Paul Taught On Sabbath Days Only To Reach The Jews?

[Stewartnz]

The following idea is a commonly held view among Sunday keepers:
“The only Scriptures that describe Christians in any sense meeting on the Sabbath are in fact pointing to evangelistic efforts at Jewish synagogues, which met on the Sabbath day.”


In response to this view, my mind goes to an episode recorded in Acts 13. Yes, it begins in a Jewish synagogue, but I think what happens here is worth considering a little further.

Picking up the story in Acts 13:42.

About 14 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul is speaking in Antioch (a Gentile city) and he provokes the Jews there. They do not leave the synagogue calmly.

“And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”

Notice that it is the Gentiles that are making this request.

Paul and Barnabas are soon afterward followed by many of the people (both interested Jews and Gentiles). And they, “speaking to them persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” (13:43)

Let’s mark the point. These people were taught, and persuaded, to “continue in the grace of God.” Here is the perfect opportunity to explain to the Gentiles in particular, that the old Sabbath is no longer in force, and that the appropriate day of worship is now transferred to Sunday. Again, if grace really negates Sabbath-keeping, here is the perfect opportunity to teach the lesson. However, we know that this did not happen, because the very next words are:

“And the next Sabbath day almost the whole city came to hear the word of God.” (13:44)

This city [Antioch in Pisidia (13:14)] was a Gentile city! And now this gathering occurs on the Sabbath day, not out of respect to the Jews, but for another reason altogether. Almost the entire congregation was made up of Gentiles. This was not, as is claimed, ‘an evangelistic effort’ designed to reach the Jews.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I concur...

That will be one of my questions for Jesus, why was there not a definitive verse in the NT that would leave no doubt that the new Covenant included the ten Commandments....

The empirical evidence is there to be sure and I guess it exercises out faith to understand these things.

 

[Kira Light]

I concur...

That will be one of my questions for Jesus, why was there not a definitive verse in the NT that would leave no doubt that the new Covenant included the ten Commandments....

The empirical evidence is there to be sure and I guess it exercises out faith to understand these things.

That is one of the biggest reasons I no longer call myself SDA. I can't believe God could fail so miserably at spreading His message. Literally billions of souls lost over a simple miscommunication.

Also, having to give EGW a vision 1800 years later just proves God knew he didn't make things clear enough when He was here...

 

[Stewartnz]

I concur...

That will be one of my questions for Jesus, why was there not a definitive verse in the NT that would leave no doubt that the new Covenant included the ten Commandments....

: )

I wonder whether the answer will be similar in some respects to Jesus' comment: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31)

 

[Kira Light]

: )

I wonder whether the answer will be similar in some respects to Jesus' comment: "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31)

Honestly why wouldn't people keep Sabbath if they thought they needed to? It is not that difficult. Especially how SDA's keep it.

 

[k4c]

The following idea is a commonly held view among Sunday keepers:
“The only Scriptures that describe Christians in any sense meeting on the Sabbath are in fact pointing to evangelistic efforts at Jewish synagogues, which met on the Sabbath day.”


In response to this view, my mind goes to an episode recorded in Acts 13. Yes, it begins in a Jewish synagogue, but I think what happens here is worth considering a little further.

Picking up the story in Acts 13:42.

About 14 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul is speaking in Antioch (a Gentile city) and he provokes the Jews there. They do not leave the synagogue calmly.

“And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”

Notice that it is the Gentiles that are making this request.

Paul and Barnabas are soon afterward followed by many of the people (both interested Jews and Gentiles). And they, “speaking to them persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” (13:43)

Let’s mark the point. These people were taught, and persuaded, to “continue in the grace of God.” Here is the perfect opportunity to explain to the Gentiles in particular, that the old Sabbath is no longer in force, and that the appropriate day of worship is now transferred to Sunday. Again, if grace really negates Sabbath-keeping, here is the perfect opportunity to teach the lesson. However, we know that this did not happen, because the very next words are:

“And the next Sabbath day almost the whole city came to hear the word of God.” (13:44)

This city [Antioch in Pisidia (13:14)] was a Gentile city! And now this gathering occurs on the Sabbath day, not out of respect to the Jews, but for another reason altogether. Almost the entire congregation was made up of Gentiles. This was not, as is claimed, ‘an evangelistic effort’ designed to reach the Jews.

