| Author | Message | ||
| Jtree |
THE SABBATH A BIBLICAL SURVEY Sabbath is defined as "rest". When God created the heavens and the earth, He began on the seventh day a Sabbath, a rest from the work of creation (Genesis 2:1-3). This Sabbath was not observed by man, as he had been created only one day before, and had performed no work from which to rest (Genesis 1:26-31). Indeed, for those thousands of years from the creation until God constituted Israel a nation, there is not even an intimation that God required any man to observe a Sabbath. Nor is there any record that any man in that time ó including Adam, Abel, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job ó ever observed a Sabbath. The first commandment from God to man to observe a Sabbath was given to Israel about 1440 BC at Mount Sinai (Exodus 16:23-30). Immediately afterward, God entered into a covenant with Israel, to the exclusion of Gentile nations (Exodus 19:1-8). That covenant was summarized in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), a legal code comprising "the words of the covenant" (Exodus 34:28). (It is commonly called the Mosaic, or Sinaitic, and eventually the Old Covenant.) The fourth of the Ten commandments, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy...." (Exodus 20:8-11), was distinguished from the other nine in that it was the "sign of the covenant" between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:12), a sacred symbol of it to be honored as long as its covenant was in force. The foregoing paragraph teaches us that neither that covenant, nor its legal code or Sabbath, are eternal. Its Sabbath was but a temporary shadow pre-figuring the coming Messiah (Colossians 2:16;. Its legal code derived from a higher code of commandments (Matthew 22:34-40), and "was added [in 1440 BC] ... till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made" (Galatians 3:19; another prophecy of Messiah). The covenant itself was conditional (Exodus 19:5), and would remain in effect only as long as Israel obeyed its law and hallowed its Sabbath. Israel violated its covenant with God, and God therefore prophesied in those days of a day when He would abrogate and replace that covenant with "a new covenant" (Jeremiah 31:31-34). He has done so through His own Son, Jesus Christ. The Son of God was born under that Old Covenant and its law (Galatians 4:4), and fulfilled all that it required (Matthew 5:17) ó including observing its Sabbaths (e.g. Luke 4:16), and shed what He called "My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28). He has thereby become "the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Romans 10:4). He is therefore called "Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant" (Hebrews 12:24; 9:15) ó "a better covenant, which was established on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). Accordingly, the Old Covenant was abrogated and replaced by the New Covenant through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 8:7-13). The abrogation of the Old Covenant consequently abrogated also its legal code (Galatians 3:24f) and its commandment to hallow the Sabbath-day. The New Covenant code of conduct requires Christians to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40; Romans 13:9), and is called "the royal law" (James 2:8). But the New Covenant never requires Christians to observe a Sabbath-day. Rather, God today approves the Christian who "esteems every day alike" (Romans 14:5). And He requires them to "Therefore let no one judge you ... regarding ... sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ" (Colossians 2:16). (That is, the Old Covenant Sabbaths were but temporary shadows cast by Jesus Christ, and are no longer to be observed now that He has come.) And He sharply rebukes them if they should "turn again to the weak and beggarly elements [of the Old Covenant's law], to which you desire again to be in bondage" Ga l4:9. But this is not to say that Christians do not have a Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9): "There remains therefore a rest [Greek Sabbatismos, "Sabbath-keeping"] for the people of God." But it is not a day of the week for physical rest (as Constantine decreed, and even as some well-meaning Christians wrongly aver). The Christian Sabbath is that which is entered through faith in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:7-4:11), which He Himself calls "rest for your souls" (Matt 11:28). Sabbatarians will now object, reminding us that even Paul the apostle attended Sabbath-day worship services of the Jews (Acts 17:2; 13:14; 13:42-44; 18:4). But if they will carefully read the texts they cite, they will observe that Paul did so in order to preach the gospel to unbelievers therein and to direct them to Christ. Sadly, these Sabbath-keepers proved themselves to be vehement enemies of the gospel by strongly opposing Paul's ministry, and on one occasion even stoned him and left him for dead (Acts 14:19). Although the unbelieving Jews and their Gentile proselytes continued to assemble for worship on their Sabbaths ó vainly, of course (Romans 10:1-4), disciples of Jesus Christ assembled on "the first day of the week" (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1). This was by them called "the Lord's Day" (Revelation 1:10) in honor of His resurrection from the dead on it. The ancient fathers of the Christian church give testimony to this. For example: ó Ignatius (died 98 or 117), contemporary of John the apostle and bishop of Antioch, wrote of those who have "obtained new hope, no longer keeping the sabbath [lit. "sabbathing"], but living according to the Lord's [Day] on which our life dawned through him and his death" (Epistle to the Magnesians 9:1). ó "Justin Martyr [circa 100-165], in controversy with a Jew, says that ... Christianity requires not one particular Sabbath, but a perpetual Sabbath. He assigns as a reason for the selection of the first day for the purposes of Christian worship, because on that day ... Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his assembled disciples, but makes no mention of the fourth commandment" (Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, vol.II, p.203). ó "Barnabas [thought by many to be the companion of Paul the apostle] ... calls this day the eighth day, in distinction from the seventh-day sabbath of the Jews, and which he says is the beginning of another world; and therefore we keep the eighth day, adds he, joyfully, in which Jesus rose from the dead, and being manifested, ascended unto heaven" (John Gill's Commentary, Revelation 1:10). ó Chrysostom (345[?]-407), the greatest preacher of the Eastern or Greek Church, said of the first day of the week, "It was called the Lord's Day because the Lord rose from the dead on that day" (commentary on Psalm 119). What is your Sabbath? That of the Old Covenant, or this of the New? That which was given through the mediation of Moses, or this which is given through the mediation of Jesus Christ? That for the body, or this for the soul? That of the law, or this of the gospel? That of works, or this of grace? That which is but one day weekly, or this which is everlasting? That which is followed by the resumption of work, or this which ends all works? That which is identified with bondage, or this which is identified with liberty? That which was but a temporary shadow, or this which is the abiding Substance ó Jesus Christ? That which is still observed by Jews who reject Jesus Christ, or this which is observed by Christians who believe in Him? Is Jesus Christ your Sabbath? He is a Sabbath far more "a delight" (Isaiah 58:13) than that of the Old Covenant. | ||
| Dennis |
Jtree, These Sabbath Bible studies are most excellent. Many thanks for your time and effort. They are written so well, that I downloaded them. In Jesus, the true Sabbath rest, Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Jtree |
Dennis, Your welcome! In His service Josua of the Rock! | ||
| Jtree |
Dennis at least you will get some useage of these. I have been studying some more out for the forum and will post soon. God Bless | ||
| Sabra |
I know this is very long but it is the most complete set of scriptures I have ever seen, a man whose wife was SDA and later died did all of this research to show her truth before she died of cancer and it was a work of God, she accepted Jesus and His salvation before she died:....... Are the Ten Commandments included in the old covenant laws according to scripture, and are we still under those old covenant laws for our salvation? (Exo 34:28 NIV) Moses was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenantthe Ten Commandments. (Deu 4:13 NIV) He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. (Deu 9:9 NIV) When I went up on the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that the LORD had made with you, I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I ate no bread and drank no water. (Deu 9:11 NIV) At the end of the forty days and forty nights, the LORD gave me the two stone tablets, the tablets of the covenant. (Deu 9:15 NIV) So I turned and went down from the mountain while it was ablaze with fire. And the two tablets of the covenant were in my hands. (1 Ki 8:9 NIV) There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt. As we can see according to scripture the TEN COMMANDMENTS are a part of the old covenant laws. Lets see what the scriptures say about STILL being under the old covenant laws. (Rom 6:14 NIV) For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Rom 7:6 NIV) But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Rom 10:4 NIV) Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Gal 3:13 NIV) Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (Gal 3:25 NIV) Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (Gal 4:5 NIV) to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. (Gal 5:18 NIV) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. (Heb 7:18 NIV) The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (Heb 7:19 NIV) (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (Gal 4:21 NIV) Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? (Gal 4:22 NIV) For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. (Gal 4:23 NIV) His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. (Gal 4:24 NIV) These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. (Gal 4:25 NIV) Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. (Gal 4:26 NIV) But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. (Gal 4:27 NIV) For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." (Gal 4:28 NIV) Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. (Gal 4:29 NIV) At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. (Gal 4:30 NIV) But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." (Gal 4:31 NIV) Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. Are we still obligated to keep the old covenant law from mount sinai? NO: look at verse 30 again, what does the scripture say? "GET RID OF THE SLAVE WOMAN AND HER SON". (2 Cor 3:1 NIV) Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? (2 Cor 3:2 NIV) You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. (2 Cor 3:3 