Why did pope change sabbath?

[tbaine06]

I understand that the pope changed the sabbath, announced that it would be on Sunday and protestants followed suit, but what were the reasons this was done? There had to be a point where some people sat to discuss this and the decision was made, but why? What were their reasons?

Also, before Christ came and was crucified, what about the salvation of the Gentiles or pagans who died and never heard or saw Christ? What will happen to them at the time of judgment? All will be judged, so they have to fit in somewhere.​

 

[Sophia7]

The pope didn't change the Sabbath. Even early in the history of the Christian Church--at least by sometime early in the second century--many Christians had begun to worship on Sunday in honor of Jesus' resurrection

The shift away from Sabbath observance happened for several reasons. One was an increase in anti-semitism as a result of a couple of Jewish revolts against Roman rule. The destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 also had an impact. Christians, who had at first worshiped with the Jews in the synagogues (and, in fact, Christianity was at first tolerated by Rome because they considered it a sect of Judaism), began to dissociate themselves from the Jews to avoid persecution.

As far as Protestant views of the Sabbath, there are many, and they are not all paying homage to the pope because most have quite different views on this than Catholics. Some say that Christians should worship on Sunday in honor of Jesus' resurrection. Some say that the fourth commandment was only for the Jews but that all the others still apply because they are restated in the New Testament. Some say that none of the Ten Commandments are binding on Christians because we are not under the law. Some say that we should keep a sabbath but that God doesn't care which day--just one out of seven. Those who believe this and who go to church on Sunday do so because that is the day that the church has services. Many people also say that we should worship God every day, so there is no need for the Sabbath.

 

[silkcity]

Also, before Christ came and was crucified, what about the salvation of the Gentiles or pagans who died and never heard or saw Christ? What will happen to them at the time of judgment? All will be judged, so they have to fit in somewhere.​

Christ died for everyone.....that means those before, during and after Him. Enoc, Moses and Elijah never saw God in the form of Christ, and they're in heaven. Also the Jews represented Christ on this Earth long before His actual sacrifice. Anyone who joined and became a part of God's people was to be saved. I think it's written somewhere in Leviticus.

 

[Cliff2]

I understand that the pope changed the sabbath, announced that it would be on Sunday and protestants followed suit, but what were the reasons this was done? There had to be a point where some people sat to discuss this and the decision was made, but why? What were their reasons?​

Also, before Christ came and was crucified, what about the salvation of the Gentiles or pagans who died and never heard or saw Christ? What will happen to them at the time of judgment? All will be judged, so they have to fit in somewhere.​

Romans 2:14-16

14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Paul is talking about Gentiles who have never heard of the gosple or the Lord Jesus Christ and what will happen to them in the judgment.

They will be judge according to their "conscience"

 

[tbaine06]

Romans 2:14-16

14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another 16In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Paul is talking about Gentiles who have never heard of the gosple or the Lord Jesus Christ and what will happen to them in the judgment.

They will be judge according to their "conscience"

I guess the text I am referring to is Romans 3:25,26 ( he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished). So these heathen (nonjews), before Christ, will be justified at the battle of Armageddon when Satan is defeated or God is "vindicated"? I'm having a hard time grasping how these will be justified before God. Not that I wouldn't want them to, but that I want to understand?

 

[ThreeAM]

Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

 

[smooze]

the pope owns the franchise. LOL

 

[OntheDL]

I understand that the pope changed the sabbath, announced that it would be on Sunday and protestants followed suit, but what were the reasons this was done? There had to be a point where some people sat to discuss this and the decision was made, but why? What were their reasons?​

Also, before Christ came and was crucified, what about the salvation of the Gentiles or pagans who died and never heard or saw Christ? What will happen to them at the time of judgment? All will be judged, so they have to fit in somewhere.​

Actually the pope did changed the Sabbath to Sunday.
Lets' see what they said about it...

