The Thing Most Sabbath Keepers Do not Talk About.

[Mercy Shown]

The Sabbath sits right there in the Ten Commandments. In fact, it has become the icon of the Law for many Sabbatarians. It is the punchline of many moralistic arguments and the centerpiece of Sabbatarian doctrine. To them, it is to be kept just as strictly as any of the other nine commandments. Yet the others carry natural, immediate consequences when violated. For example, if I kill someone, I may be killed myself or imprisoned for the rest of my life. If I covet my neighbor’s wife, I may end up in the hospital or the morgue. Sabbath breaking, however, has no such visible consequence. That creates a battleground where Christians often cross swords.

What fascinates me most is how people use the broad platitude “keep the Sabbath,” even to the point of wearing the label “Sabbath Keeper.” It certainly comes with the temptation to look down on those not “discerning enough” to agree with Sabbath keeping, and it can be an ego boost for those who enjoy a sense of spiritual superiority. Not all are like that, of course. There are many sincere Sabbath keepers who do so with humility and love, considering themselves no better than anyone else.

Yet for most who carry the label, the one thing they rarely address is the specifics of true Sabbath keeping. The moment one asks “How should it actually be practiced?” disagreements erupt. The Sabbath-keeping community is deeply divided over what is appropriate and what is not. It is far easier to remain in the comfort of the broad label than to open the can of worms and define the boundaries. Still, if Sabbath keeping is truly salvific, should the precise observance of it not be extremely important? One would hate to wear the label all their life only to discover they had been doing it wrong.

I could give examples, but for now, I will leave the worms in that can a little longer.

 

[Hentenza]

The worms are about to come out of the can. In my debates with sabbath keepers the method of keeping it correctly is extremely elusive. Let’s see if they can shed light on this issue.

 

[PloverWing]

Forgive me, but I must be new to this whole question. The Sabbath keepers I know are Jewish, and they follow the instructions that the rabbis have worked out over the centuries -- no kindling of fire, no travel beyond a certain distance, etc. Do Christians who keep the Sabbath follow a different set of customs from our Jewish neighbors? Why?

 

[BPPLEE]

The Sabbath sits right there in the Ten Commandments. In fact, it has become the icon of the Law for many Sabbatarians. It is the punchline of many moralistic arguments and the centerpiece of Sabbatarian doctrine. To them, it is to be kept just as strictly as any of the other nine commandments. Yet the others carry natural, immediate consequences when violated. For example, if I kill someone, I may be killed myself or imprisoned for the rest of my life. If I covet my neighbor’s wife, I may end up in the hospital or the morgue. Sabbath breaking, however, has no such visible consequence. That creates a battleground where Christians often cross swords.

What fascinates me most is how people use the broad platitude “keep the Sabbath,” even to the point of wearing the label “Sabbath Keeper.” It certainly comes with the temptation to look down on those not “discerning enough” to agree with Sabbath keeping, and it can be an ego boost for those who enjoy a sense of spiritual superiority. Not all are like that, of course. There are many sincere Sabbath keepers who do so with humility and love, considering themselves no better than anyone else.

Yet for most who carry the label, the one thing they rarely address is the specifics of true Sabbath keeping. The moment one asks “How should it actually be practiced?” disagreements erupt. The Sabbath-keeping community is deeply divided over what is appropriate and what is not. It is far easier to remain in the comfort of the broad label than to open the can of worms and define the boundaries. Still, if Sabbath keeping is truly salvific, should the precise observance of it not be extremely important? One would hate to wear the label all their life only to discover they had been doing it wrong.

I could give examples, but for now, I will leave the worms in that can a little longer.

I’m not a Sabbath keeper ( if you mean someone who worships on Saturday) but I think you are mistaken if you’re saying there were no consequences for breaking the Sabbath
Exodus 31:14–15: "You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people."

 

[Soyeong]

The Sabbath sits right there in the Ten Commandments. In fact, it has become the icon of the Law for many Sabbatarians. It is the punchline of many moralistic arguments and the centerpiece of Sabbatarian doctrine. To them, it is to be kept just as strictly as any of the other nine commandments. Yet the others carry natural, immediate consequences when violated. For example, if I kill someone, I may be killed myself or imprisoned for the rest of my life. If I covet my neighbor’s wife, I may end up in the hospital or the morgue. Sabbath breaking, however, has no such visible consequence. That creates a battleground where Christians often cross swords.

