Sabbath or Sunday

If what you believe about the day of rest isn't true would you want to know it ? What does the Bible really say about Christians keeping the Sabbath ? Does a Christian even need to keep the 4th commandment at all ? Sabbath or Sunday ? Does it make any difference which day of the week you keep ? Do you believe what your church teaches about resting on Sunday, or do you believe what God actually says in the Bible ? Before you can answer this question about the 4th commandment, you need to see what the Bible really says in the New Testament about keeping any of the commandments. Does the Bible really say a Christian should still keep the commandments after they are saved by grace ? Does the Bible plainly say obedience to God's commandments is an identifying sign that Christians know Jesus and His truth is in them ? Does the Bible really say commandments keeping really show a Christian's love for God ? What does the Bible actually say ? Throughout the New Testament the principles of commandment keeping is taught without negating or avoiding the literal observance of them. The 4th Commandment is a glaring exception. Almost every Christian church teaches the 4th commandment in principle only. They interpret it as the 4th suggestion rather than the 4th commandment. The principal they teach in place of the commandment is the observance of worshipping " one day in seven ". The 4th commandment is really about rest. A Christian is free to worship on Sunday but should they rest on the Sabbath ? If you ask most preachers or ministers, they will say you are keeping the 4th commandment by worshiping one day in seven. Is this what the Bible really says about the Sabbath, or is this their biased interpretation ? Jesus said, the scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). Man cannot break scripture. No church really has the authority to break scripture by changing God's commandments. The Bible was inspired by God for our instruction. No one has the right to change what they don't like and try to make it say what it Doesn't actually say ! Here is what the Bible says about itself. This is where I must tell you scripture is not open to man's interpretation scripture interprets itself, and we must allow God's word to speak to us in his own words. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) ; "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and it's profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction, in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good ". The Bible teaches about the true sabbath day rest, beginning on the seventh day beginning in Genesis. This is what it plainly says. Genesis 2:2-3 ; " And on the seventh day, god ended his work which he has done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work, which he had done. Then God bless the seventh day, and sanctified it, because in it, he rested from all his work which God has created an made. The Bible commands the seventh day is the day of rest it is the Sabbath. This is what the Bible plainly says in Exodus 20:8-11 ; " 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 therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and Hallowed it, He says nothing about Sunday. The Bible doesn't say Sunday it doesn't say the first day of the week scripture never command anyone to observe Sunday as a time of rest or worship. No, other time of The week has been sanctified, the Greek word qadash means to consecrate dedicate make holy be separate and blessed by God. OnlyGod can make something holy. The Sabbath was set apart, consecrated, and dedicated by God it points to creation when God himself rested. So should we rest on Sunday, does it matter to God when we rest or worship ? Many theologians claim that the time of rest was changed to Sunday worship, because Jesus was resurrected on Sunday. Where is their biblical authority to make this Sunday claim , just because Jesus rose on a given day would not in anyway authorize a change in God's great spiritual law. Most Christians believe Jesus died on Good Friday Jesus death freed Christians from the penalty of death and hell, and gave them eternal life. Why not keep Friday as a day of rest to celebrate your salvation taking communion for the Lord supper is the central part of Christian worship. Most Christians celebrate the Lord supper on holy Thursday or maunday Thursday. Why not keep Thursday as a day of rest to celebrate the Lord supper as important as all of these events are none of them authorize a change in the fourth commandment just because something important happened at a certain time does not justify a change in God's law. One argument that is often used is that the Sabbath was really only for the Jews so Christians don't have to keep it resting on Sunday instead. It is often called the Jewish sabbath in many Christian circles, implying that it is not for Christians. What does the Bible say about this argument. First of all this special time of rest was in place long before the Jews even existed as is shown in Genesis chapter 2 verses two and three. It has been here since