"The Church, on the other hand, after changing the day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath, or seventh day of the week, to the first, made the Third Commandment refer to Sunday as the day to be kept holy as the Lord's Day. The Council of Trent (Sess. VI, can. xix) condemns those who deny that the Ten Commandments are binding on Christians." ---The Catholic Encyclopedia, Commandments of God, Volume IV, © 1908

"Q. How prove you that the Church hath power to command feasts and holydays?
A. By the very act of changing the sabbath into Sunday, which Protestants allow of; and therefore they fondly contradict themselves, by keeping Sunday strictly, and breaking most other feasts commanded by the same Church.
Q. How prove you that?
A. Because by keeping Sunday, they acknowledge the Church's power to ordain feasts, and to command them under sin; and by not keeping the rest by her commanded, they again deny, in fact, the same power." --- The Douay Catechism (An Abridgment of the Christian Doctrine) of 1649

"Q. What warrant have you for keeping the Sunday, preferably to the ancient Sabbath, which was the Saturday?
A. We have for it the authority of the Catholic Church, and apostolical tradition.
Q. But has the Church a power to make any alterations in the commandments of God?
A. The commandments of God, as far as they contain his eternal law, are unalterable and indispensable; but as to whatever was only ceremonial, they cease to oblige, since the Mosaic law was abrogated by Christ's death. Hence, as far as the commandment obliges us to set aside some part of our time for the worship and service of our Creator, it is an unalterable and unchangeable precept of the eternal law, in which the Church cannot dispense: but for as much as it prescribes the seventh day in particular for this purpose, it is no more than a ceremonial precept of the old law, which obligeth not Christians. And therefore, instead of the seventh day, and other festivals appointed in the old law, the Church has prescribed the Sundays and holydays to be set apart for God's worship; and these we are now obliged to keep in consequence of God's commandment, instead of the ancient Sabbath.---Catholic Christian Instructed in the Sacraments, Sacrifice, Ceremonies, and Observances of the Church, by the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Challoner

"Q. Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?
A. Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her;—she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority.
Q. In what manner can we show a Protestant, that he speaks unreasonably against fasts and abstinences?
A. Ask him why he keeps Sunday, and not Saturday, as his day of rest, since he is unwilling either to fast or to abstain. If he reply, that the Scripture orders him to keep the Sunday, but says nothing as to fasting and abstinence, tell him the Scripture speaks of Saturday or the Sabbath, but gives no command anywhere regarding Sunday or the first day of the week. If, then, he neglects Saturday as a day of rest and holiness, and substitutes Sunday in its place, and this merely because such was the usage of the ancient Church, should he not, if he wishes to act consistently, observe fasting and abstinence, because the ancient Church so ordained?" ---A Doctrinal Catechism by Stephen Keenan, Imprimatur by John Cardinal McCloskey, Archbishop of New York


"Of course the Catholic Church claims that the change was her act. It could not have been otherwise as none in those days would have dreamed of doing anything in matters spiritual and ecclesiastical and religious without her. And the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things". ---Letter to Cardinal Gibbons, November 11, 1895, from C.F. Thomas.

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

"The Pope has power to change times, to abrogate (change) laws, and to dispense with all things, even the precepts of Christ." --- Decretal, de Tranlatic Episcop.

The reason? I think the quotes already addressed it...

 

[Sophia7]

My point was that one person--not even a pope--did not one day suddenly announce that he was transferring the sacredness of the Sabbath to Sunday. Definitely, the Catholic Church (which was the only ecclesiastical authority at the time) played a big role in the process and has claimed great authority.

However, there were many other political factors and changes in belief in custom that worked together in the early centuries of Christianity as well. It is a bit disingenuous to isolate a few Catholic statements and decisions of Church councils and political decrees from their historical context.

 

[OntheDL]

My point was that one person--not even a pope--did not one day suddenly announce that he was transferring the sacredness of the Sabbath to Sunday. Definitely, the Catholic Church (which was the only ecclesiastical authority at the time) played a big role in the process and has claimed great authority (and I agree that they assert power that should belong only to God).

However, there were many other political factors and changes in belief in custom that worked together in the early centuries of Christianity as well. It is a bit disingenuous to isolate a few Catholic statements and decisions of Church councils and political decrees from their historical context.

Yeah, some early christians worshipped on Sundays. But the 'church' as a whole did not recognize it as the day of worship until the papal decree of pope Sylvester (314-335AD).

Pope Sylvester was not the first to start the sunday observance, but he officially confirmed the practice and set it in place of the 7th day sabbath.

 

[Cliff2]

I guess the text I am referring to is Romans 3:25,26 ( he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished). So these heathen (nonjews), before Christ, will be justified at the battle of Armageddon when Satan is defeated or God is "vindicated"? I'm having a hard time grasping how these will be justified before God. Not that I wouldn't want them to, but that I want to understand?

Can you give me some more details on this please, new one on me.

 

[jabechler]

My point was that one person--not even a pope--did not one day suddenly announce that he was transferring the sacredness of the Sabbath to Sunday. Definitely, the Catholic Church (which was the only ecclesiastical authority at the time) played a big role in the process and has claimed great authority (and I agree that they assert power that should belong only to God).