NIV) You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. (2 Cor 3:4 NIV) Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. (2 Cor 3:5 NIV) Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. (2 Cor 3:6 NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenantnot of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Cor 3:7 NIV) Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, (2 Cor 3:8 NIV) will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? (2 Cor 3:9 NIV) If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! (2 Cor 3:10 NIV) For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. (2 Cor 3:11 NIV) And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! (2 Cor 3:12 NIV) Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. (2 Cor 3:13 NIV) We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. (2 Cor 3:14 NIV) But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. (2 Cor 3:15 NIV) Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. (2 Cor 3:16 NIV) But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Cor 3:17 NIV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Do the Adventist have FREEDOM, or are they bound by a set of Sabbath Keeping rules? (2 Cor 3:18 NIV) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with everincreasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Now lets look at what Jesus says about keeping the Sabbath. (Mat 12:1 NIV) At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. (Mat 12:2 NIV) When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." (Mat 12:3 NIV) He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? (Mat 12:4 NIV) He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated breadwhich was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. (Mat 12:5 NIV) Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? (Mat 12:6 NIV) I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. (Mat 12:7 NIV) If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. (Mat 12:11 NIV) He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? (Mat 12:12 NIV) How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27 NIV) Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:28 NIV) So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." (Col 2:1 NIV) I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. (Col 2:2 NIV) My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, (Col 2:3 NIV) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:4 NIV) I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by finesounding arguments. (Col 2:5 NIV) For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. (Col 2:6 NIV) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, (Col 2:7 NIV) rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:8 NIV) See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (Col 2:9 NIV) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, (Col 2:10 NIV) and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (Col 2:11 NIV) In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, (Col 2:12 NIV) having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. (Col 2:13 NIV) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, (Col 2:14 NIV) having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Col 2:15 NIV) And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. (Col 2:16 NIV) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (Col 2:17 NIV) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Col 2:18 NIV) Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. (Col 2:19 NIV) He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. (Col 2:20 NIV) Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: (Col 2:21 NIV) "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!"? (Col 2:22 NIV) These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. (Col 2:23 NIV) Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their selfimposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. (Eph 2:15 NIV) by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, (Rom 14:5 NIV) One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. (Rom 14:10 NIV) You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. (Rom 16:17 NIV) I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. (Rom 16:18 NIV) For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. (Rom 3:20 NIV) Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (Gal 2:21 NIV) I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Gal 5:1 NIV) It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. (Gal 5:4 NIV) You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace (James 2:10 NIV) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.. (Gal 5:18 NIV) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. (Gal 4:9 NIV) But now that you know Godor rather are known by Godhow is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? (Gal 4:10 NIV) You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! (Gal 4:11 NIV) I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. (Mat 11:28 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mat 11:30 NIV) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Titus 3:9 NIV) But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. (Heb 7:18 NIV) The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (Heb 7:19 NIV) (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (Heb 7:20 NIV) And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, (Heb 7:21 NIV) but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever.'" (Heb 7:22 NIV) Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (Heb 8:6 NIV) But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. (Heb 8:7 