God created it . In the New Testament, Jesus did not say that the Sabbath was made for the Jews and Sundays was for Christians. He didn't say the Gentiles had to toil and work seven days a week without the blessing of a time of rest. Jesus did say the Sabbath, not Sunday as a blessing was made for Man. (Mark 2:27) " And he said unto them, the Sabbath was made for man". Is Sunday really the Lords day as they say in most Christian churches ? A strong argument is regularly made that Sunday is the time of rest for Christians because it is the Lords day. There is no verse anywhere in the Bible that connects Sunday with this expression the Lords day. Some interpret revelation, one verse 10 to support Sunday worship. This is simply an assumption without any scriptural support without interpretation. It simply says John was in the spirit on the Lords day that's it. The Bible says literally nothing about this being Sunday. This verse does not even refer to any specific time of the week. This is really a prophecy of future end time events the Lords day is synonymous with the day of the Lord in Bible prophecy. It in no way indicates a specific time of the week or mentions worship or rest as many Christians say. Sunday is never called the Lords day anywhere in scripture. There is only one Lords day, based upon Jesus, his own words. What did he say about the Lords day? Jesus said the Sabbath not Sunday is the day he is Lord of. (Mark 2:28) "Therefore, the son of man is, Lord, also of the Sabbath." It looks pretty clear based on what the Bible actually says the Sabbath is the Lords day when we should really rest from our labors not Sunday, but what About what the Bible says in John 20:19. " The first day of the week when the doors were shut, where the disciples were assembled or fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them peace be with you." Some people will point to this verse in the Bible and interpret this as a Sunday church service when, in fact, the Bible really says nothing about church or worship. This is an assumption and an interpretation. It could not be a worship service. The disciples could not have been celebrating Jesus's resurrection. The Bible plainly says they did not even believe Christ was risen until they saw him! In Mark 16:14, We find Jesus reproving his disciples for their failure to believe that he had risen. There is, therefore no possible chance that they had gathered on this occasion to commemorate the resurrection it's impossible, how could they have been celebrating the resurrection when they really didn't even believe it had occurred? What the Bible plainly says in context without any interpretation is very clear. They were not having a Sunday worship service. They were scared. They were really hiding behind locked doors on Sunday out of fear, we should never assume what isn't actually written in the Bible. Here is another verse in the Bible that has long been misunderstood because of interpretation and assumptions about when it occurred and why. (Acts 20:7-12) ; " Now, on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them, and continued his message until midnight". Does the Bible say anything here about this being a weekly Sunday worship service , they were really just eating a meal. Without adding any interpretation to this verse is simply says Paul delivered his message to them during a meal on the first day of the week and then continued speaking until midnight. Breaking bread is really just a common expression that simply refers to eating a meal together. Just because Jesus broke a piece of bread as a symbol of his body at passover does not mean that every time a piece of bread is broken by a group of Christians. They are celebrating the Lord's supper. The majority of the times that Christians break bread they are simply eating a meal, not partaking of the Lords supper or communion. This is exactly what happened here they were really just breaking bread together. That's what the verse says you must again make assumptions and use interpretations to make this verse say something the Bible doesn't actually say. This was not a Sunday worship service. It wasn't even a Sunday morning meeting. It really occurred on a Saturday evening and went until midnight. The biblical reckoning of daily time is from Sunset to Sunset, beginning in Genesis at creation. The first day of the week really begins on Saturday evening as God counts time. The modern calendar is it based upon a 24 hour day that begins at midnight in the middle of a dark night. What does the Bible really say? God established when days begin at creation. (Gen 1:5) ; " And God called the light day and the darkness He called night and the evening and morning for the first day." (Gen 1:8) ; "And God called the firmament, heaven and the evening in the morning were the second day." The Bible actually says God begins days in the evening. God begins and ends them at the setting of the sun, which ends one and the new one begins. The beginning of days at sunset has been the standard practice for thousands of years and is still practiced by the Jews