The Sabbath is Here!

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eternally-gratefull said:

I am going to head out to do some ministry. I guess I will be breaking the sabbath, because it is labor and work (although not getting paid for it. Doing What God has blessed me to do),

Guess if it is a sin, God will not bless me. put punish me.. Oh well. My daughter needs served and shown God loves and not everyone does things for something in return.

Should I repent now or ask forgiveness later?
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Now e-g, you know you're honoring the Sabbath by ministering to others. No sin there, and no need for repentance or forgiveness. As I always say, the Priests did doubly duty in the tabernacle/temple. They did more "work" on the Sabbath than any day of the week.

May God bless you out there in your service to Him and others!
Matt
 
In its original setting, the fourth commandment anticipated rest by prescribing rest, so that one kept the Sabbath by resting. However, the command soon escaped these confines, in part through its role as a sign of the whole law, and in part through the failure of Israel to find rest in the land.

The stress in the prophets on faithfulness as the heart of Sabbath observance was taken up in the New Testament, but there it was viewed in the light of what Jesus had done.

As God’s perfect human, Jesus lived the Sabbath day for God, releasing his fellow humans from bondage, bringing them into blessing, and at the last entering himself into God’s rest.

Ultimately, as Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus made it possible for others to follow him into that rest. This means that the Christian’s task is no longer to keep the Sabbath (Jesus has done that already) but to believe in him.

In its final setting, then, the fourth commandment is no longer a commandment for God’s people, but its intent remains. The ‘law of Christ’ anticipates rest by prescribing belief, but now rest has been realized.

In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was primarily about rest rather than worship. Sunday became a day of worship but was not initially a day of rest.

Regularity, for which the seven-day week provided a ready-made framework, distinguishes (Sunday) worship (*e.g. Heb. 10:25); completion, which was (and is) a final goal, distinguishes the Seventh Day.

The Sabbath day, then, was a sign of this eschatological rest, whereas Sunday is not presented in the New Testament as a sign of anything, despite its connection to the resurrection.

It is simply a well-chosen day upon which to gather to encourage one another in daily, unceasing striving to enter the Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:11).

The only gathering which can truly be described as sabbatical is the gathering of the bond-servants who will reign with the Lamb for ever in the new creation (Rev. 22:3–6).

Those who assert that the Sabbath must be kept today as ancient Israelites kept the Sabbath in the Old Testament are misled and misleading others.
 
All christians are spiritual Jews. Like KohenMatt said, where in scripture did He command us to stop?
 
GregoryC said:
You are assuming He was speaking to you and me. Unless you are a Jew under the old Mosaic covenant.
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Actually, it was Israel, His people, God was speaking to. The "Jews" come from a specific tribe of Israel.

But that's where we need to be careful. Because if we go down the road of saying that the Sabbath doesn't apply to us because He spoke that only to Israel, then by default we have to say every promise or instruction found in the Torah or even the Old Testament is only for Israel, and not us today. The practical instructions in the Torah are just as applicable for us today as any bit of prophecy or promise in the Prophets. Why? Because we're God's people, just like Israel was in the OT.

Regardless, people shouldn't worry so much about fellow Christians keeping the 7th day Sabbath. Unless those Sabbath keepers are using it as a point of judgement, we should all rejoice that our brothers and sisters are setting a specific day aside for God. Yes, yes, we should make every day a day or worship to God. But there's nothing wrong with saying, "Today, I'm giving this day to you, God." The 7th day is a day set aside as special and unique by God; at creation, and for Israel. And He never negated that significance, and never told His people to stop.

So let's be thankful that most Sabbath-keepers in here are using today as a day of worship and devotion to God.
 
Jay1 said:
All christians are spiritual Jews. Like KohenMatt said, where in scripture did He command us to stop?
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The proper question would be when did He command us to start keeping the Jewish sabbath? Will you please provide one clear scripture in the new testament that states so (after the cross). If you can I will repent in dust and ashes.
 
GregoryC said:
The proper question would be when did He command us to start keeping the Jewish sabbath? Will you please provide one clear scripture in the new testament that states so (after the cross). If you can I will repent in dust and ashes.
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Can you provide one clear scripture in the New Testament that states God told His people to stop celebrating the Sabbath?
 