Christians, those who believed in Jesus, would be worshiping every Sabbath in the synagogue. Paul, before his conversion, would go from synagogue to synagogue pulling these Christians out of the congregation in order to beat them and imprison them for believing in Jesus.

Acts 22:19 "'Lord,' I replied, 'they themselves well know how active I was in imprisoning, and in flogging in synagogue after synagogue those who believe in You;

 

[Cribstyl]

The Prophets explained it, and Jesus taught it in parables, and also He had to fulfill every word of God's prophets.
The Gospel proves that He came unto His own people but they recieved Him not".
The Seed of Abraham is His literal culture.(Hebrew)​

The Jews killed their Only Saviour and they are still looking for Him as we speak.

Consider for a moment that Jesus was born in China or God had appeared to someonelse besides Abraham. Culture makes the bible a reality rather than a mythical tale we cant research.​

We have to apply to understanding what is written for our knowledge.
The problem comes when people believe that God is asking us to follow certian customs and culture, rather than to be the people He's calling us to be in our own culture.​

Peter was spiritfilled but according to scriptures, he had an issue with uncircumcised people from other other nations. Paul had to correct him on that issue.
Christ appeared to Paul and changed everything about him, including his name and set him apart as the apostle to the Gentiles.
It was by design of the Holy Spirit that Paul got sick and tired of his message being rejected in the synagogues on Sabbath. He turned to people of other nations...His openning address in His epistles prove that.​

The promises and covenants that God made with Abraham was to bring forth a seed.......JESUS.

God's ultimate plan was to give all nations access to His kingdom.​

God's secret plan was adopting into His family those who would believe in what seem as foolishness. THE GOSPEL​

It's an unchanging never ending message About a man born of woman, who died on a cross for the sins of the world. He is the Son of God.

My advise to you Stewartnz is keep praying and reading your bible.​

 

[k4c]

That is one of the biggest reasons I no longer call myself SDA. I can't believe God could fail so miserably at spreading His message. Literally billions of souls lost over a simple miscommunication.

Also, having to give EGW a vision 1800 years later just proves God knew he didn't make things clear enough when He was here...

Did God fail miserably when He spoke of the coming of Jesus for thousands of years before Christ, gave detailed prophecies about Him and sent prophets only to have the people He's being telling about the Messiah all these years kill Him? You might as well not call yourself a Christian too.

 

[Cribstyl]

The following idea is a commonly held view among Sunday keepers:
“The only Scriptures that describe Christians in any sense meeting on the Sabbath are in fact pointing to evangelistic efforts at Jewish synagogues, which met on the Sabbath day.”


In response to this view, my mind goes to an episode recorded in Acts 13. Yes, it begins in a Jewish synagogue, but I think what happens here is worth considering a little further.

Picking up the story in Acts 13:42.

About 14 years after the crucifixion of Jesus, Paul is speaking in Antioch (a Gentile city) and he provokes the Jews there. They do not leave the synagogue calmly.

“And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”

Notice that it is the Gentiles that are making this request.

Paul and Barnabas are soon afterward followed by many of the people (both interested Jews and Gentiles). And they, “speaking to them persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” (13:43)

Let’s mark the point. These people were taught, and persuaded, to “continue in the grace of God.” Here is the perfect opportunity to explain to the Gentiles in particular, that the old Sabbath is no longer in force, and that the appropriate day of worship is now transferred to Sunday. Again, if grace really negates Sabbath-keeping, here is the perfect opportunity to teach the lesson. However, we know that this did not happen, because the very next words are:

“And the next Sabbath day almost the whole city came to hear the word of God.” (13:44)

This city [Antioch in Pisidia (13:14)] was a Gentile city! And now this gathering occurs on the Sabbath day, not out of respect to the Jews, but for another reason altogether. Almost the entire congregation was made up of Gentiles. This was not, as is claimed, ‘an evangelistic effort’ designed to reach the Jews.

Well rewind in that chapter and notice what is said.......

Act 13:1¶Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Act 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Act 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid [their] hands on them, they sent [them] away.
Act 13:4¶So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Act 13:5And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to [their] minister.
Where does these text say the church was at?
What work can we say the Holy Spirit was sending Paul and Barnabus to do? Preaching the Gospel in the synagogue of the Jews is exactly what the narative say and proves from the first stop of the ship at Salamis.


So the missionary journey continues (no matter what commentary says)

Act 13:13¶Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.
Act 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Act 13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, [Ye] men [and] brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.


The big question is not when they preached is what they preach that got them rejected and beaten

Act 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men [and] brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Act 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.


This would be where commentary would argue that "the law of Moses" is not the Old Covenant that Luke is citing that you cannot be justified by.

Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.


Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.


Clear as a water in Chapter 13..... THE WORD OF GOD SHOULD HAVE BEEN SPOKEN TO YOU JEWS FIRST....................WE'RE NOW TURNING TO THE GENTILES.

So it seem clear that the Holy Spirit sent them directly to the synagogues of the Jew first.


I'm not shocked that ECR's contribution is I concur...

, he's running for governor.

I dont expect a reasonable response on Act 13 because dominoes would crash.
The problem I see is that SDA lessons are subject oriented rather that chapter by chapter.

 

[taikachanz]

There is no denying that they were sent to preach to the Jews, the point that was being made was that Gentiles specifically requested that the Gospel be preached on a Sabbath and that when it was preached on a Sabbath that almost the whole of the community came to listen. They were not told that the Gentles should be being preached to after the Sabbath but that their request was granted. Your point that they were sent to preach the Gospel to the Jews is irrelevant.

 

[Cribstyl]

There is no denying that they were sent to preach to the Jews, the point that was being made was that Gentiles specifically requested that the Gospel be preached on a Sabbath and that when it was preached on a Sabbath that almost the whole of the community came to listen. They were not told that the Gentles should be being preached to after the Sabbath but that their request was granted. Your point that they were sent to preach the Gospel to the Jews is irrelevant.

Just as I expected......
Here is the opening argument

The following idea is a commonly held view among Sunday keepers:
“The only Scriptures that describe Christians in any sense meeting on the Sabbath are in fact pointing to evangelistic efforts at Jewish synagogues, which met on the Sabbath day.”


In response to this view, my mind goes to an episode recorded in Acts 13. Yes, it begins in a Jewish synagogue, but I think what happens here is worth considering a little further............

.............This was not, as is claimed, ‘an evangelistic effort’ designed to reach the Jews..

You cant be serious about the OP's claim. This text settles that issue............Man up
Act 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

[Stewartnz]

Hello Crib, I think part of our difference here, is our focus. I am looking at one specific Sabbath : that "next Sabbath day" when almost the whole city came to hear the word of God (13:44). Your focus seems broader.

In verse 43 we find that Paul and Barnabas have persuaded a group of people "to continue in the grace of God." Is it unreasonable to believe that those people now accept that they are saved by grace, and not by the keeping of the law? I have no doubt that they accepted this fact.

But again, the next words are, "And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." (13:44)

Many of the people at this gathering have been persuaded "to continue in the grace of God"...
So why are they meeting on the Sabbath?
Was it to "reach" the unsaved Jews?
I cannot see that this was the reason.
In fact the only thing the 'un-reached' Jews are doing is heckling.

13:45 "when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming."