How does a Christian keep the Sabbath Holy?

[Inquisitor]

People are really confused about the old covenant.
What the old covenant is.
It isn't the same as the old testament. Covenants were made with Abraham and Noah and they are all the same thing.

A covenant by definition is an agreement or a contract by two parties.

The covenant made with Israel at Sinia was clearly the one that is made old.

In Heb 8:6-10 it is explained.
1. He obtained a more excellent ministry, ....
JESUS'S ministry in heaven is more excellent then the blood of bulls and goats, more excellent then the earthly ministry done by priests.

2. was established upon better promises. .....
The promises of a heavenly kingdom are better then a Earthly kingdom, and the promises Jesus gave us are better.

3. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. .....
As the next point will show the fault wasn't with God or the promises of God or the Law of God. The fault was with the way the people tried to obey, the way it was kept, the way it was forgotten.

4. For finding fault with them, .....The fault was not God or His perfect moral law it was with the people.

5. I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: ....
New! not because it is a different way of being saved. Salvation by faith is the means of savation from the start. The blood of Jesus was what made this covenant new. He didn't change the conditions of salvation. It has always been faith in God's grace.

6. Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. ....
They didn't keep there side of the agreement. They were faulty in their agreement.

7. For this is the covenant that I will make.....
God makes it clear in following verses

8. with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; ....
We are grafted into the house of israel.

9. I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:...
God will estabish His laws in us and write them in our hearts and minds.

The old testament is not the old covenant.. the new covenant is not the new testament.. the new covenant is Jesus writing His laws on our hearts and minds. Because we fail to write them on hearts by our efforts like Israel of old did.

You seem to have run aground with the following passage.

5. I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: ....
New! not because it is a different way of being saved. Salvation by faith is the means of savation from the start. The blood of Jesus was what made this covenant new. He didn't change the conditions of salvation. It has always been faith in God's grace.

Actually, we are saved because we believe in the name of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection.

No one in the Old Testament could ever be saved apart from Jesus.

The old covenant was not by grace and was not based on that faith in Jesus.

The old covenant was based on obedience to the book of law, i.e. the ten commandments.

The old covenant was a covenant of legal works, 100's of them.

There is no other name under heaven by which anyone may be saved.

 

[Inquisitor]

The law, as explained and taught by the Mister, is taken from stone and inscribed upon the hearts of all who truly believe.

We know that according to Jesus Yeshua, any law which does not contain justice, mercy and more may be passed by.

As per observing the Sabbath, of course Jesus Yeshua did so, however He did specify that His Father was working ergo so must He.

We are the same, we observe the Sabbath while serving the Father. If our service is required on the Sabbath, we will work on the Sabbath. The Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

As long as what we do on the Sabbath is nor intended for abject carnal pleasures.............we are just fine. That is abject carnal pleasures, not the pleasure of pleasing our Father.

Your assuming the law written on the heart is the Exodus law.

Why do you assume that?

There are commandments littered through the New Testament, why do you and the Catholics. Have exactly the same set of commandments?

 

[JaumeJ]

If you read my post again, you will understand that we ae given the teaching of how to discern which laws are on our heaqrts. As for the Ten Commandments, unleess the Old Testament rendering of them is totally off base, they all stand.

 

[Gideon300]

Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

And what is your point? Paul was simply going where the action was. The gentiles were not at the synagogue. Paul's main commission was to the gentiles. Read Colossians and Galatians. Your answer is there.

 

[Yahweh-Jehovah]

There is a lot the Bible admonishes us to Not Do on the Sabbath. My dilemma is what can we DO? I spend some time in prayer, some time reading the Word, and then I am stumped. I physically cannot sit around all day and end up just doing things (renovations on house etc) that are self-serving. What is acceptable to God on this day? What sort of things do YOU do to keep the Sabbath?

Hello "Be A Lamp",

To answer your question about "How Do You Keep The Sabbath" (in our time and age), is to REST from working/laboring (if possible, because not all Doctors; Nurses; Policemen; Firemen; etc. who are believers in the faith are able to keep the Sabbath according to their faith and God's commandments, which God totally understands). The Sabbath is a day of rest for man which God created in the beginning (Genesis 2:1) and commanded us to "Remember" and keep (Exodus 20: 8-11) in order for us to give our bodies the rest it needs to refresh, repair and heal itself from the excessive; nonstop; stressful; exhausting; weary; etc. work our bodies endure six days a week. And, the Sabbath was and is for God's people to acknowledge and worship Him as their Creator, God and Heavenly Father. Jesus said, "...The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:"-Mark 2:27.

Now, what are some of the things that you can do on the Sabbath are as follows (all of which I have done and do myself):

- PRAY and fellowship with your Heavenly Father and God (Yahweh-Hebrew; Jehovah-English). Pray for others who need your prayers, talk with God and LISTEN to Him as well (be quiet and let God speak to you within your heart, mind and spirit).

- READ The Holy Bible (Recommendation: KJV/King James Version) and other faith based or inspirational books or novels (online as well if your able or wish too).

- HAVE Bible Study with family and friends, or invite people to the park, a public place, or via Virtual or Online Chat, etc.

- VISIT a/the park and relax or stroll through it and enjoy the day and God's beautiful creations (and hopefully talk with someone about God and Jesus).

- WATCH "Faith Based" movies, Debates, Nature Documentaries, etc. online/offline via YouTube, Video Rentals, Streaming Free/Paid Movies, etc. Also, watch and enjoy some Faith based or CLEAN (on profanity) "COMEDY" online and laugh–A LOT.

- PLAY Bible Q & A with family member, friends or other in the faith. Or, by yourself to refresh your knowledge of the Bible.

- PRAISE God by singing/praising Him in song or via inspirational music you enjoy listening and singing along to.

- THANK God for EVERYTHING you have and that He has allowed you to have (this includes your family, friends, parking tickets, your health, job, income, righteous/godly relationships, enemies (if any), etc.

- WITNESS to others about God and Christ Jesus to others who need them in their lives (pray for God's blessing and help first).

- ASK God to tell you, show you or give you something to do for Him and or others on His Holy Sabbath Day; He will. Amen.

- ATTEND (safely during COVID) faith based fellowship churches, groups and events to strengthen your faith; enjoy the fellowship; to worship together and get inspired; to meet new brethren in the faith; to learn something new or teach others the TRUTH about God's word (ONLY if you know it yourself and they do not); to pray with and for other and yourself; to volunteer; etc.

- WRITE/CALL someone to see how they are doing and to pray with or for them (if they welcome your offer or request it), all God to speak to them through you with the wisdom and words He gives to you to share with them.

- FEED/HELP the needy (people and or animals (birds; squirrels; ducks; etc.) which God sends into your life or to you directly on the Sabbath (ONLY if God places it upon or puts into your heart to do so). Jesus said, "...Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days." (i.e., "It's good to do good on the sabbath days")–Matthew 12:12.

- SLEEP (when your body wants to do so) and refresh your mind, body and soul. Sleep for as long as your body allows you to without interruptions. That's right, have a good lazy rest and sleep on the Sabbath without guilt and allow God to bless your rest and soul.

- FEAST on the (godly or biblically approved) meal, food and beverages of your choice (in moderation), which you prepared prior to/before the Sabbath Day or heat/warm-up your food (DO NOT COOK–prepare a complete meal on the Sabbath, IF possible), because that would take a lot of work to accomplish (Example: peel potatoes, batter and fry, bake or boil chicken/meat/food; cook vegetables, rice, pasta; etc.). Enjoy your meal along with some inspirational music or gospel Jazz; godly laughter, fun and games with God involved (speaking of Him, praising Him, learning from Him) in EVERYTHING you do let it glorify, praise and please God. HalleluYah!. Amen.

- FOLLOW God's people and childrens (Jesus, the Disciples; Apostles; the Prophets; Kings; Servants; the Hebrews; and the Children of Isreal) CORRECT and HOLY Sabbath examples in both the Old and New Testament (without the animal sacrifices or anything which doesn't apply to us today).

- ETC.

I hope this will be of some help to you. I pray that God will bless you in all of your endeavors to obey Him and keep His Sabbath holy, which I know He shall because it's His will to do so. Amen. HalleluYah!

 

[Franc254]

I do not observe the Sabbath ....that was completed when Jesus died

 

[listenyoumustAll]

Jesus worked on the Sabbath and said His Father was working on the Sabbath day, also.

Workings are different from labour my friend yes jesus worked miracles on the sabbath but don't he did not labour in it.. God bless you

 

[TMS]

I do not observe the Sabbath ....that was completed when Jesus died

The bible doesn't teach that.
You will not find that the moral law was nailed to the cross or completed so that it no longer stands.

Their is a few bible verses in Gal 3:19, 24, 25
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

It was added as a schoolmaster to lead them to Christ.

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Col 2:14 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;

If you research it. The laws that are a shadow and schoolmaster were laws that pointed to the plan of salvation and Jesus.
The ordinances were given after sin and because of sin.

Sin is the transgression of the law. The moral law of God does not change. We are told to keep the law in the new testament. So the bible is controdicting itself or there are different laws. Some were abolished and one stands.

Jesus said to keep the commandments.
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James names them
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: ......10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

3 times in Revelation Gods people are shown to be commandment keeping people.

There are many more verses..
Yes some laws and ordanaces were made void at the cross but be careful you do not made the laws that define sin void.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

 

[Cameron143]

The bible doesn't teach that.
You will not find that the moral law was nailed to the cross or completed so that it no longer stands.

Their is a few bible verses in Gal 3:19, 24, 25
Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

It was added as a schoolmaster to lead them to Christ.

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Col 2:14 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;

If you research it. The laws that are a shadow and schoolmaster were laws that pointed to the plan of salvation and Jesus.
The ordinances were given after sin and because of sin.

Sin is the transgression of the law. The moral law of God does not change. We are told to keep the law in the new testament. So the bible is controdicting itself or there are different laws. Some were abolished and one stands.

Jesus said to keep the commandments.
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James names them
Jas 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: ......10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

3 times in Revelation Gods people are shown to be commandment keeping people.

There are many more verses..
Yes some laws and ordanaces were made void at the cross but be careful you do not made the laws that define sin void.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Is part of that commandment...six days shall thou work? Do you work 6 days a week?

 

[TMS]

Is part of that commandment...six days shall thou work? Do you work 6 days a week?

Thats why people are confused.

When people put the 10 commandments in with the shadow laws they say they are nailed to the cross. But if they are moral laws that have always defined sin they are not the laws that were given because of sin.

My point is that the 10 commandments are referred to in the new testament many times and we are told to keep them.
Paul said to establish the law in Romans and in Colosians that the ordanaces are blotted out.

Col 2:14 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;
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law...... Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The bible doesn't contradict itself.

 

[Cameron143]

Thats why people are confused.

When people put the 10 commandments in with the shadow laws they say they are nailed to the cross. But if they are moral laws that have always defined sin they are not the laws that were given because of sin.

My point is that the 10 commandments are referred to in the new testament many times and we are told to keep them.
Paul said to establish the law in Romans and in Colosians that the ordanaces are blotted out.

Col 2:14 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;
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law...... Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

The bible doesn't contradict itself.

I don't understand your answer. Can you answer the questions I asked?

 

[TMS]

Is part of that commandment...six days shall thou work? Do you work 6 days a week?

6 days are set aside for labour and work, 1 day is made holy, set aside for rest.
Like the garden of eden, God said they could eat from all the trees except one. One tree was set aside as a test of their faithfulness.

 

[gb9]

6 days are set aside for labour and work, 1 day is made holy, set aside for rest.
Like the garden of eden, God said they could eat from all the trees except one. One tree was set aside as a test of their faithfulness.

gentiles were never under the Law. one would think you could accept this simple fact.

 

[Grace911]

Gentile, person who is not Jewish. The word stems from the Hebrew term goy, which means a “nation,” and was applied both to the Hebrews and to any other nation. The plural, goyim, especially with the definite article, ha-goyim, “the nations,” meant nations of the world that were not Hebrew.

Jeremiah 2:32 Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

Isaiah 17:10 Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

Genesis 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.

Genesis_48:19 And his father (Jacob/Israel) refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Rom_11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Where did the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh go to? Where they not the adulterous whores whom God divorced? The were taken into captivity by the Assyrians and were often called House of Israel, They were taken into captivity for not obeying God. They then left captivity and became scattered around the whole world. God promises to regather them and to make one nation under God no longer divided, but once again 12 Tribes. Many of those who forgot God and why they were scattered, also forgot who they were. We call them Christians today, but many are still in a stupor and not woken yet to whom they are. Jesus said He came for the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Wake up lost sheep and return to the God and the Saviour. Yehovah/YHWH is Yeshua.

 

[TMS]

gentiles were never under the Law. one would think you could accept this simple fact.

The law was for all people and anyone could keep the law.

It was given to the Jews as a nation that were ment to share it with the world.

Many Gentiles became jews by obeying the laws God gave them.

Many atheist are not baptised today, many gentiles are not christians today because they choose not to accept the truth.

Obeying Gods law was a choice in the old testament and is a choice in the new testament.

 

[TMS]

gentiles were never under the Law. one would think you could accept this simple fact.

Isa 56:6-7
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Notice ALL PEOPLE. God wanted all people to join his people.

 

[ManyStars]

There was a man with a withered hand that Jesus healed on the Sabbath day (Mat 12:10-15, Mar 3:1-6). Jesus asked Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath day, or to do evil? to save life or to kill? Thus, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath! He also performed other miracles on the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is a memorial to the Creator. It was established as a time to get out into nature with family and see all the wonderful things God has created. It is a time for outreach: to visit the sick, the lonely, those in prison, the elderly, nursing homes, hospitals, etc. Each of these places provide opportunities for Christians to be active as witnesses for Jesus, offering prayer, sharing encouraging biblical truths, sing songs or hymns that uplift the spirit.

I personally participate in a ministry that feeds the hungry each Sabbath afternoon. As you know, Jesus fed the hungry. It has turned out to be extremely rewarding and a great opportunity to meet and share the good news of Jesus Christ and build friendships for salvation.
The Sabbath is truly an amazing delight!

 

[TMS]

God wants the best for everyone and loves everyone.

Psa 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

The law is a delight for everyone that walks in the Spirit of God.

 

[gb9]

God wants the best for everyone and loves everyone.

Psa 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

The law is a delight for everyone that walks in the Spirit of God.

i am currenly reading through Galatians.

maybe you should too.

 

[mailmandan]

Isa 56:6-7
6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Notice ALL PEOPLE. God wanted all people to join his people.

In regards to Isaiah 56:6-7, foreigners were to "join themselves to the Lord;" and "love the name of the Lord;" and "be his servants;" and "take hold of God's covenant." The OLD COVENANT. But to do this they had to be circumcised, for God said: “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary." (Ezekiel 44:9) When Gentiles thus "joined themselves to the Lord" they ceased being Gentiles and became proselytes to the Jewish religion. They kept the Sabbath AS JEWISH PROSELYTES, NOT as Gentiles.

But where are Gentiles as Gentiles ever commanded to keep the Sabbath? Furthermore, if the Sabbath was of universal application, why were the Gentiles called "strangers?" The apostle Paul, speaking of the Gentiles during the Jewish age, says they were "strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world?" (Ephesians 2:12)

And when God gave the Sabbath commandment at Sinai, why did he make it binding ONLY on "the stranger that is within your gates?" (Exodus 20:10) Where is the passage that proves the Sabbath was binding on the Gentile OUTSIDE the gates? All this shows the Sabbath was NOT universally applied. If it had been, there would have been no "strangers from the covenants of promise."

*The Word of God makes it quite clear that Sabbath observance was a sign between God and Israel: “The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.” (Exodus 31:16-17)

In Deuteronomy 5, Moses restates the Ten Commandments to the next generation of Israelites. Here, after commanding Sabbath observance in verses 12–14, Moses gives the reason the Sabbath was given to the nation Israel: “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15)