A lot of interesting points, but nowhere in scripture are we commanded to keep Sunday, the first day holy. We are commanded to keep the seventh day, Saturday Holy by the 4th commandment (Exodus 20:8-11). If this no longer valid then the other nine commandments are no longer valid. We keep the commandments as Jesus and his disciples did. They kept them in OT, NT and we are commanded to keep them now (Revelation 22:14). Do not be deceived by the false teaching that separates grace and God's law. They are both from His throne and work together for our salvation. Every kingdom has laws, no different in God's kingdom. Satan wants us to do the same thing he did in heaven, brake God's law. Could it be that God knew someone would try to change or forget the 4th commandment, that is why it starts with the word "Remember". Study the history of Sun-day and pagan gods and see for yourself.
 
You know Greg, it's fine. I'm not going to spend any more time debating this here. The Sabbath debate has been discussed ad naseum on more threads here that I care to look at. I'd rather encourage those who are celebrating the Sabbath here, and leave the debates to the myriad of other threads.

If the Sabbath isn't on your heart to celebrate, then you shouldn't do it. You should only do what God lays on your heart. Anything else is vain, empty religious acts or traditions. If you love God and are pursuing Him with your entire life, that's all I care about. And I'm assuming you believe the same thing.

So Happy Sabbath to many of us, and Happy Saturday to you!

Matt
 
I kind of just did but let's ask another question. In Exodus 31:14 we read that Sabbath violators were to be stoned to death upon their first transgression. Have you ever violated a single Sabbath in any way?

Was there ever a law God gave that reversed ANY of the Sabbath day restrictions?

Were the punishments ever negated? Show me in the Bible where it says the punishment for not keeping the Sabbath has been negated.

One has to be consistent, they can’t say we are under grace for the penalty and not under grace in the keeping of the day. Either the Sabbath is no longer to be practiced by obligation or one needs to practice it correctly.

Those who worship on Saturday are not actually keeping God's command for the Sabbath, because they break the letter of the law.

And when they attempt to force their mistaken view of the Sabbath, post-ascension of Jesus, then they act as the Pharisees did when they try to lay guilt upon others for not keeping the Sabbath.

Many say we are observing it by the Spirit of the law and then reinterpret it the way they want to. Either they practice by the letter which it is written in or they should admit to not upholding it correctly.

When someone forces their practice upon others without upholding it themselves it then becomes hypocritical legalism just like the Pharisees used to teach.

And we all know how Jesus dealt with the Pharisees, of whom he said, "they tie up heavy loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.' (Matt. 23:4)

Those who seek to lay guilt on others for not keeping the Sabbath are practicing modern-day Pharsaism. They are Judaizers and hypocrites.

KohenMatt said:
Can you provide one clear scripture in the New Testament that states God told His people to stop celebrating the Sabbath?
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Luke 23:53-56, 24:1, John 19:31 - Brother GregoryC this is after the crucifixion. I think what confuses us when it comes to this subject is the word "law" in the NT, but like the word said let us reason and get the correct answer. I love this. This is bible study.
 
I won't debate keeping Sabbath, rather rejoice because my eyes were opened!!!

Rather, speak of all the blessings, that could keep me busy all day. One thing I understand now, when we are faithful in a few, we are given more. God won't impart truth when you won't obey the truth you already have.

Keeping Sabbath is like hearing an old song with new ears. Before you may have focused on the lyrics, not melody, now you hear the intricacies of all the instruments in harmony.

The world wants to take away everything that God commands. We know the new covenant is a better one, in that we have the truth of God written on our hearts. It's the same words, only in our heart, and we rejoice in it, not make excuses why we can't or don't need to.

God is love. He loves us so much He has not left us to fend for ourselves. He has given us instructions as to how we are to live. The world has a Greek mind, and like Pilate ask "what is truth?" but we know what truth is...it is Every Word that has been written from God. God does not change! Messiah did not rebel against Father, Messiah came to do His Father's will. We are to do the same, be like Messiah! Messiah said He did not come to destroy the instructions, but to fulfill what was written about Him.

Beware the little foxes, for they are false prophets and speak against the Most High.
 
KohenMatt said:
You know Greg, it's fine. I'm not going to spend any more time debating this here. The Sabbath debate has been discussed ad naseum on more threads here that I care to look at. I'd rather encourage those who are celebrating the Sabbath here, and leave the debates to the myriad of other threads.

If the Sabbath isn't on your heart to celebrate, then you shouldn't do it. You should only do what God lays on your heart. Anything else is vain, empty religious acts or traditions. If you love God and are pursuing Him with your entire life, that's all I care about. And I'm assuming you believe the same thing.

So Happy Sabbath to many of us, and Happy Saturday to you!

Matt
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I have no problem with someone wanting to keep a certain day.
But when the lies and condemnation start coming thats when I cannot sit idly by and watch.
I will not let that kind of religious nonesense go unchallenged.
 
