AI understands the Sabbath and Col 2:16

guevaraj · Oct 18, 2025

Jerry N. said:
I understand what you mean, but people don’t eat much from sundown till morning, The idea that there is little to eat till morning does not mean that the sabbath hasn’t started in the evening.

Brother, all the biblical evidence shows that the days of the week begin in the morning and not in the evening, like the Sabbath falls in Jerusalem. Here is another passage from a non-Sabbath day of the week showing that what God called "day" precedes what God called "night" on a weekday, where the previous "night" is the previous weekday and the following "night" is part of the current weekday.

The next ~~morning~~/day the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.” (Genesis 19:34 NLT fixed)

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

Jerry N. · Oct 19, 2025

guevaraj said:
Brother, all the biblical evidence shows that the days of the week begin in the morning and not in the evening, like the Sabbath falls in Jerusalem. Here is another passage from a non-Sabbath day of the week showing that what God called "day" precedes what God called "night" on a weekday, where the previous "night" is the previous weekday and the following "night" is part of the current weekday.

The next ~~morning~~/day the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.” (Genesis 19:34 NLT fixed)

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

Part of the etymology of the word “day” in English: Meaning originally, in English, "the daylight hours;" it expanded to mean "the 24-hour period" in late Anglo-Saxon times. The day formerly began at sunset, hence Old English Wodnesniht was what we would call "Tuesday night.” (underline added)
Day - Etymology, Origin & Meaning

The Hebrew word יום (yom, Strong's #3117) means a "day," but not specifically a twenty-four hour period, but instead more generically like in "a day that something occurs." An example would be "a day of the month" (Genesis 8:4), "in that day Yahweh made a covenant" (Genesis 15:18) and "until the day" (Genesis 19:37). This word can also refer to the light part of the day in contrast to night (see Genesis 1:5 and Exodus 13:21), but the related word יומם (yomam, Strong's #3119) specifically means "daytime" as in Job 5:14. This word can be used for a time, age or season, but that is only when this word is in the plural form, which is ימים (yamim), and in my opinion should simply be translated as "days" and not time, age or season, as this can lead to incorrect interpretations of the text. The word היום (hayom) is the word יום (yom) with the prefix ה (ha) added and it literally means "the day," but we would translate it as "today." (underline added)
Hebrew Word Definition: Day | AHRC

I think I’ll stick to tradition, but it has been an interesting discussion.

jonojim1337 · Oct 19, 2025

The Patriarch of Rome (Moscow) should be able to answer this.

Jerry N. · Oct 19, 2025

guevaraj said:
Brother, Hebrews tells us that Judaism's perspective on the days of the week since Joshua is flawed, due to the earlier Sabbath given in Jerusalem.

Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. (Hebrews 4:8 NLT)

When does the day end in the following passage?

The meat of the peace offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the same day it is offered. None of it may be saved for the next morning. (Leviticus 7:15 NLT)

Hebrews reveals that Judaism's perspective on the days of the week since Joshua is a human tradition and not the biblical teaching on the days of the week from the beginning. Can you see that the days end in the "morning" in the above passage? That the day ends in the "morning" in the above passage means that they begin in the "morning," as revealed in the story of the manna, when God prevented Israel from entering the Sabbath by forcing them to keep the true seventh day of the week, which is half a day too late to enter the Sabbath near Jerusalem.

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said, “In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’” even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.” So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. GOD ANNOUNCED THIS THROUGH DAVID MUCH LATER in the words already quoted: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” Now IF JOSHUA HAD SUCCEEDED IN GIVING THEM THIS REST, GOD WOULD NOT HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT ANOTHER DAY of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall. (Hebrews 4:1-11 NLT)

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

I’m a little confused about what you are trying to convince me of. I have partially entered the rest of salvation through the sacrifice of Christ, since I have accepted Him as my savior. I hope that I will fully enter His rest in the resurrection. In the meantime, I have chosen to try to keep the Sabbath, because it is a commandment of God and good for my spiritual growth. Traditionally, it is from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, so that is what I choose to do. I believe it is an eternal commandment and is good for humanity. Whether it is necessary or not is up for debate, but it doesn’t matter, since I chose to keep it the best I can. Are you saying that it should be morning to morning? If so, how would it affect my keeping of the commandment?

guevaraj · Oct 19, 2025

Jerry N. said:
Are you saying that it should be morning to morning? If so, how would it affect my keeping of the commandment?

