Questions About The Sabbath?

1. If every man from Adam to Moses kept the sabbath, why is the Hebrew word for weekly sabbath never found in the book of Genesis?

2. Why were the patriarchs never instructed to keep the sabbath but they were instructed in offerings (Gen. 4:3-4); Altars (Gen. 8:20); Priests (Gen 14:18); circumcision (Gen. 17:10); and marriage (Gen. 2:24; 34:9). Why would God leave out the sabbath if it was bound?

2

Sabbath = 7th Day Ex. 16:26: 26Six days you shall gather it, but on the

seventh day, the Sabbath, there will be none.”

Mt 28:1: 1Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

Mk 16:1-2: 1Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3

The Issue Is

• Has God commanded or taught Has God commanded or taught Christians to observe the Christians to observe the

Sabbath todaySabbath today??

• Are the Are the ten commandmentsten commandments a a part of God’s law today?part of God’s law today?

4

Three Basic Arguments

1. The covenant containing the command to keep the Sabbath was made with the Jews alone

2. The covenant containing the command to keep the Sabbath has been replaced by the new covenant of Jesus Christ

3. The Jewish Sabbath was not observed in the early post-apostolic period

5

Sinai Covenant Made With Jews

The Sinai covenant was made with the Israelites (Ex. 20:1-2; 24:7-8; Lev. 26:46; Dt. 5:1-6)

The Sinai covenant was not made with the

fathers (Dt. 5:2-3),

the surrounding nations (Dt. 4:7-8)

the Gentiles (Rom. 2:12-14)

A law applies only to those to whom it is addressed (Rom. 3:19) 6

The Sabbath & Israel

The Sabbath was made known at Mt. Sinai (Neh. 9:13-14)

The Sabbath was a sign betweenGod and Israel

(Ex. 31:12-13, 16-17; Ezek. 20:10-12)

The Sabbath was a memorial of the Exodus from Egypt (Dt. 5:15)

7

The Sabbath In Exodus 16

Seventh day first called “Sabbath” (Ex. 16:23)

Context indicates something new“Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath….” (Ex. 16:23)

Some gathered manna on the 7th day (Ex. 16:25-27)

This “Sabbath-keeping” evidently anticipates the Sabbath command (Ex. 20:8-11)

Punishment for Sabbath violation unknown (Num. 15:32-36)

8

Replacement Prophesied

Jer. 31:31-32

31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 “not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.

9

Replacement ProphesiedReplacement Prophesied

Jer. 31:33-3433 “But this is the covenant that I will make with

the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34“No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”

10

The Two Covenants(Heb. 8:7-13)

First CovenantFirst Covenant Second CovenantSecond Covenant

FaultyFaulty (8:7-8) (8:7-8) FaultlessFaultless (8:7-8) (8:7-8)

SinaiSinai covenant (8:9) covenant (8:9) NewNew covenant (8:8) covenant (8:8)

Laws in Laws in mind & heartmind & heart (Pr. 3:1-3; (Pr. 3:1-3; 7:1-3; Psa. 37:31; 40:8; Isa. 51:7)7:1-3; Psa. 37:31; 40:8; Isa. 51:7) Laws in Laws in mind & heartmind & heart (8:10) (8:10)

TheirTheir GodGod & & MyMy peoplepeople (Ex. 6:7; (Ex. 6:7; Dt. 7:6; 2 Sam. 7:24)Dt. 7:6; 2 Sam. 7:24) Their GodTheir God & & My peopleMy people (8:10) (8:10)

11

The Two Covenants(Heb. 8:7-13)

First CovenantFirst Covenant New CovenantNew Covenant

Taught to know God Taught to know God afterafter covenant relationship (8:11)covenant relationship (8:11)

Taught to know God Taught to know God beforebefore covenant relationship (8:11; Jn. covenant relationship (8:11; Jn. 6:44-45)6:44-45)

SomeSome knew God (Rom. 9:6-8, knew God (Rom. 9:6-8, 27)27)

AllAll will know God (8:11) will know God (8:11)

Sins remembered Sins remembered every yearevery year (Lev. 16:29-30; Heb. 10:1-3, 18)(Lev. 16:29-30; Heb. 10:1-3, 18)

Sins remembered Sins remembered no moreno more (Heb. 8:12)(Heb. 8:12)

ObsoleteObsolete (8:13) (8:13) NewNew covenant (8:13) covenant (8:13)

Ready to Ready to vanish awayvanish away (8:13) (8:13) EverlastingEverlasting covenant (Heb. covenant (Heb. 13:20)13:20)

12

Understanding Jer. 31:31-32

““He Didn’t Say I’ll Give He Didn’t Say I’ll Give Them A New Law. He Them A New Law. He Said I’m Going To Said I’m Going To Give Them The Exact Give Them The Exact Same Law I Gave Same Law I Gave Them Before With A Them Before With A New Covenant, Which New Covenant, Which Means An Means An Agreement.” (Bill Agreement.” (Bill Rorick, 10/20/79)Rorick, 10/20/79)

Vs.Vs.

Ex. 34:28:Ex. 34:28: “He Wrote Upon The “He Wrote Upon The Tables The Words Of The Covenant, Tables The Words Of The Covenant, The Ten Commandments”The Ten Commandments”

Dt. 4:13:Dt. 4:13: “He Declared…His “He Declared…His Covenant…Even The Ten Covenant…Even The Ten Commandments; And He Wrote Commandments; And He Wrote Them Upon Two Tables Of Stone.”Them Upon Two Tables Of Stone.”

1 Ki. 8:9, 21:1 Ki. 8:9, 21: “There Was Nothing “There Was Nothing In The Ark Save the Two Tables Of In The Ark Save the Two Tables Of Stone…The Ark, Wherein Is The Stone…The Ark, Wherein Is The Covenant Of The Lord Which He Covenant Of The Lord Which He Made With Our Fathers, When He Made With Our Fathers, When He Brought Them Out Of The Land Of Brought Them Out Of The Land Of EgyptEgyptDavid Watts, Sr. 13

Old Covenant Replaced

God wants us to hear His Son (Mk. 9:2-8)

Christians have been made dead to the law (Rom.7:4) and discharged from the law (Rom. 7:6-7)

The old covenant has passed away (2 Cor. 3:1-18)

Christians are no longer under the tutor that brought the Jews to Christ (Gal. 3:23-25)

14

The Transfiguration(Mt. 17:1-8; Mk. 9:2-8; Lk. 9:28-36a)

• Jesus transfigured (Mk. 9:2-3)

• Moses & Elijah talk with Jesus (Mk. 9:4)

• “Let us make three tabernacles” (Mk. 9:5)

• “This is My beloved son. Hear Him!” (Mk. 9:7)

• “And All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.” (Mk. 9:8)

15

Heb. 1:1-2

10 Commandments &The Covenant

The 10 commandments were the foundation of the old covenant (Ex. 34:27-28; Dt. 4:13; 9:9-11; 2 Chr. 6:11; 1 Ki. 8:9, 21)

If the old covenant has been replaced by the new covenant, then the 10 commandments have been replaced

The principles of 9 of the 10 commandments are taught in the gospel

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Where Is The NT Sabbath Command?

