The Sabbath Day & The Lord's Day: What's the DIFFERENCE? (Part 1 of 2)

Hello Friends!

Welcome to an all-new Encouraging Concepts multi-part “topical” Bible study series SEEKING to “rightly” address yet another often hotly-debated SUBJECT concerning TWO very distinct days – The Sabbath Day & The Lord's Day: What's the DIFFERENCE?

The Sabbath Day & The Lord's Day: What's the DIFFERENCE? (Part 1 of 2)

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: There is MUCH debate TODAY among “Christians” concerning the Sabbath Day and the Lord’s Day in regards to resting ourselves, refraining from work and attending church. What is the DIFFERENCE and does it MATTER at all? And what “Day“ should they be “considered” by God’s people – Saturday or Sunday? Good questions! These DIVINELY designed “days” are ultimately UNDERSTOOD in their fullness, rich meaning and eternal implications through “God’s” wonderful – WORD, WILL and WAYS!

In the New Testament covenant, the Gospel of Mark details a conversation between our “Lord Jesus Christ” and the rank “religious” Jewish “Pharisees” concerning their so-called “sabbath day” observance:

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? – Mark 2:23-26

Here we find “Jesus Christ” had vehemently violated this man-made “sabbath day” according to the SELF-RIGHTEOUS supposed standards of these jaundice “Jews” themselves. However, our “Lord” coarsely CORRECTED their mangled mandate:

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath – Mark 2:27

This was to SAY that the “sabbath” was NOT to be a command of which “man” must conform unto. Rather, the sweet “sabbath” was to be a DELIGHT in which “we” could ENJOY unto God! And these foolish “Pharisees” had crassly CORRUPTED this “lawful” directive into an UNBEARABLE beastly burden to carry. Thus, the “Son of man” carefully continues His terrific TRUTH claims of DIVINE decree:

Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath – Mark 2:28

“Therefore” the “Son of man” is indeed the loving “Lord” of this very SPECIAL dutiful “day” and directly DECLARES His sole Sovereignty over even the “sabbath” itself – Praise the Lord!

What is the “SABBATH DAY” Anyway?

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: To begin our DILIGENT delightful discussion, let’s turn to the Old Testament book of Exodus concerning the first giving of God’s “Ten Commandments” also known as the Decalogue in laying a firm FOUNDATION for “us” as concerned “believers” to initially consider...

It is within the MIDDLE of our great “God’s” marvelous MANDATE for His “called” people of “Israel” set under LAW where “we” find the magnificent MIND of the “Lord” at willful “work” surrounding the “sabbath day” itself:

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it – Exodus 20:8-11

How are “we” in the “church” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” to better UNDERSTAND the rightful place the “sabbath day” plays (if any) in the “life” of “God’s” people? There is NO question concerning the OTHER nine clear-cut “commandments” as being permanent and binding for ALL TIME as mighty MORAL mandates representing “God’s” perfect CHARACTER and NATURE eternal. However, should the “sabbath day” requirement found in the Old Covenant of His loving “Law” be rightly INCLUDED for the New Covenant followers TODAY as well? – Good question!

To readily “rightly” answer this quizzing quandary from the “Scriptures” themselves, we MUST take a tangible trip – Back to the BEGINNING!

CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The second chapter in the book of Genesis opens with the indication that “God’s” beautiful “creation” account was fully COMPLETE by the “seventh day” just as “He” indeed intended:

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made – Genesis 2:1-3

In verse 3 the Hebrew word “sanctified” essentially means “Holy” and is the FIRST time this wonderful word is utilized in the Bible. The root of the word means “to separate” or “to elevate” and refers to a SEPARATION of which EXALTS the Lord’s wonderful “work” He has done! Therefore, “God” Himself divinely DESIGNATES this Sovereign “seventh day” as a SPECIAL one lifted ABOVE all other “days” and He “blessed” it as “Holy” set-apart for THREE specific reasons…

ONE: It is a “day” of which the “heavens and the earth” were finally – COMPLETED!