What fascinates me most is how people use the broad platitude “keep the Sabbath,” even to the point of wearing the label “Sabbath Keeper.” It certainly comes with the temptation to look down on those not “discerning enough” to agree with Sabbath keeping, and it can be an ego boost for those who enjoy a sense of spiritual superiority. Not all are like that, of course. There are many sincere Sabbath keepers who do so with humility and love, considering themselves no better than anyone else.

Yet for most who carry the label, the one thing they rarely address is the specifics of true Sabbath keeping. The moment one asks “How should it actually be practiced?” disagreements erupt. The Sabbath-keeping community is deeply divided over what is appropriate and what is not. It is far easier to remain in the comfort of the broad label than to open the can of worms and define the boundaries. Still, if Sabbath keeping is truly salvific, should the precise observance of it not be extremely important? One would hate to wear the label all their life only to discover they had been doing it wrong.

I could give examples, but for now, I will leave the worms in that can a little longer.

Breaking the Sabbath carries the death penalty, though the consequences for breaking God's laws are not uniform. Many of God's laws call for further explanation for how to correct obey them. For example, what exactly does it mean to commit idolatry? Can we eat food that has been prevopoisly offered to idols? Can we nullify idols? Can we reuse the materials that we used to make an idol? Or what exactly counts as committing murder? Can we kill in self defense in the middle of the day or night? Is it murder to kill in war? Is abortion murder? Is euthanasia murder? What if someone accidentally commits manslaughter? Or what what exactly does it mean to honor parents? Do we need to do whatever they tell us? What if our parents are abusive? Do we have an obligation to financially support our parents? If so, how much? And so forth. There is nothing about discussing what exactly is permitted on the Sabbath that is problematic.

 

[Mercy Shown]

Breaking the Sabbath carries the death penalty, though the consequences for breaking God's laws are not uniform. Many of God's laws call for further explanation for how to correct obey them. For example, what exactly does it mean to commit idolatry? Can we eat food that has been prevopoisly offered to idols? Can we nullify idols? Can we reuse the materials that we used to make an idol? Or what exactly counts as committing murder? Can we kill in self defense in the middle of the day or night? Is it murder to kill in war? Is abortion murder? Is euthanasia murder? What if someone accidentally commits manslaughter? Or what what exactly does it mean to honor parents? Do we need to do whatever they tell us? What if our parents are abusive? Do we have an obligation to financially support our parents? If so, how much? And so forth. There is nothing about discussing what exactly is permitted on the Sabbath that is problematic.

Of course not. All you have to do is simply say you are a sabbath keeper and your in.

 

[Mercy Shown]

I’m not a Sabbath keeper ( if you mean someone who worships on Saturday) but I think you are mistaken if you’re saying there were no consequences for breaking the Sabbath
Exodus 31:14–15: "You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people."

Those are not natural consequences.

 

[Soyeong]

Of course not. All you have to do is simply say you are a sabbath keeper and your in.

You could say that about any law. You could also say that about being a Christ follower.

 

[Mercy Shown]

You could say that about any law. You could also say that about being a Christ follower.

I do. Even about myself

 

[Soyeong]

I do. Even about myself

So then what is the point of this thread?

 

[Mercy Shown]

The worms are about to come out of the can. In my debates with sabbath keepers the method of keeping it correctly is extremely elusive. Let’s see if they can shed light on this issue.

Are you kidding? It is just esier to lable yourself a Sabbath Keeper rather than explain exactly what that is.

 

[Mercy Shown]

So then what is the point of this thread?

Exactly what the title says.

 

[bèlla]

I discovered the principle of shabbat at a synagogue I attended years ago. We were taught the concept holistically with attentiveness in the physical, spiritual, communal and so on. The bickering I see on the subject among christians is baffling. My memories include classes with others like myself followed by the service, communion and a meal. If we attended Friday evenings we had service and communion followed with a blessing and the meal. In both instances our unity and fellowship were foremost. We weren’t arguing or comparing notes of the holiest. That’s ridiculous.

We shared our preparations at home and practices and reflected on the text (parashah) as a group and delighted in the insights that followed. We were strengthened by our experiences and what came forth in our walk with the Lord as we were being transformed. Some developed affinities for prayer, worship, differences in dress and appearance, hospitality and so on. Once we learned about shabbat they took us to a restaurant so we could experience it together and replicate the same at home.