However, there were many other political factors and changes in belief in custom that worked together in the early centuries of Christianity as well. It is a bit disingenuous to isolate a few Catholic statements and decisions of Church councils and political decrees from their historical context.

we can argue this point forever and we both would be correct but more important than who or why is to say who commissioned the Sabbath originally and decreed it how it should be kept. That answer is undeniably God himself. Know where in the entire word of God did any man or even Jesus himself change the Sabbath to sunday worship and God never gave any person the authority to change or dispense with the laws or commands of God. So that said I choose to follows Gods words and not mans traditions. How say you?

 

[Cliff2]

we can argue this point forever and we both would be correct but more important than who or why is to say who commissioned the Sabbath originally and decreed it how it should be kept. That answer is undeniably God himself. Know where in the entire word of God did any man or even Jesus himself change the Sabbath to sunday worship and God never gave any person the authority to change or dispense with the laws or commands of God. So that said I choose to follows Gods words and not mans traditions. How say you?

You are right, no where in the Bible do we see a change from the seventh day Sabbath to the first day of the week.

If it was then I would be the first to make the change. It has not so I will not be making the change.

 

[Sophia7]

...

 

[tbaine06]

Well I may have used the words "had a meeting and decided to change the Sabbath" but, I know it was a long process. I just chose to sarcastically shorten the point I was trying to make. Yes, the question is "why" not really "who" or "how". I am still unclear as to why it was changed. Sophia said a lot of political things were going on at the time, could it have been because the catholic church was trying to prove it had power? Were they trying to separate themselves from the authority of the Jewish priests? Were they showing authority over a religious group, a kind of copy of the authority that the Jewish priests had over the Jews?
Also, I keep the seventh day sabbath.

 

[Sophia7]

Well I may have used the words "had a meeting and decided to change the Sabbath" but, I know it was a long process. I just chose to sarcastically shorten the point I was trying to make. Yes, the question is "why" not really "who" or "how". I am still unclear as to why it was changed. Sophia said a lot of political things were going on at the time, could it have been because the catholic church was trying to prove it had power? Were they trying to separate themselves from the authority of the Jewish priests? Were they showing authority over a religious group, a kind of copy of the authority that the Jewish priests had over the Jews?
Also, I keep the seventh day sabbath.

As I said earlier, I believe that a big part of it was that they were trying to dissociate themselves from the Jews. Some of the Early Church Fathers wrote against resting from work on the Sabbath. The Council of Laodicea (a regional council, not an ecumenical council) condemned "judaizers," declaring them "anathema from Christ." Also, the elevation of the Bishop of Rome (the pope) to primacy in much of Christendom and his rise in political power played a huge role as well. Also, since the Sabbath in the early centuries was often kept as a fast day, it was much more desirable to many Christians to worship on Sunday as the "Lord's Day" since they viewed it as a happier day to celebrate in honor of Jesus' resurrection.

 

[KellyLeigh]

In my history class we learned that the day was changed because of three reasons:

1. During that time, saturday you fasted and sunday you would feast, so they wanted to be able to eat on the sabbath.
2. To separate themselve from the Jews, who were at that time in Europe hated and blamed for most of the problems.
3. To help convert more people. Most pagans worshiped a "sun god" so by changing the day to SUNday they would incorporate one of the beliefs and traditions of the pagans. Infact, if you read early Christian literature, Jesus is often referred to and symbolized by a Sun.

Actually we learned that the Catholic Church made a lot of thing to help appeal christianity to the Pagans. Like statues and paintings. The early Roman and Greek religions as well as those in the MEditerranian all had statues to worship.

 

[jabechler]

I say again will we follow Gods Laws or mans traditions. For better or worse God has not given man authority to change his word. God says mans ways are not His ways and God says " I change not ".

 

[Sophia7]

I say again will we follow Gods Laws or mans traditions. For better or worse God has not given man authority to change his word. God says mans ways are not His ways and God says " I change not ".

There is value in looking at these historical sources, not because we believe that they have any theological authority but because they reveal what many Christians were thinking at the time. They give evidence of how and why Christian beliefs and practices changed so much in the course of a few hundred years.

 

[tbaine06]

Thank you, question answered. I want to add, the reason I became an adventist is their answers to my questions are always supported by bible text, and "why" questions supported by historical documents. I have yet to get a "well, that is just what we do" answer from an adventist!