Acts 14:15Acts 14:15 No Other GodsNo Other Gods

1 Jn. 5:211 Jn. 5:21 No Graven ImagesNo Graven Images

Jas. 5:12Jas. 5:12 Don’t Take God’s Name In VainDon’t Take God’s Name In Vain

Remember SabbathRemember Sabbath

Eph. 6:1-2Eph. 6:1-2 Honor Father & MotherHonor Father & Mother

Rom. 13:9Rom. 13:9 You Shall Not KillYou Shall Not Kill

Rom. 13:9Rom. 13:9 You Shall Not Commit AdulteryYou Shall Not Commit Adultery

Rom. 13:9Rom. 13:9 You Shall Not StealYou Shall Not Steal

Rom. 13:9Rom. 13:9 You Shall Not Bear False WitnessYou Shall Not Bear False Witness

Rom. 13:9Rom. 13:9 You Shall Not CovetYou Shall Not Covet

David Watts, Sr. 17

The 10 Commandments

10 Commandments10 Commandments The GospelThe Gospel

You shall have You shall have no other no other godsgods before Me (Ex. 20:3) before Me (Ex. 20:3) Acts 14:11-18; 1 Cor. 8:4-6Acts 14:11-18; 1 Cor. 8:4-6

You shall not make for You shall not make for yourself a yourself a carved imagecarved image (Ex. 20:4)(Ex. 20:4)

Acts 17:24-25, 29; 1 Cor. Acts 17:24-25, 29; 1 Cor. 8:4; 10:7, 14; 1 Jn. 5:218:4; 10:7, 14; 1 Jn. 5:21

You shall not take You shall not take the the namename of the Lord your God of the Lord your God in vainin vain (Ex. 20:7) (Ex. 20:7)

Mt. 5:33-37; Jas. 5:12Mt. 5:33-37; Jas. 5:12

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The 10 Commandments


Remember Remember the Sabbath the Sabbath dayday, to keep it holy. (Ex. , to keep it holy. (Ex. 20:8)20:8)

NOT TAUGHT IN NT(cf. Col. 2:13-14, 16-17)

Honor your Honor your fatherfather and your and your mothermother (Ex. 20:12) (Ex. 20:12) Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20

You shall not You shall not murdermurder (Ex. (Ex. 20:13)20:13)

Rom. 1:29-32; 1 Pet. 4:15; Rom. 1:29-32; 1 Pet. 4:15; 1 Jn. 3:151 Jn. 3:15

You shall not commit You shall not commit adulteryadultery (Ex. 20:140 (Ex. 20:140

Rom. 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-Rom. 13:8-10; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Heb. 13:410; Heb. 13:4

19

The 10 Commandments


You shall not You shall not stealsteal (Ex. (Ex. 20:15)20:15) Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:15Eph. 4:28; 1 Pet. 4:15

You shall not You shall not bear false bear false witnesswitness (Ex. 20:16) (Ex. 20:16)

Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Rev. Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9; Rev. 21:821:8

You shall not You shall not covetcovet (Ex. (Ex. 20:17)20:17)

Lk. 12:15; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Lk. 12:15; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Eph. 5:3-6; Col. 3:5-6Eph. 5:3-6; Col. 3:5-6

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The Two Covenants(2 Cor. 3:1-18)

Old CovenantOld Covenant New CovenantNew Covenant

Epistle in Epistle in inkink (3:3) (3:3) Epistle by Epistle by the Spiritthe Spirit (3:3) (3:3)

Tables of Tables of stonestone (3:3, 7; cf. (3:3, 7; cf. Ex. 31:18)Ex. 31:18)

Tables of Tables of fleshflesh (3:3) (3:3)

OldOld covenant (3:14) covenant (3:14) NewNew covenant (3:6) covenant (3:6)

The The letterletter (3:6) (3:6) The The spiritspirit (3:6) (3:6)

KillsKills (3:6) (3:6) Gives Gives lifelife (3:6) (3:6)

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The Issue Is Not

Whether God commanded some to keep the Sabbath

Whether the Sabbath is mentioned in the NT

Whether Sunday is the Sabbath (Lk. 23:56-24:1; Mt. 28:1)

Whether Sunday is the “Christian Sabbath”

Whether Sunday is or was a pagan day of worship

Whether Christians are to worship on Sunday

22



Ministry of deathMinistry of death (3:7) (3:7) Ministry of the spiritMinistry of the spirit (3:8) (3:8)

Was Was gloriousglorious (3:7) (3:7) Be Be more gloriousmore glorious (3:8) (3:8)

Ministry of condemnationMinistry of condemnation (3:9)(3:9)

Ministry of righteousnessMinistry of righteousness (3:9)(3:9)

Had gloryHad glory (3:9) (3:9) ExceedsExceeds in gloryin glory (3:9) (3:9)

PASSING AWAYPASSING AWAY (3:11, (3:11, 13)13) RemainsRemains (3:11) (3:11)

23



Was gloriousWas glorious (3:11) (3:11) Much more gloriousMuch more glorious (3:11)(3:11)

Moses Moses wore a veilwore a veil (3:13) (3:13) Great boldness of speechGreat boldness of speech (3:12) (3:12)

Veil Veil remainsremains unliftedunlifted (3:14-15)(3:14-15)

Veil Veil taken awaytaken away in Christ in Christ (3:14-15)(3:14-15)

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Exodus 34

25

Which Tables Of Stone?

Ex. 34:29-30, 33-35: 29 Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai… that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone…. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. …. 35And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

2 Cor. 3:7-8, 12-13: 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? …. 12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away.

