1. Which Day is the Sabbath of the Lord?
“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:” Exodus. 20:10
In no uncertain terms the Bible clearly identifies the seventh-day as the Sabbath of the Lord. Even though many religious groups insist that God changed the seventh-day Sabbath to the first day of the week, such declarations result from wishful thinking on the part of those whose doctrines are intended to sway the minds of weak individuals unfamiliar with the Bible, for no true translation of the Bible ever makes such a claim, for the internal validity of the Bible provides too much evidence to the contrary – Gen. 2: 2- 3; Exod. 16:26; 20:10-11; 23:12; 31:15-17; 35: 2; Lev. 23: 3; Deut. 5:14-15;
2.Who Did God Require to Keep the Sabbath Day?
When the command of God was given by Moses to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy,” it was initially given unto the heads of each household to require those for whom they were responsible to keep the Sabbath day. Anyone residing within their gates (jurisdiction) were required to keep it, up to and including the stranger (visitor) any animals, domesticated or otherwise – Exod. 20: 8-11; Deut. 5:14-16. They were not to do any work. Because the children of Yisrael (Israel) were God’s elect (chosen) people – Isa. 45:3-4; Pet. 2L 9, whom God also named – 2 Chron. 7:14. His secrets of salvation were entrusted to them via Moses – Deut. 29: 1, 29. They were responsible for blessing all the families of the earth with these secrets of salvation – Gen. 28:14. Christ’s conclusion “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath – Mark 2:27, clears up any misunderstanding of whether or not all men should keep the Sabbath day holy, for “man” as used in this passage refers to mankind. See: Isa. 56: 2, 6; 66:22-23; and Neh. 9:14.
3.What Does the Seventh-Day Sabbath Commemorate?
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 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. 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.” Gen. 2: 1- 3
For have we which believed do enter into rest, 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. 4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Heb. 4: 1- 4,9-10
Because Gen. 2: 1- 3 above, reveals that after finishing all the host of the heavens and the earth, God rested (ceased from his work on the things that he had created and made), and blessed (sanctified) the seventh day This culminating event, lead to the identification of the seventh day as the Sabbath. The word “commemorate means to “show respect for (someone or something) or to celebrate (an event, a person or a situation) by doing or building something, God wanted his people to commemorate the Sabbath by remembering it and keeping it – Exod. 20: 10. The New Testament writers warned against failing to enter into God’s rest due to unbelief – Heb. 4: 1- 4, for the promises of the Sabbath covenant were reserved for those who obey the command to keep the Sabbath holy.
4. What Are the Consequences of Breaking the Sabbath Covenant?
The consequence of breaking the Sabbath covenant is death and separation from God – Exod. 31:14, specifically because the wages (payment) for sin is death – Rom. 6:23.. Sin is the transgression of the law; which results in a forfeiture of the promises of the law, or being cut off, Exod. 31:14. Whenever individuals are cut off God, they are disinherited from the covenants of promise which are given unto Yisrael (Israel) alone – Rom. 9: 4.
5. What Are the Benefits Associated With Keeping the Sabbath?
There are many benefits associated with keeping the Sabbath commandment. This benefits range from obtaining the good life unto eternal life in the presence of God – Matt. 19:15-25. When asked what he must do in order to inherit eternal life, Jesus’ response was to keep the commandments – Matt. 19:16-17. When the young man asked, which? Jesus promptly referenced a group of commandment commonly known as the Ten Commandments – Matt. 19:18-20.
6. If the Sabbath is binding today, how do you explain the fact that Jesus and his Disciples broke the Sabbath?
During the New Testament era, the tradition of the elders (Jewish tradition) had managed to gain a strong grasp on believers. This grip was so strong that it became literally impossible for believers to distinguish between the Word of ‘El (God) and the traditions of men. Anyone who failed to recognize the pattern of infiltration of Jewish traditions from the Old Testament, was sure to miss its significance in the New Testament, for it was business as usual for the Jews, with the exception, that now, they had Jesus and the disciples to accuse.
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.-John 5:18
23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.24 And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?- mark 2:23-24
7. If the Seventh Day is the Sabbath, Why Did the Leaders of the Early Church Sometimes Gather on the 1st Day of the Week?
When God blessed, hallowed and sanctified the seventh day – , Gen 2: 2- 3: Exod. 20:11, and later mandated Sabbath keeping through his prophet Moses – , Exod. 20: 8-11, he had already made a distinction between the seventh day(Sabbath) and the other days of the week; however, God made no ordinance forbidding believers from worshiping him on the other days. In other words, if believers wanted to worship God six days out of the week, they could do so, as long as they did not fail to keep the Sabbath. Failing to keep the Sabbath day would make them guilty of the sin of disobedience, but as long as they observed the Sabbath, as commanded, they were free to worship God on any of the other days. Also, they were not permitted to substitute another day in place of the Sabbath day. We should worship God every day, but the failure to keep the Sabbath holy is sin, For this reason, the Bible admonishes believers to: “Remember the Sabbath day ro keep it holy.” – Exod. 20: 8. Since God ordained Moses to declare the seventh day as the Sabbath, no other day can take its place – Heb. 4: 3-11. In order to enter in his rest, we must cease from cease from our work as God did from his – Heb. 4:10,
8. Is the Sabbath An Everlasting Covenant?
Over and over and in a number of different ways, the Bible identifies the Sabbath day as an everlasting covenant. In Exodus 31:16, the synonym “perpetual;” was used to describe the Sabbath as an everlasting covenant. Isa. 66:22-24 indicates that the new moon and Sabbath festivals will remain before God as long as the new heavens and the new earth which God will make, will remain before him. Because the seed and the name of God’s people Yisrael are also everlasting covenants – Isa. 56: 5; Gen. 17: 7, the Sabbath will remain so as long as humankind endures. Since the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath – Mark 2:27-28. Those who are fortunate enough to remain will observe the new moon and sabbath festivals forever in the Kingdom (Isa.66:22-23).