today. (Lev 23:32) ; " From evening onto evening, shall you celebrate your Sabbath." The Bible says Saturday evening at sunset is actually the beginning of our modern Sunday as God counts time. The beginning of the first day is actually on our Saturday evening. If this meal was on Sunday evening, the Bible would say now on the second day of the week. Paul actually departed on his long journey, the next day, the daylight part of our Sunday. Now you can clearly see that the disciples had gathered together for dinner on Saturday evening, and Paul spoke with them for a few hours during and after the meal. In the first century Sunday right after sunrise was a regular workday for them not a day of rest. It's ludicrous to say this was a regular Sunday morning worship service that began about 6 AM and then dragged on for 18 hours until midnight. So they were really meeting on the Sabbath not Sunday! How about what the Bible says in first Corinthians chapter 16 verse two? This verse is assumed to say a collection was taken up during a Sunday church service. Is that what it actually says or is this another biased church misinterpretation? (1Cor16:2); "On the first day of the week, let each one of you lay something aside storing up as he may prosper that there be no collection when I come ." without any interpretation The Bible says they were to leave something aside on the first day of the week, Storing up their contributions to give to Paul when he arrived. That's it! It doesn't say anything more there is no mention of resting from their labors here it doesn't say anything about gathering for a weekly Sunday worship service To do this collection. This was not even a collection of money. It says it was food to assist the poor in Jerusalem. But wait a minute, When does the Bible say this was to occur? The expression translated. The first day of the week comes from two Greek words Mia, which is defined as one and Sabaton, which is defined as Sabbath here and 58 other places in the Bible, on one Sabbath day the disciples, were to lay some food aside to give to Paul for the Saints, who are starving in Jerusalem this isn't even a Sunday in the first place. This is an assumption based upon Mistranslation from the God inspired Greek. It was really the Sabbath. Each individual was asked to lay some food aside so it would be ready when Paul and the men arrive to receive it, and carry it to Jerusalem. This is what the Bible says. Some say, but doesn't the Bible say in Colossians two verse 16 that we don't need to keep the sabbath at all ? (Col 2:16); "Let no man therefore judge you in the sabbath day". This verse has falsely been used by many churches to discount keeping the sabbath by Christians today. What does the Bible actually say about keeping the sabbath in this verse? Paul explains here why these Gentile Christians in Gods church in Colosse need not be bothered by the attitude of the pagan Colossians society around them toward their practice of resting on the seventh day. Paul tells the Colossians not to be concerned if anyone in their community would say anything bad about them, keeping the sabbath. Far from doing away with this holy observance, this verse is one of the strongest proofs that the early Christian church really kept it, and that Paul taught the Gentile Christians to keep it. Paul was saying that they should not worry if they're gentile, neighbors and friends, judge them for resting when God commanded. The Colossians, a gentile congregation, were really keeping the seventh day of rest, as God commanded, in a generally pagan society! If they were not keeping it, why would Paul say that no one Should judge them in keeping the seventh day. This is what the Bible says. (Col 2:17): " Which are a shadow of things to come." Hear the Bible says that the sabbath along with other special days is a shadow of things to come. Paul says the Sabbath is a shadow, a symbol or a type of future events in the plan of God. It is a shadow or type of the millennium rest the world will have with Jesus as King . fFor something to cast a shadow. It has to exist. Paul did not say that we should not keep the sabbath anymore because it was a shadow of the millennium rest with Christ and no longer exist. He could have said that if it were true, but he didn't because it isn't true. The verse reads that the Sabbaths are a shadow of things to come it is not written in past tense. It does not say was a shadow of things to come. This indicates that the rest still exist and it's something relevant today because it still has a future fulfillment of resting in the Millennium. Paul's words tell us that the Sabbath, are a shadow of future prophetic fulfillment , rather than was a shadow of fulfilled prophecies. Just because something is a shadow of some thing doesn't mean it's already obsolete. We need to be very careful of reading into scripture some thing God did not actually say. The apostle Paul insist to the church, that nobody should feel a conflict of conscience when question by nonbelievers over the matter of resting on God's special day. Why do most churches incorrectly