26

The Promise & The Law(Gal. 3:16-29)

27

NationLandSeed

Gen. 12:1-3

430 years

“Till”(v. 19)

Under Guard(v. 23) No Longer

Under Tutor(v. 25)

Seed(v. 16)

Tutor to bring to Christ (v. 24)

Transgressions(v. 19)

Elements Of The Covenant

Book (Ex. 24:7)

Blood (Ex. 24:8)

Words (Ex. 34:27-28)

Tables (Dt. 9:9; Heb. 9:4)

Ark (Dt. 31:26)

Mediator (Gal. 3:19)

28

10 Commandments & The Covenant

Ex. 34:27-28: “Ex. 34:27-28: “And he wrote upon the And he wrote upon the tables tables thethe words of the covenantwords of the covenant, , thethe ten commandmentsten commandments.”.”

Dt. 4:13: “Dt. 4:13: “And he declared unto you And he declared unto you his his covenantcovenant, which he commanded you to , which he commanded you to perform, even perform, even the ten commandmentsthe ten commandments; ; and he wrote them upon and he wrote them upon two tables of two tables of stonestone.”.”

29


Dt. 9:9-11: “When I was gone up into the mount to receive the tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant which Jehovah made with you....Jehovah gave me the two tables of stone, even the tables of the covenant.”

2 Chr. 6:11: “And there have I set the ark, wherein is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with the children of Israel.”

30


1 Ki. 8:9, 21: “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt....And there have I set a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of Jehovah, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.” 31

Two Laws

2 Ki. 21:8: and I will not make the feet of Israel wander anymore from the land which I gave their fathers -- only if they are careful to do according to all that I have commanded them, and according to all the law that My servant Moses commanded them.”

2 Chr. 33:8: and I will not again remove the foot of Israel from the land which I have appointed for your fathers -- only if they are careful to do all that I have commanded them, according to the whole law and the statutes and the ordinances by the hand of Moses.”

32

Law Of God = Law Of Moses

God GaveGod Gave Moses GaveMoses Gave

The law of Moses The law of Moses (Ezra 7:6)(Ezra 7:6)

God’s Law God’s Law

(Neh. 10:29)(Neh. 10:29)

The book of the law of The book of the law of Moses Moses

(Neh. 8:1)(Neh. 8:1)

The book of the law of The book of the law of the Lord the Lord

(2 Chr. 34:14)(2 Chr. 34:14)

33

Law Of God = Law Of MosesLaw Of God = Law Of Moses Ezra 7:6:Ezra 7:6: 66 this Ezra came up from this Ezra came up from

Babylon; and he Babylon; and he waswas a skilled scribe in a skilled scribe in the Law of Mosesthe Law of Moses, which the Lord God , which the Lord God of Israel had given….of Israel had given….

Ezra 7:12:Ezra 7:12: 1212 Artaxerxes, king of kings, Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law the Law of the God of heavenof the God of heaven: Perfect : Perfect peace,peace, and so forth. and so forth.

34

Law Of God = Law Of MosesLaw Of God = Law Of Moses

Luke 2:22-24, 27Luke 2:22-24, 27 2222 Now when the days of her purification Now when the days of her purification

according to according to the law of Mosesthe law of Moses were completed, were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present they brought Him to Jerusalem to present HimHim to to the Lord the Lord 2323 (as it is written in (as it is written in the law of the Lordthe law of the Lord, , “Every male who opens the womb shall be called “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lordholy to the Lord” ), ” ), 2424 and to offer a sacrifice and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in according to what is said in the law of the Lordthe law of the Lord, , “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” ….“A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” ….2727 And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of to do for Him according to the custom of the the lawlaw….”….”

35

Law Of God = Law Of MosesLaw Of God = Law Of Moses• “The Book of the Law of

the Lord given by Moses” (2 Chr. 34:14)

• “The Book of the Law” (2 Chr. 34:15)

• “The Law” (2 Chr. 34:19)

• “The book” (2 Chr. 34:21, 24)

• “The word of the Lord” (2 Chr. 34:21)

• “This book” (2 Chr. 34:21)

• “The words of the book of the covenant” (2 Chr. 34:30)

• “The words of the covenant that were written in this book” (2 Chr. 34:31)

• “The covenant of God” (2 Chr. 34:32)

• “The Book of Moses” (2 Chr. 35:12)

• “The Law of the Lord” (2 Chr. 35:26)

36

Law Of God = Law Of MosesLaw Of God = Law Of Moses(Nehemiah 8)(Nehemiah 8)

• “The Book of the Law of Moses” (8:1)• “The Law” (8:2, 7)• “The Book of the Law” (8:3)• “The Book” (8:5)• “The Book in the Law of God” (8:8)• “The Words of the Law” (8:9, 13)• “The Words” (8:12)• “The Law which the Lord had Commanded by

Moses” (8:14)• “The Book of the Law of God” (8:18) 37

A Distinction WithoutA Difference

Given By Given By GodGod

Given By Given By MosesMoses

Ex. 34:27Ex. 34:27 The CovenantThe Covenant Dt. 29:1Dt. 29:1

Ezra 7:6; Lk. Ezra 7:6; Lk. 2:23-242:23-24 The LawThe Law Lk. 2:22Lk. 2:22

Ex. 31:18;Ex. 31:18; Mt. 15:4 Mt. 15:4 10 Commandments10 Commandments Mk. 7:10Mk. 7:10

"And they found written in the law which "And they found written in the law which the Lordthe Lord had commanded by had commanded by MosesMoses...."...." (Neh 8:14) (Neh 8:14)

38

The Law Of God & MosesThe Law Of God & Moses• The “law of God” contained “ceremonial

laws” (2 Chr. 31:3-4; Neh. 8:14, 18; Lk. 2:23-24)

• The “law of Moses” contained “moral laws” (Ex. 22:21-22; Lev. 10:16-18; 19:1-37; Mt. 22:34-40)

• The law is called the “law of God,” because He was the Author of it

• It is called the “law of Moses,” because he was the mediator of it (Dt. 5:5; Gal. 3:19; Jn. 1:17)

39

The Law Of God & MosesThe Law Of God & Moses

• The Law Of God

• Ceremonial laws– Burnt Offerings

(2 Chr. 31:3)– Rituals for cleanliness

(Lk. 2:22-24)– Feasts and new

moons (2 Chr. 31:3)– Feast of tabernacles

(Neh. 8:8, 14).