NIV) For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. (Heb 8:8 NIV) But God found fault with the people and said : "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (Heb 8:9 NIV) It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. (Heb 8:10 NIV) This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Heb 8:11 NIV) No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. (Heb 8:12 NIV) For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Heb 8:13 NIV) By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. For those who are concerned about the moral laws, and think that they only come from the TEN COMMANDMENTS, then you are ignoring Jesus's new and greater COMMANDMENTS as revealed in the following scriptures. (John 13:34 NIV) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (Mark 12:28 NIV) One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" (Mark 12:29 NIV) "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. (Mark 12:30 NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (Mark 12:31 NIV) The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mat 5:21 NIV) "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' (Mat 5:22 NIV) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Mat 5:23 NIV) "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, (Mat 5:24 NIV) leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Mat 5:25 NIV) "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. (Mat 5:26 NIV) I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Mat 5:27 NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' (Mat 5:28 NIV) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Mat 5:29 NIV) If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Mat 5:30 NIV) And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Mat 5:31 NIV) "It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.' (Mat 5:32 NIV) But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery. (Mat 5:33 NIV) "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' (Mat 5:34 NIV) But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; (Mat 5:35 NIV) or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. (Mat 5:36 NIV) And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. (Mat 5:37 NIV) Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (Mat 5:38 NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' (Mat 5:39 NIV) But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Mat 5:40 NIV) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (Mat 5:41 NIV) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Mat 5:42 NIV) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Mat 5:43 NIV) "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (Mat 5:44 NIV) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Mat 5:45 NIV) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Mat 5:46 NIV) If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? (Mat 5:47 NIV) And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? If the 4 Th. Commandment was still needed to be observed by Christians for our salvation, wouldnít Jesus, being Lord of the Sabbath, have included it with all his new and greater commandments? (Mat 7:13 NIV) "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. (Mat 7:14 NIV) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. If one were to conclude that Jesus was teaching the continuing nature of the old law, us Christians would be faced with a dilemma. For the scripture expressly states that not one thing be removed from the old law. (Mat 5:17 NIV) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Mat 5:18 NIV) I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. We are left with only 2 choices: Jesus fulfilled the law for us and thus freed us from the old covenant or we must keep every bit of the old covenant (James 2:10 NIV) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. There are no other choices. Continued observance of the Sinaitic Sabbath means putting yourself back under a list of do's and don'ts. Observing the Sinaitic Sabbath is meaningless unless you observe it the way God required it according to scripture. (Deu 12:32 NIV) See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. (Exo 16:29 NIV) Bear in mind that the LORD has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where he is on the seventh day; no one is to go out." (Exo 20:10 NIV) but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. (Exo 31:14 NIV) "'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; whoever does any work on that day must be cut off from his people. (Exo 31:15 NIV) For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death. (Exo 35:1 NIV) Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, "These are the things the LORD has commanded you to do: (Exo 35:2 NIV) For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the LORD. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. How many Adventistís have been put to death for violating the Sabbath? (Exo 35:3 NIV) Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day." (Rom 10:4 NIV) Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Mat 11:28 NIV) "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29 NIV) Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Mat 11:30 NIV) For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (John 14:6 NIV) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Not through the Adventist Sabbath Keeping Old Covenant Law. What are the continuing repeatable signs of the New Covenant that we are still to remember? (Luke 22:19 NIV) And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:20 NIV) In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. As in the old covenant so in the new covenant, the signs of the covenant are important to God, but we must make sure we know which covenant we are under and remember to celebrate the right signs. the old covenant was characterized by law, circumcision, Sabbath, ceremonies and shadow. The new covenant is characterized by the Holy Spirit, baptism, the Lords Supper, the reality of grace and the light of the risen Christ! Why turn back to the old when the new covenant is so much better? Look at what the Bible says about the Adventist who are of the circumcision group. (Titus 1:10 NIV) For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. (Titus 1:11 NIV) They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain. The good news for all Adventists is, as revealed by the Holy Scriptures, you are not held under the old law of doís and doníts for your salvation. Eph 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, Eph 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. Eph 2:3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. Eph 2:4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, Eph 2:5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. Eph 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, Eph 2:7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- Eph 2:9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, not the Adventists. Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Not even the Adventists. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Rom 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom 10:13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. | ||
| Sherry2 (Sherry2) |
This poem can be found in "From Sabbath to Lord's Day" by D.A. Carson. It was written by Joseph Hart(1712-1768). "Some Christians to the Lord regard a day, And others to the Lord regard it not; Now, though these seem to choose a diff'rent way, Yet both, at last, to one same point are brought. He that regards the day will reason thus -- 'This glorious day our Saviour and our King Perform'd some might act of love for us; Observe the time in mem'ry of the thing.' Thus he to Jesus points his kind intent, And offers prayers and praises in his name; As to the Lord above his love is meant, The Lord accepts it; and who dare to blame? For, though the shell indeed is not the meat, 'Tis not rejected when the meat's within; Though superstition is a vain conceit, Commemoration surely is not sin, He also, that to days has no regard, The shadows only for the subtance quits; Towards the Saviour's presence presses hard, And outward things through eagerness omits. For warmly to himself he thus reflects-- 'My Lord alone I count my cheifest good; All empty forms my craving soul rejects, And seeks the solid riches of his blood. 'All days and times I place my sole delight In him, the only object of my care; External shows for his dear sake I slight, Lest ought but Jesus my respect should share.' Let not th' oberver, therefore, entertain Against his brother any secret grudge; Nor let the non-observer call him vain; But use his freedom, and forbear to judge. Thus both may bring their motives to the test; Our condescending Lord will both approve. Let each pursue the way that likes him best; He cannot walk amiss, that walks in love." | ||
| Lori (Lori) |
Sabra, that was a nice compilation of Scripture pertaining to the Sabbath. We are moving and I've been coming across some Adventist materials as I clean out closets and drawers. I've been re-enlightened as to what my focus was when I re-read sections of these books. Every paragraph that I had underlined or highlighted had to do with adherence to the Sabbath. Not one of them had to do with simply trusting in Jesus Christ but rather how if we did really believe in Him than we would keep the Sabbath. It was just comment after comment to build up ones confidence in "what Sabbath keeping does for you" and "how much better you are (than others) because you sacrifice by keeping the Sabbath". I came across a list of Scriptures that I had written down which seemed to command Sabbath observance for today. I flipped through the Bible and read each one. And, yes, even knowing what I know now about Gal. 4 and 5 and many other passages, I can still clearly see how easy it is to be taken in when you are confronted with these texts. After I read them, I began to realize at some point if I should turn negative to God's word and should I become neglectful of searching the Scriptures with the Holy Spirit as my interpreter, I could be taken back in by these false doctrines. All it would take is for me to become negative toward God. We are never innoculated from deception even if it is a form we have already been deceived by. We can be blinded to the very things (Scriptures) that freed us and become enslaved all over again. And, Sherry, thanks so much for sending me the poem that you posted above. Lori | ||
| Colleentinker (Colleentinker) |
Lori, thank you for saying what you did about being vulnerable to deception. I ponder that also; I am vulnerable to deception in many forms, probably many I don't even know because of the nature of deception! I pray for God to protect us from deception. You are absolutely right about the arguments for the Sabbath being compelling if we are not grounded in God's word and our relationship to Jesus. If someone is raised in an alcoholic family, he is more likely than others to be vulnerable to alcoholism (or other addictions). I believe the same thing is true of people who have grown up in deception, no matter how well-intentiioned. We learned to look at the evidence of truth in the Bible and to explain away the real meaning of the passages. Once we have spent years of our lives living with those kinds of cognitive dissonance and calling them truth, we are vulnerable to other deceptions. We can never assume that we now KNOW the truth and have become free of falseness. We have to stay connected to Jesus always, learning to trust him for truth and for discernment and for wisdom. We can be confused and deceived. Praise God that he is stronger than deception, however. We are safe in him, and his Spirit in us will guide us into all truth if are willing to be led! Colleen | ||
