Hi everyone, I posted earlier in this forum about what I read on Got Questions here
Do the Ten Commandments still apply under the new covenant today? which used two scripture to say to that the Sabbath was no longer required in the New Testatment. I have written to them again asking them to amend this and showed the below to read. I hope that they change it.
Jesus also asks Christians to take the Sacraments in his memory (Matthew 26: 26-29) and we usually do this at church.
The Bible also states that we should not give up gathering together to worship as members of the Body of Christ (Hebrews 10:25). "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Christians are strengthened by praying together and for the world and they can also strengthened by the Sabbath/Sunday rest.
Jesus himself would worship his father on the Sabbath as well as standard please see scripture evidence for it- (Luke 4:16-21). Jesus also said His house is a house of prayer for all nations (Mark 11:17). Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ Jesus is referencing (Isa 56:1) here.
There is a physical church, whether it is online in a house church or in person in a building and there is a community of believers who are actually members of the church and members of the Body of Christ and both of these are important.
Some people to misunderstand this scripture (Matthew 18:20)-" Where two of us are gathered together...I will be in the midst of them."This scripture is about reconcilation within church members.
Jesus also said that-think not that I have come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I have not come to destroy, but to fulfil (Matthew 5:17). Jesus was about the spirit of the law to. Jesus said he is the Lord of the Sabbath and has taken authority of it for Christians, meaning that he is not bound by the restrictive legalistic restrictions of the previous law (Matthew 12:8) (Mark 2:28) Jesus has brought us the spirit of the law-let me explain his further.
I asked my rector this question and they said that in Christianity Jesus was about healing and miracles. Today our expectation should be that anything that helps us to heal is ok to do on the day of rest. Jesus also doesn't stress how many times we need to take the Sacraments in his memory, and if you are not able to take it regularly at church or (or given to at your place of rest) and are not well enough then that is ok and you could watch church online if wanted to.
Taking part in a life saving or health and safety activity too as agreed by Jewish experts today is also ok to take part on the Holy day for Christians. This question to I spoke to a Rabbi also and this is spiritual guided law today which was also in unity with a church minister. When the Bible was written a lot of conditions had not yet come to light that may also make it difficult to rest today. What I do now is do my best and aim to follow the rule, but if I cannot I try and not beat myself up for it as Jesus knows that I am doing the best that I can and to focus on health and recovery if unwell and continue to pray if well enough for that time period and I do ok because of God's grace.
To make this simply understood-
If you have no food to eat and must get food for your health-this is ok to do on the Sabbath.
A person who suffers from depression and finds gardening helpful, yes as well.
Your in a crisis mentally and need time out for therapy for autism, yes as well.
It is about the spirit of the law, and not the letter of the law.
You can be a Christian and not attend church, but that doesn't mean that church going is not desirable and promoted in the Bible. I never went to church for some years in my life due to being unwell and was still a Christian with a personal relationship with my faith but I still knew that church going was promoted in the Bible. I do go church today and have found the ideal church for me now I am able to attend and it is just three minutes from me in my local area and perfect in all my needs. You should always feel welcome to go to church, no matter how long you have been away from it, as we are a family in Christ.
The following scriptures are used inaccurately by some people to support no longer having the need to attend church and say that we are under Jesus new law and the Sabbath is no longer required because we are covered by him-
(Colossians 2:16) “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days” This scriptures does not support us breaking the Sabbath rule-but it encourages us not to be put off by those who may ridicule you or try and put you of from upholding it. (Colossians 2:16) is at essence about us avoiding to judge another. This is to supported by ordained ministers who I asked to validate this.
(Hebrews 4:1) “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it”. This scripture is also used to support not upholding the Sabbath. This scripture does not ask us to stop upholding the Sabbath, but it questions us and guides to enter into a deeper spiritual relationship with Jesus rather than just worshipping and not developing your spiritual life. Developing spiritually through the Holy Spirit helps you to develop your spiritual journey with Christ.
There is also mention of the 10 Commandments in the Book of Revelations-(Revelations 22:14). "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city." God in the Ten Commandments asks us to worship on the Sabbath day which is still expected and desirable. “All his commandments. They stand for ever and ever; they are done in truth and equity” as. (Psalm 111) tells us.
The Sabbath continues in this same assembly in the New Heaven and New Earth (Isa 66:23) (Mal3:6 Heb 13:8) just as it was on earth for the apostles decades after the Cross following in the example set forth by Jesus. (Acts 13:42), (Acts 13:44), (Acts 15:21) (Acts 18:4) (during this time the early church was undergoing change and this from a church minister- " (Acts 15 this part is what happened as the church developed and people worked out what it means to follow Jesus Christ from a variety of different prior perspective."
The Sabbath continues in this same assembly in the New Heaven and New Earth (Isa 66:23) (Mal3:6 Heb 13:8) just as it was on earth for the apostles decades after the Cross following in the example set forth by Jesus. (Acts 13:42), (Acts 13:44), (Acts 15:21) (Acts 18:4) (during this time the early church was undergoing change and this from a church minister- " (Acts 15 this part is what happened as the church developed and people worked out what it means to follow Jesus Christ from a variety of different prior perspective." Act 15 also discusses what we should not do as Christians (or new believers) and not what is promoted to do and it does not involve all spiritual law and guidance for Christians. I think here reminds us a bit that all things are permissible but not expedient to God for new believers (1 Corinthians 6:12 and 10:23). The early church to went from taking place in small private gatherings where they went out to distribute the Eucharist taking place in more established church's today with online services to follow later. The early church to went from taking place in small private gatherings where they went out to distribute the Eucharist taking place in more established church's today with online services to follow later.
Baptism and other ceremonies to like Confirmation and being Christened happen through the church today whether outside or inside. The Bible closely links Baptism to the giving of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:16) and Jesus told us to be born of water and spirit-Jesus stated that, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5) (Acts 16 31-34).
So worshipping via a church on Sunday is promoted in the Bible and having a Temple of the Holy Ghost which has been given to them by God's Holy Spirit through faith (1 Corinthians 6) does not mean that church going is not promoted.
Also, the Holy Spirit is present at Church’s if people worship appropriately and has given people miraculous healings and miracles. I have felt the Holy Ghost present at church when they gave me healing in church. The Holy Spirit is the 3rd attribute of God and so God is still present in Church and The gifts of the Holy Spirit are for believers and used to serve the church as well, like with laying on hands, people can receive healing as well. I felt like I had to post though to clear this thing this being misused on social media to try and justify not attending church. Peace to you all.
I would also suggest for the more spiritual personal reasons that you read this article to why Church going is desirable. This document is used internally in many church's to guide people on church going.
www.gospelimprint.com/GI-documents/Leaflets/07-03.15-Back%20to%20Church.pdf
