- Introduction
- Sabbatarian Teachings
- Old Testament Prophecies of the Sabbath
- The Ten Commandments
- The Sabbath Fulfilled or Abolished?
- The Lord's Day
- Arguments Answered
- Return to Home Page
They teach that there were two laws given on Mt. Sinai: that God gave one, and that Moses gave another; that the one given by the Lord was written on tables of stone, which were durable and still in force today; and that the law given by Moses was written in a book, and was abolished by Christ. They further assume that the law of God pertained to moral obligations, and that the law of Moses consisted of ceremonial duties.
They make a distinction where there is no difference. These distinctions are not taught in the Bible. Sabbatarians ASSUME them. Their first premise which is assumed is false, therefore, their conclusion is false. They assume the thing they must prove. We can prove anything if we are granted the privilege of assuming one premise.
With no ill-will toward our Sabbatarian friends --- but with love for their souls and the truth, as the Bible says we are not to add or take away from His Word, or we will be condemned (see:Leveticus 10:1-3; Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Colossians 3;17; Philippians 4;8-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 4:11; Revelation 22:119-19). Let us weigh their claims in the light of God's word, as the Bible says we are to “test the spirits to see whether they are of God, because many false prophets have come into the world,” 1 John 4:1 (see also, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Ephesians 5:17; Colossians 3:13; 1 John 1:6).
"Tested" with the Bible
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A) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That "the law of God" and the "law of Moses" were two different laws.]
The Bible Teaches:
That they are one and the same law, and uses the expressions interchangeably:
The same chapter says, "Ezra the priest, the scribe of the LAW OF THE GOD of heaven .. "
( Ezra 7:12).
The expressions are also used interchangeably in Nehemiah 8:1; 8:8; and again in Luke 2:22, 23.
B) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That Moses gave the law of Moses.]
The Bible Teaches:
That God gave the law of Moses.
And he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses which the Lord God had given."
(Ezra 7:6).
C) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That God gave the law of God.]
The Bible Teaches:
That Moses gave the law of God:
(2 Chronicles 34:14)
These verses prove that the Sabbatarians are wrong when they teach that God gave "the law of God" and that Moses gave "the law of Moses" are two separate laws.
There was only one law given. What Moses gave was by God's authority. God made known the sabbath and other precepts, statutes, and laws by the hand of Moses. (Nehemiah 9:14).
D) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That animal sacrifice, incense, etc., were in the law of Moses. These they admit were abolished when Jesus was crucified.]
The Bible Teaches:
That animal sacrifice was in the law of God,
to wit for the morning and the evening burnt offerings for the Sabbaths,
and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written IN THE LAW OF THE LORD”;
(2 Chronicles 31:3).
“And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord,
a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons."
(Luke 2:24).
Can the law of God be changed or done away? If not, then animal sacrifice is still binding. Yes, God abolished the Sabbath with the same authority he did animal sacrifice. The law had to be changed. (Hebrews 7:12). Christ took away the first that he might establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9, 10).
E) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That God gave the Ten Commandments, and that Moses gave incense, etc.]
The Bible Teaches:
That Moses gave the Ten Commandments:
Honor thy father and thy mother; (Mark 7:10)
and yet none of you keeps the law?
Why are you about to kill Me?"
(John 7:19)
The Sabbatarians make a distinction where there is no difference. God gave the law of Moses. Moses gave the law of God — the one given on Mt. Sinai. God had law, of course, before Moses was born. He had law for Adam, Noah, Cain, and Abel; but it was not the ten commandments. They were not given until the children of Israel came out of Egyptian bondage. (Exodus 20:1-17).
F) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That the Sabbath is a moral obligation.]
The Bible Teaches:
That the Sabbath "WAS MADE." (Mark 2:27). Moral obligations are right within themselves. Religious duties are right only because God commands them. The Sabbath was made right and binding on the Jews only because God commanded it. (Exodus 20:8).
Moral obligations relate to our fellow men. Religious duties relate to God. When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit,they sinned because they violated a command of God; but they did not thereby commit an act of immorality. They sinned against God, but not against their fellow men.
It has always been wrong to murder, steal, lie, and commit adultery. These things are wrong within themselves. God forbids them because they are wrong. Failure to keep the Sabbath violates no moral law. Men would never have known to keep the sabbath if God had not commanded it. Furthermore, worship is a religious duty and not a moral obligation
Even the morals of the Ten Commandments are below the standards of Christianity!.
"Thou shalt not kill." This command does not condemn hate. (I John 3:15). "Thou shalt not commit adultery." This command does not condemn lust. The new law under Jesus does. (Matthew 5:28).
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor." This command does not forbid false witness for a neighbor, nor to a neighbor. The new law says, "AND ALL LIARS, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with are and brimstone ..." (Revelation 21:8).
Many ask if they can live up to the ten commandments and be saved. The answer is emphatically "NO."
G)Most Sabbatarians Teach: [That the Sabbath was given at creation and has been observed by men ever since.] The Bible Teaches:
That the Sabbath was made known on Mt. Sinai.
and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
and made known thy holy Sabbath, and commandest them precepts, statutes, and laws,
by the hand of Moses thy servant."
(Nehemiah 9:13-14).
The Sabbath is first mentioned in Exodus 16:23, and this is AFTER the children of Israel came out of Egypt. As they get to the foot of the mount, in the Wilderness of Sin, when the manna is given, the Sabbath is first made known. It is evident that they had not been keeping the Sabbath because the day before, Moses said, "Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath unto the Lord; " The next day he said: "Today is a Sabbath unto the Lord."
This was just a few days before the Sabbath was made one of the Ten Commandments. When they were told to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy," it does not mean that they had been observing it from creation; but as they reached the foot of the mount at the giving of the manna the Sabbath had been made known.
(Note: Horeb and Sinai are often used interchangeably. Horeb is a range of mountains; Sinai is a peak in this range. The law was given in Horeb. (Malachi 4:4). The Wilderness of Sin is within the Horeb range).
Nehemiah says that God came down upon mount Sinai (or Horeb) and made the Sabbath known. He had never given it before. The word is not found in all the book of Genesis. Remember that Moses lived and wrote 2500 years after creation. God rested on the seventh day. Twenty-five hundred years thereafter, God set it apart as a memorial of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, because in it HE HAD rested.
There is neither command, example, nor penalty concerning sabbath observance during the patriarchal dispensation which embraced the first 2500 years of the history of man.
During the next 1500 years, from Sinai till the new law went into force (Acts 2), we find the command, example, and penalty concerning Sabbath observance.
From the time the church was established, A. D. 33, (Acts 2) until the last inspired apostle penned the last verse of the book of Revelation, There is not one command in the New Testament for Christians to observe the Sabbath. Neither is there one penalty for not observing it.
H) Most Sabbatarians Teach:
[That the Sabbath is a universal day of worship for all mankind.]
The Bible Teaches:
That the Sabbath was given to the Israelites and to them only — unless a Gentile was proselyted to their faith.
“And Moses called all Israel and said unto them, Hear, 0 Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day."
(Deuteronomy 5:1-3. See also Exodus 20:1, 2)
To quote the Ten Commandments and leave off the introduction as to whom they were to and for, is to misapply the scriptures and deceive the people. [Remember context is everything! dc]
The Sabbath A Sign
The Sabbath was a sign between God and the children of Israel — no other nation.
saying, Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep;
for it is a sign between Me and you
throughout your generations ':
'" (Exodus 31:13).
“It is a sign between Me and the
children of Israel forever: ' "
(Exodus 31:17).
Sabbath A Memorial
The Sabbath was a memorial of the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt.
(Deuteronomy 5:15).
God has never in any age commanded a Gentile, as such, to keep the Sabbath. There is no more reason for a Gentile to keep the Sabbath, than for Spain to celebrate the 4th of July, or the Christian to keep the Jewish Hanukkah. The Sabbath had a national significance to the Israelites. It celebrated THEIR deliverance from bondage. "Therefore " (for this reason) God commanded the children of Israel to keep the sabbath day.
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When Will The Sabbath Be Gone? - AMOS
When John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day could it be that he was in the Spirit on the 7th day of the week which was the Jewish Sabbath? The answer is no! The Sabbath is gone according to the scriptures. There is no Sabbath. There is no 7th day Sabbath, no 1st day Sabbath, no Sabbath at all!
that we may sell corn?
and the Sabbath,
that we may set forth wheat ...”
(Amos 8:5)
At the time of this writing by Amos the prophet, Israel had a mind for rebellion and disobedience. They desired to “buy the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of shoes” (Amos 8:6). They wanted to cheat in the weights and measures for selling grain and other produce. They hoped for a time when they would not be restricted against selling or doing business on the monthly feast days and on the Sabbath. So, they asked, “When will the Sabbath and the new moon be gone.”
Amos tells them that the land shall tremble for this evil. He warns that great destruction will come upon the people as a penalty for their sins. However, he also answers the question, “When will the Sabbath be gone?”
saith the Lord God,
that I will cause the sun to go down at noon,
and I will darken the earth in the clear day,”
(Amos 8:9)
When Will the Sabbath Be Gone? When the sun goes down at noon and the earth is darkened on a clear day. Did this ever happen and if so when? The words of the prophet were fulfilled at the crucifixion of Christ:
over all the land unto the ninth hour...”
(Matthew 27:45)
The sixth hour, Jewish time, corresponds with our 12 o’clock noon. The ninth hour corresponds with our 3 p.m. Therefore, when Jesus was on the cross the sun went down at noon and the earth was darkened on a clear day. From that moment forward the Sabbath was no longer binding on God’s people, for Jesus took it out of the way and nailed it, along with the rest of the law of Moses, to His cross.
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to His cross”
(Colossians 2:14).
The Sabbath Will Cease, HOSEA
The prophet Hosea also foretold the end of the Sabbath:
her feast days, her new moons, and her Sabbaths,
and all her solemn feasts,”
(Hosea 2:11)
Feast days, refers to yearly festivals such as the Passover, Pentecost, feast of atonement, feast of tabernacles and of the trumpets (Leviticus 23). New moons refers to the monthly observances and Sabbaths refers to the weekly Sabbaths. All these the writer says, will “cease".
After Paul, in Colossians 2:14, explains how that Christ took the ordinances of the law of Moses out of the way and nailed them to His cross, he went on to say:
or in respect of an holiday, or of the new moon,
or of the Sabbath days,”
(Colossians 2:16).
Meat and drink refers to the daily sacrifices, holiday refers to the yearly feasts, new moon the monthly feasts, and the Sabbath days to the 7th day observance.
Hosea said all these observances would cease. Paul says since Christ died on the cross, they have ceased. Since Christ nailed these ordinances to his cross no man has a right to judge a Christian because he no longer observes these old Jewish holidays.
The Sabbath Abolished. Christians are commanded NOT to observe the sabbath. "'
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat,
or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon,
or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come but the body of Christ."
(Colossians 2:14-17).
Since Christ nailed the old law to the cross. THEREFORE, for this reason, let no one judge you in observing these things named — including the Sabbath. Sabbath observance was a religious requirement, made holy by commandment, and never was a moral obligation. Therefore, it is properly here classed with ordinances.
Some argue that this passage does not include the weekly Sabbath, but "Sabbath days" would include all Sabbath days. However, the word "days" is in italics which means that it was supplied by the translators. Leaving off days, the passage would read, "or of the Sabbath." When God said, "Remember the Sabbath day," Sabbatarians say it refers to the seventh day Sabbaths. Then when God gives us a better law, and tells us not to observe "the Sabbath" why should it not likewise refer to the weekly Sabbath?
The Sabbath was a type or shadow of things to come. Those who try to keep it are clinging to a shadow.
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1. The covenant God made with Israel when He brought them out of Egypt was the Ten Commandments. "And
He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even Ten Commandments; and wrote them upon two
tables of stone." (Deuteronomy 4:13).
"There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the Lord made a
covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt." (I Kings 8:9).
2. God took away the covenant He made with Israel when He brought them out of Egypt. (Hebrews 8:6-13; 10:9, 10).
3. Therefore, God took away the Ten Commandments. a) God took away the Ten Commandments—just proved. b) The Sabbath was one of the Ten. (Exodus 20:8). c) Therefore, God took away the Sabbath.
a) When the covenant, the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath, was given, Moses' face shone when he came down from the mount. (Exodus 34:27-35).
b) The covenant that God gave when Moses' face shone "is abolished." (2 Corinthians 3:13).
c) Therefore, the Sabbath is abolished."
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“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day,”
(Revelation 1:10)
The same term is used in 1 Corinthians 11:20, regarding the Lord’s supper or communion. The church at Corinth had defiled the Lord’s supper to the point that Paul in so many words says, “
Most Christians have a clear understanding of the relationship between Christ and the Lord’s supper. To separate Christ from the supper would render the supper void and useless. The connection or attachment between Christ and the communion cannot be overstated.
According to the statement made by the apostle John, (Revelation 1:10) there is also and inseparable union between Christ and one of the days of the week for it is called the Lord’s day. Lord’s day, Lord’s supper --- they are equal as far as relationship to Christ is concerned. Just as the supper pertains and belongs to the Lord so does the Lord’s day pertain to and belong to the Lord.
First Day of the Week
He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had driven seven demons,”
(Mark 16:9--NIV).
This passage should settle the question as to what day Jesus was raised from the dead. However, since the KJV says, “Now when Jesus was risen,” some who desire to keep the 7th day claim that Jesus was already risen when the women came to the tomb and therefore, they say, he was raised from the dead on the 7th day of the week.
Luke 24 offers absolute proof that Jesus was raised on the first day. Jesus himself stated that He would be raised on the third day following His crucifixion (Luke 24:46). While walking on the road to Emmaus, Cleopas told Christ, “today is the third day,” since Jesus was delivered, condemned to death, and crucified (Luke 24:13-21 ). Verse 13 declares that the journey to Emmaus was on the same day the women went to the tomb. So Jesus was raised the day the women went to the tomb, the same day Cleopas went to Emmaus which was the 3rd day since Jesus had died. What day was it? Luke 24:1, says the women went to the tomb on the first day of the week. The women did not go to the tomb on the Sabbath day nor was the Sabbath the 3rd day following the death of Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, which is our Sunday.
First Day of the Week
When the Jews heard the preaching of Peter and the other apostles on the day of Pentecost, 3000 responded in repentance and baptism and the Lord added to the church such as should be saved (Acts 2:36-47). This is the first time in the new testament that the word church is used in the existing sense. Previous to this time you will find the word church mentioned in the future tense, such as; “upon this rock I will build my church,” Matthew 16:18. Upon the obedience of the penitent Jews the church was thus started.
Pentecost was one of 5 Jewish celebrations commanded in Leviticus 23. Beginning, at a specific Sabbath, the Jews were to number 7 Sabbaths complete. Seven times 7 equal 49 days. The day following the 7th Sabbath was the “fiftieth” day which is the exact meaning of the word Pentecost. Since Pentecost or the 50th day followed a Sabbath or 7th day, the day of Pentecost always fell on the first day of the week. The church, then had its beginning on the first day of the week.
Paul commanded a collection to be taken on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-3) Those who practice Sabbath keeping claim this was a special collection that would not be continued after Paul came to take it to Jerusalem. Please note the passage does not say, “that there be no more collection ever again, after I come,” but says simply that they were to take a collection each first day so the funds would be ready when Paul or others arrived. Nothing is said to prove that they would not continue the first day collection every first day of the week after Paul departed Corinth for Jerusalem. The first day is distinguished by this act of giving in the assembly on each first day of the week, and by remembering the death, burial, and resurrection and coming again of Christ by partaking of the Lord’s Supper.
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- The Sabbath is spoken of as being perpetual. (Exodus 31:16). "How could a perpetual Sabbath cease?"
it is asked. --- The same way that the perpetual temple service (I Kings 9:3), and perpetual incense (Exodus
30:8), ceased.
- "Jesus kept the Sabbath," we are told. --- He also kept the passover, and the rest of the law Jesus was
born under the law, (Galatians 4:4), and lived under the law. When He died, He nailed it to the cross.
(Colossians 2:14-17).
- "Paul kept the Sabbath," some say. --- Why then did the Jews persecute him? Paul preached on the Sabbath in
the synagogues because it was an opportunity. Of him it was said, "This man persuadeth men to worship contrary to
the Law." (Acts 18:13).
- "If the Ten Commandments are abolished, then men can steal, lie, etc.," it is said. --- Certainly not! All
sin is condemned in the New Testament.
- "The Catholics changed the Sabbath," it is argued. --- This just is not true. The law was changed
(Hebrews 7: 12) before the Catholic Church ever existed. During the days of the apostles, the early Christians
were taught to worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2), and they were taught not
to keep the Sabbath. (Colossians 2:16). Christ changed the day of worship Hebrews 10:9, 10)—not the
Catholics. The Bible is right regardless of what Catholics, Sabbatarians, or anyone may says.
- "Jesus came not to destroy the Law." --- He came to fulfill. He said: "For verily I say unto you, Till
heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." (Matthew
5:18). Till when? TILL ALL BE FULFILLED. When it was fulfilled THEN IT DID PASS AWAY! Did Jesus fulfill it?
On the cross He said, "It is finished."
It was fulfilled when all the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled, and the final one of His death which brought about the New Covenant, which did away with the old law of sacrifices and sin offerings, and allowed for the forgiveness of sins directly! After his resurrection, Jesus said He had fulfilled the law, the prophets, and the psalms. (Luke 24:44). Therefore, the Law HAD passed away.
- "We are to live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," another argues. --- The command to build the ark, offer animal sacrifice, burn incense, and practice circumcision all proceeded from the mouth of God. Are we to live by these commands? Commandments of God in the Patriarchal and Mosaic ages are not binding on Christians. (Hebrews 1: 1, 2). We must now hear Christ. (Matthew 17:5; 28:18)
The Apostles, guided by the Spirit went to work and executed the will of Christ on the terms laid down by Him. This plan of redemption is new. It is different to that of the old law.
Now under Christ we have a new plan of salvation, a new covenant, sealed by new blood, a new name, a new method of worship, and a new day of worship—the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7; I Corinthians 16:2). We also have new music—vocal only. (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
Remember that in all the instructions to Christians there is NOT one command for a Christian to keep the Sabbath, but we are commanded not to keep it.(Colossians 2:16).
Those Who Claim To Keep The Sabbath Do Not Keep It! Keeping the Sabbath required the following:
- Do no work. (Exodus 20:9, 10)
- Kindle no fire. (Exodus 35:3).
- No baking or boiling. (Exodus 16: 23).
- Bear no burden. (Jeremiah 17:21, 22).
- Offering two lambs. (Numbers 28: 9, 10).
If it is argued that the other things were abolished because not in the Ten Commandments, then why do Sabbatarians refuse to eat pork? There is no prohibition against eating pork in the Ten Commandments. The doctrine of abstaining from meat today is of the devil. (1 Timothy 4:1-4). It is fact: there is not one New Testament text for a Christian to keep the Sabbath. *Adapted from a Bible Tracts by A. G. Hobb and Irvin Barnes Bible Tract “The Lord’s Day,”
A friendly welcome awaits you. We do not wish to embarrass you in any way. You will not be asked for contributions. We assemble for Bible study and worship each Sunday morning and we welcome you to meet with us. We would be happy to talk to you about your questions and we want to be of encouragement.
Please contact me, Dennis Crawford, at BibleTruthsToU@gmail.com or 253-396-0290 (cell)for comments, questions, further Bible information, or for the location of a congregation belonging to Jesus Christ near you.
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