| Susan_2 (Susan_2) |
"It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath",Jesus said those words. As a kid growing up in SDA churches and schools I used to ask my teachers and SS teachers how come some good things were allowed to be done on Sabbath and not other good things. I always wanted to know WHO made the rules since Jesus doesn't come right out and tell us what good things we can do and what good things we can't do. I would ask how come it's o.k. for doctors and nurses to work on Sabbath but not firefighters and police officers. I would want to know how come the doctors could work on Sabbath but not the dentists? Aren't teeth really important to ones health and well-being, too? My dad was a farmer. Some neighbors down the street were very stanch SDA and they owned and ran a HUGE turkey ranch. I remember comments about how SDA's shouldn't go into farming or ranching because there would be occassions they would have to forsake the Sabbath and tend to the crops or the animals due to unforseen weather, etc. I used to ask these people to explain the text about the cow falling into the ditch on the Sabbath and tell them then in those cases it was o.k. to take care of necessary business. I was told that except for health care Christians (i.e:SDA's) are to only choose an employment that WILL NOT cause them to do any work on Sabbath. To this day, many years later, it still seems to me that those good intended (?) folks just make up their rules as they go along. Wouldn't it just be so much easier to just foillow the lead of Jesus who simply said, "It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath" and leave it at that?! | ||
| Lydell (Lydell) |
You're right Susan. I was always curious as to why it was okay for someone to do secretarial work at a hospital on sabbath, but not okay for a fireman to work on sabbath. There are so many inconsistences, aren't there. I remember getting really steamed at a story in the Little Friend papers that were given out to the kids. It was about wicked little Joey who snuck out of the house to play with his toy cars on sabbath. So it's okay to drive the real car to church on sabbath, but a kid couldn't pretend with a car on the sabbath, alrightee then. gag I had to laugh reading John 5:17 in the Message Bible. The Pharisees had been ticked once more because of His healing the cripple on the sabbath, and Jesus reply is "My Father is working straight through, even on the Sabbath. So am I." Hm, God works on the Sabbath, Jesus works on the Sabbath, and man.... | ||
| Denisegilmore (Denisegilmore) |
RKYMTNHI, are you still reading? Sure hope so..  You brought up some good points on your first post and then I didn't see you on the 11th and am now hoping you are still reading and REJOICING! Hope to hear from you soon. Peace to you. Denise Gilmore, your sister in Christ Jesus | ||
| Rkymtnhi (Rkymtnhi) |
Yes, Denise, still reading and enjoying. And more importantly, rejoicing in Jesus as my REAL Sabbath rest. Have been busy and will post again soon. Thanks for asking. | ||
| Denisegilmore (Denisegilmore) |
Rkymtnhi, So glad to hear you are still reading and RESTING! Sure is nice to be secure in our Lord, isn't it? Blessings to you and your household! your sister in Christ Jesus, our Sabbath Rest and our JOY. Denise Gilmore | ||
| Speakeasy Registered user Username: Speakeasy Post Number: 65 Registered: 9-2002 |
It has been almost 20 months since I have posted anything on Former Adventist. I have some questions. Things are not going well for me about the not keeping the 10 commandments. I have some direct questions about the commandments, Salvation,The Trinity , Christian holidays and the list goes on and on. This is the closest discussion I could find to start this off. Please do not respond or get involved if you will not let me ask questions and put my views of what I know them as. The reson why I say this is I have been asked to leave other forums and been banned on other sites by just asking questions that I guess offend people. I don't mean to do this but I do have questions. Maybe my questions can be answered in the other discussion's but the archives of the Former Adventist is just to massive to find them. But if they are in the forum and I ask a question you can just point me to those topics and discussion's. Any help would be great! speakeasy | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 357 Registered: 7-2003 |
Speakeasy, I wasn't here when you were here before, and I've never been SDA, but have been involved with one for 5 years. I also ask a lot of questions. I have even posted a time or two conflicting with another position and have never felt anything but love and respect in all the answers I've received. I can't speak for all, but I think I speak for many when I say any question is welcome. It really seems to be a safe place here to be open and somewhat vulnerable, albeit anonymously, as desired. | ||
| Speakeasy Registered user Username: Speakeasy Post Number: 66 Registered: 9-2002 |