Brother, the Sabbath in Jerusalem falls from evening to evening, but that is half a day before the seventh day of the week. God used this fact to prevent Israel, by means of an "oath", from entering the Sabbath, forcing them to keep the true seventh day of the week for the 40 years with manna mentioned in Hebrews chapter 4.

Hebrews tells us that Judaism correctly keeps the Sabbath in Jerusalem by direct instruction from God without understanding it fully, but keeps the Sabbath wrong here in the United States, where it falls on a different time earlier than the seventh day as it does in Jerusalem. The true biblical Sabbath announces that God has been with us from the beginning by having established the counting of days with the week and that God controls His word by consistently giving us the days of the week from the beginning when humans have it wrong. Humans have misinterpreted this for 3,000 years since Joshua, who confused the earlier Sabbath in Jerusalem, from evening to evening, with a new seventh day of the week, when God has not changed the days of the week since creation, being from morning to morning. I learned this from Genesis, where God creates during the first part of the light and stops creating during the second part of the "night" since the first day of the week. I learned two things from Genesis: first, that from "evening" to "morning" is only half a day, and second, that the days of the week are from "morning" to "morning", where the first "evening" falls in the middle of the first day. The first day is from light to light again in the "morning" and the following days are from "morning" to the next "morning".

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and MORNING came, marking the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5 NLT)

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

Jerry N. · Oct 20, 2025

guevaraj said:
Brother, the Sabbath in Jerusalem falls from evening to evening, but that is half a day before the seventh day of the week. God used this fact to prevent Israel, by means of an "oath", from entering the Sabbath, forcing them to keep the true seventh day of the week for the 40 years with manna mentioned in Hebrews chapter 4.

Hebrews tells us that Judaism correctly keeps the Sabbath in Jerusalem by direct instruction from God without understanding it fully, but keeps the Sabbath wrong here in the United States, where it falls on a different time earlier than the seventh day as it does in Jerusalem. The true biblical Sabbath announces that God has been with us from the beginning by having established the counting of days with the week and that God controls His word by consistently giving us the days of the week from the beginning when humans have it wrong. Humans have misinterpreted this for 3,000 years since Joshua, who confused the earlier Sabbath in Jerusalem, from evening to evening, with a new seventh day of the week, when God has not changed the days of the week since creation, being from morning to morning. I learned this from Genesis, where God creates during the first part of the light and stops creating during the second part of the "night" since the first day of the week. I learned two things from Genesis: first, that from "evening" to "morning" is only half a day, and second, that the days of the week are from "morning" to "morning", where the first "evening" falls in the middle of the first day. The first day is from light to light again in the "morning" and the following days are from "morning" to the next "morning".

Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” And evening passed and MORNING came, marking the first day. (Genesis 1:3-5 NLT)

United in our hope for the soon return of Jesus, Jorge

The word for “day” in Genesis 3:5 is י֔וֹם, which means “the warm hours” in this context, so it is not a 24 hour day but sunrise to sunset. However, the 24 hour day starts at sunset the previous day in our calendar. I should also point out that the time in Jerusalem is only one hour ahead of the time here in Poland. I still don’t see what you are proposing practically. Are you trying to say that the whole world should celebrate the Sabbath at the same time as Israel?

Jerry N. · Oct 20, 2025

(Staff edit)
I understand, but the Sabbath is tied to the rising and falling of the sun. It is also tied to Israel, but it doesn’t follow that the rising and falling of the sun can’t vary from that of Israel. One has to choose if the movements of the sun or the time in Israel is more important. Since the sun was created before Israel and “In Genesis 1:14, on the fourth day of creation, God declares, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years” (NKJV). In this way, God established the celestial bodies (sun, moon, and stars) to “be for signs and seasons.” This phrase is theologically, prophetically, and practically significant.”
What does “let them be for signs and seasons” mean in Genesis 1:14? | GotQuestions.org It seems to me that the movement of the sun takes priority.