Washing my hands while praying in hebrew and blessing the food with others felt different. The oneness evoked a level of emotion we hadn’t experienced before. We dined with other families for shabbat and holidays too to reinforce the same. There were moments when I rushed out to get donuts for hanukkah and greeted others doing the same with a knowing laugh and the same was true for rosh hashanah. It’s a connection we shared.

When I see these conversations I’m confounded. It doesn’t inspire curiosity or welcome. If you’re the ambassadors for the subject you’ve failed. You’re not drawing people in. It’s just another debate and that‘s sad. But maybe it isn’t your job and He’ll raise up others instead. You don’t draw people to the Lord with conflict. Christ led with love but it seems you’ve forgotten.

~bella

 

[Servus]

Forgive me, but I must be new to this whole question. The Sabbath keepers I know are Jewish, and they follow the instructions that the rabbis have worked out over the centuries -- no kindling of fire, no travel beyond a certain distance, etc. Do Christians who keep the Sabbath follow a different set of customs from our Jewish neighbors? Why?

Most Christian sabbath keeping is tied to the teachings of Ellen White from the 1830s, and the seventh-day adventist church. Their main teacher these days seems to be Doug Batchelor. And basically the way to be a sabbath keeper under that flag is to attend an sda church on saturday and follow what you're taught by them.

Then there's Messianic Judaism. Which is basically practicing Judaism while believing in Christ. So they keep the sabbath the way the Bible tells Jews to keep the sabbath.

 

[Carl Emerson]

In Hebrews believers are invited to enter His Sabbath rest by faith, not by Law.

This involves trusting in His Righteousness every day.

The invitation is for the reader to respond and join His Sabbath Rest - resting from works and trusting by faith.

Chaper 4 makes this very clear but few seem to embrace the invitation.

 

[bèlla]

Forgive me, but I must be new to this whole question. The Sabbath keepers I know are Jewish, and they follow the instructions that the rabbis have worked out over the centuries -- no kindling of fire, no travel beyond a certain distance, etc. Do Christians who keep the Sabbath follow a different set of customs from our Jewish neighbors? Why?

I think it’s more important to focus on the spirit of shabbat foremost before you move to the practical. We begin by addressing the reasons behind its origination and what He wanted to impress through His example. The six days of labor He demonstrated were through creation and the manifestation of the hidden to the present.

He didn’t make it from scratch. It was already there and He spoke it into existence on this plane. You draw from the spiritual to this arena. On earth—as it is—in heaven. If you don’t get that you’ve lost the plot and you’ll end up in legalism. In like fashion, we’re meant to followsuit and call forth the unseen throughout the week. It’s a process of infilling and pouring and the respite replenishes. But it’s not about activity it’s about communion and when we lift our gaze heavenward we get a fresh infilling of the Spirit.

The oil never runs dry. We don’t have enough vessels to hold it because we don’t see ourselves, our circumstances or the world as He does. That’s why we don’t request our daily bread. That‘s a given. We ask for what’s needed that day to accomplish His work and the drawing follows.

~bella

 

[Jerry N.]

Forgive me, but I must be new to this whole question. The Sabbath keepers I know are Jewish, and they follow the instructions that the rabbis have worked out over the centuries -- no kindling of fire, no travel beyond a certain distance, etc. Do Christians who keep the Sabbath follow a different set of customs from our Jewish neighbors? Why?

I am a Messianic Christian, and everything you wrote is about right. The two questions that come up most often among Christians who keep the Sabbath who are not SDA have to do with work and fire. Generally, one shouldn’t do anything that would include making money, but I know people who feel that they are forced to work on Saturday. I fought against that for many years before retirement, I wouldn’t condemn those who feel they have no choice, but I wouldn’t encourage it. The other question is whether one should make coffee on a timer or use computers. I do both, but there is no other cooking or housework (dishes are washed). There are also people who think hobbies are okay. I would disagree with gardening and woodworking and things that take physical effort, but others don’t. If a Christian decides to keep the Sabbath, they should start by focusing on the concept that it is a day of rest and worship. Then they should improve and refine the process over time with prayer and study.

 

[BPPLEE]

Those are not natural consequences.

What are natural consequences?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

The Sabbath sits right there in the Ten Commandments. In fact, it has become the icon of the Law for many Sabbatarians. It is the punchline of many moralistic arguments and the centerpiece of Sabbatarian doctrine. To them, it is to be kept just as strictly as any of the other nine commandments. Yet the others carry natural, immediate consequences when violated. For example, if I kill someone, I may be killed myself or imprisoned for the rest of my life. If I covet my neighbor’s wife, I may end up in the hospital or the morgue. Sabbath breaking, however, has no such visible consequence. That creates a battleground where Christians often cross swords.