When you ask for forgiveness when does the Holy Spirit come and comfort you? I have became a believer in the messiah 4 years ago. I am more miserable than when I was a Sabatarian for many years. | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 327 Registered: 1-2003 |
Speakeasy...please tell me what you questions you want to ask...we may have things in common...I still struggle too. | ||
| Speakeasy Registered user Username: Speakeasy Post Number: 69 Registered: 9-2002 |
When you ask for forgiveness when does the Holy Spirit come and comfort you? I have excepted what Jesus did for me and have asked him to save me. Does the Holy Spirit is he/it supposed to comfort you in your salvation? | ||
| Ladylittle Registered user Username: Ladylittle Post Number: 14 Registered: 4-2004 |
Speakeasy, Here are a few thoughts on forgiveness your question brought to me. Hopefully I won't be taken as too longwinded! I'm also open for the input of others if there is something about what I say that they understand differently, or think I need correction in. Here goes! I don't always 'feel' anything when I ask for forgiveness. I don't think we would be living by faith if we got a special feeling every time. However I did have an experience that I often refer back to when I get discouraged about it: Over a decade ago someone violated me and attempted to rape me. I spent a long time begging God to forgive me for getting into the situation, that it happened, etc. etc. I even thought that I should call the person and apologise for whatever I did that caused it. Then one night several years ago, after someone asked me if I was a Christian (I was hesitant to say yes because I didn't feel forgiven) I went to my room and cryed out to God. I don't claim He spoke to me, but I do believe He finally made clear something He had been trying to get through to me for a long time. I hope I can explain it here: First of all, I don't need to ask God to forgive me for something that I didn't do. The other person violated me and tried to force me. That was his problem not mine. I can pray (and have prayed) for God to forgive him for his sin and help him to repent and return to Him. Second, "When we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to clense us from all unrighteousness". When the sins that were mine, He forgave me the first time I asked. To think that maybe I'm just too bad for him to forgive, that somehow I'm not worth it, or whatever, is actually to doubt God and His honesty, for He has promised that "anyone that comes to me I will in now wise cast out." I also learned that there are two kinds of guilt: God convicts us "of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment". If I'm feeling guilty, and clearly know why and it is something that we are clear God calls sin (not just what some people call sin because of their traditions), and something that I actually did (or dwelt on in my thoughts), then I believe I am safe in believing that God brought it to my attention and should take it to Him. Satan on the other hand, is the accuser of the brethren. If I feel a cloud of guilt, don't know why, and have no specific sin pressed home to my conscience, or can clearly see that I am feeling guilty for the sins of others, I can be assured that it is not of God. Then I can still Take it to God and ask Him to resolve the issue, to forgive the other people if applicable, and to keep me safe in Him. That night, I realised that my problem was that I was sinning in not believing God meant what He said when He promised that "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" when we confess them. And that I was also trying to carry someone else's guilt too. I knelt that night and asked him to forgive the person who hurt me, and then started thanking Him that He had forgiven me way back when I first asked. I did not have a 'wave of love' wash over me, or a 'feeling of indescribable peace' at that time, but as I let that sink in a quiet joy did develop that I was forgiven! That God really did love me, and meant it! That He would take care of the other person (who I was no longer in the same area with, thankfully) too. That I no longer needed to be afraid to say I was a Christian because I was waiting on God to confirm it. He already had! I needed reminded of that this morning, so if this doesn't help anyone else today, it has helped me to think about it. May God bless us today! Thanks for listening. Mary | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 311 Registered: 12-2003 |
Mary, that was a wonderful post. Speakeasy, one thing I'm learning is that the comfort of the Holy Spirit really doesn't become real to me until I completely surrender in my head all the things I worry about and want. When I have been able to say to Jesus, "I want to be content with whatever your will is; please hellp me to hold loosely to the things I cherish and allow you to be everything to me," those are the times I've had the greatest experience of rest and peace. I'm learning that God doesn't answer all my questions or remove all my trials. What He does is this: He gives me himself and puts his Spirit in the places I feel fear or defenseiveness or guilt or anxiety. He does this when I release to Him what I consider my "rights"--the "right" not to suffer, the "right" to understand, the "right" to be happy--when I release my "rights" to Him, then He can give me hope and peace in those places. And the journey never ends. The more we grow, the more new, deeper levels of trust He develops in us. Praying for you, Speakeasy and Mary-- Colleen |