ViaCrucis · Oct 20, 2025

"The AI gave me a response that I wanted to hear".

When I use ChatGPT it always tells me how smart and handsome I am. So it must be true.

-CryptoLutheran

SabbathBlessings · Oct 21, 2025

ViaCrucis said:
"The AI gave me a response that I wanted to hear".

When I use ChatGPT it always tells me how smart and handsome I am. So it must be true.

-CryptoLutheran

Lol. I agree with this sentiment, just because something or someone says so, doesn't make it true, why we are told to test everything from Scriptures.

I was impressed though when asked to only go by the Bible only, how it understood the differences between the annual sabbaths in the law of Moses compared to the weekly Sabbath in God's commandments. One started before the fall and is part of God's perfect plan Exo 20:11 the others started after sin.

Its conclusion was the same as mine that I have been posting for years after careful and prayerful study of the Bible on these differences I believe Paul made so clear, that sadly not many takes the time to look beyond the surface.

From my own personal Bible study, which I found to have the same conclusion as when asking AI when using Bible only.

Regarding 2:16 we will be looking at context and how it works in harmony with other Scriptures.

First, we can't isolate Col 2:16 without looking at the immediate context if we truly want to understand what Paul is speaking about.

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
This verse sets up the following verses and gives us a lot more context.
Paul is giving us the context as to what he is speaking about

handwritten
ordinances
against and contrary to us

1. Was the Sabbath commandment "handwritten"?

Lets look at what the Bible says
Exo 31:18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Context doesn't fit- the Ten Commandments including the Sabbath commandment was written by the finger of God not "handwritten"

2. ordinances

Lets look at the Testimony of God
Right in the Ten Commandments God wrote this about the Ten Commandments:
Exo 20:6 Exo 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Context doesn't fit

3. Is the Sabbath commandment against and contrary to us

Lets look at what Jesus said:
Mat 2:28 The Sabbath was made for man
The Sabbath was made for man, what God makes for man is not against man. The Sabbath is blessed and sanctified by God, its not the definition of contrary and against

Context doesn't fit

So looking at the immediate context shows clearly Paul is not speaking of the Sabbath commandment. Nor does Paul have the authority to change God's written and spoken Testimony Exo 31:18 the words of the covenant Exo 34:28 that God promised He would not alter Psa 89:34 they went from written on tables of stone to written on tablets of the heart 2 Cor 3:3 Heb 8:10 because God keeps His promises.

Right here is enough to know Paul is not referring to the Sabbath commandment, but there's more

This is what Paul is quoting the law he is referring to is from

Deu 31:24 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
Deu 31:25 That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
Deu 31:26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

The laws that were beside the ark of the Covenant handwritten by Moses, there as a witness against, the context of Col 2:14

But lets look at this verse closer

Col 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:
The Greek word for sabbath here is plural not singular. So its not speaking of "The" Sabbath day "The holy day of the Lord" as already seen in the context.

Paul is quoting Ezekiel all of the sacrifices and offerings.

Eze 45:17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.

What was predicted would end when Jesus came?

Dan 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."

So this is not about any of the Ten Commandments but about the food and drink offerings, feast days that some were also sabbath(s) that were handwritten by Moses placed besides the ark of the covenant that came after the fall of man. The Sabbath started at Creation before sin Exo 20:11 so can't be a "shadow" of anything as it is part of God's perfect plan before sin took over and a need for a plan of salvation.