AgeofKnowledge said:
In its original setting, the fourth commandment anticipated rest by prescribing rest, so that one kept the Sabbath by resting. However, the command soon escaped these confines, in part through its role as a sign of the whole law, and in part through the failure of Israel to find rest in the land.

The stress in the prophets on faithfulness as the heart of Sabbath observance was taken up in the New Testament, but there it was viewed in the light of what Jesus had done.

As God’s perfect human, Jesus lived the Sabbath day for God, releasing his fellow humans from bondage, bringing them into blessing, and at the last entering himself into God’s rest.

Ultimately, as Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus made it possible for others to follow him into that rest. This means that the Christian’s task is no longer to keep the Sabbath (Jesus has done that already) but to believe in him.

In its final setting, then, the fourth commandment is no longer a commandment for God’s people, but its intent remains. The ‘law of Christ’ anticipates rest by prescribing belief, but now rest has been realized.

In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was primarily about rest rather than worship. Sunday became a day of worship but was not initially a day of rest.

Regularity, for which the seven-day week provided a ready-made framework, distinguishes (Sunday) worship (*e.g. Heb. 10:25); completion, which was (and is) a final goal, distinguishes the Seventh Day.

The Sabbath day, then, was a sign of this eschatological rest, whereas Sunday is not presented in the New Testament as a sign of anything, despite its connection to the resurrection.

It is simply a well-chosen day upon which to gather to encourage one another in daily, unceasing striving to enter the Sabbath rest (Heb. 4:11).

The only gathering which can truly be described as sabbatical is the gathering of the bond-servants who will reign with the Lamb for ever in the new creation (Rev. 22:3–6).

Those who assert that the Sabbath must be kept today as ancient Israelites kept the Sabbath in the Old Testament are misled and misleading others.
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Sometimes it's difficult to explain this, thanks! :)
 
We are to walk humbly with our humble God. Who has power to usurp His authority? Why try walking in front of Him? Following Him is the way, the truth, and life.

Of all the letters He could have chosen to begin His Name, Alef. Alef is silent. Then there is Bet. Bet is written large by the scribes. B'reisheet represents Yahshua, by Him all things were created.

What a humble Creator! He wants a humble people, who will walk humbly with Him.
 
GregoryC said:
I have no problem with someone wanting to keep a certain day.
But when the lies and condemnation start coming thats when I cannot sit idly by and watch.
I will not let that kind of religious nonesense go unchallenged.
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It sounds like you're condemning a little as well. Be careful.
 
Matt, I can't help but get tickled at those who say God doesn't care if we keep His commandments, then proceed to spout off what "they" will permit or not permit. sorry, but I'm still laughing..:)
 
Why do you guys believe we don't keep His commandments? We believe in following Christ and obeying Him. The law of Christ is love, if we love God we then obey Him.
 
Spokenpassage said:
Why do you guys believe we don't keep His commandments? We believe in following Christ and obeying Him. The law of Christ is love, if we love God we then obey Him.
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Most of us believe folks who don't celebrate the Sabbath are still keeping God's commandments. At least I do. There might be a small minority who don't. Is it the same percentage of Christians who think that because we're keeping the commandments, we aren't following the love of love, or Christ?

And for the record, Most of us who keep the sabbath ARE following Jesus and obeying Him by doing it.

Still enjoying the Sabbath,
Matt
 
Karraster said:
Matt, I can't help but get tickled at those who say God doesn't care if we keep His commandments, then proceed to spout off what "they" will permit or not permit. sorry, but I'm still laughing..:)
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Actually, I should not laugh at anyone, being myself so very far from knowing all I should, or doing all I should. Sorry I made that comment.

[SUP]20 [/SUP]To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
 
KohenMatt said:
Most of us believe folks who don't celebrate the Sabbath are still keeping God's commandments. At least I do. There might be a small minority who don't. Is it the same percentage of Christians who think that because we're keeping the commandments, we aren't following the love of love, or Christ?

And for the record, Most of us who keep the sabbath ARE following Jesus and obeying Him by doing it.

Still enjoying the Sabbath,
Matt
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Well, I'm not your judge if you desire to keep the Sabbath, that's a liberty you have in Christ rather than an obligation in Christ...unless you feel obligated?

There are some though, that believe that we are in sin for not keeping the Sabbath. Some even say we have replaced it with Sunday. Like a brother here said, Sabbath was devoted rest. Sunday is a worship day. They aren't the same to us.

Though Christ once said and quoted, "I desire compassion, and not a sacrifice." This has a very very deep meaning.
 
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