teach Romans chapter 14 verse five about the day of rest? What does the Bible really say? (Rom 14:5); " One person esteems, one day above another , another esteems every day, alike let each be fully convinced in his own mind." Just as some poker players have a tell that Tips off other players when they are bluffing, so do Christian churches when they are using God's word to prove, a belief they already have. The churchs tell is always taking a verse out of context, ignoring all the surrounding verses, and lifting just one part out from the rest to prove their belief. This is exactly what churches do with Romans chapter 14, verse five. Instead of using a verse out of context to prove, I believe that has nothing to do with what God is speaking about with it we should use what God says to inform our beliefs by looking at the scripture in context with surrounding versus. This helps us to really understand what God wants us to learn from what he is informing us about. So we shouldn't just "what the Bible says in Romans chapter 14 verse five to prove we don't need to keep the fourth commandment to rest on the seventh day because now we can rest anytime we choose. We should really look at the entire section of Romans chapter 14 verses one and two, which sets the subject matter all the way through verse 10. What is God trying to inform us about here? What is he trying to say to us? (Rom 14:1-10); receive one who is weak in the pays, but not to dispute over doubtful things, or one believes, he may eat all things, but he who is weak, eats only vegetables, let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats or God has received him who are you to judge another servant to his own master he stands or falls indeed he will be made to stand, or God is able to make him stand one person is themes, one day above another another is themes every day alike Let each one be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day observes it to the Lord, and he who does not observe the day to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks and he who does not eat to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks for none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself for if we live, we live to the Lord if we die, we die to the Lord therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lords. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living, But why do you judge your brother or why do you show contempt for your brother, for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Is this really about the fourth commandment when to rest does verse one and two show there was some major dispute going on in the church at that time about the sabbath? Know that Sabbath versus Sunday dispute doesn't even happen in the church for several hundred more years. So what do these verses really say the Bible really shows this entire section of Romans 14 is about eating or not eating food or spiritual reasons. In other words fasting! There had been a big dispute happening in the congregation of God's church at Rome at that time in history, among the Gentile converts there regarding fasting. Paul is trying here to provide spiritual advice to end the attitudes of judgment and contempt, they head towards each other. Paul's writing in Romans chapter 14 revolves completely around a dispute, which is doubtful which, according to the contacts involve fasting, not keeping the sabbath rest. The Sabbath was not in dispute or doubt at this time and Christian history. All Christians rested on the seventh day! When it comes to understanding what the Bible really says context is everything. What is the sabbath hung on the cross and done away with some theologians try to contrive arguments that say the Sabbath was part of the Jewish ceremonial law that was done away with when Jesus came and Sunday is now the new testament law. This is an assumption based upon falls human reasoning nothing is mentioned anywhere in the Bible about the sacrifices or ceremonial duties of the law being connected with the 10 Commandments. The Sabbath, as part of the 10 Commandments, stands by itself as part of the great spiritual law of God. The Jews today are required by God to keep the 10 Commandments! God gave them the commandments through Moses at Mount Sinai. Speaking of Moses, in the book of acts, Stephen says that God gave him the oracles, which are the laws of God. (Acts 7:38);" This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel with spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with other fathers, who receive the lively oracles to give onto us." The Jews have been committed with the responsibility to be the record keepers of God's law. The Jews have faithfully guarded the oracles or words of God even to the present time. They have never lost sight of the Sabbath, because God will not allow it. They are the guardians of his written law words which God spoke to Moses. They have faithfully kept the Sabbath rest as God says. Regardless of any changes and any calendars or decrees from any Catholic pope or orders from Roman emperor, Constantine God