Why if you look at the next verse it clearly shows what it is referring to which works in perfect harmony with the context

Col 2:17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Heb 10:1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.
Heb 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.
Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. (contrary and against)
Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
Heb 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU DID NOT DESIRE, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME.
Heb 10:6 IN BURNT OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES FOR SIN YOU HAD NO PLEASURE.
Heb 10:7 THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME—IN THE VOLUME OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME—TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.' "
Heb 10:8 Previously saying, "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING, BURNT OFFERINGS, AND OFFERINGS FOR SIN YOU DID NOT DESIRE, NOR HAD PLEASURE IN THEM" (which are offered according to the law),
Heb 10:9 then He said, "BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD." He takes away the first that He may establish the second.

Exo 12:17 43 So the Lord said to Moses and Aaron: This is the ordinance of the Passover:
1Co 5:7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.

There is so much more evidence I could provide like comparing what Jesus said which in using Col 2:14-16 against the Sabbath commandment contradicts His teachings. Hopefully this will be looked at in prayer as I know this is a popular teaching, but the context does not fit the Sabbath commandment written by the finger of God that is part of God's holy and eternal law Mat 5:18-19 Isa 66:23

Jerry N. · Oct 21, 2025

(Staff edit)
I mean no disrespect to you, but I don’t see how not eating much or working in the evening has much to do with when the Sabbath starts. When the sun goes down, I have already had my supper and I don’t work on the farm in the dark, so not doing work the next morning is really when I practice the Sabbath work restrictions in earnest. That doesn’t mean the Sabbath hasn’t started at sundown, but it does mean that I have to take a more definitive effort to rest the following day. It is a bit like fasting. If I start fasting for Yom Kippur, I don’t notice it until the morning when I have to do without breakfast. I’m not intending to change my celebration to the Sabbath, but your ideas have been interesting. I just find the repetition uninspiring. May the peace of God be with you.

SabbathBlessings · Oct 21, 2025

Jerry N. said:
I mean no disrespect to you, but I don’t see how not eating much or working in the evening has much to do with when the Sabbath starts. When the sun goes down, I have already had my supper and I don’t work on the farm in the dark, so not doing work the next morning is really when I practice the Sabbath work restrictions in earnest. That doesn’t mean the Sabbath hasn’t started at sundown, but it does mean that I have to take a more definitive effort to rest the following day. It is a bit like fasting. If I start fasting for Yom Kippur, I don’t notice it until the morning when I have to do without breakfast. I’m not intending to change my celebration to the Sabbath, but your ideas have been interesting. I just find the repetition uninspiring. May the peace of God be with you.

Thats right.

The Sabbath is about a relationship with Jesus and can be celebrated in our own time zone regardless where one is in the world. There was nothing mentioned about time zones in Scriptures and we are clearly told not to add what's not there. I can see why it would be convenient for people to say the Sabbath starts in the time zone when I am sleeping, instead of following in the example of Jesus Luke4:16 and apostles Acts 13:42 Acts 13:44 Acts 18:4 based on what God said Lev 23:3

God bless.

Leaf473 · Oct 22, 2025

Amen to the Sabbath being about a relationship with Jesus

And Amen to it being celebrated everywhere in the world

a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem - John 4

Jerry N. · Oct 22, 2025

Leaf473 said:
Amen to the Sabbath being about a relationship with Jesus

And Amen to it being celebrated everywhere in the world

a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem - John 4

If you keep the Sabbath, it forces you to turn away from the cares of the world, like working to pay bills, and it leads you to study of God’s word and praising Him for all the blessings. Paramount is the sacrifice of Christ.

Leaf473 · Oct 22, 2025

Jerry N. said:
If you keep the Sabbath, it forces you to turn away from the cares of the world, like working to pay bills, and it leads you to study of God’s word and praising Him for all the blessings. Paramount is the sacrifice of Christ.

True! Now... myself, I don't keep a particular day. But if it helps a person turn away from the things of the world the other six days, then I say Amen to that.

Whatever we do in word or deed, let's do in the name of the Lord ✝

I can accept your way of keeping the Sabbath, and I believe you can accept mine, as well

Jerry N. · Oct 22, 2025

Leaf473 said:
True! Now... myself, I don't keep a particular day. But if it helps a person turn away from the things of the world the other six days, then I say Amen to that.