• The Law Of Moses• Ten Commandments

– Honor Father & Mother (Mk. 7:10; Mt. 15:4)

40

Old Covenant ReplacedOld Covenant Replaced

Christ came to free the Jews from the bondage of the law (Gal. 4:1-7)

The old covenant has been cast out (Gal. 4:21-31)

The law of commandments contained in ordinances has been abolished (Eph. 2:11-18)

41

The Two Covenants (Gal. 4:21-31)


HandmaidHandmaid (4:22) (4:22) FreewomanFreewoman (4:22) (4:22)

SonSon by handmaid (4:23) by handmaid (4:23) SonSon by freewoman (4:23) by freewoman (4:23)

Born after Born after the fleshthe flesh (4:23) (4:23) Born through Born through promisepromise (4:23)(4:23)

Covenant from Covenant from Mt. SinaiMt. Sinai (4:24)(4:24)

[Covenant from [Covenant from Mt. ZionMt. Zion] ] (Heb. 12:22)(Heb. 12:22)

42



Children unto Children unto bondagebondage (4:24)(4:24)

Children of Children of promisepromise (4:28) (4:28)

HagarHagar (4:24) (4:24) Our Our mothermother (4:26) (4:26)

JerusalemJerusalem that now isthat now is (4:25)(4:25)

Jerusalem that is aboveJerusalem that is above (4:26)(4:26)

BondageBondage (4:25) (4:25) FreeFree (4:26) (4:26)

43



Born after Born after the fleshthe flesh (4:29) (4:29) Born after Born after the Spiritthe Spirit (4:29) (4:29)

PersecutorPersecutor (4:29) (4:29) PersecutedPersecuted (4:29) (4:29)

CAST OUTCAST OUT the handmaid the handmaid and her son (4:30)and her son (4:30)

Son of the freewoman Son of the freewoman inheritsinherits (4:30) (4:30)

We are We are notnot children of a children of a handmaidhandmaid (4:31) (4:31)

We are We are children of the children of the freewomanfreewoman (4:31) (4:31)

44

Eph. 2:11-17

45

The Enmity=

The Law

Gentiles

Jews

Without ChristAliens from IsraelStrangersNo hopeWithout God

Eph. 2:11-17

46

Brought nearMade both oneOne new man from twoPeaceReconciled to God in one bodyAccess by one Spirit to the Father

Gentiles

Jews

&

Old Covenant Replaced

• The bond written in ordinances has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:13-17)

• The change in the priesthood demanded a change in the law (Heb. 7:11-14)

• The law of a carnal commandment has been disannulled (Heb. 7:16-19)

• The law was a shadow of good things to come (Heb. 8:4-5)

47

The Two Circumcisions(Col. 2:11-12)

Literal CircumcisionLiteral Circumcision Spiritual CircumcisionSpiritual Circumcision

Made Made with handswith hands (Eph. (Eph. 2:11)2:11) Made Made without handswithout hands

Outward, of Outward, of the fleshthe flesh Inward, of Inward, of the heartthe heart (Rom. (Rom. 2:28-29; Phil. 3:2-3)2:28-29; Phil. 3:2-3)

The The foreskinforeskin (Lev. 12:3) (Lev. 12:3) The The body of the fleshbody of the flesh

Circumcision of Circumcision of AbrahamAbraham and and MosesMoses Circumcision of Circumcision of ChristChrist

DeadDead Through Trespasses Through Trespasses Made aliveMade alive

48

Handwriting Of RequirementsIs The Law Of Moses

• This handwriting contained “ordinances” or “requirements” (Col. 2:14)

• The parallel passage (Eph. 2:14-18) points to the law of Moses

• Paul’s subsequent admonitions concern Jewish rituals (Col. 2:16-17)

49

Parallel Passages

Col 2:13-15: 13And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

Eph 2:14-18: 14For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.50

How Was The Law Against Us?

• It required perfect obedience (Lev. 18:5; Dt. 27:26; Neh. 9:29; Ezek. 20:11, 13, 21; Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:10-12)

• It was weak through the flesh (Rom. 8:1-3)

• It could not provide true forgiveness (Heb. 9:11-15; 10:1-4)

51

Inadequacy Of The Law

Weak through the flesh (Rom. 8:3)

Ministration of death and condemnation (2 Cor. 3:7, 9)

Brought a curse to those who didn’t keep it (Gal. 3:10)

Could not give life (Gal. 3:21)

Separated Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14-16) 52

Inadequacy Of The Law

• Weak and unprofitable and made nothing perfect (Heb. 7:18-19)

• Faulty (Heb. 8:7)

• Sacrifices could not make the worshipper perfect (Heb. 9:6-10)

• Sacrifices could not take away sin (Heb. 10:1-4, 11)

53

Nailed To The Cross

• William Hendriksen: • “God annulled the law when his

Son satisfied its demands of perfect obedience, bore its curse, and fulfilled its shadows, types and ceremonies.” (121)

54

Let No One Judge You(Col. 2:16-17)

• Food (Lit. “eating”)

• Drink (Lit. “drinking”)

• Festival (Annual)

• New Moon – (Monthly Num. 10:10-11; 28:11; 1 Sam. 20:18)

• Sabbaths – (Weekly Ex. 20:8-11; 31:12-18; Lev. 23:3)

55

Weekly – Monthly - Yearly

56

1 Chr. 23:31Sabbaths

New MoonsSet Feasts

2 Chr. 2:4Sabbaths

New MoonsSolemn Feasts

2 Chr. 8:13Sabbaths

New MoonsSolemn Feasts

2 Chr. 31:3Sabbaths

New MoonsSet Feasts

Col 2:16:

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,

“Sabbaths” Not Weekly Sabbaths(Col. 2:16)

YLT: “sabbaths”

KJV: “the sabbath days”

NKJV: “sabbaths”

ASV: “a sabbath day”

NASB: “a Sabbath day”

NIV: “a Sabbath day”

ESV: “a Sabbath”

RSV: “a sabbath”

NRSV: “sabbaths”

• Same Greek Word– Mt. 28:1

– Lk. 4:16

– Acts 13:14

– Acts 16:13

– Ex. 20:8 [LXX]

57

Why?

• Circumcised with Christ’s circumcision (2:11)

• Handwriting of ordinances wiped out and taken away (2:14)

• Principalities and powers disarmed (2:15)

• Jewish rituals merely a shadow of things to come (2:17; cf. Heb. 10:1)

58

Shadow Vs. Substance

“A shadow is less significant than the object which causes it. A shadow is temporary, lasting until the substance arrives in view. A shadow is inferior in that it imperfectly resembles the object. No one prefers the shadow to the substance. Thus the reality is of more significance and value than the shadow. The shadow is anticipatory.”