What fascinates me most is how people use the broad platitude “keep the Sabbath,” even to the point of wearing the label “Sabbath Keeper.” It certainly comes with the temptation to look down on those not “discerning enough” to agree with Sabbath keeping, and it can be an ego boost for those who enjoy a sense of spiritual superiority. Not all are like that, of course. There are many sincere Sabbath keepers who do so with humility and love, considering themselves no better than anyone else.

Yet for most who carry the label, the one thing they rarely address is the specifics of true Sabbath keeping. The moment one asks “How should it actually be practiced?” disagreements erupt. The Sabbath-keeping community is deeply divided over what is appropriate and what is not. It is far easier to remain in the comfort of the broad label than to open the can of worms and define the boundaries. Still, if Sabbath keeping is truly salvific, should the precise observance of it not be extremely important? One would hate to wear the label all their life only to discover they had been doing it wrong.

I could give examples, but for now, I will leave the worms in that can a little longer.

The crux of the issue is judgment. Those who preach keeping Sabbath continually judges this who do not. Those who do not keep Sabbath, just want to be left alone.

Paul made a very strong plea to Christians not to cause stumbling blocks over this matter. I encourage everyone to read Romans 14.
Blessings

 

[Studyman]

Forgive me, but I must be new to this whole question. The Sabbath keepers I know are Jewish, and they follow the instructions that the rabbis have worked out over the centuries -- no kindling of fire, no travel beyond a certain distance, etc. Do Christians who keep the Sabbath follow a different set of customs from our Jewish neighbors? Why?

If you truly want to understand God's Instruction concerning "The Way of the Lord", in my understanding, I would advise that you study the Scriptures themselves as both Paul and Jesus instruct. When you do, you will find that the Pharisees and the rebellious "Jews" were not "Sabbath Keepers" and modern religious Jews teach for doctrines the commandments of men, just as the Rabi's did in Jesus' Time.. And given all the warnings about religious men of our time, "Transforming themselves into apostles of Christ" and "many" deceivers "who come in Christ's Name", and Jesus' warnings about the future fate of many "Christians" who call Him Lord, Lord, I would "Take Heed", "Beware" and be careful of the traditions and philosophies of this world's religious system concerning any of God's instruction.

For instance, the teaching that a man can't have a fire in his home to keep him and his children warm on a Sabbath Day is absurd, and is also not taught in the Scriptures. The God and Father of all sanctified and made this Day Holy "For us", not "against us" as many promoters of this world's religions teach. True believers are "looking for a City" wherein dwells righteousness. In this life we are "preparing" in the Hope that God will accept us, (According to Paul) into this City, God's Rest. An existence apart from the wickedness of this world. In like manner, we toil and tend our "spiritual" vineyards 6 days a week, but on the 7th day, there is a fast from or rest from this toil and we "prepare" for this "rest" during the week. So if It's cold on God's Holy Sabbath, we can build a fire. But in honor and Glory and Respect for our great God, we have already gathered the sticks, split them for a fire and brought them into our home, "before" or in "preparation" for the Holy Day. We have already prepared food for us and our children. Our businesses are closed, we have already purchased everything we need for the day. It's a refuge created for us by God Himself, and it keeps us in remembrance that we are on a journey and to place our faith in God to direct us.

Religious man have always polluted God's Sabbaths, and until Jesus comes back, they always will.

Also, there is nothing in the Bible concerning "certain distances" a man and his family can walk in fellowship, on God's Holy Sabbath. I don't think the Bible teaches it's appropriate to "Travel" to a destination, there are 6 days a week in which to "travel". But the man-made ordinances the rebellious Jews taught for doctrines, that men couldn't take a walk on God's Holy Sabbath and pick a blackberry or ear of corn to munch on along the way, is also absurd. These are Jewish traditions, not God's instruction in righteousness.

This world's religious system do not distinguish between God's ordinances and commandments, and the handwriting of ordinances of the mainstream religions of Jesus and Paul's Time.

In my view you would be much better off "Seeking the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness" through study of "Every Word which proceeds from the mouth of God", and diligently "Take Heed" of the philosophies, traditions and doctrines of the "many" who profess to know God, or the "many" Jesus warned of, who "Come in Christ's Name".