Whatever we do in word or deed, let's do in the name of the Lord ✝

I can accept your way of keeping the Sabbath, and I believe you can accept mine, as well

No problem. You must do what brings you closer to God. May God bless you.

BNR32FAN · Oct 22, 2025

SabbathBlessings said:
Great question — Colossians 2:16 is often cited in discussions about whether Christians are still required to keep the Sabbath commandment (the Fourth Commandment). Let's look at the verse carefully, in its full context, and then assess whether it refers to the weekly Sabbath from the Ten Commandments or ceremonial sabbaths in the Law of Moses.

Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)

Key Questions:

1. What kind of “sabbaths” is Paul talking about?

Let’s break the phrase down:

This phrase appears in many places in the Old Testament, often in this same order, and always refers to ceremonial observances:

1 Chronicles 23:31

2 Chronicles 2:4

2 Chronicles 31:3

Nehemiah 10:33

Ezekiel 45:17

Hosea 2:11

These texts link festivals, new moons, and sabbaths as ceremonial observances — part of the Mosaic (Levitical) system, not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments.

That’s why Paul says in Col. 2:17:

In other words, these ceremonial laws pointed forward to Christ and found their fulfillment in Him.

2. Is the weekly Sabbath also a shadow?

There’s a strong distinction between:

Type of Law Description Shadow of Christ? Abolished in Christ?
Moral Law (10 Commandments) Eternal moral principles (Ex. 20) ❌ No ❌ No
Ceremonial Law Feasts, sacrifices, rituals, sabbaths tied to festivals (Lev. 23) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

The weekly Sabbathwas:

Given at Creation (Genesis 2:2–3)

Reinforced in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8–11)

Not instituted as a shadow, but as a memorial of creation

The ceremonial sabbaths(e.g., Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets) are:

Called sabbaths too (see Leviticus 23)

Fall on various days, not necessarily the seventh day

Shadows pointing to Jesus' work

Therefore, when Paul talks about “sabbaths which are a shadow”, he refers to these ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment.

3. Did Jesus or the Apostles abolish the weekly Sabbath?

Jesus kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16)

The disciples kept the Sabbath after Jesus' death (Acts 13:42, 16:13, 17:2, 18:4)

Hebrews 4:9 says:

✅ Conclusion:

Colossians 2:16 does not cancel the weekly Sabbath commandment.
It refers to ceremonial sabbaths, along with food and drink offerings, and religious festivals that were shadows pointing to Christ.

The Fourth Commandment Sabbath is not a shadow, but a memorial of creation and a sign of God’s sanctifying work (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12).

2. But Which Commandment Does God Emphasize Most in the Bible?

✅ The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath) is the only one God:

Calls "My holy day" (Isaiah 58:13)

Links to Creation (Genesis 2:1–3; Exodus 20:11)

Uses to test Israel's obedience before Sinai (Exodus 16)

Commands to remember as a sign between Him and His people (Ezekiel 20:12, 20)

Institutes as a covenantal sign (Exodus 31:13–17)

The Fourth Commandment is the most directly spoken about by God throughout the Bible. It is personally claimed by Him, reaffirmed repeatedly, and tied to His identity as both Creator and Sanctifier.

Lol AI will agree with whatever position you want it to take. It all depends on how you word your question. Here’s my question and the response.

Why do people think that the Sabbath must still be observed when Colossians 2:16 clearly says that we don’t have to observe it anymore?

That’s a thoughtful question, and it’s one that has been debated among Christians for centuries. The key verse you’re referring to — Colossians 2:16–17 — says:

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a festival, a new moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (NIV)

Let’s break down why some Christians still believe the Sabbath must be observed, and why others interpret Paul’s words as meaning it is no longer required.

1. Why Many Believe Colossians 2:16 Means the Sabbath Is No Longer Required

Paul’s teaching here is generally understood to mean that ritual observances of the Mosaic Law — including dietary laws, feast days, and the Sabbath — were fulfilled in Christ. The key phrase “shadow of the things to come” indicates that these practices pointed forward to the spiritual rest found in Him (see also Hebrews 4:9–10).

