2000-10-10 - Sabbath or Lord's Day

Isaiah 33:22 For the Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; He will save us.

<< yesterday I attended a bible study with a group of people, in attendance were an individual from Seven day Adventist, Pentecostal and myself Baptist background. We started to speak of the Sabbath, and all seemed to have a different point of view.

1. Are we binded by the laws of the Old testatment?
2. Is Saturday the Sabbath? Are we to keep this day holy? Are we committing a sin if we don't?
3. If I attend church on Sunday but not Saturday is that an issue?
4. What laws changed when Jesus came? Was the Sabbath involved? Iknow I have asked a lot of questions, but I would really appreciate your thoughts and the corresponding scripture/scriptures to back the answers up. >>

A lot of these questions will be covered in the first question. They are all good questions that I think many Christians wonder about when they come in contact with seventh day adventists and those of the jewish faith.

1. Are we binded by the laws of the Old Testament?

Yes, and no. The laws in the Old Testament were divided into three sections by the rabbis'; ceremonial, Judicial, and moral. In the Christian tradition the ceremonial and civil laws have been fulfilled by Christ. The ceremonial law was the need for sacrifices and the judicial law being the laws regarding the government and policy of the Jewish nation, and so on. I am simplifying a bit, but that is necessary here. Christ fulfilled both these laws and it seems from the New Testament that only the moral law (ten commandments) still apply today.

This is a huge statement. To say the ten commandments still apply today will cause consternation with some, and I can only say that I have to tell it like I see it. The opinion that we are free from all laws in Christ is new, and not within the historic Christian tradition. But it is evident, in Scripture, that in the New Testament, all of the 10 commandments are repeated in some fashion. And that is significant. (see Bible)

2. Is Saturday the Sabbath? Are we to keep this day holy? Are we committing a sin if we don't?

The New Testament church met for worship on the first day of the week, Sunday, because Christ rose on the first day of the week. The day was changed from Saturday to Sunday. I think we are to keep Sunday holy. One confession of faith says, "The fourth commandment (Honor the Lord's day and keep it holy) forbids...idleness, or doing that which is sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, concerning our worldly employments or recreations." The idea is to keep the day holy to the Lord. Something that is very hard to do in a 24-7 culture.

3. If I attend church on Sunday but not Saturday is that an issue?

This one of the reasons why the name of the day is changed. We no longer call it the Sabbath. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, but with the resurrection of the Lord and the practice of the New Testament church meeting on the first day of the week, the day Christ arose, we now call our worship day the Lord's Day and have changed the day. This has been done since the New Testament Church. "And I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day..." Revelation 1:10

4. What laws changed when Jesus came? Was the Sabbath involved?

I think we have covered this above. But let me sum up. You need to take these things to the word of God and study them for yourself. These are deep questions, but the church of Jesus Christ is fairly unified on these issues. A good systematic theology, for example Louis Berkhof, a modern guy, or a good basic book of theology, for example a theological dictionary, can help a lot. I would suggest, if you are really interested that you email me and I will tell you the best one's (I think) and where (most importantly) to get them for the best price. www.cvbbs.com is a great place to start, but there are other places also.

But a systematic theology, good as it is, needs to be grounded in the Word of God. One of my hobbies is collecting systematic theologies, I love to look through them and read them. But some are poor, and some are really useful. The key is the Word of God. What does that say. So I would remind you all that you have the best systematic theology, and it has all the answers, very close to you (I hope). The Bible is the place to start, but helps, like a good theology book, can, well, help.

"Blessed be God for the day of rest and religious occupation wherein earthly things assume their true size." William Wilberforce

Soli Deo Gloria,
T-

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