has made sure that the Jews he entrusted with his words, never lost sight of which day is the fourth commandment Sabbath rest. If God had changed the fourth commandment, Sabbath rest from the seventh day of the week to Sunday. After the resurrection, he would have had to say something about it to the Jews. If God's law changed, he had to say he had changed it and tell the people he charged with keeping the record of his laws, or he would be causing them to sin. If the Sabbath was changed from the seventh Day to the first day, then millions of Jews are sinning and it's God's fault. There can be only one 4th commandment there can't be a 4th commandment for the Jews and a 4th commandment for the Christians. There is one law, for all Jesus specifically did say not even the smallest part of the law will change until heaven and earth had passed away. (Matt 5:18);" Or verily, I say unto you to heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law to all be fulfilled ." No interpretation can change what Jesus plainly says! Heaven and earth are still here! The law is still here. Not one letter of it has changed. The fourth commandment is here the law is still here not one letter of it has changed. The fourth commandment is still part of God's great spiritual law, and it has not changed. God did not change his fourth commandment for Christians to Sunday, while keeping it the same for the Jews that is an assumption not supported by anything the Bible says the Jews are not singing, because they are still resting on the day. God commanded, and set apart as holy time, the Jews, the keepers of the law of God, never lost the Sabbath Christians did by not obeying the fourth commandment to rest on the seventh day, as God says. The fourth commandment cannot be separated from the other nine Commandments, and be given special dispensation from literal observance. He carries the same weight of God's great spiritual law as the other nine Commandments, a Christian is free in Christ to worship on Sunday or Monday or Tuesday or whenever if they choose to do so but they should still rest from their labors on the seventh day, Sabbath, according to God's fourth commandment. (John 2:3-4);" And here by we do know that we know him if we keep his commands, he that says I know him and keep it not his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Christians belong to God they show that love by obeying the Commandments God says if you claim to be a Christian who knows Jesus as your Savior yet you do not keep the fourth commandment. You are a liar and the truth is not in you. Those are pretty strong words from God to all Christians. You can't say you are a Christian if you don't do what God says. Jesus, his commandments are the same as his father's commandments. To those who say that Jesus is commandments are different than gods commandments given to Moses. The Bible says this, and John chapter 10 verse 30 "I and my Father are one." There is no difference there is no distinction. There isn't one set of commandments from Jesus, another set of commandments from his father that apply to different people at different times. This assumption is utter nonsense. It is an affront to God to say that He and Jesus are divided in their teachings and their Commandments. In exodus, chapter 20 verse eight it says "remember the sabbath day to keep it holy six days you sell labor and do all your work, but the seventh is the sabbath of the Lord your God "not Sunday. Without any interpretation, the Bible plainly says the seventh day is the sabbath. Christians should rest on the sabbath not Sunday. Worship on Sunday, according to tradition, if you choose, but remember to rest on the sabbath, according to the word of God! Now you know the truth, plainly from the Bible about resting on the Sabbath, and not Sunday. What you do with this knowledge is really between you and God. You can ignore it and continue believing and doing what God does not want or you can repent and change and do what God says. The choice is yours for all eternity. If you say, you agree with what God says, and want to understand how to keep the sabbath today, I will give you some practical Sabbath keeping tips. Let's look at what the Bible plainly says for the obvious and I'm just beautiful messages from God himself about Sabbath keeping first. Then we will look at the ones that are more subjective. Exodus, chapter 20 versus eight through 10 say," Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh is the sabbath of the Lord your God in it you shall do no work you know your son know your daughter, nor your male servant no your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is in your gates. Exodus, chapter 31 verse 15 says work, shall be done for six days but the seventh is the Sabbath rest holy to the Lord whoever does any work on the Sabbath I'll surely be put to death. Jeremiah chapter 17 verses 21 through 22 "Thus says the lord take heed to yourselves, and Bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem, nor carry a burden out of your house, is on the seventh nor do any work, but Haller the