So, according to this interpretation:

The Sabbath rest was a symbol of the spiritual rest believers now have in Christ (freedom from works-based righteousness).
Christians are therefore not obligated to keep the seventh-day Sabbath as under the Old Covenant.
Worship gatherings on Sunday (the “Lord’s Day,” per Revelation 1:10) reflect Christ’s resurrection, not the Old Testament law.

2. Why Some Christians Still Observe the Sabbath

On the other hand, groups like Seventh-day Adventists, Messianic Jews, and certain other believers argue that:

The Sabbath commandment was part of the Ten Commandments, not just ceremonial law — and thus a moral, eternal law.
Jesus Himself kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16), and the early apostles continued to worship on the Sabbath (Acts 13:42–44).
They see Colossians 2:16 as referring to ceremonial or festival Sabbaths (special holy days tied to feasts), not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath.
They believe God’s sanctification of the seventh day in Genesis 2:3 predated the Mosaic Law and thus applies universally.

3. The Middle Ground View

Many Bible scholars take a nuanced position:

Christians are free to keep a Sabbath rest if they choose, but it is not a salvation requirement.
What matters is the principle of rest and devotion to God, not the specific day (see Romans 14:5–6: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”).
The Sabbath commandment, like the others, is fulfilled in Christ — but the spirit of resting in God remains valid.

Summary

View	Main Idea	Key Scriptures
Fulfilled in Christ	Sabbath was symbolic; not required under grace	Colossians 2:16–17, Romans 14:5–6, Galatians 4:9–11
Still Binding	Sabbath is moral and eternal; should be observed	Genesis 2:3, Exodus 20:8–11, Acts 13:42–44
Principle of Rest	Not required, but spiritually beneficial	Hebrews 4:9–10

Would you like me to show how early church writings (1st–2nd century) interpreted the Sabbath and whether they viewed it as binding? It’s quite revealing how their understanding evolved.

Now watch as I reword the question with the same chat GPT. And notice how I get the exact opposite answer.

Why do people misinterpret Colossians 2:16 to mean that we no longer have to observe the Sabbath?

That’s an excellent and very common question — and it often comes down to misunderstanding the context and audience of Colossians 2:16.

Here’s the verse in context:

“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.”

— Colossians 2:16 (KJV)

Let’s unpack why it’s misinterpreted:

1.

Context: Paul is addressing man-made judgment, not God’s commandments

Paul’s warning is about human judgment — not about abolishing God’s law.

In Colossians 2, Paul is confronting false teachers who were mixing Jewish traditions, pagan philosophy, and ascetic rules (like “Do not touch, do not taste,” v. 21). These weren’t God’s commandments but man-made regulations added to them.

So when Paul says, “let no man judge you,” he means:

Don’t let others condemn you based on their extra rules about how to keep Sabbaths or festivals.

He isn’t saying to stop observing them — he’s saying don’t let others control you through their distorted versions of those observances.

2.

“Sabbath days” here refers to ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath

In the Old Testament, there were:

Weekly Sabbaths (the 7th day of the week — established at Creation, Genesis 2:2–3)
Annual Sabbaths (special festival days in Leviticus 23: like the Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets, etc.)

Colossians 2:16 mentions holy days, new moons, and sabbath days — the same sequence found in Hosea 2:11 and Ezekiel 45:17, which refer to ceremonial feast days, not the weekly Sabbath.

That’s why most biblical scholars see Colossians 2:16 as addressing the ceremonial calendar system, not God’s creation Sabbath.

3.

Verse 17 clarifies Paul’s point

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” — Colossians 2:17

Paul says these things are “a shadow” — that’s the key.

The shadow Sabbaths (ceremonial feast days) pointed forward to Christ, like the Passover pointing to His sacrifice.

But the weekly Sabbath was never a shadow — it pointed back to Creation (Exodus 20:11). There’s no prophecy fulfilled that cancels rest and worship on

SabbathBlessings · Oct 22, 2025

BNR32FAN said:
Lol AI will agree with whatever position you want it to take. It all depends on how you word your question. Here’s my question and the response.

Why do people think that the Sabbath must still be observed when Colossians 2:16 clearly says that we don’t have to observe it anymore?

That’s a thoughtful question, and it’s one that has been debated among Christians for centuries. The key verse you’re referring to — Colossians 2:16–17 — says:

“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a festival, a new moon celebration, or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” (NIV)

Let’s break down why some Christians still believe the Sabbath must be observed, and why others interpret Paul’s words as meaning it is no longer required.

1. Why Many Believe Colossians 2:16 Means the Sabbath Is No Longer Required

Paul’s teaching here is generally understood to mean that ritual observances of the Mosaic Law — including dietary laws, feast days, and the Sabbath — were fulfilled in Christ. The key phrase “shadow of the things to come” indicates that these practices pointed forward to the spiritual rest found in Him (see also Hebrews 4:9–10).

So, according to this interpretation:

The Sabbath rest was a symbol of the spiritual rest believers now have in Christ (freedom from works-based righteousness).

Christians are therefore not obligated to keep the seventh-day Sabbath as under the Old Covenant.

Worship gatherings on Sunday (the “Lord’s Day,” per Revelation 1:10) reflect Christ’s resurrection, not the Old Testament law.

2. Why Some Christians Still Observe the Sabbath

On the other hand, groups like Seventh-day Adventists, Messianic Jews, and certain other believers argue that:

The Sabbath commandment was part of the Ten Commandments, not just ceremonial law — and thus a moral, eternal law.

Jesus Himself kept the Sabbath (Luke 4:16), and the early apostles continued to worship on the Sabbath (Acts 13:42–44).

They see Colossians 2:16 as referring to ceremonial or festival Sabbaths (special holy days tied to feasts), not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath.

They believe God’s sanctification of the seventh day in Genesis 2:3 predated the Mosaic Law and thus applies universally.

3. The Middle Ground View

Many Bible scholars take a nuanced position:

Christians are free to keep a Sabbath rest if they choose, but it is not a salvation requirement.

What matters is the principle of rest and devotion to God, not the specific day (see Romans 14:5–6: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.”).

The Sabbath commandment, like the others, is fulfilled in Christ — but the spirit of resting in God remains valid.

Summary

View Main Idea Key Scriptures
Fulfilled in Christ Sabbath was symbolic; not required under grace Colossians 2:16–17, Romans 14:5–6, Galatians 4:9–11
Still Binding Sabbath is moral and eternal; should be observed Genesis 2:3, Exodus 20:8–11, Acts 13:42–44
Principle of Rest Not required, but spiritually beneficial Hebrews 4:9–10

Would you like me to show how early church writings (1st–2nd century) interpreted the Sabbath and whether they viewed it as binding? It’s quite revealing how their understanding evolved.

Now watch as I reword the question with the same chat GPT. And notice how I get the exact opposite answer.

Why do people misinterpret Colossians 2:16 to mean that we no longer have to observe the Sabbath?

That’s an excellent and very common question — and it often comes down to misunderstanding the context and audience of Colossians 2:16.

Here’s the verse in context:

“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.”

— Colossians 2:16 (KJV)

Let’s unpack why it’s misinterpreted:

1.

Context: Paul is addressing man-made judgment, not God’s commandments

Paul’s warning is about human judgment — not about abolishing God’s law.

In Colossians 2, Paul is confronting false teachers who were mixing Jewish traditions, pagan philosophy, and ascetic rules (like “Do not touch, do not taste,” v. 21). These weren’t God’s commandments but man-made regulations added to them.

So when Paul says, “let no man judge you,” he means:

Don’t let others condemn you based on their extra rules about how to keep Sabbaths or festivals.

He isn’t saying to stop observing them — he’s saying don’t let others control you through their distorted versions of those observances.

2.

