How does a Christian keep the Sabbath Holy?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,572
1,074
113
Australia
Foreshadowing the rest from works for salvation we would find in Christ.
Sin had not happened yet.

Gen 2:3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Because He had rested from all His work.

God didn't need to rest.

The sabbath was a memorial of creation and a time to worship our creator.

Regardless of sin it is a blessing to stop and spend time with our creator.

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.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,045
13,053
113
58
Foreshadowing the rest from works for salvation we would find in Christ.
Amen! Our "sabbatismos" rest we have in Christ. (Hebrews 4:9) Now although God's rest on the seventh day (Genesis 2:3) did foreshadow a future sabbath law, there is no Biblical record of the sabbath being kept before the children of Israel left the land of Egypt. *Nowhere in Scripture is there any hint that sabbath keeping was practiced from Adam to Moses.

God's word makes it clear that sabbath observance was a sign between God and Israel: "The Israelites are to observe the sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested." (Exodus 31:16-17)

*SIGN BETWEEN GOD AND ISRAEL AND NOT ALL OF MANKIND.*

In Deuteronomy 5, Moses restates the 10 commandments to the next generation of Israelites. Here, after commanding sabbath observance in verses 12–14, Moses gives the reason why the sabbath was given to the nation Israel: Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the sabbath day." (Deuteronomy 5:15)

In regards to Isaiah 56:2, foreigners were to "join themselves to the Lord;" and "love the name of the Lord;" and "be his servants;" and "take hold of God's covenant." The OLD COVENANT. But to do this they had to be circumcised, for God said: “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary." (Ezekiel 44:9). When Gentiles thus "joined themselves to the Lord" they CEASED BEING GENTILES and became proselytes to the Jewish religion. They kept the sabbath as JEWISH PROSELYTES and not as Gentiles.

But WHERE ARE GENTILES as Gentiles ever commanded to keep the sabbath? Furthermore, if the sabbath was of universal application, why were the Gentiles called "strangers?" The apostle Paul, speaking of the Gentiles during the Jewish age, says they were "strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12)

And when God gave the sabbath commandment at Sinai, why did he make it binding ONLY on "the stranger that is within your gates?" (Exodus 20:10). Where is the passage that proves the sabbath was binding on the Gentile OUTSIDE the gates? All this shows the sabbath was NOT universally applied. If it had been, there would have been no "strangers from the covenants of promise."

In regards to Isaiah 66:22-23, this simply teaches that from month to month and from week to week, God’s people will worship Him. In the new heaven and the new earth, we read there will have no need of the sun or moon, there will be no night there, but one perpetual day and the glory of God will illuminate it. (Revelation 21:23-25). How then could there be a cycle of seven days that would allow for literally keeping the weekly sabbath day under the law? The Isaiah passage simply means that God’s people will perpetually worship Him in contrast to keeping the weekly sabbath day under the law.

Furthermore, if one insists on sabbath observances based on Isaiah 66:23, then one also needs to observe new moons as well. Yet from what I hear, Sabbatarians don’t observe new moons, which is inconsistent. New moons require night, hence sabbatarians have night in heaven, yet there is no day and night cycles in heaven. You cannot have "new moon to new moon" or "sabbath days" without day and night, so the argument is moot.

Will there be Levitical priests in the new heaven? If Isaiah 66:23 teaches that we will keep the sabbath day in the new heaven, then it also teaches in Isaiah 66:21 that the Levitical priests will be in the new heaven, because it's also mentioned. What happened to the Levitical priesthood under the new covenant terms?

Priesthood changed so did the law. Hebrews 7:12 - For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. *The old and new covenants do not mix.”
 

Grace911

Active member
Nov 11, 2018
585
147
43
Foreshadowing the rest from works for salvation we would find in Christ.
The 7th day is yes, a foreshadowing of the 7th millennium. Each time we seven ourselves with the LORD, we are acknowledging YHWH/LORD's plans for mankind. Man was given 6 millennials to do it his way. He has proven to be an utter failure at ruling. So comes the 7th millennium and there we will experience God's way.

Works in OT and NT was never for salvation. Grace has been with us since the very beginning.

Christians work - bus ministry - choir - door greeter - deacons - teachers - visitation ministry - secretary -youth ministry - nursery - yard maintenance - janitorial - pew warmer - audience - music - foreign missions - quilters - etc. etc.

Works is what makes the church ministry survive as a unified body and is only the fruit of your dedication to that body of believers.

So what works for the LORD are for salvation? I can't think of any, unless you include repentance, baptism, and being Holy Spirit guided and obedience to the commandments/laws/instructions.