sabbath day as I commanded your fathers." The principal here is really simple. Do not do any work either at your regular income earning job if you are employed or typical work chores at home such as laundry, ironing, cleaning, yardwork, home, maintenance, etc. this would include people working for you as your employees or people you hire to work around your home. God says we should not work on the Sabbath. Exodus, chapter 16,22 to 23 " Andy came to pass that on the sixth day they gather twice as much bread. This is that what God has said tomorrow is the day of rest the holy Sabbath God baked out with you will bake today boil that works for you will boil and that which remains over layup for you to keep until morning." Exodus, chapter 16,27 through 30 "See, for God has given you the Sabbath therefore, he gives you on the six day the bread of two days. Every man of you abide in his place let no man go out of his place on the seventh day." The principal here is to spend time in restful activities, not slaving over the hot stove cooking all day when you should be resting it's best not to cook for regular meals on the Sabbath major food preparation, including baking and boiling and roasting and frying, etc. should be done on Friday so it only reheating if even that would need to be done on the Sabbath when food is prepared for the service on Friday. It is to be kept in till morning or eating on the Sabbath Friday is the preparation day as it says in Mark chapter 15 verse 42. Cook and prepare all the food you will need for the Sabbath on Friday. With careful planning, you can easily do this, especially if you plan cold meals like cereal, fruit or yogurt for breakfast and sandwiches or cold pizza for lunch and salads of all types including lettuce they salads, coal soot coal pasta salad for dinner, microwave heating up chili soup, or any previously prepared meal we're not violate the principle of not baking or boiling on the Sabbath. Isaiah chapter 58, verse 13 "If you turn away your foot from the sabbath from doing your pleasure on my holiday, and call the sabbath, a delight the holy day of the Lord, and shall honor him not doing your own ways you're finding your own pleasure." The principal here is not to see Carole pleasure on the Sabbath day isn't about us, and what we want we should really be focused on God and what he wants the phrase lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God is found in second Timothy chapter 3, verse four, and it shows that the pleasures of this life are competing with God for our affections, and we are told set your affections on things above not on things on earth that is found in Colossians chapter 3, verse two. A lot of what is pleasure is subjective we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in our Decisions about what may be just something we enjoy that would enhance the Sabbath rest As opposed to something that is overt pleasure that physically or mentally distracts us from the intent of the day. So what can Christians to here's a short list of activities that would be keeping with the spirit of what the Bible says about the Sabbath rest I'm sure you can think of many many more. read the Bible alone or with other people play with your children for as long as they want to play eat a meal with friends in your home even when it's just for a beverage and a chat gather with other believers for fellowship Read an edifying book phone a friend pray write a letter visit someone in the hospital watch something general on TV watch the news to stay informed about what's happening in the world God told us always to watch and pray visit a free museum or planetarium take a short walk in the park enjoy God's creation visit a free zoo watch ducks on a pond dip your feet in a cool creek go outside and count the stars, Purposefully watch the sunrise and sunset pics and wildflowers stop and listen to the birds sang lie on your back and watch the clouds are go barefoot in the grass. Just kick back relax and really enjoy a day without your usual work. The Sabbath is all about a day of restful activities the compliment, a close relationship with God, appreciating God's creation, in some easy leisurely way. Is an inspiring activity quite appropriate for Christians to do on the seventh day. Sabbath hours are not to be spent in working buying selling homework, etc.. In conclusion, it is obvious from what God says, in scripture that he does not want us working buying selling, or allowing anyone to prepare food for us outside of our home on the Sabbathday these are practical applications of the principles of Sabbath, keeping for all modern Christians, who want to really be in lineman with God's will, and do what he desires give Guy the benefit of the doubt and not yourself. If you are not sure about any activity, that may be a violation of any Sabbath keeping principal always pray always listen for God's direction in your life. He will never fail you or leave you. You may be very surprised in the ways God may bless you in your efforts to honor Him and the Sabbath days rest He has provided for us. Shabbat Shalom.