Galatianism and/or Judaizing

I think the difference can also be understood relative to the expectations one holds for others. If, for example, one Christian refuses to eat meat offered to idols (which was a big issue in the first century) and does it merely out of personal conviction, one cannot accuse him of legalism However, if the same person proclaims that all who eat meat offered to idols are disobedient to God and are committing sin, then he is a legalist.

The same can be held regarding the Sabbath. If a Christian chooses to keep the Sabbath holy on the first day of the week and does so out of personal conviction he may not be a legalist. However, if he believes that all who do not observe the Sabbath on the same day and in the same manner are disobedient to God and are committing sin against God, then he is a legalist.

I think that you may find that most people such as myself (not all unfortunately) teach the issue of the Sabbath not because of our own personal expectations of others, but rather in what the scriptures teach as God's expectations for mankind. There is a big difference.

But brakelite3's correct though bbbbbbb. It is our duty and responsibility in life to live in obedience towards God. We can only do so insomuch as He reveals Himself to us in the scriptures. All we need to know for life is obtained in the scriptures.

Therefore we can deduct that it is our responsibility to take a stance on such issues as keeping the Sabbath as they are instructed in the scriptures.

That said, to stand over, dictate to, judge, take authoritive action against, or condemn those who have different doctrinal beliefs regarding the sabbath would be sinful in and of itself. Rather, if we are to point out erroneous beliefs, it is to be done in love, patience and from the scriptures. It is not our place to judge, but God's. We can judge only insomuch as to what is clearly forbidden in the bible.

Although I agree with you, BrakeLight3 remains a legalist in that he and his fellow SDA's sincerely believe that not only are they obligated to keep the Sabbath as defined by Ellen White, but all other people are required to, as well. The New Testament is crystal clear that they have every right to observe any Sabbath, festival, or new moon that they wish, but they have no right to enforce these beliefs upon others such as ourselves.

You reveal what is so common among non SDAs. That is an utter misunderstanding of who we are , what we stand for, and why.

Although I am not SDA nor ever have been I based my remark upon the interaction I have had with a former SDA. I have no means of gauging her experience other than to say that it was over twenty-five years in length and her brother is a pastor now in the SDA.

First, a little history. Baptists were the first of the reformed churches to discover the old truth regarding the Sabbath. 7th day Baptists they called themselves, and they discovered the Sabbath as a result of Bible study and an intense desire to learn truth after centuries of papal darkness.

Today Seventh-Day Baptists are as rare as hen's teeth. There are Sabbatarian churches other than the SDA, but they constitute a very tiny minority.

In the great awakening of the early 19th century which incidentally was worldwide, many Christians from all denominations discovered a further truth; that is the imminent return of Christ. Many 7th day baptists joined the adventists, who at that time were all sunday keepers. It was in fact one Rachel Oakes who introduced the Sabbath teaching to a group of adventists in New England. Some accepted it , some didn't. Again, it was Bible study that confirmed the truth of this teaching. This group who accepted the Sabbath were later called 7th day adventists. Ellen White happened to be one of them, but by no means did she introduce the teaching, nor did anyone else accept it simply on her say so.

Sadly, you did not mention the role of Mr. Miller in the early history of the SDA and his failed prophecies which led to the virtual demise of the SDA. Ellen White did not introduce much of the framework of SDA theology, but she is still read and revered for her insights. The result is that the views she formulated concerning keeping the Sabbath still hold sway in your denomination. They are at variance with the explicit Sabbath laws given by the Lord God in the Penteteuch.

Nor did I. And nor do I share that teaching in these forums because she taught it. Nor do SDAs believe they are obliged to observe the Sabbath on Ellen White's say so, like you suggest.

Have you, or any other members of the SDA, considered the possibility of staying at home on the Sabbath and resting and not attending religious services, especially those farther than a Sabbath Day's walk? Your observance of Saturday is, to a large degree, in keeping with the teaching of Ellen White.

I share my belief on any theological matter or moral matter because of what I read in the Bible. My original post was intended to prove that teaching obedience to the laws of God is not legalism. Trusting in that obedience for salvation is. That is what Paul was concerned about with the Galatians. By continuing to label me as a legalist you are in fact judging my motivational attitude regarding the Sabbath. My motives are a matter of the heart, and that is between me and God.

I judge you according to your fruits. By your fruits I know you, as Christ Himself has said. Christ judged the Pharisees according to their fruits. I submit that none were more zealous to obey God's commandments than the Pharisees. They make both of us look like hopeless wretches by comparison in terms of the obedience to the Law. Nevertheless Christ condemned them, especially in their obeservance of the Sabbath (Luke 4 and 5).

Am I judging for not observing the Sabbath you as you claim? No. How could I when I do not know whether you do or not? But I will not apologise or recant repeating what I read in the scriptures regarding obedience. Jesus Himself said that only those who do the will of His Father will be saved. I didn't sat that. Jesus did.

You have thus judged me as being lost. Why? Because you equate your form of Sabbath keeping as doing the will of God, do you not? If so, you have judged all those who do not keep the Sabbath as you do, as being lost. That includes myself and all the rest of humanity who are not SDA.

The Sabbath is a commandment of the Lord. Not me nor Ellen White. None other but God Himself. I would strongly suggest that it would take God Himself to annul any commandment.

God has never annulled any commandment. God commanded circumcision and the dietary law for His people. Do you also believe that all Christian men must be circumcised to be saved and that Christians must keep kosher in the kitchen (I do not mean the dietary law of the SDA, but that which is given in the Penteteuch)? I submit that Christ has fulfilled the Law and Christians are under no obligation to keep the Law. If, as you assert above, one must obey God in keeping the Sabbath to be saved, then you are assuredly lost. Why? Because you flout God's clear commandments concerning the Sabbath and substitute your own.

If you can show me anywhere in the scriptures where God has explicitly commanded the cessation of the Sabbath and thus reversing a previously exalted commandment on pain of death, and not just your intetrpretation of what the scriptures say, I will delete every post I have made on the subject.

Start deleting. "Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a estival or a new moon or a Sabbath day" Colossians 2:16

If exalting obedience was legalism, every apostle and writer of the NT would stand condemned.