Fruits of the spirit are

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Psalms 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Psalms 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

What does the Bible say "love" is?

1Jn_4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Mal 3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deu 7:10 And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
Deu 7:11 Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.

Mat 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (Literal word for word reading from the Torah/1st five books)
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

Mat_15:3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?

G3862
παράδοσις = 666 (Greek gematria)
paradosis
par-ad’-os-is
From G3860; transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law: - ordinance, tradition.

Jewish traditionary law is not the law of the LORD!! It is adding to and diminishing to God's laws (called oral laws and Talmud). It is the placing of tradition above the laws of God and the one who is enforcing the tradition is greater than God (so they believe).

Christians are also guilty of traditions that diminish God's law. Instead of Passover, there is Easter. Instead of Feast of Trumpets, there is Christmas. Instead of the Sabbath, there is Sunday. Instead of unity, there is division. (43,000 and growing number of denominations). Man-made traditions that bind you from seeing and hearing truth which is commandments and laws and reveals the very character of the LORD/YHWH.

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.


2Thessalonians 2:9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth (thy commandments and laws are TRUTH) , that they might be saved.
 

Grace911

Active member
Nov 11, 2018
585
147
43
So why do you suppose Genesis says that He did if He didn't need to?
Because He was giving us a picture of the future. Six days (six millenniums) man can work, but the 7th day (7th Millennium) is a rest for man's ways and a time to fully learn and understand the LORD's way.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,976
26,106
113
Sin had not happened yet.
Jesus was purposed from before the foundation of the world. Why? To give His life as a ransom for many...
because of sin... even though it had not happened yet. So I really wonder why you felt it necessary to say,
"Sin had not happened yet." God knew it was going to, and He had a plan in place.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,328
714
113
The Lord said for strangers to keep the sabbath.
Isa 56:6-7 KJV 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 sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

It wasn't just for Israel.
The sabbath was made for man, all mankind.

Isa 66:22-23 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.

"Shall All flesh come"

We are all one in Christ.
And Christ is Lord of the sabbath
Reading the rest of your quotation below.

Isa 56:6-7 KJV 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 sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

Which covenant in the wider context is the covenant, that the Lord is referring to?
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,328
714
113
We are planly told that we shouldn't add or take away from Gods word.

But do you see the plan evidence that God added a law because of sin. And that when Jesus came it was to be taken away.

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
Gal 3:24-25 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

It plan that we are no longer under this law.

Mat 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

This law has not passed away.....

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Paul said to estabish this law through faith.

These can't be the same law.
reading the verse below.

Mat 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Every letter of the law is bolted in place until?

All things are fulfilled.

If ceremonial law, and that is a lot of the law, have passed, then indeed, the entire law has been fulfilled.

The ten commandments have passed precisely because they are the law.

All we need is one letter of the law to pass.
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,572
1,074
113
Australia
So why do you suppose Genesis says that He did if He didn't need to?
As an example for us.

As God did, so should we.

Because of the work He rested and said we should do the same.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,976
26,106
113
As an example for us.

As God did, so should we.

Because of the work He rested and said we should do the same.
We rest in Jesus. He is our Sabbath rest.

John 5:16 Now because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews began to persecute
Him. 17 But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.”
18 Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath,
but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
 

TMS

Senior Member
Mar 21, 2015
3,572
1,074
113
Australia
Jesus was purposed from before the foundation of the world. Why? To give His life as a ransom for many...
because of sin... even though it had not happened yet. So I really wonder why you felt it necessary to say,
"Sin had not happened yet." God knew it was going to, and He had a plan in place.
God knows the begining from the end.

He knew sin would happen but God didn't show us the plans of salvation until we needed to see them.

Are you saying God was revealing the plans of salvations before sin happened?
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,234
6,530
113
God made only Seven days for the week, leaving one day set aside to be with Him in a special manner, doing nothing to spoil that relation.
 
Oct 31, 2015
2,290
588
113
Because He was giving us a picture of the future. Six days (six millenniums) man can work, but the 7th day (7th Millennium) is a rest for man's ways and a time to fully learn and understand the LORD's way.
Yes sir, amen.


You are the only person I have run across who understands this.

In Genesis God was referring to the future.


Jesus said it this way when ridiculed about the Sabbath —


But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” John 5:17



Paul teaches us that the Sabbath was a shadow (foreshadowed) of the “rest to come”.


