Controversy over the Sabbath

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 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: 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,” Exodus 20:8-11, KJV.

This is one commandment that I’ve heard some say many Christians break. Well, let me begin with the fact that we have all broken many of the Ten Commandments at one time or another. These commandments show us how imperfect we are and the need for our savior, Jesus Christ. But the argument remains by some that this is a habitual sin in which we show no regard. “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,” Exodus 31:15, KJV.

I’ve even seen YouTube videos that proclaim we are out of order in acknowledging the Sabbath on Sunday. I’ve even viewed a sermon by a well-known pastor on television that asks the question of why many Christians disregard this commandment as if it were never written. The point was an interesting one as many claims are based upon Daniel 7:25, KJV, “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.” We must remember that this was in the Old Testament and when Jesus walked on Earth in the New Testament He did point out that He came to fulfill the law, not to do away with it. So, in Him everything was completed. He was even accused of violating the Sabbath as a day of rest (Matthew 12:1-12). But again, He came to complete, not delete.

I recently asked someone from the website “Repent and Trust” what the controversy was over the Sabbath being observed on Sunday and not Saturday (being that by our calendar this is the seventh day of the week, the day of rest). I saw no need to re-invent the wheel as his post was very detailed and expressed exactly what needed to be said. Please read below.

Question: (Renee McCoy)

What is the controversy in serving God on Sunday versus on Saturday as it relates to the Sabbath?

Answer: (Toby Brillon, http://www.repentandtrust.org/)

There are many ideas and opinions about the Sabbath today. Orthodox Jews are still very diligent to observe the Sabbath and shut down from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, while more moderate Jews give little observance at all. However, since this is a Christian web site the question posed needs to be considered in the light of the New Testament and Jesus Christ.

The Seventh Day Adventists teach that you must keep the Sabbath in order to be saved (this includes going to church on Saturday and not Sunday). Some Christians that belong to "mainline" denominations that attend church on Sundays feel guilty if they must work on Sunday and many others are simply confused on the subject.The answer to this "dilemma" is found in Scripture and perhaps after studying this topic out for yourself you can come to a conclusion that will settle the issue once and for all in your mind and bring you much comfort as well!

The Scripture states, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 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: 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" (Exodus 20:8-11).

As New Testament believers we revere the Ten Commandments because they are a schoolmaster which bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24) and we honor them out of obedience to Christ Himself. Once you are saved keeping the Commandments is not really that big of an issue - Christians do not want to kill, steal, lie, or commit adultery because all of our sin was paid for by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Why would we want to live in those sins knowing that Christ HAD to die for those sins? And once we have been regenerated and have the Holy Spirit within us we are enabled to live holy lives that are acceptable and pleasing to God out of our love (agape, which is sacrificial love) and gratitude to God (1 John 5:2-5).

So, all that to say that as Christians we obey the Commandments, but I want to draw your attention to something peculiar about the fourth Commandment (Sabbath Command) in the New Testament. Namely, it is not there in the same context as all of the other Commandments. You will notice in the New Testament that Jesus restates all of the Commandments except the Command to KEEP the Sabbath. The question is WHY?

Why does Jesus not teach on the Fourth Commandment that dictates dedication to Sabbath observance?
It is good to remember that Jesus was accused of being a "Sabbath-Breaker" Himself in Matthew 12:1-8. Jesus corrected His accusers by pointing out their legalism and then correcting their understanding by stating that He was Lord of the Sabbath. If Jesus had truly wanted us to keep the Sabbath in the same manner of the Jews under Mosaic Law we would have seen a completely different response from our Lord at that time.

I would like to point out another observance from Scripture in regards to the Sabbath - the Sabbath was for the Jews. In Exodus 31:13-17 we read, "Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed". Perhaps Jews today could make the argument to keep the Sabbath from this Scripture but if you are a Gentile then it is clear that the Sabbath was made as a sign and covenant between God and the Jews, not everyone else.

We might also take note from Scripture that we see the Sabbath rest mentioned in Gen. 2:2-3 after God is finished with creation, yet 2500 years goes by before that Command was given to Moses in the Ten Commandments. It is good to realize that 2500 years of human history transpired without Sabbath observance. Why? ...because the Sabbath was a covenant between God and His people Israel.

More specifically, the New Testament teaches the following on the Sabbath:
Colossians 2:13-17 - And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Hebrews 4 speaks on the Sabbath rest of Christ - that is ceasing from your dead works to obtain salvation and resting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. This is the true SABBATH REST!