9. Isn’t Sunday the Lord’s Day?
Even though the religious doctrines of many Christian groups identify the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day, the Bible does not support that claim. As a matter of fact, the Bible identifies the Seventh day Sabbath as the Lord’s Day. The phrase “The Lord’s Day” was never associated with the first day of the week (Sunday) anywhere in the Bible. However, it was the religion of Christianity who established this doctrine.
10.If the Sabbath Covenant is still binding, how do you explain Isaiah 1:13-15?
The Old Testament is full of examples where many Jewish sects (denominations)began to substitute their own traditions in place of the commandments of ‘El (God). At these times, ‘El (God) spoke against their evils ways; however, individuals who lacked a good working knowledge of the Old Testament concluded that ‘El (God) had done away with the sabbath. For this reason, not only will the passages they use be presented, but the passage revealing that ‘El (God) was destroying their altered festivals will be presented.
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.-Isaiah 1:13-15
11. If the Sabbath Covenant is still binding, how do you explain Hosea 2:11-12 below?
In a manner similar to that used by Isaiah, Hosea uses the personal pronoun “her” instead of “yours” to indicate that the Sabbath and new moon festivals belonged to the Jews. It is certain that ‘El (God) did not abolish His Sabbath, because He gave it as an everlasting covenant; therefore, Hosea was referring to their way of keeping the sabbath
12. If the Sabbath Covenant is still binding, how do you explain Lamentations 2: 6 and Ezekiel 20:13,?
The Sabbath observance was so crucial that Yisra’el (Israel) was forbidden to bear burdens on that day. Failing to walk in the statutes of ‘El (God) resulted in the fury of ‘El (God) being poured out upon them..
“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 a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” Lamentation 2: 6
13 But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them. Ezekiel 20:13
13. If the Sabbath Remains Binding Today, Why Do Matt. 12: 2- 5, 8. 12; Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6- 1- 9 Show Christ & His Disciples Breaking the Sabbath?
Often, when believers were accused of committing an unlawful act, that judgment was based upon the traditions of the Jews, not the Bible. Because Jewish tradition (the traditions of the elders) was often in conflict with the commandments of God, the judgment of the Jews was based upon their traditions. The fifteenth chapter of Matthew, verses 1- 9 confirms that point. See Also: Col. 2: 8; Tit. 1:14.
14. If the Sabbath Remains Binding Today, Why Did the Apostle Paul Tell Every Man To Be Full Persuaded In His Own Mind in Rom. 14: 5-6?
As previously warned by the apostle Peter, the epistles of the apostle Paul are so hard to be understand, that many have and continue to be confused by them, up to and including to their own destruction – 2 Pet. 3:16. The fact that the apostle Paul single handedly wrote so much of the New Testament, is an assurance that a great number of the issues arising from that testament are more likely to be derived from his written works; therefore, an understanding of his statements are contingent upon who he was addressing at a given time. As an avid Sabbath keeper himself, Paul’s addresses believers of the faith who were either weak or strong; who regarded a day unto the Lord or regarded not a day unto the Lord, who eat to the Lord or eat not to the Lord, was a reference to option days or optional foods (things that could or could not be characterized as sin). Therefore, the days and the foods referred to did not include the seventh day Sabbath or foods which the Word of God had already sanctioned as right to do. The statement, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” was not a license to use your own judgment concerning not doing what God had previously commanded individuals to do.
15. If the Sabbath is binding today, explain Colossians 2:14-16?
Throughout the Old and New Testament eras, many Jews esteemed the traditions of the elders much higher than the commandments of ‘El (God). As a result, those traditions were eventually used to judge others as either righteous or unrighteous; however, when today’s believers were exposed to them, their inability to decipher them, caused them to view the passages as contradictory to the Sabbath commandment, when, in reality, they were a rejection of man-made traditions taught and practiced by non-believing Jews. The passage below is one such example:
“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:” Colossians 2:14-16
Colossians 2:14-16 above, is often used, by individuals, to suggest that they should not be judged, by others, for not keeping the Sabbath. The writer, apostle Paul, was actually speaking to Sabbath keepers, warning them not to be charmed by philosophy, vain deceit, the traditions of men, the rudiments of the world and by other enticing words designed to rob them of their heavenly reward, for those teaching were aim at encouraging believers to abandon biblical truths and to adopt man-made practices. In this way, Paul, a Sabbath keeper himself, encouraged believers to hold fast their convictions concerning the Sabbath, the new moon and etc. (Colossians 2: 4, 8, 18, 20)