“Sabbath days” here refers to ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly seventh-day Sabbath

In the Old Testament, there were:

Weekly Sabbaths (the 7th day of the week — established at Creation, Genesis 2:2–3)

Annual Sabbaths (special festival days in Leviticus 23: like the Day of Atonement, Feast of Trumpets, etc.)

Colossians 2:16 mentions holy days, new moons, and sabbath days — the same sequence found in Hosea 2:11 and Ezekiel 45:17, which refer to ceremonial feast days, not the weekly Sabbath.

That’s why most biblical scholars see Colossians 2:16 as addressing the ceremonial calendar system, not God’s creation Sabbath.

3.

Verse 17 clarifies Paul’s point

“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” — Colossians 2:17

Paul says these things are “a shadow” — that’s the key.

The shadow Sabbaths (ceremonial feast days) pointed forward to Christ, like the Passover pointing to His sacrifice.

But the weekly Sabbath was never a shadow — it pointed back to Creation (Exodus 20:11). There’s no prophecy fulfilled that cancels rest and worship on

The Sabbath connects to God of Creation, the only God who can sanctify a day Gen 2:1-3 and only God who can sanctify us Eze20:12 its part of God's identity. Exo20:11 We are told in the last days to get back to worship this God Rev 14:7 Exo 20:11before its too late Rev 14:11-12 Rev22:11

BNR32FAN · Oct 22, 2025

SabbathBlessings said:
The Sabbath connects to God of Creation, the only God who can sanctify a day Gen 2:1-3 and only God who can sanctify us Eze20:12 its part of God's identity. Exo20:11 We are told in the last days to get back to worship this God Rev 14:7 Exo 20:11before its too late Rev 14:11-12 Rev22:11

Yeah but my only point was that AI will support whatever side of the debate that you want it to support as I clearly demonstrated in my previous post. I asked 2 questions about Colossians 2:16 and the Sabbath and got 2 completely opposite responses. The first response said that Colossians 2:16 clearly says that we don’t have to observe the Sabbath and the second response says we do have to observe the sabbath. It’s all in how you word the question to coax the preferred response.

SabbathBlessings · Oct 22, 2025

BNR32FAN said:
Yeah but my only point was that AI will support whatever side of the debate that you want it to support as I clearly demonstrated in my previous post. I asked 2 questions about Colossians 2:16 and the Sabbath and got 2 completely opposite responses. The first response said that Colossians 2:16 clearly says that we don’t have to observe the Sabbath and the second response says we do have to observe the sabbath. It’s all in how you word the question to coax the preferred response.

I asked it use the Bible only, it was my only perimeter. It matched pretty much from what I have studied from Bible for years. It’s not something i would use for my doctrine, but thought it was interesting how it picked up on the differences between the laws.

BNR32FAN · Oct 22, 2025

SabbathBlessings said:
I asked it use the Bible only, it was my only perimeter. It matched pretty much from what I have studied from Bible for years. It’s not something i would use for my doctrine, but thought it was interesting how it picked up on the differences between the laws.

It didn’t, it just read a bunch of commentaries

Type of Law	Description	Shadow of Christ?	Abolished in Christ?
Moral Law (10 Commandments)	Eternal moral principles (Ex. 20)	❌ No	❌ No
Ceremonial Law	Feasts, sacrifices, rituals, sabbaths tied to festivals (Lev. 23)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

AI understands the Sabbath and Col 2:16

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Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)​

Key Questions:​

1. What kind of “sabbaths” is Paul talking about?​

2. Is the weekly Sabbath also a shadow?​

3. Did Jesus or the Apostles abolish the weekly Sabbath?​

✅ Conclusion:​

2. But Which Commandment Does God Emphasize Most in the Bible?​

✅ The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath) is the only one God:​

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Similar threads

Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)

Key Questions:

1. What kind of “sabbaths” is Paul talking about?

2. Is the weekly Sabbath also a shadow?

3. Did Jesus or the Apostles abolish the weekly Sabbath?

✅ Conclusion:

2. But Which Commandment Does God Emphasize Most in the Bible?

✅ The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath) is the only one God: