the Sabbath

[Inquisitor]

Yes,you do. Paul did not abolish Sabbath or the law.

For all readers of this thread this article is worth your time to learn of this.

Excerpt:
"....
Did Paul abolish the Sabbath?
If the Sabbath, or any part of God's law, was abolished or changed in the early New Testament Church, we should find clear evidence of such a dramatic shift in the New Testament writings. After all, the books of the New Testament were written in the first century over a period of decades ending in the 90s, more than 60 years after Jesus' death and resurrection.

Many who argue that the Sabbath was abolished in the New Testament point to the apostle Paul's writings to justify their view. But is this opinion correct? They commonly cite three passages to support that claim—Romans 14:5-6, Colossians 2:16-17 and Galatians 4:9-10.

To properly understand these passages we must look at each in context, both in the immediate context of what is being discussed and in the larger social and historical context influencing the author and his audience at the time. We must also be careful not to read our preconceived notions into the text. With that in mind, let's examine these passages and see if Paul indeed annulled or abolished Sabbath observance in his writings.

First, let's consider Paul's own statements about God's law. More than 25 years after the death of Jesus Christ, he wrote in Romans 7:12, "Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." In Romans 2:13 he stated, "For not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified." In Romans 7:22 he said, "For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man."

Many assume that once we have faith in Jesus Christ, we have no more need to keep the law. Paul himself addressed this concept in Romans 3:31: "Do we then make void [Greek katargeo, meaning 'destroy' or 'abolish'] the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish [Greek histemi, meaning 'erect' or 'make to stand'] the law." Faith does not abolish the law, said Paul; it establishes and upholds it."

Full article: https://www.ucg.org/learn/bible-study-tools/bible-study-aids/sunset-sunset-gods-sabbath-rest/sunset-sunset-gods-4#:~:text="Therefore the law is holy,not change God's Sabbath day.

Herbert Armstrong

During their stay in Oregon, his wife, Loma, became acquainted with a member of the Church of God (Seventh Day), Emma Runcorn. Emma and her husband O.J. were lay leaders in the Oregon conference of the Church of God, Seventh Day, a seventh-day-keeping Adventist group that rejected the authority of Ellen G. White and her teachings. (wiki)

You have nothing in common with Ellen's SDA.

 

[MeowFlower]

The United Church of God is the offspring of one Herbert Armstrong.

UCG believes that people who do not know or really understand the truth of the Bible during their life
will be given time to learn after a "Second Resurrection" to a new physical life, living again during the Millennium
in God's Kingdom. If they still reject God's Holy Spirit and way of life, God will destroy them after the "Third Resurrection"
along with former believers who had also rejected God. (wiki)

Three resurrections?

They believe that certain foods such as pork and shellfish should not be eaten by Christians.

Not those same food laws again. A well worn path.

UCG teaches that members should give 10 percent of their income to the church.

That's standard doctrine in all sects.

UCG does not believe in the Trinity.

Standard cult doctrine and of course they have a problem with that.

So, for example, they don't worship holidays that started out as pagan, like Halloween, Christmas,
Valentine's Day, and New Year's Day.

Who worship's holidays? That's a new one worshiping holidays.

Dr.Armstrong founded the WCG, the worldwide Church of God . The UCG split from the WCG in the late 90's.

I advise readers here to ignore the distraction you bring as regards the church and instead focus on the article that details why it is false for anyone to claim Paul said the Sabbath and God's law is void .

Read the article and search for yourselves the scripture references that prove Paul could have never said the Sabbath and God's law is void.


Romans 2:13-14

New English Translation

13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous before God, but those who do the law will be declared righteous.[a] 14 For whenever the Gentiles,[b] who do not have the law, do by nature[c] the things required by the law,[d] these who do not have the law are a law to themselves.

 

[Magenta]

From Acts 15:20 plus 28 Abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Read the article and search for yourselves the scripture references that prove Paul could have never said the Sabbath and God's law is void.

But he did. That which has become useless by virtue of being replaced by something superior is void. The law was the only thing against us.

Having abolished in his flesh the hostility, the law of commandments in orders, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Ephesians 2:15​

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Blotting out the written orders that were against us, which were contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Colossians 2:14​

​

Abolished
G2673 καταργέω katargeo (kat-ar-ǰe'-ō) v.
1. to be entirely idle (useless).
2. to render entirely idle (useless).

​

 

[The_Truth_Is_Light]

You are following an old interpretation of the scripture that is incorrect.

Your not standing for the Bible.

Romans did not have a day off they worked seven days a week.

Not until Constantine in the fourth century did Rome get a day off to go to church.

So the Romans were not the ones who introduced church on Sunday.

The Jews rested on the sabbath and they did not go to church on Sunday.

So who started Sunday worship?

A sabbath rest day is not a church day.

No synagogue in the world has ever worshiped Jesus!

It's not an old interpretation of scripture, it's the Law of God. You think man can change what God has commanded?
Shemot 20:8
זָכוֹר אֶת־יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת לְקַדְּשׁוֹ׃
Remember Shabbat, to keep it holy.

1 John 3:4 Πᾶς ὁ ποιῶν τὴν ἁμαρτίαν καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν ποιεῖ καὶ ἡ ἁμαρτία ἐστὶν ἡ ἀνομία
Whoever commits sin transgresses Torah because sin is transgression of Torah

Matthew 5:17-20 Μὴ νομίσητε ὅτι ἦλθον καταλῦσαι τὸν νόμον ἢ τοὺς προφήτας· οὐκ ἦλθον καταλῦσαι ἀλλὰ πληρῶσαι ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν· ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται ὃς ἐὰν οὖν λύσῃ μίαν τῶν ἐντολῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων καὶ διδάξῃ οὕτως τοὺς ἀνθρώπους ἐλάχιστος κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν· ὃς δ᾽ ἂν ποιήσῃ καὶ διδάξῃ οὗτος μέγας κληθήσεται ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ τῶν οὐρανῶν λέγω γὰρ ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν μὴ περισσεύσῃ ἡ δικαιοσύνη ὑμῶν πλεῖον τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων οὐ μὴ εἰσέλθητε εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν
Don't think that I've come to destroy the Torah or the prophets: I haven't come to destroy, but to obey. I truly say to you, until the sky and ground pass, not one bit or one small part at all should be removed from Torah until all has come to pass. So, whoever breaks one of these commandments, and teach men to do so should be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But, whoever does and teach the commandments should be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Because I say to you, unless your righteousness should exceed the so-called righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you should in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
--The "so-called righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees" Jesus is speaking of is...
Mark 7:5-9 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why don't you guide your disciples according to the tradition of the elders(not Torah) and eat food with unwashed hands? He answered them saying, Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, and its written, "These people honor me with their mouth, but their heart is far from me. However in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men(not Torah)." While laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men(not Torah), like the washing of pots and cups and many thinks like that you do. And he said to them, You fully reject the commandment of God, so you can keep your own tradition.
Mark 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many things you do.
--Jesus is telling the scribes and Pharisees they disobey the commandments while trying to force their own TRADITIONS of handwashing methods before eating. MEN tell you not to keep Shabbat, not Elohim. MEN tell you to celebrate Easter, Halloween, and XMas, but Elohim tells you to keep his feasts. MEN tell you not to obey God's commands anymore, not Elohim.

You're saying I misinterpreted the Bible and I didn't even learn the Shabbat ban from the Bible. I learned it from Roman history. Why are you guys so quick to deny someone without even doing enough research?
Christians and Jews were punished by the Romans for keeping the Shabbat. They refused to worship the sun gods on The Day of the Sun. They eventually forced more people to accept it BEFORE the fourth century. Then later enforced it by law an banned Shabbat.
When the Roman Empire took over nations in the Mediterranean their religions were suppressed and changed. The Jews resisted and refused to worship them or give them offerings which is why Romans hated them. In the first century the Romans put up a statue of the emperor the Egypt church which started a riot so they banned Shabbat. This continued for decades and eventually provoked many wars. The Romans later drove them out of Jerusalem and built places to worship pagan god Jupiter. This is where Philistines got their name. Eventually Jews and Christians had to keep Shabbat in hiding. Their lives were at stake just to keep Shabbat. They had to hide underground. Some were forced to worship pagan gods, some ran away to the mountains.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

You think man can change what God has commanded?

Christ the man can, and did because his father told him to

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Fervent sabbatarians from lack of faith enshrine Saturdays as an idol. Without faith they can't perceive the path of righteousness apart from written orders, so they enshrine written law as their god and worship its imaginary praise of them. Walking in darkness they stumble at the stumbling stone and rock of offense, and seek to establish their own righteousness through works of law.

​

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:30-33​

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For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:2-4​

 

[mailmandan]

Fervent sabbatarians from lack of faith enshrine Saturdays as an idol. Without faith they can't perceive the path of righteousness apart from written orders, so they enshrine written law as their god and worship its imaginary praise of them. Walking in darkness they stumble at the stumbling stone and rock of offense, and seek to establish their own righteousness through works of law.

​

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 9:30-33​

​

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:2-4​

 

[SabbathBlessing]

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We are saved by grace because all have sinned (broke God's law) and deserve the death penalty. But if we are in Christ we will obey His voice and follow the example He left for us as that is what a Christian does- they follow Christ. Not to be saved, but because one is saved.


If we abide in Him we will also keep His commandments
John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Following in His footsteps 1 John 2: 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

We are saved by grace because all have sinned (broke God's law) and deserve the death penalty. But if we are in Christ we will obey His voice and follow the example He left for us as that is what a Christian does- they follow Christ. Not to be saved, but because one is saved.
If we abide in Him we will also keep His commandments
John 15:10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
Following in His footsteps 1 John 2: 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

As you received Christ Jesus the Lord [by faith], so walk in him [by faith]: Colossians 2:6​

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

It really takes a twisted mind to call works of law faith

 

[mailmandan]

It really takes a twisted mind to call works of law faith

Amen! SDA's play the same game in salvation as other professing movements of Christendom. They profess to teach that salvation is by grace through faith, not works, but then redefine this in a way that is contrary to the gospel. Even though they deny this, they teach that salvation is by "grace plus law, faith plus works." Their doctrine is a mixture of law and grace.

Here is a statement below in blue written by a previous member of Christian Chat who was a SDA which proves my point.

The counterfeit Gospel is out there. What is the other Gospel? It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's Law (10 commandments) from the Cross. It is a Gospel that tries to separate God's 10 commandments from the plan of salvation. God’s Law has always been part of the true Gospel of Christ. The counterfeit Gospel does not have it. God's forever Law (the 10 commandments) is the foundation of both the Old and the New Covenant and the very foundation and basis of the true Gospel of Christ.

Seventh Day Adventists also teach that the near the end of time the "mark of the best" of Revelation 14 will be placed upon those who worship on Sunday instead of Saturday.

Bible Truth Versus SDA Doctrine - Mark of the Beast (nonsda.org)

1 John 2:3 - By this we know that we have come to know Him, (already know Him/already saved/demonstrative evidence) if we "keep" (Greek word "tereo" - guard, observe, watch over) His commandments, which is descriptive of genuine believers. 4 The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not "keep" (guard, observe, watch over) His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. That is descriptive of unbelievers.

John is not talking about flawlessly obeying the 10 commandments (with all it's rules, regulations and death penalties attached) under the old covenant of law, but the commandments written in our heart under the new covenant.

Strong's Greek: 5083. τηρέω (téreó) -- to watch over, to guard (biblehub.com)

 

[SabbathBlessing]

I think its important to understand the works of the law Paul speaks of.

Is it the commandments on how to love God and man 1 John 5:3 Rom 13:9 that God said If you love Me, keep My commandments -the ones Jesus said if we don't keep we end up in a ditch? Mat 15:3-14 and outside the gates of heaven Mat 5:19-30 Rev 22:14-15 The ones Paul said dishonors God when we disobey Rom 2:22-23 and are sin when not keeping? Rom 7:7 The "works of the law" is the commandments God wrote with His own finger- is this people's understanding our perfect God and Savior that He personally wrote the "works of the law" and He said if we love Him, keep them and He will show mercy on those who do, but Paul is saving if we keep we fall from grace. People really need to read 2 Tim 3:16 and take it to heart

What a sad misunderstanding of God and His character.

The works of the law Paul is referring to is what was written in the book

Gal 3:10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

Which is what Moses wrote in a book, not what God wrote with His finger- His perfect law converting the soul.

Deut 31:24 So it was, when Moses had completed writing the words of this law in a book, when they were finished, 25 that Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying: 26 “Take this Book of the Law, and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there as a witness against you;

Which contained the law of circumcision and all the animal sacrifices that God never desired. He always desired obedience over animal sacrifices

The Jews were teaching one had to be circumcised in order for Gentiles to be saved Acts 15:1 Gal 2:3 which means their work could save themselves, not Christ, this is what Paul is rebuking and calling the works of the law, not obeying God and countermanding what Christ said- and lived and what Paul taught and lived for himself.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

The works of the law Paul is referring to is what was written in the book

The 10 commandments are written in the book. That's the only way you know about them

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

The Jews were teaching one had to be circumcised in order for Gentiles to be saved Acts 15:1 Gal

The pharisees were teaching one had to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses in order for Gentiles to be saved Acts 15:5

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. Acts 15:5​

 

[Aaron56]

Aaron, on the Sabbath, what is unique is that God rests, blesses, and sanctifies the day, setting it apart as holy. This rest is not due to fatigue but signifies the completion and perfection of HIS work. It serves as a model for human rest and worship, reflecting a deeper spiritual rest that points toward both physical and spiritual restoration.

So God is not resting on the Sabbaths?

 

[Aaron56]

Aaron, The lord through Peter did did say this;

1Pe 1:13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1Pe 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
1Pe 1:15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
1Pe 1:16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

That means every day., The sabbath was set apart for physical rest but also for spiritual renewal.


Blessings.

So if I rest every day, and treat every day as a holy day, I’ve exceeded the law at Sinai, right?

 

[SabbathBlessing]

The 10 commandments are written in the book. That's the only way you know about them

If you want to give credit to Moses for God's work, that's fine, its not what Moses did. He gave the Glory to God for His work

God wrote on stone, not in a book

Exo 31:16 Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets.
Exo 31:18 And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

Only the Ten Commandments was placed inside the ark

Exo 25:And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

The book of the law written by Moses was placed outside as a witness against for breaking God's holy and eternal law, the Ten Commandments, written by the finger of God. Exo 34:28 Deut 4:13

God right in the Ten Commandment identified this unit collectively as My commandments

Exo 20:6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Is there a greater Authority than God? Do we know better than God? Was Paul countermanding God?

The Ten Commandments are written in the Bible recorded from Moses, but it does not change any of these biblical Truth of God's holy Word.

Sad teaching but feel free to carry on, all gets sorted out soon enough.

 

[vassal]

Thank you, Cameron! I got it.
So, the spiritual is Not about a "day" but "the rest itself, for us to enter into it by believing in Jesus"

The phrase "The spiritual is not about a 'day' but 'the rest itself, for us to enter into it by believing in Jesus'" is often used by those who argue that the Sabbath, as a specific day of observance, is no longer relevant under the New Covenant. However, the Bible clearly teaches that the Sabbath is still valid and is designated as the seventh day of the week. Both its spiritual significance and its role as a specific day remain central to God’s covenant with His people.

The Sabbath originates in the creation account, where God Himself rested on the seventh day, sanctifying it as holy. Genesis 2:2-3 declares, "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it." This act of sanctification predates the existence of sin and human disobedience, showing that the Sabbath was established as a universal principle, not limited to Israel or the Old Covenant.

The importance of the Sabbath as a specific day is reaffirmed in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:8-10 commands, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God." This commandment explicitly identifies the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath and links its observance to God’s rest at creation. Far from being merely symbolic, the Sabbath is a day of physical rest and spiritual communion with God.

Some might argue that belief in Jesus replaces the need for a specific day of rest. However, Jesus Himself upheld the Sabbath and clarified its purpose. In Matthew 12:8, He declared, "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." This statement emphasizes His authority over the Sabbath, not its abolition. Additionally, in Mark 2:27, He taught, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath," affirming that the Sabbath is a gift for humanity’s benefit, designed to provide rest, restoration, and a time to focus on God.

The continuity of the Sabbath as a specific day is also supported by its role as a perpetual covenant. Exodus 31:16-17 states, "Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever." While some might claim this covenant applies only to ancient Israel, the Sabbath was instituted at creation for all humanity. Moreover, Isaiah 66:22-23 prophesies that the Sabbath will continue to be observed in the new heavens and the new earth: "'For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,' says the Lord, 'So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,' says the Lord."

The New Testament provides no evidence that the Sabbath was abolished or transferred to another day. Instead, it reinforces its observance as a divine principle. Jesus’ teachings clarified the spirit of the Sabbath, demonstrating that it is not a burden but a blessing. The Bible does not support the idea that spiritual rest in Christ negates the observance of the Sabbath as a specific day. Rather, the two work together: the Sabbath provides a weekly reminder of God’s creative power and redemptive work, while faith in Jesus offers ultimate spiritual rest and reconciliation with God.

In conclusion, the argument that the Sabbath is no longer tied to a specific day contradicts Scripture. The Bible consistently identifies the Sabbath as the seventh day of the week and emphasizes its ongoing significance as a day of rest, worship, and relationship with God. Both its literal observance and spiritual meaning remain essential aspects of God's plan for humanity.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

God wrote on stone, not in a book

And where is that stone now? In your heart? Sounds like it