(Richard Melick, Jr., “Colossians,” NAC, 32:268)59

Shadow & Substance(Col. 2:16-17)


Physical BirthPhysical Birth New Birth (Jn. 3:3, 5)New Birth (Jn. 3:3, 5)

Physical CircumcisionPhysical CircumcisionSpiritual Circumcision Spiritual Circumcision (Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:11-(Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:11-12)12)

Physical NationPhysical Nation Holy Nation (1 Pet. 2:9)Holy Nation (1 Pet. 2:9)

Physical TemplePhysical Temple Spiritual Temple (Eph. Spiritual Temple (Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:5)2:21-22; 1 Pet. 2:5)

60



Physical KingdomPhysical Kingdom Spiritual Kingdom (Jn. Spiritual Kingdom (Jn. 18:36; Rom. 14:17)18:36; Rom. 14:17)

Special PriesthoodSpecial Priesthood Priesthood of All Believers Priesthood of All Believers (1 Pet. 2:5, 9) (1 Pet. 2:5, 9)

Animal SacrificesAnimal Sacrifices Living Sacrifices (Rom. Living Sacrifices (Rom. 12:1-2)12:1-2)

Worship in Jerusalem Worship in Jerusalem Worship in Spirit & Truth Worship in Spirit & Truth (Jn. 4:22-24)(Jn. 4:22-24)

61



Blood of AnimalsBlood of Animals Blood of Christ (Heb. Blood of Christ (Heb. 9:11-14; 10:4)9:11-14; 10:4)

Countless Sacrifices Countless Sacrifices (Heb. 10:1)(Heb. 10:1)

One Sacrifice (Heb. 9:28; One Sacrifice (Heb. 9:28; 10:10, 12) 10:10, 12)

Could not Make Perfect Could not Make Perfect (Heb. 10:11)(Heb. 10:11)

Sanctified & Perfected Sanctified & Perfected (Heb. 10:14)(Heb. 10:14)

62

Old Covenant ReplacedOld Covenant Replaced

• The old covenant has been replaced by a new covenant (Heb. 8:6-13)

• The first was taken away to establish the second (Heb. 10:1-10)

• The old covenant has been removed (Heb. 12:18-29)

63

For You Have Not Come To

“18 …the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, 19and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (Heb. 12:18-19)

64

Mt. Sinai(Ex. 19:12-19; 20:18)

But You Have Come To

“22 …Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel. (Heb. 12:22-24)

65

Do Not RefuseHim Who Speaks

“25See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” (Heb. 12:25-26)

66

Do Not RefuseHim Who Speaks

“27Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29For our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:27-29)

67

Sabbath Regulations

• No cooking (Ex. 16:23)

• No leaving the home (Ex. 16:29)

• No work done (Ex. 20:8-10; Dt. 5:12-14; Neh. 13:15)

• No burdens borne (Jer. 17:21-22)

• No fires kindled (Ex. 35:3)

68

Sabbath Regulations

• Two lambs sacrificed every Sabbath (Num. 28:9-10)

• Shewbread prepared every Sabbath (Lev. 24:5-9; 1 Chr. 9:32)

• No buying and selling (Neh. 10:31; 13:16-18)

• City gates locked (Neh. 13:19-22)

• Violators put to death (Ex. 31:14-15; 35:2; Num. 15:32-36)

69

The Sabbath

Patriarchal AgePatriarchal Age Mosaic AgeMosaic Age Christian AgeChristian Age

No command No command

to observeto observeCommand to observe Command to observe

(Ex. 20:8-11)(Ex. 20:8-11)No commandNo command

to observeto observe

No exampleNo example

of observanceof observanceExample of Example of observanceobservance

No exampleNo example

of observanceof observance

No penalty No penalty forfornon-observancenon-observance

Penalty forPenalty for non-observance non-observance(Num. 15:32-36)(Num. 15:32-36)

No penalty No penalty forfornon-observancenon-observance

70

Barnabas (ca. AD 70-79)

“Further, He says to them, ‘Your new moons and your Sabbath I cannot endure.’ Ye perceive how He speaks: Your present Sabbaths are not acceptable to Me, but that is which I have made, [namely this,] when, giving rest to all things, I shall make a beginning of the eighth day, that is, a beginning of another world. Wherefore, also, we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead. And when He had manifested Himself, He ascended into the heavens.” (The Epistle of Barnabas, ANF, 1:147)

71

Justin MartyrJustin Martyr(ca. AD 160)

“For the first day after the Sabbath, remaining the first of all the days, is called, however, the eighth, according to the number of all the days of the cycle, and [yet] remains the first.” (Dialogue of Justin, Chap. XLI, ANF, 1:215)

72

Ignatius (ca. AD 105)

“And after the observance of the Sabbath, let every friend of Christ keep the Lord's Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief of all the days [of the week].” (The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, Ch. 9, ANF, 1:62)

73

Justin Martyr(ca. AD 160)

“Is there any other matter, my friends, in which we are blamed, than this, that we live not after the law, and are not circumcised in the flesh as your forefathers were, and do not observe sabbaths as you do?”

(Dialogue of Justin, Chap. 10, ANF, 1:199)

74

Justin Martyr(ca. AD 160)

“For if there was no need of circumcision before Abraham, or of the observance of Sabbaths, of feasts and sacrifices, before Moses; no more need is there of them now, after that, according to the will of God, Jesus Christ the Son of God has been born without sin, of a virgin sprung from the stock of Abraham.”

(Dialogue of Justin, Chap. 23, ANF, 1:206)

75

Tertullian (ca. AD 197)

“In fine, let him who contends that the Sabbath is still to be observed as a balm of salvation, and circumcision on the eighth day because of the threat of death, teach us that, for the time past, righteous men kept the Sabbath, or practised circumcision, and were thus rendered ‘friends of God’.”

(An Answer to the Jews, Chap. 2, ANF, 3:153) 76

77

“Commandments” = 10 Commandments (cf. 1 Cor. 14:37)

“Law” = Law of Moses (cf. 1 Cor. 9:20-21)

78

KJV: 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.

David Watts, Sr. 79

Does It Say “Would Rest”?

“Was Resting”?

“Had Rested”?

Did God Bless Before He Rested?

While He Was Resting?

After He Had Rested?

Dt. 5:15; Ezek. 20:10-12; Neh. 9:13-14

The seventh day of creation week was called “the Sabbath”

God commanded Adam and Eve to keep the Sabbath (cf. Neh. 9:13-14)

God commanded anyone to keep the Sabbath

God sanctified the seventh day at that time (Prolepsis: Gen. 3:20; 4:20; Mt. 10:4)

80

• Tabernacle (Ex. 29:44)

• Altar (Ex. 29:44)

• Breast of wave offering (Ex. 29:27)

• Passover (Joel 1:14)

• Firstborn (Num. 8:17)

• Solomon’s temple (2 Chr. 7:16)81

• Passages do not mention the Sabbath or the Ten Commandments

• Sinai covenant not made with the fathers (Dt. 5:2-3)

• Sabbath made known at Sinai (Neh. 9:13-14)

• If patriarchs kept Sabbath, this does not prove that Christian’s should keep it today

– Circumcision (Gen. 17:10-14; Gal. 6:15

– Animal sacrifices (Gen. 22:13; )

82

• God had already told the Israelites to keep a Sabbath day (Ex. 16:23, 25-26, 29)

• God told the Israelites to remember the Passover (Ex. 13:3)

• The Israelites could not have kept the Passover before the Exodus

• The Israelites were to remember both the Passover and the Sabbath in the future 83

• Animal sacrifice (Ex. 24:5)• Blood of atonement (Ex. 30:10)• Ransom money (Ex. 30:12)• Meat offering (Lev. 23:13)• Incense (Lev. 24:9)• Nazarite vow (Num. 6:2)• Drink offering (Num. 15:7)• Tribute of the spoil (Num. 31:28)

84

Unto Jehovah

Should Christians Do These Things Today?

• Altar of incense (Ex. 30:10)

• Wave offerings (Lev. 23:22)

• Field released in Jubilee (Lev. 27:21)

• Devoted offerings (Lev. 27:28)

• Tithe (Lev. 27:30, 32)

• Nazarite (Num. 6:8)

• Levites (2 Chr. 35:3)

• Male child (Lk. 2:23) 85

Gesenius: "(A) pr. what is hidden; specially hidden time, long; the beginning or end of which is either uncertain or else not defined; eternity, perpetuity. It is used -- (1) of time long past, antiquity ....(2) It more often refers to future time, in such a manner, that what is called the terminus ad quem, is always defined from the nature of the thing itself. When it is applied to human affairs, and specially -- (a) to individual men, it commonly signifies all the days of life....Elsewhere -- (b) it belongs to a whole race (dynasty), or people, and it comprehends all the time until their destruction....(c) the metaphysical idea of eternity” (Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament, #5769, pp. 612-613)

86

• ISBE: “In the OT, the Heb word `olam is used for ‘eternity,’ sometimes in the sense of unlimited duration, sometimes in the sense of a cycle or an age....” (Vol. 2, p. 1010)

• Strong: “prop. concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; gen. time out of mind (past or fut.), i.e. (practically) eternity; freq. adv. (espec. with prep. pref.) always....” (Hebrew And Chaldee Dictionary, #5769, p. 86)

• Young: “Age, age-lasting” (Young's Analytical Concordance, p. 310)

87

• John W. Haley: “...the Hebrew word ‘olam’ rendered ‘forever,’ does not imply the metaphysical idea of absolute endlessness, but a period of indefinite length, as Rambach says, ‘a very long time, the end of which is hidden from us.’” (Alleged Discrepancies Of The Bible, p. 216)

88

ForeverForever CeaseCease

Gen. 17:11-14Gen. 17:11-14 CircumcisionCircumcision Gal. 5:1-6; 6:15Gal. 5:1-6; 6:15

Ex. 12:14Ex. 12:14 PassoverPassover Col. 2:16-17Col. 2:16-17

Ex. 29:9; 40:15; Ex. 29:9; 40:15; Num. 25:13Num. 25:13 Aaronic PriesthoodAaronic Priesthood Heb. 7:11-17Heb. 7:11-17

Lev. 16:29, 31, 34; Lev. 16:29, 31, 34; 23:3123:31 Day Of AtonementDay Of Atonement

Heb. 9:23-28; Heb. 9:23-28; 10:1-12, 1810:1-12, 18

89

ForeverForever CeaseCease

Psa. 119:151-152, Psa. 119:151-152, 160160

Righteous Righteous OrdinancesOrdinances

Gal. 3:24-25; Heb. Gal. 3:24-25; Heb. 9:109:10

Gen. 13:14-17; 17:Gen. 13:14-17; 17:7-8; 1 Chr. 16:16-7-8; 1 Chr. 16:16-18; Psa. 105:9-1118; Psa. 105:9-11

Land Land PossessionPossession

Dt. 28:45-46;Dt. 28:45-46; 1 Chr. 28:9 1 Chr. 28:9

Ex. 31:16-17Ex. 31:16-17 SabbathSabbath Col. 2:16-17Col. 2:16-17

Psa. 78:69; Eccl. Psa. 78:69; Eccl. 1:41:4 EarthEarth 2 Pet. 3:7, 10-122 Pet. 3:7, 10-12

90

• Circumcision (Gen. 17:9-10; cf. Gal. 6:15)• Passover (Ex. 12:14, 42)• Daily Burnt Offering (Ex. 29:38-42)• Burning Incense (Ex. 30:7-9)• Day of Atonement (Ex. 30:10)• Anointing Oil (Ex. 30:31)• Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-21)• Feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:39-44)• Tassels on Garments (Num. 15:38)• Etc.

91

Are These Binding Today?

• Aaronic priesthood (Ex. 29:9)

• Burning incense (Ex. 30:7-8)

• Sabbath (Ex. 31:16)

• Eating fat & blood (Lev. 3:17)

• Shewbread (Lev. 24:5-9)

• Levites common land (Lev. 25:34)

• Water of purification (Num. 19:21)92

Are These Binding Today?

• Is salvation (56:1) under the Messiah or under Cyrus? (cf. Isa. 41:2; 45:13; 46:13)

• Instructions for:

– Jews (56:2)

– Eunuchs (56:3-5)

– Gentile proselytes (56:3, 6)

• “I will bring to My holy mountain” (56:7)

• If this requires Sabbath keeping today, it also requires animal sacrifices (56:7) 93

• Son of the foreigner– Join himself to the Lord

(55:3)– Serve the Lord (55:6)– Love the name of the Lord

(55:6)– Be his servants (55:6)– Keeps from defiling my

Sabbath (55:6)– Holds fast my covenant

(55:6)

• Gentile proselytes to Judaism– Be circumcised (Ex. 12:48)– Keep Day of Atonement (Lev.

16:29)– Keep Sabbath (Lev. 25:6)– Offer burnt offering (Num. 15:4)

• Bring to holy mountain (56:7)

• Make them joyful in My house of prayer (56:7)

• Burnt offerings and sacrifices accepted (56:7)

94

• Jesus came to fulfill (Mt. 5:17)

• Nothing would pass away from the law till all is fulfilled (Mt. 5:18)

• Jesus accomplished the work God sent Him to do (Jn. 17:4)

• Therefore, Jesus fulfilled the law, and the law could be destroyed

95

Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law or the prophets till all is fulfilled (Mt. 5:17-18)

All has been fulfilled (Lk. 24:44-48; Jn. 19:28; Acts 3:18)

Therefore, the law and the prophets have been replaced (Gal. 3:19, 16, 23-25)

96

Jesus didn’t come to destroy the law or the prophets till all is fulfilled (Mt. 5:17-18)

The law and the prophets have been replaced (Gal. 3:19, 16, 23-25)

Therefore, all has been fulfilled (Lk. 24:44-48; Jn. 19:28; Acts 3:18)

97

DID HE DO WHAT HE CAME TO DO?

IF WE ARE STILL UNDER THE OLD THEN HE FAILED.

DO YOU SERVE A FAILED JESUS OR A VICTORIOUS ONE?

• IF JESUS DID NOT ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE CAME TO ACCOMPLISH THEN HE IS NOT THE SAVIOR AND HE LIED TO US- NONE OF US BELIEVE THAT DO WE?

• Was the ceremonial law holy, just, & good?

– If No: A holy God gave an unholy law

– If Yes: A holy law was replaced

David Watts, Sr. 99

• James quotes “ceremonial law” (Lev. 19:18; Jas. 2:8)

• James doesn’t quote Sabbath command

• “Law” is the “law of liberty” (Jas. 2:12)

• Christians are not under the law of Moses but under law to Christ (1 Cor. 9:20-21)

David Watts, Sr. 100

• Assumes “commandments” = ten commandments

• God has other commandments

– 1 Cor. 14:37

– 1 Cor. 9:20-21

101

• Jesus lived under old covenant (Gal. 4:4)

• We are not under old covenant today (Rom. 7:4, 6, 7)

• Jesus also:

– Circumcised (Lk. 2:21)– Kept Passover (Mt.26:17-25)– Paid Temple Tax (Mt. 17:24-27)– Offered Sacrifices (Lk. 2:22-24)– Visited Jerusalem on Holy Days (Lk. 2:41-

47)

• Should Christians today do all that Jesus did? 102

• Tomb empty on first day (Lk. 24:1)

• Son of Man rise on third day (Lk. 24:7)

• Two disciples traveling that same day (Lk. 24:13)

• “Today is the third day” (Lk. 24:21)

• Christ rise the third day (Lk. 24:46)

103

• “Three days and three nights” (Mt. 12:40)

• “The third day” (Mt.16:21; 17:23; 20:19; Mk. 9:31; 10:34; Lk. 9:22; 13:32; 18:33; 24:7, 46; 1 Cor. 15:4)

• “In three days” (Mt. 26:61; Jn. 2:19-21)

• “On the third day” (Acts 10:40)

• “After three days” (Mt. 27:63; Mk. 8:31)104

How Long WasHow Long Was

Jesus In The Tomb?Jesus In The Tomb?

MatthewMatthew MarkMark LukeLuke JohnJohn““in three in three days” (2:19-days” (2:19-20)20)

““three days three days and three and three nights” nights” (12:40)(12:40)

““the third the third day” (16:21)day” (16:21)

““after three after three days” (8:31)days” (8:31)




105



MatthewMatthew MarkMark LukeLuke JohnJohn““the third day” the third day” (13:32)(13:32)




““in three in three days” days” (26:61)(26:61)

““within three within three days” days” (14:58)(14:58)



106



MatthewMatthew MarkMark LukeLuke JohnJohn““After three After three days” days” (27:63)(27:63)

““until the until the third day” third day” (27:64)(27:64)



107



MatthewMatthew MarkMark LukeLuke JohnJohn


Other PassagesOther Passages

““on the third day” (Acts on the third day” (Acts 10:40)10:40) ““the third day” (1 Cor. 15:4)the third day” (1 Cor. 15:4)

108

• The starving servant (1 Sam. 30:12-13)

• Israel (1 Ki. 12:5, 12; 2 Chr. 10:5, 12)

• Esther (Est. 4:16; 5:1)

• The faithless Jews (Mt. 27:63-64)

• Cornelius (Acts 10:3, 9, 23, 24, 30)

• Eleazar ben Azariah [AD 100]: “A day and night are an Onah [‘a portion of time’] and the portion of an Onah is as the whole of it.” (Jerusalem Talmud: Shabbath ix. 3)

109

• Paul was preaching on the Sabbath, not keeping the Sabbath

• Paul was preaching to non-Christians

• If I preach on Monday, does that mean that I keep Monday as a holy day?

• Paul’s actions (1 Cor. 9:20-23)

• Paul’s teaching (Col. 2:14-17)110

• Peter and John went to the temple at the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1)

• Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:1-3)

• Paul cut his hair and took a vow in Cenchrea (Acts 18:18)

• Paul kept a Jewish feast in Jerusalem (Acts 18:21)

• Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost (Acts 20:16)

• Paul sponsored four men who had taken a vow (Acts 21:20-26; 24:18) 111

• The NT clearly teaches that the old covenant has been replaced

• Peter lived as a Gentile among Gentiles (Gal. 2:11-14)

• The law was not to be bound on Gentiles (Acts 15:19-21, 24, 28-29; 21:25; Col. 2:13-23)

• Paul became as a Jew to win Jews (1 Cor. 9:19-23)

112

113

Saturday 6:00 p.m.

1st Day Begins

Saturday 12:00 a.m.

1st Day Continues

Sunday 6:00 a.m.1st Day Continues

Paul preaches Paul departsSaints assemble

Paul intended to depart on the morrow

Paul departed on the same day

• A promise, not a command (Heb. 4:1)

• A promise for believers (Heb. 4:3)

• A rest after the weekly Sabbath was being observed under Joshua (Heb. 4:8)

• A rest remaining (Heb. 4:1, 6, 9)

• A rest when work has ceased (Heb. 4:10)

• A rest to be entered (Heb. 4:11)

• Heaven is a place of rest (cf. 2 Th. 1:7; Rev. 7:14-17; 14:13)

114

115

C

Gen. 2:2

J DM

God rested

Sabbath

Canaan

Not Enter Rest

Rest Remaining

Josh. 1:15; 22:4

Psa. 95:11

Heb. 4:9Rev. 7:16-17; 14:13

Ex. 20:8

• Contains some requirements that were in the old covenant

• Contains some requirements that were not in the old covenant

• Does not contain a commandment to keep the Sabbath

David Watts, Sr. 116

“1. But every Lord’s Day do ye gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure.” (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, 14:1, The Ante-Nicene Fathers, 7:381)

117

“And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place and the Memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgiving, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying, ‘Amen’; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.” (The First Apology, Chap. 67, ANF, 1:186)

118

• “The Lord’s supper was celebrated only on Sunday as far as our second-century sources go.” (Early Christians Speak: Faith And Life In The First Three Centuries, Revised Edition, p. 86)

• “The Lord’s supper was a constant feature of the Sunday service. There is no second-century evidence for the celebration of a daily eucharist.” (Ibid, p. 96)

119

“By the end of the first century, however, the first day of the week had come to be generally observed as the Lord’s day, and to be invariably marked by the Passion, which had taken to itself as the commonest of its titles the name Eucharist....” (A History of Christian Worship, quoted in Clarence Johnson, “Lord’s Supper: Weekly Communion,” p. 6)

120

• Brought knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20)

• Came in that trespass might abound (Rom. 5:20)

• Made sin known (Rom. 7:7)

• Highlighted sinfulness of sin (Rom. 7:12-13)

• Schoolmaster to bring Jews to Christ (Gal. 3:24)

• Carnal ordinances imposed until a time of reformation (Heb. 9:10)

• Shadow of the good things to come (Heb. 10:1)

121

• Its creation account explains origins (Gen. 1 & 2)

• Its history provides the background for the NT

• Its revelation of God enlightens (Psa. 119:15, 27)

• Its prophecies confirm (Jn. 5:46-47; Lk. 24:44-47; 2 Pet. 1:19)

122

• Its principles instruct (Rom. 15:4; Dt. 25:4; 1 Cor. 9:7-12; 1 Tim. 5:17-18)

• Its examples warn and teach (1 Cor. 10:6, 11)

• Its types and shadows illuminate (Heb. 10:1)

• Its message makes us wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:14-15)

123

• Feast of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15-16)

• Resurrection of Jesus (Lk. 24:1, 13, 21, 46)

• Holy Spirit baptism on Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4)

• Beginning of the church (Acts 2:41-42, 47)

• Lord’s Supper observance in Troas (Acts 20:7)

• Collection of the saints (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

• John's vision of the Lord (Rev. 1:10-20)

124

• How could Adam, Noah and Abraham be sabbath keepers, when Deut. 5:2-4 says that the 10 commandment covenant was “not made with any of the fathers of Israel who lived before Moses.”

• If the sabbath was for Gentiles and Adam, Noah and Abraham then why is the sabbath a sign to remind them of their exodus from Egypt (Ex: 16:23, 29; 31:13-18).

• Why is the universal record of history from (75-500 AD) 100% silent and in agreement that Christians never kept the sabbath? Why does the unanimous record support that Christians assembled on Sunday? That they partook of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

• Why is the universal record of history (75-500) in 100% support of the fact that when Christians used the term “the Lord’s day” they were always talking about Sunday- the day the Lord rose from the dead.

• Why is there no record in all of history that Christians ever kept the sabbath day?

• If the sabbath is not a ceremonial law, then why is it included in the same group of “holy convocations” as the rest of the Jewish feast days (Lev. 23:2; Ex. 20:9; 31:17).

• How can there possibly be a difference in the Law of God and the Law of Moses, when God gave the Law of Moses (Ezra 7:6; Neh. 8:1) and Moses gave the Law of God (Neh. 10:29; 2 Chron. 34:14)?

• If the sabbath cannot change because God cannot change (Mal. 3:6) then what about all the other feast days and laws that changed (Heb. 7:12) and why did Jesus give a “new commandment” in John 13:34?

• Be a sign between God and Israel if all nations were expected to keep it? (Ex. 31:17).

• Why did God send Judah into Babylonian captivity for breaking the sabbath but never said a word to any Gentile for not keeping the sabbath.

• If the Gentile was supposed to keep the sabbath, why are they called “strangers from the covenant” in Eph. 2:12?

• If the term “the law” always means the 10 commandments then why is Leviticus called “the law” in Matt. 12:5; why is Deuteronomy called “the law” in Matt. 22:35f; Psalms called “the law” in Jn. 10:34,35; Rom. 3:10-12; 13:14,19; and the Prophets called “the law” in 1 Cor. 14:21; and the ten commandments are called “the law” that is abolished in Rom. 7:4-7?

What Else Did Jesus Say About Sabbath

• When He was asked “Teacher which is the greatest commandment in the Law” why did He not quote from the 10 commandments, but from the abolished ceremonial law of Moses (Mt. 22:36-40)?

• Why do you practice tithing which is prohibited in 2 Cor. 9:7; forbid eating pork which is permitted in Mark 7:18-19; and keep the sabbath which is abolished Col. 2:14-16? Aren’t all three of these ceremonial laws?

Col. 2:16Col. 2:16• Why refuse to accept that this passage follows the Old

Testament pattern of referring to the Jewish holy days in a yearly, monthly and weekly sequence as in 1 Chron. 23:31; 2 Chron. 31:3; 2 Chron. 8:13; 2 Chron. 2:4; Neh. 10:33; Ezek. 45:17; Hosea 2:11; Gal. 4:10.

• If the plural ‘sabbaton’ in Col. 2:16, cannot refer to weekly sabbath day, then why does the plural “sabbaton” refer to weekly sabbath in Matt. 28:1; Lk. 4:16; Acts 16:13; Ex. 20:8 (Septuagint); Lev. 23:37-38 (Septuagint). Can you have it both ways? No is does refer to weekly sabbath in Col. 2:16.

• If, in Col. 2:16 the lack of the definite article before the word, Sabbath, in the Greek proves it cannot refer to weekly sabbath, then why does the weekly sabbath lack the definite article in Matt. 28:1; John 5:9, 10,16.

What Day Did Jesus Come What Day Did Jesus Come Forth?Forth?

• Friday-Sunday? Wednesday –Saturday?• Sabbatarians demand a full 72 hour period.• Jesus counted Friday- Sunday duration as

three days in Lk. 13:32.• Why does Peter call a 72 hour period four

days in Acts 10:3,9,23,24,30?• Regardless of how you calculate Pentecost, it

fell on the first day of the week (Sunday) not on Saturday.

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Questions About The Sabbath?