Hebrews 4:9-10 - There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

DO CHRISTIANS KEEP THE SABBATH?
My response is a resounding YES! (but not in a legalistic Saturday sort of way). A Christian keeps the Sabbath by resting in the finished work of Christ on the cross. A Christian has repented of his sin and put his faith in the resurrected Christ and HIS FINISHED WORK! A Christian lives in the Sabbath. We cannot earn anything from God. We can merely rest in His finished work on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). In doing this we are keeping the Command to keep the Sabbath holy.

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And I would like to add that Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Man was made for God. In knowing this, our worship should be a lifestyle that's evident everyday of our lives, not just on Saturday or Sunday.

Additional Reading: Romans 7; Romans 8:29-33

Holy Communion

What is Holy Communion? Well, I begin with the basic definition of the word holy—sacred, set apart for God, devotion. Communion is a spiritual union or close relationship. So you see we cannot have one without the other. Holy Communion is an intimate connection between a man/woman and the One true and living God, just as we describe holy matrimony as marriage between one man and one woman.

How important is it to commune with the Lord? It is a daily occurrence on many of our parts. Oftentimes, at least I’ve found this true for myself, that it is natural. It is a lifestyle, not just a part of my life. On most mornings as I jump out of bed, my body automatically knows to slide down to my knees. At times when I open my eyes, I form my lips to whisper the words, thank you Lord, as I know without Him that wouldn't be possible. Then there are days when I get up to rush into the bathroom, promising God that I’ll be on my knees soon. Then I find myself doing other things like brushing my teeth, fixing my hair, or talking to my husband. My spirit is soon put in check, there’s something missing here….my quiet time with God. I quickly retreat to my “secret place” and apologize knowing that forgiveness waits there.

Many may answer the question, what is holy communion, by stating that it is a time set aside for the church (congregation) to recognize the last supper Jesus had with His disciples. But it goes deeper than that alone because that is only symbolic. “And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for man,” Mark 14:24, KJV. It is a reminder of what He accomplished on the cross. The power is in the blood of Jesus, not the wine of man.

When taking part in the communion service, one must be in right standing with God. You must have accepted Him as Lord and Savior. There must be a relationship, a devotion that is sincere. If there is not, the scripture states, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep,” 1 Corinthians 11:26-30, KJV. Ever wondered why some fall ill for no apparent reason? This is definitely something we must consider.

"I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread,” 1 Corinthians 10:15-17, KJV.

At the House of God

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator,” 1 Peter 4:17-19, KJV.

In serving the Lord, I take my actions very seriously. I do admit that I hadn’t always. But I’ve learned that when you ask God for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, insight, and application, with it comes conviction. It is that gnawing feeling that when you think a bad thought or say the wrong thing, a spirit of discernment corrects and obedience should soon follow.

I do not take it lightly that I am a Christian. My faith is all I really have to hold onto. I cannot place my stock in my husband or my parents, but in God alone. We must not love the gift more than the giver. God is a “rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).” Our trust must be in Him alone. Now, this is not to say that you cannot or should not trust people. It is to drive home that no matter what others may say or do; God has it all under control.

Understanding who God is helps me in knowing who I am and my reason for being. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them,” Ephesians 2:10, KJV. And as we walk in our God-ordained purpose, our life is that much more fulfilled. What a joy to know that salvation is mine! It is an honor to obey the Gospel, not by my own power, but in God’s. I am not perfect, but Jesus is. And I am thankful that God sees me through His Son.

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…” At the house of God could be taken literally, but I believe it means spiritually. Jesus is not coming back for a church building, He is coming back for a church, those obeying His word. Those who love good and hate evil, and those who say no to the world for the gain of eternal life. In this passage I’m reminded of the judgement seat of Christ. “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences,” 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.

It’s not enough to just say that I’m a Christian and sit on the sidelines as a lazy one at that, but I must be active in bringing more to Christ. Somebody cared enough to teach us the way, we must continue the work. And as Christians, we should be in the mindset of encouraging one another, helping, and teaching as we have been taught. It’s not fair to get the understanding and not share it with the one you call a brother or sister in Christ. Sure, they may not receive it, but be diligent in planting that seed. “So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor. For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God's [a]garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God's building,” 1 Corinthians 3:7-9, AMP.

“…and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” The righteous scarcely make it in. This tells me that there is no room for games. We must come to God with a sincere heart, again, willing to let Him have His way. Just let Him have His way.

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

Additional Reference: Romans 14:9-13