So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17


again



There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9






JPT
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,234
6,530
113
My most helpful guide in this understanding has been the creation account of seven days coupled with the Hebrew Lunar Calendar. So now you have met two who know this. There are several more who know this who come into this forum.
 

mailmandan

Senior Member
Apr 7, 2014
25,045
13,053
113
58
Yes sir, amen.


You are the only person I have run across who understands this.

In Genesis God was referring to the future.

Jesus said it this way when ridiculed about the Sabbath —

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” John 5:17

Paul teaches us that the Sabbath was a shadow (foreshadowed) of the “rest to come”.

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17

again

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. Hebrews 4:9

JPT
W. E. Vine, Greek Dictionary points out:

Sabbath rest (4520) (sabbatismos from sabbatízo = keep the Sabbath) literally means a keeping of a sabbath or a keeping of days of rest. It is used in this passage not in the literal sense (meaning to keep a specific day, the "Sabbath" day) but to describe a period of rest for God’s people which is modeled after and is a fulfillment of the traditional Sabbath.

SABBATISMOS a Sabbath-keeping, is used in Heb. 4:9, R.V., "a Sabbath rest," A.V. marg., "a keeping of a Sabbath" (akin to sabbatizoµ, to keep the Sabbath, used, e.g., in Ex. 16:30, not in the N.T.); here the Sabbath-keeping is the perpetual Sabbath rest to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the Law.

Because this Sabbath rest is the rest of God Himself, its full fruition is yet future, though believers now enter into it. In whatever way they enter into divine “rest,” that which they enjoy is involved in an indissoluble relation with God. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=35458
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,976
26,106
113
God knows the begining from the end.

He knew sin would happen but God didn't show us the plans of salvation until we needed to see them.

Are you saying God was revealing the plans of salvations before sin happened?
I made a few simple straightforward statements that you can reread if their meaning escapes you.

God's plan of salvation was first alluded to in Genesis 3:15. That was after A&E sinned.

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed
and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.


God knew sin was going to happen, and He had a plan in place.

In fact, I said nothing to the effect of God revealing the plans of salvation before sin happened.

It does perplex me when I say one thing and someone asks, are you saying something else? LOL
 
May 19, 2023
86
11
8
W. E. Vine, Greek Dictionary points out:

Sabbath rest (4520) (sabbatismos from sabbatízo = keep the Sabbath) literally means a keeping of a sabbath or a keeping of days of rest. It is used in this passage not in the literal sense (meaning to keep a specific day, the "Sabbath" day) but to describe a period of rest for God’s people which is modeled after and is a fulfillment of the traditional Sabbath.

SABBATISMOS a Sabbath-keeping, is used in Heb. 4:9, R.V., "a Sabbath rest," A.V. marg., "a keeping of a Sabbath" (akin to sabbatizoµ, to keep the Sabbath, used, e.g., in Ex. 16:30, not in the N.T.); here the Sabbath-keeping is the perpetual Sabbath rest to be enjoyed uninterruptedly by believers in their fellowship with the Father and the Son, in contrast to the weekly Sabbath under the Law.

Because this Sabbath rest is the rest of God Himself, its full fruition is yet future, though believers now enter into it. In whatever way they enter into divine “rest,” that which they enjoy is involved in an indissoluble relation with God. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words)

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/articles/index.php?view=article&aid=35458

Jesus is our Sabbath rest now.

Hebrews 4:1-10 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: "AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"; 5 and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST." 6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,328
714
113
God knows the begining from the end.

He knew sin would happen but God didn't show us the plans of salvation until we needed to see them.

Are you saying God was revealing the plans of salvations before sin happened?
Did God reveal the plan of salvation before Adam sinned?

Genesis 2:9
Out of the ground the Lord God caused every tree to grow that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

The answer to the question will depend on the interpretation you apply to Genesis 2.

If the tree in the center of the garden represents Jesus Christ (eternal life). Then God has started to reveal a plan for our salvation.

If the tree in the center of the garden represents a type of tree. Then God has not revealed His plan of salvation.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,328
714
113
My most helpful guide in this understanding has been the creation account of seven days coupled with the Hebrew Lunar Calendar. So now you have met two who know this. There are several more who know this who come into this forum.
I use a Lunar calendar when I read Exodus and Leviticus. Simply because the Hebrews used the the new moon to signal the start of each month. The older traditional churches use the new moon to derive their Passover, i.e. Easter.
 

Inquisitor

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2022
2,328
714
113
As an example for us.

As God did, so should we.

Because of the work He rested and said we should do the same.
A rest from the working week?

Or a rest from your own attempt at salvation derived from dead works?

Do you gather to break bread and celebrate the risen Christ?

Or do you gather to rest from work and contemplate God.