Keeping The Sabbath? How?

[SteelDisciple]

I keep hearing mixed messages.
Some say the Sabbath is for God, others say it's for man.
Other's say it's a day of rest for us, where we can just relax and have fun.

Others say it's a time of study only, no rest...just study and devotional and prayer.

So...what IS keeping the sabbath?

PLEASE only respond if you have scripture to backup your response.

thank you!

 

[cyberlizard]

you already know the answers to your questions.

in the beginning god created the heavens and the earth.... on on the seventh day He rested and set it apart (made it holy). Here we see the seventh day of rest pre-law.

Later we see the giving of the ten words, and in item 4, God says 'remember the sabbath to keep it seperate'. Pre-law.

Later God gives to the Israel and the strangers who left Egypt with them a further set of teaching, the same rule for the Israelite and the stranger living with them (a nice picture of the gentile believers and Romans 11/Ephesians 2).

In the NT we see that Jesus being an observant Jew, kept the sabbath 'as was his custom'. And followed a standard Jewish practice in Aliyah coming to the front to read from the scrolls.

We see the apostles keeping the sabbath as well.....


Now the million dollar question is this.... if we claim to be disciples, with the aim of becoming like our Lord and Rabbi, and he kept the sabbath, he expected his followers to keep it when he was here, so why have things changed.

I would suggest that what really changed was the early church fathers drifted further from their hebraic roots (as more of them became gentile), and they drifted away from 'the life giving sap'. They traded in Sabbath for the Lord's day (an unscriptural term - with the exception of Revelation where the subject is eschatology, and so it would be better translated day of the Lord). The drive was to further the chrsitian faith away from the judaic faith which many of them saw as dirty and repugnant.


Steve

p.s. i will only respond further if PM'd as there are dozens of threads like this and they go on for ages with everyone having a polarised view of things. I would say the scriptures need to be read in context, but the context MUST include the historical and social aspect of 2nd temple period judaisms.

To this end I would recommend the book 'they loved the Torah' by Friedman, it is short (<200p) and not very expensive at all and will answer all of these questions much better than I can.

personally, I am pentecostal/charismatic, but keep the sabbath in line with the 4th command. If we ignore this one, we have to ignore the rest. You cannot pick and choose.

 

[MaidforHim]

I used to really struggle with understanding the Sabbath, what it was, what it was intended for and how exactly God expected to to observe it.

I think it was Bustedflat that shared this teaching with me (below) and it's awesome. It cleared up a lot for me and is very good Biblical teaching. Enjoyable to listen to too.

The 4th Demandment: Take a Break
Pastor Bob Coy
http://www.calvaryftl.org/AWMedia/MediaDesk.cfm?fn=T1235

He also has this one:
The Value of the Sabbath
Pastor Bob Coy
http://www.calvaryftl.org/AWMedia/MediaDesk.cfm?fn=A1259

 

[Psalms34]

If you enter into Jesus, being called by His name and accepting Him as your Lord and Savior, you enter into His rest thus the sabbath is every day for you. For us, the seventh day has already started, and it will last forever. So be it the first day of the week or the last, any day is acceptable to meet and glorify the Lord.

Edit: oh yeah, you asked for references, here this somewhat covers it:
http://www.ldolphin.org/sabbathrest.html
I have some stuff on it from Bob Hoekstra, but it's from old class tapes I believe, and my tape player is long since deceased need a new one so I can convert them to digital; good stuff.

 

[MySockPuppet]

To me, everyday is the sabbath - I rest in my God and bless His holy name!

 

[jive4005]

For me "keeping" the sabbath means holding it dear and treating it the same... in my heart.

rev

ps: personally, I consider every day holy.

 

[Nadiine]

I always pay attn. to who Sabbath was given to - not just the reason for it. It was given to ISRAEL who God was covenanting with.

I also believe that Sabbath is for more than one reason - not "this or that" reason; as if one cancels out another. We can't read the bible & disclude one thing becuz it says something else elsewhere, otherwise Jesus could only be "the door" and NOT BE ABLE TO ALSO BE the good Shepherd or teacher, etc.
He's all of the above, not one OR the other.

Aside from that, one other reason is given that most people miss:
Deuteronomy 5:15
' You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.

 

[MaidforHim]

I always pay attn. to who Sabbath was given to - not just the reason for it. It was given to ISRAEL who God was covenanting with.

I also believe that Sabbath is for more than one reason - not "this or that" reason; as if one cancels out another. We can't read the bible & disclude one thing becuz it says something else elsewhere, otherwise Jesus could only be "the door" and NOT BE ABLE TO ALSO BE the good Shepherd or teacher, etc.
He's all of the above, not one OR the other.

Aside from that, one other reason is given that most people miss:
Deuteronomy 5:15
' You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day.

This topic really use to throw me because there really are a lot of view points that seem so reasonable. I would read and feel like I had sorted it out and then read something else and I was confused once again.

I just have one question in regards to your post. If the Sabbath is for Israel alone, then why did God give it to Adam first?

We see the honoring of the Sabbath long before the Israelites were taken captive.

 

[Nadiine]

This topic really use to throw me because there really are a lot of view points that seem so reasonable. I would read and feel like I had sorted it out and then read something else and I was confused once again.

I just have one question in regards to your post. If the Sabbath is for Israel alone, then why did God give it to Adam first?

We see the honoring of the Sabbath long before the Israelites were taken captive.

Yes but we also have to take into account that Christ died and rose again, and those who are in Him are in His rest.
They also sacrificed animals prior to law too - there were clean and unclean animals in Noah's day. Yet in the NT, Peter is being shown that all are clean and to be accepted the same.
(dietary issues still stand as to why it's healthier to eat the OT clean animals & stay away from what they couldn't eat).

But as far as Sabbath, it was basically a ceremonial issue for Israel - and Christ has replaced that system in Himself.
However, I do believe we should take 1 day off to rest from work and worship the Lord, not that we HAVE to, but want to.

 

[MaidforHim]

Yes but we also have to take into account that Christ died and rose again, and those who are in Him are in His rest.
They also sacrificed animals prior to law too - there were clean and unclean animals in Noah's day. Yet in the NT, Peter is being shown that all are clean and to be accepted the same.
(dietary issues still stand as to why it's healthier to eat the OT clean animals & stay away from what they couldn't eat).

But as far as Sabbath, it was basically a ceremonial issue for Israel - and Christ has replaced that system in Himself.
However, I do believe we should take 1 day off to rest from work and worship the Lord, not that we HAVE to, but want to.

I understand what your saying and it makes sense, but then I think OK what about during Christs reign? We will be honoring the Sabbath and the sacrifices will resume. I know we are not bound by law, but yet it is in the 10 commandments. I don't believe we're bound to "a specific day" only that we are to set one day out of seven aside for rest and worship.

It's all so interesting now matter how you look at it.

 

[IamRedeemed]

If you enter into Jesus, being called by His name and accepting Him as your Lord and Savior, you enter into His rest thus the sabbath is every day for you. For us, the seventh day has already started, and it will last forever. So be it the first day of the week or the last, any day is acceptable to meet and glorify the Lord.

Edit: oh yeah, you asked for references, here this somewhat covers it:
http://www.ldolphin.org/sabbathrest.html
I have some stuff on it from Bob Hoekstra, but it's from old class tapes I believe, and my tape player is long since deceased need a new one so I can convert them to digital; good stuff.

To me, everyday is the sabbath - I rest in my God and bless His holy name!

 

[Nadiine]

I understand what your saying and it makes sense, but then I think OK what about during Christs reign? We will be honoring the Sabbath and the sacrifices will resume. I know we are not bound by law, but yet it is in the 10 commandments. I don't believe we're bound to "a specific day" only that we are to set one day out of seven aside for rest and worship.

It's all so interesting now matter how you look at it.

Fair question

One key thing to look at in the NT is Acts 15, the laws that the Jerusalem council (which included Paul) gave the new Gentile converts from the OT law to observe in Israel to appease the legalist Jews they lived with (basically).
Out of the 4 laws given, NONE were the Sabbath. They had to do w/ other laws that were viewed as important in their day.

So the gentiles weren't given the Sabbath to observe.

IMHO, MAN has elevated the Ex. 20 laws over all others as if the rest aren't important. The only sexual law in the 10 commands is adultery - it doesn't cover rape, incest, homosexuality, beastiality which I find are just as bad or worse than adultery...

People have elevated those 10 as if they're the 'end all' of laws - but Jesus said LOVE was the higher law: Love of God and others as self.
That they encompass the entire law. So my point here is that GOD didn't elevate the 10 and neither did the apostles.
The 10 commands were just a briefing before He gave them the entire thing. All laws were equally binding and expected to be obeyed.

Hope that helps some?

 

[IisJustMe]

They traded in Sabbath for the Lord's day (an unscriptural term - with the exception of Revelation where the subject is eschatology ...

Here is the error in this concept: The first three chapters of Revelation are not eschatology but warnings of the pitfalls facing the church, from John's time to the Rapture. The eschatological teachings do not begin until chapter four. John, in using the phrase "Lord's day" in Revelation 1:10, was speaking of Sunday and as he was "in the Spirit" it is obvious he was praying, studying and meditating on God's word. It is due to that frame of mind Jesus came to him, and speaks through him to the churches of this age over those next two and a half chapters.

 

[zspeedyrabit]

The sabbath is the sixth commandment. The sabbath begins Friday at sunset and terminates Saturday at sunset.

 

[IisJustMe]

The sabbath is the sixth commandment. The sabbath begins Friday at sunset and terminates Saturday at sunset.

For a Jew, yes. Not for a New Testament believer.

 

[cyberlizard]

the truth is, if we wish to ignore the Torah (in any part), we can do and live exactly as we wish....

remember paul said of the many thousand of new believers (jewish ones) that they were all on fire for the torah, they desired too keep it not according to the letter, which brings death, but according to the spirit who brings life.

i find it all very ironic that the majority of gentile believers who get specific mentions in the new testament for their piety and godly lifestyles were 'godfearers' - jews in all but ritual conversion.

a thread on godfearers may be in order - this should show us non-jews the standards of lifestyle that please God.


Steve...

p.s. an earlier post mentioned Acts 15, and it does not mention the sabbath, however neither is it to do with communion with jews, it is to do with lifestyle standards of those who are turning to God (v.19), those who are being saved (v1). Everyone points out the best bits, but then neglects v21, so its do these things (v20) and get your butt to the synagogue on shabbat and hear moses preached.

 

[Nadiine]

Cyber, Jesus gave us our new rituals:

Baptism and Communion. These we do in obedience under the grace covenant He brought which are reminders of His work on the cross for us.

I don't believe the law is bad or negative; and it's not GONE, but we aren't under the ceremonial & civil laws of the Torah today. All the Moral laws, YES absolutely.

 

[MarkEvan]

Personally I believe we are to keep the sabbath, but we are to understand what this means for believers today whether Jew or Gentile (remember however that a true Jew is one who is a jew inwardly). Jesus said that He was Lord of the sabbath, Paul then said that some set one day aside while others hold all days equall (he does not condemn one or the other therefore both are equally valid before God) how can people hold all days equal? Because Jesus is Lord of the sabbath keeping the sabbath holy is now retsing not in a wordly sense but in Christ, He is our sabbath rest. Therefore keeping the sabbath in this sense is loving God, we are giving Him the rightful place in our lives............that is that not only on one day but now in all days we are fixed singly on Jesus Christ.


Mark

 

[cyberlizard]

Cyber, Jesus gave us our new rituals:

Baptism and Communion. These we do in obedience under the grace covenant He brought which are reminders of His work on the cross for us.

I don't believe the law is bad or negative; and it's not GONE, but we aren't under the ceremonial & civil laws of the Torah today. All the Moral laws, YES absolutely.

how come we wish to pick and choose which laws we are under... the new covenant is a renewed covenant where the old covenant is written on our hearts, so that we live not by the letter which brings death and condemantion but it is written on our hearts by the spirit of God who brings life.

but baptism is a jewish thing (not a christian thing), neither did he give us communion... he gave us depending on your point of view, either a messianic passover celebration (annually) OR the lord's supper.

It is a pain in the ass that everytime we read the phrase 'break bread' or 'they broke bread' we automatically think this is what is being discussed but most of the time it does not fit the context... breaking bread is a Hebrew idiomatic expression for sharing a meal together.

Steve

p.s. to avoid the jewish element, the word baptise has simply been transliterated from the greek as jewish tradition held to multiple baptisms as signs of repentance AND also as ceremonial washings in line with the Torah.

The sooner we put the Jew back into Jesus, Paul and the apostles the better rather than seeing them as members of a different religion.... after all the early church was seen as nothing more than a jewish cult/sect.



But for now I'll give up this thread as their are dozens like it across this forum and my own.

 

[IisJustMe]

how come we wish to pick and choose which laws we are under... the new covenant is a renewed covenant where the old covenant is written on our hearts, so that we live not by the letter which brings death and condemantion but it is written on our hearts by the spirit of God who brings life.

It is the Law of :Christ that is written on our hearts, not the Mosaic Law. The key to understanding this issue is knowing that the Old Testament law was given to the nation of Israel, not to Christians. None of the Old Testament law applies to us today, not even the Ten Commandments, though Jesus repeated nine of the ten -- surprise, surprise, the only one neglected being the Sabbath Law. When Jesus died on the cross, He put an end to the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15).

In place of the Old Testament law, we are under the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2) which is again, as I quoted Jesus' summation earlier: &#8220;And He said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.&#8221; (Matthew 22:37-40). If we do these two things, we will be fulfilling all that Christ wants for us to do, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome." (1 John 5:3).

If we are loving our neighbors, we won't be murdering them, lying to them, committing adultery against them, or coveting what belongs to them. So, we are not under any of the requirements of the Old Testament law. We are to love God and love our neighbors. If we do those two things faithfully, everything else will fall into place.