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The law attracts the devil while grace repels him

fhansen

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The New Covenant is established on better promises Heb 8:6 most people teach the NC was established on better laws, but this is not biblical. It still has God's law now written in the believers heart and mind Heb 8:10
Yes, that's grace, something the law could not otherwise do on its own.
He said He would not alter them.
He didn't; man broke the old covenant, not Him, and now He replaced His old covenant with a new, superior one, established on better promises as there was still something wrong with the old. With that change, a new, right way, of observing the law was iniated.
 
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SabbathBlessings

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Yes, that's grace, something the law could not otherwise do on its own.
We are living in grace because all have sinned.

Let me put it this way.

Say the speed limit is 35 miles and we are driving and end up going 45 miles, we get pulled over and we ask the police office, will you please show mercy and grace and the nice police offers agrees and lets you off with a warning ticket. Thats grace. Does grace make the law go away? Is the speed limit still 35 miles, yes of course, does that mean because the police officer gave grace mean we can rev up our engine and speed out of there doing donuts? No of course not, why though the example of Jesus when people sinned and He healed them. He said Go and sin no more, that's what it means living in grace Rom 6:1-4 we deserve the death penalty but Jesus took it and through Him, and His great sacrifice why would anyone in Christ want to continue doing what caused Jesus so much pain. If we love Him, we are going to want to keep His commandments and walk in His grace, not defile it.
He didn't; man broke the old covenant, not Him,
Of course
and now He replaced His old covenant with a new, superior one, established on better promises as there was still something wrong with the old.
The only reason God made a new covenant, was because man broke it, the fault was with them, not God's law. God's law is perfect for converting the soul Psa 19:7 , He makes no mistakes we do

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 11


With that change, a new, right way, of observing the law was iniated.
The only change in the law was the placement. From tables of stone to tablets of the hearts, God keeping His promise not to alter His words, not a jot or tittle. The change in God's times and laws came from man, just as we were warned would happen Dan 7:25 that sadly most follow instead of being faithful to God Eze 20:20
 
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fhansen

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God's law in our heart is not grace. We are living in grace because all have sinned.
No, that's a misunderstanding or stunted understanding of grace. Grace is more than favor and forgiveness, but His own life in us, enabling and empowering us to fulfill the law now.
The only reason God made a new covenant, was because man broke it, the fault was with them, not God's law. God's law is perfect for converting the soul, he makes no mistakes we do
And yet it was lacking, intended to serve a different purpose than actually effecting righteousness in us. The law tells us what that righteousness "looks like" and rightfully demands, but in order to accomplish that in us we need more than a moral code; one more thing is necessary, the life of the Trinity within us-which is how we're meant to exist to begin with.
The only change in the law was the placement. From tables of stone to tablets of the hearts, God keeping His promise not to alter His words, not a jot or tittle.
And so Jesus didn't alter the law; again, He showed and gave us the right way to fulfill it, by the Spirit. And in that Spiritual vein Sunday continues to fulfill the moral command of the OC. The early church did not abandon one command while for some reason still vehemently insisting on the observance of the others.
 
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SabbathBlessings

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No, that's a misunderstanding or stunted understanding of grace. Grace is more than favor and forgiveness, but His own life in us, enabling and empowering us to fulfill the law now.
Can you provide a verse that says this
And yet it was lacking, intended to serve a different purpose than actually effecting righteousness in us. The law tells us what that righteousness "looks like" and rightfully demands, but in order to accomplish that in us we need more than a moral code; one more thing is necessary, the life of the Trinity within us-which is how we're meant to exist to begin with.
I can only go by what the Scriptures teach and I provided them and they show clearly where the fault was, not God's law which is perfect Psa 19:7 holy righteous and good Rom 7:12, the law was and is not the issue, we are. God loves us so much instead of discarding us, He enables us to keep His law through being connected to Him and His Spirit John 15:5-10 1 John 3:24 John 14:15-18 and forgives us through the blood and His great Sacrifice. But no one in Christ is not keeping His law or is unwilling to keep it John 15:10 1 John 3:24 , God's version, not mans
And so Jesus didn't alter the law; again
Of course not, its what I have been saying
, He showed and gave us the right way to fulfill it, by the Spirit.
The Spirit is not against God's law, they work in harmony
And in that Spiritual vein Sunday continues to fulfill the moral command of the OC.

I am going to have to believe Jesus when it comes to His law, not teachings of men leading people away to obedience to God and His Authority

God said not a jot or tittle can pass from His law, He will not alter His words, anything we replace of God's law is a teaching and a doctrine of man.

Mark 7:7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’


You will never convince me to obey the authority of Rome, even if the majority of people do so, even without realizing it. My faith and allegiance is to God and He alone, God said the Sabbath is the seventh day Exo 20:10 it is a sign of His sanctification Eze 20:12 and test of our loyalty Eze 20:20. If you want to follow the teachings of the Catholic church, keep Sunday, if you want to follow what Jesus taught and kept , keep the commandments of God. His unedited version, written by the finger and the authority of God. Guess all will get sorted out soon enough.
 
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Semper-Fi

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If any true born-again Christian put themselves under the law, you have effectively turn yourself into food for the devil.
You have this backwards. Colossians 3:6 says " the wrath of God cometh on
the children of disobedience" not children that obeys Gods laws.

Ephesians 5:6,
cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Ephesians 2:2
"in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
 
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fhansen

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Can you provide a verse that says this
The point is that grace opposes and helps us to overcome sin; it’s not just about God’s favor or forgiveness but about the fruit of a relationship consisting of the branch being grafted into the Vine. Theologians have long recognized an intrinsic connection between grace, the Holy Spirit, and love.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:11-12

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:15-16

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:20-21

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Rom 5:5

“That he would grant you…to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” Eph 3:16.

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 1 John 3:9

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5


The Spirit is not against God's law, they work in harmony
Yep- they're not in conflict in any case. When one is led by the Spirit they can and should obey the law without even needing to hear it.
I am going to have to believe Jesus when it comes to His law, not teachings of men leading people away to obedience to God and His Authority

God said not a jot or tittle can pass from His law, He will not alter His words, anything we replace of God's law is a teaching and a doctrine of man.

Mark 7:7 And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’


You will never convince me to obey the authority of Rome, even if the majority of people do so, even without realizing it. My faith and allegiance is to God and He alone, God said the Sabbath is the seventh day Exo 20:10 it is a sign of His sanctification Eze 20:12 and test of our loyalty Eze 20:20. If you want to follow the teachings of the Catholic church, keep Sunday, if you want to follow what Jesus taught and kept , keep the commandments of God. His unedited version, written by the finger and the authority of God. Guess all will get sorted out soon enough.
You're already believing traditions of men, supported and affirmed by your own private intepretations of a Book centuries after the fact. It's not just Rome-it's all the early churches east and west that inherited this Tradition of God regarding Sunday observance.
 
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SabbathBlessings

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The point is that grace opposes and helps us to overcome sin; it’s not just about God’s favor or forgiveness but about the fruit of a relationship consisting of the branch being grafted into the Vine. Theologians have long recognized an intrinsic connection between grace, the Holy Spirit, and love.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, Titus 2:11-12

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Heb 4:15-16

But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:20-21

“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Rom 5:5

“That he would grant you…to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” Eph 3:16.

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 1 John 3:9

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
None of these verses says grace is God's law in our heart.
You're already believing traditions of men, supported and affirmed by your own private intepretations of a Book centuries after the fact.
Please do not tell me what I believe. This is what your church teaches, but not what I believe.
It's not just Rome-it's all the early churches east and west that inherited this Tradition of God regarding Sunday observance.
Here's quotes from various Catholic resources on what they believe when Protestants worship on Sunday instead of keeping the Sabbath commandment.

It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church.
—Priest Brady, in an address, reported in the Elizabeth, NJ ‘News’ on March 18, 1903.

Q. Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?
A. Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her; —she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.
—Rev. Stephen Keenan, A Doctrinal Catechism; New York in 1857, page 174

Question: Which is the Sabbath day?
Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.
Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.
—Rev. Peter Geiermann C.SS.R., The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50

Deny the authority of the Church and you have no adequate or reasonable explanation or justification for the substitution of Sunday for Saturday in the Third - Protestant Fourth - Commandment of God... The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.'
—Catholic Record, September 1, 1923.

Q. Must not a sensible Protestant doubt seriously, when he finds that even the Bible is not followed as a rule by his co-religionists?
A. Surely, when he sees them baptize infants, abrogate the Jewish Sabbath, and observe Sunday for which [pg. 7] there is no Scriptural authority; when he finds them neglect to wash one another's feet, which is expressly commanded, and eat blood and things strangled, which are expressly prohibited in Scripture. He must doubt, if he think at all. ...
Q. Should not the Protestant doubt when he finds that he himself holds tradition as a guide?
A. Yes, if he would but reflect that he has nothing but Catholic Tradition for keeping the Sunday holy; ...
—Controversial Catechism by Stephen Keenan, New Edition, revised by Rev. George Cormack, published in London by Burns & Oates, Limited - New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benzinger Brothers, 1896, pages 6, 7.

If Protestants would follow the Bible, they would worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church.
—Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal, in a letter dated February 10, 1920.

The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] Church.
—Monsignor Louis Segur, ‘Plain Talk about the Protestantism of Today’, p. 213.


The Bible is my Creed and God my Authority. The Reformers were coming out from many false teachings but didn't come out all the way in regard to the 4th commandment. Many were questioning it though according to their own writings before most of them were murdered due to their beliefs.

God said the seventh day is the Sabbath Exo 20:10, it is a commandment of God Exo 20:8-11 Deut 4:13 written by God personally Exo 31:18 and He said He will not alter His Words Psa 89:34 Mat 5:18 but warned us of one that would Dan 7:25 as we see in plain history, that's where my faith is going to remain, but we all have free will.
 
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fhansen

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None of these verses says grace is God's law in our heart.
They mean that both grace and the indwelling of God, not uncoincidentally, mean more than divine favor and the forgiveness of sin but also the ability to overcome sin and produce good fruit.
Here's quotes from various Catholic resources on what they believe when Protestants worship on Sunday instead of keeping the Sabbath commandment.
I could care less what individual Catholics say on the matter. They can take all the “credit” they want-and it’s not a bad thing that the CC eventually made the practice official doctrine- but anyone interested in historical TRUTH knows that the practice didn’t begin later on with the Big Bad Catholic Church but at the beginning with a rag tag persecuted church, often martyred, virtually unanimously across the church world wherever that may be, meaning in the eastern church as well that practiced according to its own received teachings.
Please do not tell me what I believe. This is what your church teaches, but not what I believe.
The Bible is my Creed and God my Authority. The Reformers were coming out from many false teachings but didn't come out all the way in regard to the 4th commandment. Many were questioning it though according to their own writings before most of them were murdered due to their beliefs.
This is self-serving speculation. The Sabbath issue was hardly even a consideration, while the chief Reformers considered Sabbath observance to be part of Jewish ceremonial law. And, yes, you believe a tradition of 19th century men and women, false visionaires and prophets looking to distinguish themselves from the rest of the crowd, and haven't accepted the faith of Christianity in its fullness. At least SDAs accepted the doctrine of the Trinity while the JWs who sprang from the same adventist bible study root did not.
 
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SabbathBlessings

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This is self-serving speculation. The Sabbath issue was hardly even a consideration, while the chief Reformers considered Sabbath observance to be part of Jewish ceremonial law. And, yes, you believe a tradition of 19th century men and women, false visionaires and prophets looking to distinguish themselves from the rest of the crowd, and haven't accepted the faith of Christianity in its fullness. At least SDAs accepted the doctrine of the Trinity while the JWs who sprang from the same adventist bible study root did not.
The observance of the Lord's Day (Sunday) is founded not on any command of God, but on the authority of the Church." Augsburg Confession of Faith.

They [the Catholics] allege the Sabbath changed into Sunday, the Lord's day, contrary to the Decalogue, as it appears, neither is there any example more boasted of than the changing of the Sabbath day. Great, say they, is the power and authority of the church, since it dispensed with one of the Ten Commandments.
—Augsburg Confession of Faith, Art. 28, par. 9.


They [Roman Catholics] allege the change of the Sabbath into the Lord's day, as it seemeth, to the Decalogue [the ten commandments]; and they have no example more in their mouths than they change of the Sabbath. They will needs have the Church's power to be very great, because it hath dispensed with the precept of the Decalogue.
—The Augsburg Confession, 1530 A.D. (Lutheran), part 2, art 7, in Philip Schaff, the Creeds of Christiandom, 4th Edition, vol 3, p64 [this important statement was made by the Lutherans and written by Melanchthon, only thirteen years after Luther nailed his theses to the door and began the Reformation].

I wonder exceedingly how it came to be imputed to me that I should reject the law of Ten Commandments...Whosoever abrogates the law must of necessity abrogate sin also.
—MARTIN LUTHER, Spiritual Antichrist, pages 71, 72.

But they err in teaching that Sunday has taken the place of the Old Testament Sabbath and therefore must be kept as the seventh day had to be kept by the children of Israel .... These churches err in their teaching, for scripture has in no way ordained the first day of the week in place of the Sabbath. There is simply no law in the New Testament to that effect
—John Theodore Mueller, Sabbath or Sunday, pp.15, 16


There was and is a command to keep holy the Sabbath day, but that Sabbath day was not Sunday. It will however be readily said, and with some show of triumph, that the Sabbath was transferred from the seventh to the first day of the week, with all its duties, privileges and sanctions. Earnestly desiring information on this subject, which I have studied for many years, I ask, where can the record of such a transaction be found: Not in the New Testament – absolutely not. There is no scriptural evidence of the change of the Sabbath institution from the seventh to the first day of the week.
—Dr. E. T. Hiscox, author of the ‘Baptist Manual’.

The Sabbath instituted in the beginning, and confirmed again and again by Moses and the prophets, has never been abrogated. A part of the moral law, not a jot or a tittle of its sanctity has been taken away.
—New York Herald 1874, on the Methodist Episcopal Bishops Pastoral 1874


I think its time to come out of our false teachings and obey the God of the Universe before its too late Rev 18:4

Rev 14:12 Here is the [a]patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
The commandments of God are His version written on the Authority of God and Jesus condemned those kept their traditions over the commandments of God quoting from the same unit of Ten claiming

And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
Mat 15:3-14 Mark 7:7-13

No matter what, there is no commandment to keep the first day holy, this is only by tradition of man leading people away from obeying God on His Authority which the Sabbath is a commandment of God, written by God Himself.

Lets let God be God and He decide His divine law, instead of trusting what man who thinks they are above God's Word, above His Authority and can change His times and laws Dan 7:25
 
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fhansen

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I wonder exceedingly how it came to be imputed to me that I should reject the law of Ten Commandments...Whosoever abrogates the law must of necessity abrogate sin also.
—MARTIN LUTHER, Spiritual Antichrist, pages 71, 72.
He certainly didn't believe he was abrogating the law when he wrote the Large Catechism in 1529, with the first part addressing the third commandment according to his numbering:

The Third Commandment.

Thou shalt sanctify the holy day. [Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.]


The word holy day (Feiertag) is rendered from the Hebrew word sabbath which properly signifies to rest, that is, to abstain from labor. Hence we are accustomed to say, Feierbend machen [that is, to cease working], or heiligen Abend geben [sanctify the Sabbath]. Now, in the Old Testament, God separated the seventh day, and appointed it for rest, and commanded that it should be regarded as holy above all others. As regards this external observance, this commandment was given to the Jews alone, that they should abstain from toilsome work, and rest, so that both man and beast might recuperate, and not be weakened by unremitting labor. Although they afterwards restricted this too closely, and grossly abused it, so that they traduced and could not endure in Christ those works which they themselves were accustomed to do on that day, as we read in the Gospel just as though the commandment were fulfilled by doing no external [manual] work whatever, which, however, was not the meaning, but, as we shall hear, that they sanctify the holy day or day of rest.

This commandment, therefore, according to its gross sense, does not concern us Christians; for it is altogether an external matter, like other ordinances of the Old Testament, which were attached to particular customs, persons, times, and places, and now have been made free through Christ.

But to grasp a Christian meaning for the simple as to what God requires in this commandment, note that we keep holy days not for the sake of intelligent and learned Christians (for they have no need of it [holy days]), but first of all for bodily causes and necessities, which nature teaches and requires; for the common people, man-servants and maid-servants, who have been attending to their work and trade the whole week, that for a day they may retire in order to rest and be refreshed.

Secondly, and most especially, that on such day of rest (since we can get no other opportunity) freedom and time be taken to attend divine service, so that we come together to hear and treat of God's and then to praise God, to sing and pray.

However, this, I say, is not so restricted to any time, as with the Jews, that it must be just on this or that day; for in itself no one day is better than another; but this should indeed be done daily; however, since the masses cannot give such attendance, there must be at least one day in the week set apart. But since from of old Sunday [the Lord's Day] has been appointed for this purpose, we also should continue the same, in order that everything be done in harmonious order, and no one create disorder by unnecessary innovation.

Therefore this is the simple meaning of the commandment: since holidays are observed anyhow, such observance should be devoted to hearing God's Word, so that the special function of this day should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people, yet that the resting be not so strictly interpreted as to forbid any other incidental work that cannot be avoided.

Accordingly, when asked, What is meant by the commandment: Thou shalt sanctify the holy day? answer: To sanctify the holy day is the same as to keep it holy. But what is meant by keeping it holy? Nothing else than to be occupied in holy words, works, and life. For the day needs no sanctification for itself; for in itself it has been created holy [from the beginning of the creation it was sanctified by its Creator]. But God desires it to be holy to you. Therefore it becomes holy or unholy on your account, according as you are occupied on the same with things that are holy or unholy.

How, then, does such sanctification take place? Not in this manner, that [with folded hands] we sit behind the stove and do no rough [external] work, or deck ourselves with a wreath and put on our best clothes, but (as has been said) that we occupy ourselves with God's Word, and exercise ourselves therein.

And, indeed, we Christians ought always to keep such a holy day, and be occupied with nothing but holy things, i.e., daily be engaged upon God's Word, and carry it in our hearts and upon our lips. But (as has been said) since we do not at all times have leisure, we must devote several hours a week for the sake of the young, or at least a day for the sake of the entire multitude, to being concerned about this alone, and especially urge the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer, and thus direct our whole life and being according to God's Word. At whatever time, then, this is being observed and practised, there a true holy day is being kept; otherwise it shall not be called a Christians' holy day. For, indeed, non-Christians can also cease from work and be idle, just as the entire swarm of our ecclesiastics, who stand daily in the churches, singing, and ringing bells but keeping no holy day holy, because they neither preach nor practises God's Word, but teach and live contrary to it.

For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries, yea, the only one which we Christians know and have. For though we had the bones of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap, still that would help us nothing; for all that is a dead thing which can sanctify nobody. But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies everything, and by which even all the saints themselves were sanctified. At whatever hour then, God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read or meditated upon, there the person, day, and work are sanctified thereby, not because of the external work, but because of the Word which makes saints of us all. Therefore I constantly say that all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word, if it is to be God-pleasing or holy. Where this is done, this commandment is in force and being fulfilled.

On the contrary, any observance or work that is practised without God's Word is unholy before God, no matter how brilliantly it may shine! even though it be covered with relics, such as the fictitious spiritual orders which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in their own works.

Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting but in the sanctifying so that to this day belongs a special holy exercise. For other works and occupations are not properly called holy exercises, unless the man himself be first holy. But here a work is to be done by which man is himself made holy, which is done (as we have heard ) alone through God's Word. For this, then, fixed places, times, persons, and the entire external order of worship have been created and appointed, so that it may be publicly in operation.

Since, therefore, so much depends upon God's Word that without it no holy day can be sanctified, we must know that God insists upon a strict observance of this commandment, and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose.

Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly misuse and desecrate the holy day, as those who on account of their greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are dead drunk like swine; but also that other crowd, who listen to God's Word as to any other trifle, and only from custom come to preaching, and go away again, and at the end of the year know as little of it as at the beginning. For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read; but no one cared for God's Word, as also no one taught it. Now, while we have God's Word we nevertheless do not correct the abuse; we suffer ourselves to be preached to and admonished, but we listen without seriousness and care.

Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you or of no great importance, but that it is God's commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word.

Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who, when they have heard a sermon or two, find it tedious and dull, thinking that they know all that well enough, and need no more instruction. For just that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins, and is called _achedia_, i.e., torpor or satiety, a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many, that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us.

For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.
 
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He certainly didn't believe he was abrogating the law when he wrote the Large Catechism in 1529, with the first part addressing the third commandment according to his numbering:

The Third Commandment.

Thou shalt sanctify the holy day. [Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.]


The word holy day (Feiertag) is rendered from the Hebrew word sabbath which properly signifies to rest, that is, to abstain from labor. Hence we are accustomed to say, Feierbend machen [that is, to cease working], or heiligen Abend geben [sanctify the Sabbath]. Now, in the Old Testament, God separated the seventh day, and appointed it for rest, and commanded that it should be regarded as holy above all others. As regards this external observance, this commandment was given to the Jews alone, that they should abstain from toilsome work, and rest, so that both man and beast might recuperate, and not be weakened by unremitting labor. Although they afterwards restricted this too closely, and grossly abused it, so that they traduced and could not endure in Christ those works which they themselves were accustomed to do on that day, as we read in the Gospel just as though the commandment were fulfilled by doing no external [manual] work whatever, which, however, was not the meaning, but, as we shall hear, that they sanctify the holy day or day of rest.

This commandment, therefore, according to its gross sense, does not concern us Christians; for it is altogether an external matter, like other ordinances of the Old Testament, which were attached to particular customs, persons, times, and places, and now have been made free through Christ.

But to grasp a Christian meaning for the simple as to what God requires in this commandment, note that we keep holy days not for the sake of intelligent and learned Christians (for they have no need of it [holy days]), but first of all for bodily causes and necessities, which nature teaches and requires; for the common people, man-servants and maid-servants, who have been attending to their work and trade the whole week, that for a day they may retire in order to rest and be refreshed.

Secondly, and most especially, that on such day of rest (since we can get no other opportunity) freedom and time be taken to attend divine service, so that we come together to hear and treat of God's and then to praise God, to sing and pray.

However, this, I say, is not so restricted to any time, as with the Jews, that it must be just on this or that day; for in itself no one day is better than another; but this should indeed be done daily; however, since the masses cannot give such attendance, there must be at least one day in the week set apart. But since from of old Sunday [the Lord's Day] has been appointed for this purpose, we also should continue the same, in order that everything be done in harmonious order, and no one create disorder by unnecessary innovation.

Therefore this is the simple meaning of the commandment: since holidays are observed anyhow, such observance should be devoted to hearing God's Word, so that the special function of this day should be the ministry of the Word for the young and the mass of poor people, yet that the resting be not so strictly interpreted as to forbid any other incidental work that cannot be avoided.

Accordingly, when asked, What is meant by the commandment: Thou shalt sanctify the holy day? answer: To sanctify the holy day is the same as to keep it holy. But what is meant by keeping it holy? Nothing else than to be occupied in holy words, works, and life. For the day needs no sanctification for itself; for in itself it has been created holy [from the beginning of the creation it was sanctified by its Creator]. But God desires it to be holy to you. Therefore it becomes holy or unholy on your account, according as you are occupied on the same with things that are holy or unholy.

How, then, does such sanctification take place? Not in this manner, that [with folded hands] we sit behind the stove and do no rough [external] work, or deck ourselves with a wreath and put on our best clothes, but (as has been said) that we occupy ourselves with God's Word, and exercise ourselves therein.

And, indeed, we Christians ought always to keep such a holy day, and be occupied with nothing but holy things, i.e., daily be engaged upon God's Word, and carry it in our hearts and upon our lips. But (as has been said) since we do not at all times have leisure, we must devote several hours a week for the sake of the young, or at least a day for the sake of the entire multitude, to being concerned about this alone, and especially urge the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer, and thus direct our whole life and being according to God's Word. At whatever time, then, this is being observed and practised, there a true holy day is being kept; otherwise it shall not be called a Christians' holy day. For, indeed, non-Christians can also cease from work and be idle, just as the entire swarm of our ecclesiastics, who stand daily in the churches, singing, and ringing bells but keeping no holy day holy, because they neither preach nor practises God's Word, but teach and live contrary to it.

For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries, yea, the only one which we Christians know and have. For though we had the bones of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap, still that would help us nothing; for all that is a dead thing which can sanctify nobody. But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies everything, and by which even all the saints themselves were sanctified. At whatever hour then, God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read or meditated upon, there the person, day, and work are sanctified thereby, not because of the external work, but because of the Word which makes saints of us all. Therefore I constantly say that all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word, if it is to be God-pleasing or holy. Where this is done, this commandment is in force and being fulfilled.

On the contrary, any observance or work that is practised without God's Word is unholy before God, no matter how brilliantly it may shine! even though it be covered with relics, such as the fictitious spiritual orders which know nothing of God's Word and seek holiness in their own works.

Note, therefore, that the force and power of this commandment lies not in the resting but in the sanctifying so that to this day belongs a special holy exercise. For other works and occupations are not properly called holy exercises, unless the man himself be first holy. But here a work is to be done by which man is himself made holy, which is done (as we have heard ) alone through God's Word. For this, then, fixed places, times, persons, and the entire external order of worship have been created and appointed, so that it may be publicly in operation.

Since, therefore, so much depends upon God's Word that without it no holy day can be sanctified, we must know that God insists upon a strict observance of this commandment, and will punish all who despise His Word and are not willing to hear and learn it, especially at the time appointed for the purpose.

Therefore not only those sin against this commandment who grossly misuse and desecrate the holy day, as those who on account of their greed or frivolity neglect to hear God's Word or lie in taverns and are dead drunk like swine; but also that other crowd, who listen to God's Word as to any other trifle, and only from custom come to preaching, and go away again, and at the end of the year know as little of it as at the beginning. For hitherto the opinion prevailed that you had properly hallowed Sunday when you had heard a mass or the Gospel read; but no one cared for God's Word, as also no one taught it. Now, while we have God's Word we nevertheless do not correct the abuse; we suffer ourselves to be preached to and admonished, but we listen without seriousness and care.

Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you or of no great importance, but that it is God's commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word.

Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who, when they have heard a sermon or two, find it tedious and dull, thinking that they know all that well enough, and need no more instruction. For just that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins, and is called _achedia_, i.e., torpor or satiety, a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many, that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us.

For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to flight and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.
Like I said the Reformers were coming out of their false teachings that were being handed down to them.

As I said my faith is in what God said. There is no commandment to keep holy Sunday, it is a man-made tradition leading people to break God's true Sabbath commandment. Exo 20:8-11 You won't convince me otherwise, and I know I won't convince you, but soon all will get sorted out.

Take care and I wish you well.
 
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fhansen

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Like I said the Reformers were coming out of their false teachings that were being handed down to them. They didn't come out all of the way, before they were murdered for not believing what the Catholic church told them to believe.
Well, that's a convenient enough construction for some to believe, I guess. The truth is that Christianity, from the beginning, gave little to no weight to days, including the seventh day, while transferring that observance to the first day, the Lord's Day. And we can speculate as to why but the testimony of history only supports this fact while little controversy arises from earliest times. Passages such as Romans 14:1-9, Galatians 4:10, Colossians 2:16, and Hebrews 4:3-10 suggest that the law was now regarded in a wholly different manner, with freedom from laws that pertain not only to circumcision and diet, as examples, but also to days, a freedom that allowed Christianity's most important day, Sunday, to be elevated above the seventh day as they saw fit in order to give devotion to God, with seventh day observance simply no longer mandated even as it was still seen as acceptable.
 
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Well, that's a convenient enough construction for some to believe, I guess. The truth is that Christianity, from the beginning, gave little to no weight to days, including the seventh day, while transferring that observance to the first day, the Lord's Day. And we can speculate as to why but the testimony of history only supports this fact while little controversy arises from earliest times. Passages such as Romans 14:1-9, Galatians 4:10, Colossians 2:16, and Hebrews 4:3-10 suggest that the law was now regarded in a wholly different manner, with freedom from laws that pertain not only to circumcision and diet, as examples, but also to days, a freedom that allowed Christianity's most important day, Sunday, to be elevated above the seventh day as they saw fit in order to give devotion to God, with seventh day observance simply no longer mandated even as it was still seen as acceptable.
Your church already teaches the Sabbath being transferred to Sunday, is not biblical, but based on their authority over the authority of God's Word. None of the verses you quoted abrogate the 4th commandment on God's Authority and command Sunday as a new day of worship. We can make the bible say anything by plucking a verse out of its context, but its not God's Truth. If we can't believe God's own personal Testimony Exo 31:18 Psa 89:34 Mat 5:18 written personally by God, then just throw out our Bibles, because that's what the whole bible is about, the testimony of the prophets and apostles of Jesus Christ. If we can't believe God's own Testimony, nothing else the Bible says will matter. Mat 4:4
 
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fhansen

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Your church already teaches the Sabbath being transferred to Sunday, is not biblical, but based on their authority over the authority of God's Word.
The church teaches no such thing. Any such authority only comes from God's Word, whether recorded or handed down orally. The churches didn't just do this cavalierly or in a vacuum. Related to this, all the ancient churches, for example, teach baptismal regeneration while the bible can be plausibly enough argued for or against. Such concepts were hardly if ever even controversial within the church until the advent of Sola Scriptura. Scripture, alone, by itself, doesn't always render God's will clearly and exhaustively which is why there's so much disagreement on many matters, and why there are so many denominations with SDA being just one more that goes by Scripture alone while disagreeing with the next guy going by Scripture alone. This is why the ancient churches also take into acount and hold to their Traditions/teachings that were part of their lived legacy since the beginning-rather than picking up a book 1800-2000 years later and presuming to know and understand with certainty everything it means to say regarding God's will for man.
 
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If any true born-again Christian put themselves under the law, you have effectively turn yourself into food for the devil.

God gave the law for 3 purposes

To make the world aware that all have sinned.
Only Adam and Eve who used live a sinless life (before their fall) knows the difference between sin and sinless. But everyone who comes after the fall, is born into sin and living in sin is a new norm. Nobody knows that they are living in sin. Therefore, God gave the law to make the world aware what is sin.

Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

To let the world know the standard of God and nobody can meet God’s standard.
To meet or pass God’s standard, we need to keep all the 10 laws (10 Commandments). Even in thought (just by thinking) without committing the sin physically, he/she has already sinned.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.


Repentance can only happen through the knowledge of sin
Without the law (God’s standard), individual will set their own personal standard that they can meet. By doing so, everyone will think that they are good, sinless and should be accepted by God. There will be no repentance without knowing that we have failed.

Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

The law is meant to show the fallen world on God’s perfect standard which nobody can meet. Only sinners who truly acknowledge that they have failed and can never meet God’s perfect standard can truly repent and turn to God for salvation.

True repentance that brings salvation and born-again in Christ happens only once in a lifetime. For eternal salvation can only be receive once.

What is true repentance? True repentance is to understand that a sinner cannot save himself because nobody can change their sinner status through good works or committing less sins (trying to earn salvation by obeying the law). By understanding that we cannot earn salvation, we turn our faith from our self-effort to Jesus Christ and his finished work by receiving salvation as a free gift.

What is worldly repentance? It is to try your best to keep the laws that you are conscious of. The more you try to keep the law the more you will fail.

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

Whenever you fail, the devil will come as an accuser to devour you like a lion (1 peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour) with lies, preying on your guilty conscious and convincing you to believe that you have lost your salvation (The truth is God’s salvation is eternal and cannot be lost), only for you to repent back into salvation. This worldly repentance is called REMORSE which lead to death and was demonstrated by Judas Iscariot who accused by the devil until he was overcame by guilt and paid for his sins with his own life. Judas Iscariot was never saved before he took his own life because Jesus has not yet died and rose from the grave. And by paying his sins with his life, he trusted himself more than Jesus.

Brothers and Sisters in-Christ, if you are truly born-again in Christ, all our sins have been removed once and for all by one single sacrifice of Jesus Christ. If all our sins have been removed, we should not feel or be conscious of something that no longer exist.

Hebrews 10:2 Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.

Although we still sin after born-again (because we are still living in our old fallen body), we need to be reminded that our salvation, righteousness and holiness is a gift from God based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

For while we were sinners, through good works we cannot undo the sinner status given to us by Adam. How much more will it be impossible for us to undo the saint status given to us by Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Battle the devil with the Grace of God

When we failed and the devil comes roaring like a lion to accuse us in the battlefield of the law by calling our sins to consciousness, we need bring the devil to the battlefield of grace by declaring the goodness of God to us despite our unworthiness with praises to God and Jesus Christ.

Roaring lion says: Do you remember you reported your classmate of cheating? And now you are doing the exact same thing that he did. You are a hypocrite.

Our respond through grace: Indeed, I am a hypocrite and no better. But praises to God because he still chose to save and continually love a hypocrite like me. I boast of his faithfulness and unchanging love for me despite my failings.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me

Every time the devil comes to accuse us of our failing, we should not find excuses or beat ourselves up. But rather we should boast in our weakness because weakness qualifies and humble me for God’s power.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Every time the devil brings an accusation and condemnation, it is an opportunity to turn it into praises onto God.
Jesus showed us how to make the devil flee, not with force or arguments, but with truth, obedience, and faith. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus didn’t respond with His own words. He answered with Scripture, saying “It is written,” each time. He reminded the devil that man lives by every word from God, that we must not test the Lord, and that only God deserves worship. He stayed humble, trusted the Father, and refused to give in, even when the devil promised Him the kingdoms of the world. Because of this, the devil had to leave.

This is the way Jesus taught us to stand firm: by knowing God’s Word, trusting Him completely, and staying loyal only to Him. When we do this, the devil can’t hold on. Just like it happened with Jesus, he will flee. Jesus also said He gave us power over all the strength of the enemy, so we have no reason to fear. If we stay close to God and speak His truth with faith, the enemy has to go.
 
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They mean that both grace and the indwelling of God, not uncoincidentally, mean more than divine favor and the forgiveness of sin but also the ability to overcome sin and produce good fruit.

I could care less what individual Catholics say on the matter. They can take all the “credit” they want-and it’s not a bad thing that the CC eventually made the practice official doctrine- but anyone interested in historical TRUTH knows that the practice didn’t begin later on with the Big Bad Catholic Church but at the beginning with a rag tag persecuted church, often martyred, virtually unanimously across the church world wherever that may be, meaning in the eastern church as well that practiced according to its own received teachings.


This is self-serving speculation. The Sabbath issue was hardly even a consideration, while the chief Reformers considered Sabbath observance to be part of Jewish ceremonial law. And, yes, you believe a tradition of 19th century men and women, false visionaires and prophets looking to distinguish themselves from the rest of the crowd, and haven't accepted the faith of Christianity in its fullness. At least SDAs accepted the doctrine of the Trinity while the JWs who sprang from the same adventist bible study root did not.
It is God who asked His people, the true believers, to honour the seventh day sabbath, exactly as you said to distinguish His people from the rest of the crowd! it is a sign between God and His people.

The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments is much more than a rule, it is a holy sign of the relationship between God and His people. God Himself spoke the command with power and clarity: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work…” (Exodus 20:8–10, NKJV). God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth, and He blessed and sanctified that day.

The Sabbath is important to God because it reminds His people that He is the Creator, the one who gives life and sets the rhythm of time. It is also a sign, as He declared clearly: “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Exodus 31:13). The Sabbath tells the world who God’s people are, it marks those who follow Him and trust Him. God said this sign is “forever,” a “perpetual covenant,” that lets His people know He is the one who makes them holy (Exodus 31:16–17).

The Sabbath also served as a test. Before the Ten Commandments were even written on stone, God tested the people in the wilderness with the Sabbath command. He provided manna for six days and none on the seventh. But some still went out looking for it. Then the Lord said, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” (Exodus 16:27–28). This shows that keeping the Sabbath is about more than rest, it is about obedience and trust in God’s word.

God repeated many times through His prophets that the Sabbath is a sign between Him and His people. “Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20). Those who keep it are saying with their actions, “I belong to the Lord.” It is a clear difference between God’s people and the rest of the world.

To God, the Sabbath is deeply personal. It is a weekly reminder of creation, a holy sign of His covenant, a test of faith, and a mark of who belongs to Him. When we honor it the way He commanded, we are not just restingwe are showing our love, our faith, and our identity as His people.

How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” (Exodus 16:27–28)
 
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fhansen

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It is God who asked His people, the true believers, to honour the seventh day sabbath, exactly as you said to distinguish His people from the rest of the crowd! it is a sign between God and His people.

The Sabbath in the Ten Commandments is much more than a rule, it is a holy sign of the relationship between God and His people. God Himself spoke the command with power and clarity: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work…” (Exodus 20:8–10, NKJV). God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth, and He blessed and sanctified that day.

The Sabbath is important to God because it reminds His people that He is the Creator, the one who gives life and sets the rhythm of time. It is also a sign, as He declared clearly: “Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (Exodus 31:13). The Sabbath tells the world who God’s people are, it marks those who follow Him and trust Him. God said this sign is “forever,” a “perpetual covenant,” that lets His people know He is the one who makes them holy (Exodus 31:16–17).

The Sabbath also served as a test. Before the Ten Commandments were even written on stone, God tested the people in the wilderness with the Sabbath command. He provided manna for six days and none on the seventh. But some still went out looking for it. Then the Lord said, “How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” (Exodus 16:27–28). This shows that keeping the Sabbath is about more than rest, it is about obedience and trust in God’s word.

God repeated many times through His prophets that the Sabbath is a sign between Him and His people. “Hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God” (Ezekiel 20:20). Those who keep it are saying with their actions, “I belong to the Lord.” It is a clear difference between God’s people and the rest of the world.

To God, the Sabbath is deeply personal. It is a weekly reminder of creation, a holy sign of His covenant, a test of faith, and a mark of who belongs to Him. When we honor it the way He commanded, we are not just restingwe are showing our love, our faith, and our identity as His people.

How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” (Exodus 16:27–28)
No
SDA is one just one more group out of myriads that have tried to set themselves apart in some manner from Christianity, truth be known, while posing as the real thing by asserting their own particular positions and gimmicks in order to prove their case: another exercise in the human tendency for priggish one-upmanship, IOW. Meanwhile the foundation that they’re based on, imminent Adventism coupled with insistence on seventh day observance, is false, along with the “prophets” and “visionaries” who promoted their notions.

But the Church, already set apart. and from wherever it was located throughout the world, at various times and places called its members together to defend against the Gnosticism and dualism and heresy that threatened the true faith, while producing doctrines on the nature of Christ and the Trinity, assembling the canon of Scripture, defining teachings on the necessity of grace, etc: the same church that also knew it was important to continue to honor God, of course, but in a new way, now free from the law.

“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Rom 7:6

The new way, together with their Sunday focus, was/is the authentic way. God never abandoned His Church; it didn’t cease to exist for 1850 years or exist in some nebulous remnant until James White or Charles Russell (with the WTBTS’s own false prophecies regarding the end times), or Joseph Smith, for that matter, came along to restore the true church.
 
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SDA is one just one more group out of myriads that have tried to set themselves apart in some manner from Christianity, truth be known, while posing as the real thing by asserting their own particular positions and gimmicks in order to prove their case: another exercise in the human tendency for priggish one-upmanship, IOW. Meanwhile the foundation that they’re based on, imminent Adventism coupled with insistence on seventh day observance, is false, along with the “prophets” and “visionaries” who promoted their notions.

But the Church, already set apart. and from wherever it was located throughout the world, at various times and places called its members together to defend against the Gnosticism and dualism and heresy that threatened the true faith, while producing doctrines on the nature of Christ and the Trinity, assembling the canon of Scripture, defining teachings on the necessity of grace, etc: the same church that also knew it was important to continue to honor God, of course, but in a new way, now free from the law.

“But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Rom 7:6

The new way, together with their Sunday focus, was/is the authentic way. God never abandoned His Church; it didn’t cease to exist for 1850 years or exist in some nebulous remnant until James White or Charles Russell (with the WTBTS’s own false prophecies regarding the end times), or Joseph Smith, for that matter, came along to restore the true church.
You are giving the SDA's way too much credit. We were not around at Creation when God created the Sabbath as it was always part of God's will and perfect plan and He makes no mistakes, we do. Why it continues for eternity, Isa 66:23 just as God promised.

Exo 20:11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

The Lord is consistent, whenever the world would go away from God, He would raise up a messenger to try to get people back to His word, sadly, usually the result is the same

2 Cor36:15 And the LORD God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.

We are getting into the last days, Jesus is calling us out of our false teachings handed down through the centuries that sadly most people follow instead of being faithful to Jesus. Whoever we obey is who we serve Rom 6:16 so we can follow the popular traditions handed down to us, or we can take the narrow path and hear His voice and follow Him and His teachings. God said Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God Exo 20:8-11 written and spoken so plainly by the God of the Bible that really none of us will have any excuses. Jesus told us to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God Mat 4:4 and every time man thought they knew better than what God said, starting from the other voice in the garden, it has never worked out well for anyone. We have a lot of ex-Catholics in our denomination, when they stopped listening to their church tell them what God's words says and started prayerfully studying themselves. Anyway, I guess we will all find out soon enough and once Jesus comes our fates will be sealed Rev 22:11
 
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fhansen

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You are giving the SDA's way too much credit. We were not around at Creation when God created the Sabbath as it was always part of God's will and perfect plan and He makes no mistakes, we do. Why it continues for eternity, Isa 66:23 just as God promised.
I wouldn’t tend to give much praise to anyone who’d presume to know and dictate how the early church should’ve lived out “the new way of the Spirit, and not the old way of the written code”. But aside from SDA presumption-since they weren't around at the first Advent either- we at least have some biblical and historical testimony of what the early church actually did- and why they did it that way.

And the WTBTS also fancy themselves as comparable to the messengers and prophets in 2 Chr 36:15, incidentally. False messengers and prophets shouldn’t be taken seriously.
 
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Valletta

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We have a lot of ex-Catholics in our denomination, when they stopped listening to their church tell them what God's words says and started prayerfully studying themselves. Anyway, I guess we will all find out soon enough and once Jesus comes our fates will be sealed Rev 22:11
There are over a billion people identifying as Catholics so no doubt your religion, like others, gets a fair amount of ex-Catholics. Catholics get converts from many religions, a number of real Bible experts eventually convert to Catholicism. I remember one SDA convert to Catholicism talking about the SDA control of the cultural aspect of SDA lives which she was happy to divest herself from. Also as I recall SDAs don't believe people alive have a soul, but they make exceptions for Moses and Elijah. Do I recall correctly?
 
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