THERE and THEN, why not HERE and NOW ? Are you STANDING on the ROCK or have you STUMBLED on it ?? This is only a tiny part of NEW END TIME REVELATION as promised to Daniel !!! Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. MORE ANON.
written by marjorie whyte, October 23, 2009
Dear isaacts-
Your question shows its own answer - BECAUSE WE ARE DISOBEDIENT! u say- Why do we worship on Sunday instead of Saturday? written by issac ts, October 20, 2009 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? reply - answer - Because you are DISOBEDIENT - because u are showing that u dont love Jesus and His OBEDIENT Apostles who followed Him in OBEDIENCE!!! 'If you love Me, KEEP My commandments' (Therefore)-(If u dont love ME, then u DONT keep My commandments) You also make yourself a liar- 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him. And u quoted the scripture which tells u what will happen to LIARS in your own post to -Vigoboy!! written by daniel 8, September 20, 2009 Hi Vigoboy , God bless in Jesus name brother. We need obey the commandments Jesus told! ----- We need do everything Jesus did ,(HE KEPT EVERY SABBATH) Jesus is the perfect exemplo. If we are under the law we all will be in hell. But Jesus change it. (LIAR - SHOW THE SCRIPTURE !!) Brother lets see wat Jesus said about the each commandments the ones send the man to hell!!! ------ 8: But the fearful, and UNBELIEVING, and the ABOMINABLE, and MURDERERS, and WHOREMONGERS, and SORCERERS, and IDOLATERS, and all LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:7-8) reply- so u see - LIARS are included !!!! u also say- 15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. reply- Read Matt.23:2,3 - and show how to remove the original 7th day Sabbath from ALL WHATSOEVER in 'MOSES' SEAT.. Then read Matt. 28:19,20 - again the same ALL WHATSOEVER, preach and teach to ALL Nations (JEWS and GENTILES). This was AFTER the cross! Show how to remove the original 7th day Sabbath from Christ's last command on earth before you go on and quote PAUL, PETER, JAMES, JOHN and JUDE who were all OBEDIENT to Him !!! A house divided against itself CANNOT stand!
 written by issac ts, October 20, 2009
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.
written by daniel 8, October 16, 2009
God bless brother!! In Mark said about poison and serpents , because God hans is with us when we living in spirit , when you are doing the Holy Spirit wish ,God hand will be with you. If anybody try kill you , poison you , or try hurt you ,God hand is over you!! Like Daniel with lions , God is in control. Is better you prist the gospel , be with the Holy Spirit and try do must you can wat Jesus did. Christ is perfect exemplo !!Saved saturday dont saved you. Living the true gospel and have the Holy Spirit and talk about Jesus the only Saver to your friends will be more like Jesus did. Look the disciples and try understand how they living !!They was fullfield with the Holy Spirit , God used miracles , cast devons , speak in tougues . This is the true gospel!!Maranata
written by daniel 8, September 28, 2009
Jack was very nice words!!! We are brother and we need prist the gospel . Prist Jesus Christ is the only saver!!! Jesus is the only way to us see God Father!! We need look Jesus and try do what he did. A lot people bean lear need save saturday , Jesus is biger than saturday. Saturday dont save anybody. Lets prist what Peter, Paul, the disciples did!! Acceptance Jesus Christ like your Lord , the Son of God , believe He died and after 3 days He riser and today He seat by right side of God Father. After you believe it you need receive the Holy Spirit(SEAL of GOD) . Paul was asking : did you guys receive the Holy Spirit?Paul never said : you guys save saturday???Please guys lets living with the Holy Spirit try doing everything Jesus did .He is the perfect exemple!!!Jesus is the perfect model!!He is the Son of God and the only Saver!!You save saturday,saturday dont save you. You acceptance Jesus Christ and after have the Holy Spirit you are saved by the grace of Jesus ,by your faith of Jesus and SEAL by the Holy Spirit. Nobody will be save by the law!!!!!Jesus said:15And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. MARK 16:15-18. Here is the signs need be with us!! The disciples lived the true gospel. I dont see in the New testment anybody said: saved saturday!!
 written by JACK@JURUS HAIDIN, September 23, 2009
God bless all of you that been here,i really impressed with all the comments had been posted here.
Now is my time to tell you guys a little about my self.I am originally x member of sunday worship church but now this i base on God words the "HOLY BIBLE"only and alone,by studying it all the time to search for the truth to help educate my self that may help me to protect from any false doctrines,everyday i exercise and apply the ten commendments through my dailys life with God,by following His words and walk on it,i feel really blessed with that,it is not same anymore.My motto"SPEAK LESS DO IT EVEN MORE FOR GOD"surely we all will understand and be blessed by God.I believe that will be also become a good testamony where ever we go or do than we talk more but never perform it all.Let everybody truly walk on His words,this is not about who's true and not true,let us break out from that and we together break the wall that saperated us from God and let the world see the real truth of God and His words God bless you all,His servant Jack.
written by daniel 8, September 20, 2009
Hi Vigoboy , God bless in Jesus name brother. We need obey the commandments Jesus told! Love God with all your heart and the others like yourself. this commandments is the biger one. The bible said if you dont priest the gopel and bring soulds for Jesus ,If one tree dont give fruit is cut and send in the lake of fier. We all need prist the gospel !!Look Paul the disciples after Jesus left to seat in the right side of God Father , the disciples was prist about Jesus only salvation , receive the Holy Spirit ( who dont have the Holy Spirit this person is not God servent) Paul was asking everybody , if they receive the Holy Spirit , he never asking who was saved saturday. We need do everything Jesus did , Jesus is the perfect exemplo. If we are under the law we all will be in hell. But Jesus change it. Brother lets see wat Jesus said about the each commandments the ones send the man to hell!!!
7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8: But the fearful, and UNBELIEVING, and the ABOMINABLE, and MURDERERS, and WHOREMONGERS, and SORCERERS, and IDOLATERS, and all LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:7-8) Jesus never said : who dont save saturday in this chapter will be in hell!!All article in this site said save SATURDAY, we have more important job , make a article( PRIST THE GOSPEL MAKE FRUTS) other like Paul said : ( YOU RECEICE THE HOLY SPIRIT ???) 15: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18: They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover(mark 16:15-18)I am obey God because I try do everything Jesus Christ did, because the Holy Spirit is inside me. I am SEALED by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is the truth . If you dont Believe in Jesus Christ and you not baptize with the Holy Spirit , the saturday will not saved you!!!7: And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. 8: I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost(MARK 1:7-8)God bless all in Jesus name.This websit is blessed , pope is the beast!!masonic is the satan organization all is right. We are in the last days. lets prist Jesus Christ love and salvation. Maranatha came Jesus Christ the Lord!!!!!!!!!
 written by Virgoboy2, September 20, 2009
Just remember this daniel 8, not because we are saved by grace we can do whatever we want to do now. We are saved by grace because God loves us and doesn't mean now that we can do anything because of that. IF we REALLY LOVE CHRIST, we will obey and faithfully do what He tells us to do. Obeying God including His commandments means we love him not because we're under the law. If you really love someone, you just do things without her/him telling you what to do and that because you love that person. You do things unexpectedly. Obeying God is our response of His goodness to us. It is right that we cannot save ourselves just by doing good works, only Christ righteousness is able to save us from our sinful nature. But that doesn't mean that we have to stop what God tells us to do to be an example or light of this world. How can we become a light if we don't even respect/love each other as part of 10 commandments?How about the first four commandments which shows our love to God. Daniel 8, we understand your point but if you really understand the 3 stages of salvation (maybe, not sure how you call it) WHICH ARE JUSTIFICATION, SANCTIFICATION AND GLORIFICATION you will really understand what it means to be saved by God's grace.
We all need Jesus Christ. We cannot save ourselves and that's the truth. Only and only Him can save us.
written by daniel 8, September 19, 2009
God bless you brother!!! The saturday dont save anybody. My question again??do you think who dont save saturday go hell??????
Lets see what Paul said in romans about the law .We are under the grace , if we are under the law everybody will be in hell!! But Jesus Christ save us by his blood and grace . After it the Holy Spirit is the God SEAL. 4: Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5: For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6: But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. 7: What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8: But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. 9: For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10: And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11: For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me (ROMANS 7:4-11) IF YOU MAKE THE LAW BIGER THE JESUS GRACE , YOU ARE CANCEL JESUS CHRIST SACRIFICED IN THE CROSS. DONT LIVING UNDER THE LAW BUT UNDER THE GRACE AND IN SPIRIT. SATURDAY DONT SAVE ANYBODY.
written by JACK@JURUS HAIDIN, September 18, 2009
Please have a look;Mat5:17-19,Luke4:16,John3:4,Matt7:21-23,Mark7:6-8 and prov28:9, I hope these can help you to understand the Scriptures God bless you.
written by daniel 8, September 17, 2009
JACK@JURUS HAIDIN ?? Question ?? Do you believe if you dont save saturday you go hell? NOBODY NOBODY , after Christ prist save saturday.This site prist save saturday is the seal. The bible said We are SEALED with the Holy Spirit. The biblia is the best lier decteter lets use the bible.....Jesus and the Holy Spirit is more import dan save the saturday, saturday dont save anybody we are under the grace no the law. Who dont have the Holy Spirit this one is not a God servent.
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From this text we can be certain of the following claims: 1) Yahuwah commanded Sabbath observance; 2) Yahuwah marked the day of the Sabbath by performing the quadruple miracle of the manna: it was twice as abundant on the sixth day, the double portion did not spoil, no manna fell on the seventh day, and manna saved over on the first to the fifth days spoiled; 3) some people ignored the Sabbath and were blamed for doing so; 4) the people were not to go out and gather manna on the Sabbath.
The Decalogue is paraphrased in Moses' sermon in Deuteronomy 5, but in that case it is applied specifically to the experience of Israel. That aspect of the Sabbath is more clearly developed in the following verse.
In the historical books the Sabbath is generally mentioned merely in passing. Such an occasion is found in the story of the Shunammite woman. (
This aspect of food-getting in relation to the Sabbath is brought out very strongly in chapter 13. (
But Isaiah recognizes the moral aspect of the Sabbath as well. Here Isaiah recognizes the role of Sabbath-keeping in fostering righteousness, and its effectiveness for keeping people from doing evil. (
Ezekiel brings forward a completely different aspect. He bases his remarks in regard to the Sabbath on 
The Sabbath is mentioned more often in the Gospels than in the books of Moses. Had it been the intention of Yahshua to do away with the Sabbath, he could have said so, instead of engaging in so many discussions of the details of proper Sabbath observance. But the purpose of the Gospels, in regard to the Sabbath, is not to abrogate it, but to teach us how to observe it better.
The second story appears in 
Mark also contains some passages dealing with the Sabbath that are not reflected in Matthew. The first is (
Some of these healings initiated by Yahshua on the Sabbath are mentioned only by Luke.The first such is (
Paul includes a reference to the Sabbath in his discourse on this occasion, and while the general tone of the mention is positive, it is within the context of specifically Jewish practice and cannot be taken as a witness for or against Sabbath observance by the apostolic community. (
The Pauline epistles are generally addressed to specific churches in view of specific problems that are not outlined in detail, but merely hinted at. All of us lack the essential background knowledge. Taking the Hebrew scriptural reference as a hint of what problem is being addressed here, we may make the following tentative assumption. There was a conflict in the church in regard to the food and drink offerings to be offered on the three categories of days also mentioned. Paul's response is to leave that issue to the conscience of the individual, whether or how to provide such offerings, since they are in any case merely shadows of things to come, which have already been fulfilled. That is the extent of the teaching, and to go beyond that is to read one's own bias into the text.
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written by daniel 8, November 08, 2009
After you receive ----- and the Holy Spirit will teach us look Jesus Christ as the perfect exemplo ------ Saturday dont save you .
reply-
We do not keep the commandments to be saved - rather BECAUSE we ARE saved and we love to OBEY (be fully surrendered) to HIM WHO says 'IF you LOVE ME, keep MY commandments' (which are not just suggestions)
Question - can the Holy Spirit truly teach us NOT to follow Christ in His PERFECT EXAMPLE of keeping HIS OWN true 7th day Sabbath which HE reclaimed saying 'I AM LORD of the SABBATH'??
u post-
Paul said in Colossians:2:16
16Therefore 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. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
reply-
The above confirms that we who are 'FOUND in Christ' will certainly walk in His footsteps as His 'custom was' -- observing the 7th day Sabbath - every week!!
Have u ever considered that Paul was in fact encouraging the Colossians to continue what they were doing (keeping the Sabbaths etc) -- and were being criticized for it by others who were disobedient??
Paul certainly must have been in full compliance with What Christ commanded BEFORE the CROSS in Matthew 23:2-3 (the 7th day Sabbath being unmovable from the 'ALL WHATSOEVER'in MOSES'SEAT) and again AFTER the CROSS - the same 'ALL WHATSOEVER' teach ALL NATIONS ---Jews AND Gentiles -- Matt.28:19-20.
Paul gave us the SUMMARY of ALL his writings --
Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Shalom