And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day – Genesis 1:31

Here we find that “everything” by God’s handy “work” within His “creation” was COMPLETED in “six” literal 24-hour physical “days” and did NOT go on for thousands, millions or billions of years. After the “sixth day” it was mindfully “made” unto absolute PERFECTION according to our great God’s – SOVEREIGN standards!

TWO: It is a “day” in which “God” had excellently “ended His work” to finally – REST!

Incidentally, this “rest” does NOT imply a weariness of sorts. WHY? Because the “Lord” does NOT grow “weary” at all:

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding – Isaiah 40:28

He rightly “rested” only in the sense that He CEASED from His “work” and NOT to rashly replenish His everlasting ETERNAL energy source. And when “God” had indeed “rested” from all His wonderful “work” as FULLY complete – HE was SATISFIED! 

THREE: It is a “day” in which “God” had beautifully “blessed” His final – CREATION!

There is NOTHING found here concerning the NEED for “Adam” to rankly “rest” at all. WHY? Because he was originally created WITHOUT a fallen “sin” nature and was mightily “made” absolutely PERFECT in every sense:

And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it – Genesis 2:15

Thus, there was NO deep depletion of his God-given energy when “Adam” was tending the “garden” of God’s grandiose – PERFECT Paradise! 

Also notice there is NO so-called “sabbath law” given here for “Adam” to uphold. Absolutely NOTHING is said by “God” about this “day” as being designated for required WORSHIP and it does NOT prescribe anything for anyone. He designed this specific “seventh day” as a special memorial to His CREATION and its original perfection. Therefore, every “seventh day” from then on was to be a REMINDER that in “six days” our great “God” had personally “created” the entire universe. Thus, this “seventh day” is isolated – Completely FOR God!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: It is very IMPORTANT that we “understand” the “sabbath” was NOT instituted for “man” originally in the BEGINNING. However, it WAS instituted officially in the book of Exodus via the “law of Moses” unto God’s “Jewish” people and is the FIRST time the “sabbath” is further fomented in a significant way:

Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily… And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning… And Moses said, Eat that today; for today is a sabbath unto the Lord: today ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none… See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day – Exodus 16:4-5, 22-23, 25-26 & 29-30

Hundreds of years have passed. The Old Testament Patriarchs have come and gone and NONE of them “worshiped” on the “sabbath” itself. It was NOT at all prescribed nor mandated for them as such. Not for “Abraham,” “Isaac,” “Jacob” or “Joseph” nor ANY of God’s people. WHY? Because these poignant passages provide little preview of what was coming! And as we read continue reading in the 31st chapter we will find embedded within God’s “ten commandments” for the “children of Israel” is a precious prescription given that sets as a “sign” for the “sabbath day” and is the FIRST time any such direction had been greatly – Given BY God!

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God – Exodus 31:12-18

Here we “learn” that the “sabbath” is a “sign” that POINTS to something ELSE and is nestled within the midst of the “ten commandments” themselves. WHY? Because it is a “sign” that is connected to the Mosaic Covenant of “God” Himself. When “God” made a “covenant” with “Noah” He promised the “world” would never again be “destroyed” by a FLOOD identified by a “sign” of the Rainbow.  When “God” made a “covenant” with “Abraham” He designated a “sign” of physical “circumcision” for participation among the “people of Israel” alone. And here is another “sign” being the “seventh day” of the “sabbath” for their rightful – REST unto the Lord!

The “sabbath” was also a CONSTANT reminder from “God” of His creation mandate and that “mankind” had foolishly forfeited paradise. Essentially, He had CONTINUALLY said to the “people of Israel” in kind: “OBEY this law and you will be BLESSED. And if you DON’T you WON’T!” But WHY? To rigorously REMIND them to RECOGNIZE that real REPENTANCE from “sin” and a resulting “righteous” right BEHAVIOR before the “Lord” would restore a taste of Eden’s original PARADISE of which points to a future “Kingdom” to “come” when His INTENDED proper – Paradise will be REGAINED!

When Jesus Christ arrived… EVERYTHING changed!

We begin to further “understand” this Divine CHANGE by watching “Jesus Christ” as a “Jewish” Rabbi and how HE Himself responded to the “sabbath day” itself. In fact, HE is the “mediator” of a prophesied brand NEW and BETTER covenant and had FULFILLED the sacrificial and sabbatical system of jaundice man-made Judaism itself…

At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day – Matthew 12:1-2

There is absolutely NOTHING in the Old Testament mandate that had forbidden them to do “eat” as such. To the CONTRARY, it WAS actually allowed! What was actually FORBIDDEN was the concerted effort to “contain” the “grapes” and “grain” for a PROFIT of the PERSONAL purse:

When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes at your pleasure, but you shall not put any in your container. When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain – Deuteronomy 23:24-25

However, the “Pharisees” had ADDED endless restrictions to the Divine “law of God” itself…

But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? – Matthew 12:3-5

In other words, Jesus says: “You make a big issue out of not working on the sabbath, but guess what? While you’re NOT working, all the priests ARE working by carrying out all the offerings and sacrifices!” Which reminds “us” that this specific “law” is not moral but is symbolic in nature. And rather than acquiescing to their concerns over a VIOLATION of the “sabbath” itself, Jesus points to even GREATER implications of the “sabbath day” concerning the ONE of Whom MADE it…

But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day – Matthew 12:6-8

Therefore, the “Lord” can do anything HE wants to with the “sabbath day” itself. WHY? Because there is a transition taking place via the New Testament itself. And as the “Son of man” arrives on the scene, EVERYTHING that is a part of the “religious” man-made system of Judaism is quickly coming to an – END!

Doctor Luke records yet another confrontation on the “sabbath day” between “Jesus” and the “Pharisees” concerning supernatural “healing” received from “God” Himself:

And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? And they could not answer him again to these things – Luke 14:1-6

These men thought “healing” was a violation of the “sabbath day” itself. And “Jesus” appears to have chosen the “sabbath day” for this particular “healing” for a specific purpose. WHY? Because it struck a ballistic BLOW towards this SYMBOL of sorts, as “Jesus” is announcing the END of such “sabbath” requirements. Incidentally, the Old Testament itself does NOT indicate that “healing” was forcibly FORBIDDEN via the “sabbath day” order – NEVER!

By this time, FIERCE fiery opposition to “Jesus Christ” is quietly smoldering under the surface of the “religious” landscape. However, yet ANOTHER supernatural “healing” miracles of “Jesus Christ” is brought right out into the OPEN as recorded by the “Apostle John” in his “Gospel” account:

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath – John 5:1-9

There was most likely a superstitious idea of sorts in which the first person to get into the “water” when the ripples of “trouble” arrived, was “healed” of their infirmity. And incidentally, this MIRACULOUS hope filled “healing” took place ON the “sabbath day” of the “Pharisees” itself – THAT was their PROBLEM!

The Old Testament formal “law” did NOT at all forbid any “walking” or “carrying” of your “bed” from one place to another. However, “religious” man-made Rabbinic tradition had formulated into nearly 40 different forbidden activities found within the “Jewish” writings of the Mishnah and ONE of these rank restrictions was indeed the “carrying” of your “bed” itself! Therefore, “Jesus” had this “certain man” valiantly VIOLATE this so-called man-made “sabbath day” mandate. By the way, “Jesus” didn’t HAVE to “heal” this particular “man” on this “sabbath day” of sorts nor command him to do something that VIOLATED their “sabbath” sensibilities. But, He DID so – On PURPOSE!

The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole – John 5:10-15

Our “Lord Jesus Christ” did absolutely ANYTHING He wanted on the “sabbath day” according to HIS liking! And He did so DIRECTLY in the FURIOUS faces of this “religious” rabble of whom “sought to slay” Him. WHY? Because it was His mandated MOVE towards bringing DOWN that entire Satanic self-righteous system! However, His Divine DIRECTIVE would NOT be taken lightly by this band of WICKEDLY malicious men as they “sought to slay” their PROMOSED Messiah:

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day – John 5:16

POIGNANT POINT: Jesus Christ would NEVER have violated the “ten commandments” nor the “law of God” in ANY way. WHY? Because He is “Holy,” “blameless,” “undefiled” and separate from “sinners” themselves. Therefore, He goes far BEYOND this point of “persecution” and divinely DEFENDS what He did through this particular “healing” via His EXCLUSIVE exaltation:

But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God – John 5:17-18

This is a clear CLAIM to Deity! And there is NO DOUBT that “Jesus Christ” poignantly professed Himself to be EQUAL with “God” His “Father” and was CONTINUALLY involved in Divine directives that violently VIOLATED the “sabbath day” of these menacing “men” and their looming “laws” of man-made modalities. Thus, He eternally established His own AUTHORITY as ONE with “God” and as “Lord” overtly OVER even the “sabbath day” itself. He IS indeed – GOD!

