Letters    

On The Sabbath (Con't.)

II. Did Christ, or His Apostles ever keep Sunday holy? It is clear from Mark 2 and Luke 5 that Christ is "Lord of the Sabbath." As such, He has the authority to continue the Sabbath, to alter it, or to abolish it. Writing by divine inspiration, and guided by the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul states the disciples l.) "came together". That this was their custom is seen by the words, "and upon the first day of the week WHEN the disciples came together."

      2.) The Apostle states the reason the disciples came together was to "break bread," which is a phrase used to speak of celebrating the Lord's Supper. "This cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ" (I Corinthians 10:16)

     3.) On this occasion, Paul preached unto them. Thus in this passage, it is clearly taught that it was the habit of the disciples to gather together for the breaking of bread on the first day of the week.

     Again, in I Corinthians 16:2, the Apostle Paul exhorts the Church in Corinth as he has "given order to the churches of Galatia" (verse 1), that "upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." Therefore, the "collection for the saints", as taught by the Apostle Paul, was to be collected "upon the first day of the week."

    The Sabbath was given to Israel, and not to the Church. This is the reason why Jewish Christians early abandoned seventh-day worship. III. Should Christians keep Sunday in honor of Christ's resurrection"? What did the early Church practice? "Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them ..." (Acts 20:7). What did the Apostle Paul teach? "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come" (I Corinthians 16:2).

     The Sabbath commemorated God's rest in creation. The first day is observed in commemoration of the "new creation," i.e. the new birth (II Corinthians 5:17). Creation is but the work of God's "fingers" (Psalm 8:3); it is but His "handiwork" (Psalm 19:1): but man's salvation is a much greater work than creation, so the prophet Isaiah says, "His arm brought salvation" (Isaiah 59:16; 63:5). It was a great work to create man out of nothing, but, as Thomas Watson wrote, it is a greater work to save man when he is less than nothing.

IV. Did the Law of the Ten Commandments end at the cross? No, God is "from of old, from everlasting." It is still immoral to murder, to steal, to lie, etc., but if you maintain that the 4th commandment is yet in force, then it cannot be kept unless we put to death those people who do not share our "understanding."

    Early Christians called sabbatarians, "Judaizers" because they were attempting to bring Christians under laws God gave to Israel.

     Now, why do Christians accept 9 of the 10 laws found in Exodus 20? First, because God has stated that the Sabbath was given to Israel. Second, because 9 of the 10 commandments are commanded in the New Testament. The Fourth Commandment is not given for the New Testament saints. Third, Christians follow the example and the exhortations of the apostles. It is of gravest importance that our faith be rooted and established in the Word of God. We are not believers, but are unbelievers, if we throw out Scriptures that are not to our liking.

V. Does being "under grace" free us to violate God's Ten Commandments? This has been sufficiently answered. May God give you an eye that can see, an ear that can hear, and a heart that can understand.

Dear J. W.                                                                                                         April 26, 1994

     ...Regarding the Sabbath: ...While the Sabbath is not commanded in the New Testament, yet, I believe we ought not to use it as we would any other day. In his Smaller Catechism, Luther maintains deeds of "love and mercy" may be done on the Lord's Day. I agree with that, so we would not go fishing, or swimming, or to a ball game—but we do allow some radio and television use. Perhaps we are not consistent. As for eating out on the Lord's Day, we often do it. To some, we would again reveal feet of clay; however, I do not believe the Scriptures teach a "Christian" Sabbath.

    While the Sabbath is not a New Testament command, yet, the new Testament teaches us to serve the Lord willingly. Therefore, after planting 6 years, I did not plant last year --not because of the Law, but rather I chose not to wear out the soil, and then to be forced to use chemical fertilizers, etc. I believe the Lord honors that.

     Certain work must be done on the Lord's Day, such as emergencies; and so doctors and firemen may need to be on call. But I do not think as Christians we ought to work our people on the Lord's Day; and I believe the Lord will bless us if we honor Him.

    "The best of men are only men at best," wrote one Puritan, and another wrote, "The best of men have feet of clay." Nevertheless, I think the answer to how we ought to observe the Lord's Day is found in Romans 14:5,6: "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."

      I hope I have not disappointed you. A pastor in Ohio has written a lengthy dissertation on the subject, and has asked me to write my comments.

     Let me hear from you again. I think of you nearly every day and pray for you. "May God Smile On You" —Bach.

Contents

Previous Next