The fickle “Pharisees” were strict “sabbath” keepers and they followed the Old Covenant and its embellishments to the “letter” per se. And yet they MISSED the ENTIRE Biblical point of “profession” concerning the “sabbath” and its “appointed” meaning…

Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God – Hebrews 3:1-12

Much like the frail ”fathers” of that “generation” long ago, these “religious” men found NO real “rest” from their endless waning “works” of self-effort for “salvation” of the soul. And as a sad result, they found NO real “repentance” of their “sin” unto “God” Himself. WHY? Because these “sabbath” sanctions were mere SHADOWS of an eternal HOPE to eventually COME and they served as a weekly REMINDER of the promised PARADISE that would “one day” be rightly regained by the ONLY true “righteousness” of our great “God” eternal found in – Jesus Christ ALONE!

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into My rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day – Hebrews 4:1-8

So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest’ – Psalm 95:11

We can either attempt to WORK our way to “heaven” as the “Jews” were TRYING to do. OR we humbly RECEIVE the free GIFT of “faith” from “God” as our rightful “rest” by His great GRACE. Therefore, the “day” we “ceased” from our self-righteous waning “works” and rightly “believed” on the “Lord Jesus Christ” we too ceased from trying to earn our soul “salvation” and eternally “entered” into His – PERMANENT Rest!

There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief – Hebrews 4:9-11

God’s true “rest” did NOT come through “Moses” or even “Joshua” themselves. They simply led the wandering “nation” of “Israel” into the “land of plenty” as their “rest” of the PROMISE that was a TEMPORARY earthly “rest” and a mere PICTURE of the ultimate – Eternal HEAVENLY Rest!

QUIZZING QUESTION: What does the New Testament in kind elsewhere have to “say” unto the “church” regarding the “sabbath day” itself? Good Question! Here are a few MORE Biblical insights to “consider” for our next study concerning SUNDAY the “Lord’s Day” and how this SPECIAL delightful “day” fits into the perfect – PURPOSES of God!

In the early “days” of the “church” there were “Jews” who had come to “faith” in “Jesus Christ” but had a very DIFFICULT time being “persuaded” in his “mind” to let go of the “sabbath day” observances that had been deeply INGRAINED into their “religious” worldview…

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks – Romans 14:5-6

These Jewish “believers” had mistakenly THOUGHT they were still REQUIRED to mindfully maintain the Old Covenant prescribed “sabbath day” looming “Law” and the associated dietary restrictions. And yet the “Apostle Paul” indeed encourages them to DO so, WHY? Because they must rightly UNDERSTAND their newly-found FULLNESS of full “freedom” in “Jesus Christ” alone. However… In the meantime, they must NOT willingly VIOLATE their God-given CONSCIENCE itself: 

Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin – Romans 14:22-23

In other words, it does NOT matter either way. Therefore, do NOT make a LEGALISTIC issue out of – The SABBATH Day!

Again the “Apostle Paul” addresses the beguiled “believers” throughout Galatia and Colossi of whom were being DECIEVED into “turning again” unto the “weak and beggarly elements” of brash “bondage” from which they had rightly FORSAKEN:

But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain – Galatians 4:9-11

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing – Galatians 5:2

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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… 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: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ – Colossians 2:10-14 & 16-17

Here Paul brings the TWO serious “signs” together of which are SATISFIED fully in the “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself. The Abrahamic Covenant of “circumcision” and the Mosaic Covenant of the “sabbath days” themselves. Set aside “circumcision” of the flesh. WHY? Because if you hold onto it, you make “Christ of no effect” unto you! And do NOT let anybody hold you to the “ordinances” and “sabbath days” itself. WHY? Because it was part of a “religious” economy within a Theocracy that included the “temple,” the “priesthood” and the “sacrifices” prescribed at that particular TIME in God’s divine PLAN for human history. These Sovereign “signs” have “passed away” and CANNOT at all “save” the soul. Therefore, “you” no longer NEED the “shadow” because you already HAVE the “substance” from “God” through “Jesus Christ” and His – TRUE Rest!

Finally, we find in Acts 15 when the “apostles and elders” originally “came together” at the Jerusalem Council to correctly “consider of this matter” in dutifully determining what indeed WOULD be rightly REQUIRED of the “Gentile” beloved “believers” within the “church” body. Incidentally, they did NOT crassly commanded anyone to observe the “law of Moses” nor a “needful” rank requirement to be “circumcised” in the flesh:  

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved… But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter… Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment – Acts 15:1, 5-6 & 24

In fact, the ONLY insightful instruction of a capable COMMAND at this solemn Sovereign ASSEMBLY was to rightly “abstain” from such “sinful” pagan activities of which were FORBIDDEN throughout the “Word of God” itself:

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood – Acts 15:20

Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood – Genesis 9:3-4

Beloved, NO WHERE were “believers” ever warned about any “sabbath day” violations OR of certain “circumcision” rites NOR did they ever encourage them to DO so… NEVER!

To be CONTINUED…

In closing:

Beloved, there is NEVER a covenant command found ANYWHERE in the New Testament writings to KEEP the “sabbath day” itself. All other “commandments” are indeed rightly repeated, some numerous times. All EXCEPT the fourth fine “commandment” itself. WHY? Because it was placed in the midst of the “moral law” as a SIGN and a SYMBOL to lead God’s covenant “people” to be “entered into” an eternal “rest” and eager “repentance” before Him. However, when the New Testament is given, the fourth firm “commandment” is concisely – NEVER repeated!

The “rest” that is IMPORTANT for “us” as true “believers” is the “salvation” righteous “rest” that comes by “faith” in our “Lord Jesus Christ” alone. And UNBELIEF forever FORFEITS this real “rest” for the soul. Thus, the “rest” of which the New Testament itself is concerned about is surely NOT dependent upon a “sabbath” of religious observance, rather one of spiritual salvation:

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it… There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his – Hebrews 4:1-2 & 9-10

There are certain “religious” groups that BELIEVE in the affirmative and identify themselves as FAITHFUL to the “fourth command” of the Torah in completely KEEPING the “Sabbath day” itself. These folks are considered strict “SABBATARIANS” and frightfully fall into TWO distinct categories:

ONE: The Seventh Day Adventists ~ A classified CULT holding to the “false teachings” of Ellen G. White as being INSPIRED by “God” and thus to be placed alongside or even – ABOVE the Bible!

TWO: The Seventh Day Baptists ~ A classified CULT holding to similar “false teachings” of its Seventh Day predecessor. However, it is no longer observed on the SEVENTH day of the week, rather on the FIRST day of the week. Thus, shifting this so-called “command” to intently KEEP the blessed “Sabbath day” from – Saturday TO Sunday! 

Similarly, many of the Protestant self-professed “Reformed” theologians and many of the “Puritans” held to the 1689 Baptist Confession of which states that true “Christians” are to recognize Sunday as the NEW replacement “sabbath day” for Saturday and thus MUST forcibly “keep” the prescriptions and limitations that were appropriated upon the OLD solemn “sabbath day” of the – Old Testament Law!

However... Are these “Christian” sects CORRECT or caustically CORRUPT in their “teachings” and should “we” too TODAY observe Saturday as the OLD solemn “sabbath” or perhaps Sunday as a NEW replacement “sabbath” as a “holy day” to be “set apart” from all OTHER days? We will BIBLICALLY address these poignant points in our NEXT study – What is the “LORD’S DAY” Anyway?

REAL REFLECTIONS: Beloved, to readily “rightly” answer this quizzing quandary from the “Scriptures” themselves, we MUST take a tangible trip through God’s WONDERFUL Word – Back to the BEGINNING!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha ~ Come quickly Lord Jesus!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"