Christ is the True Sabbath

[Samie]

Jesus was circumcised the 8th day. Yet gentile converts were NOT required to be circumcised.

[8thdaypriest]

Quote:

If I lived on the Island of Samoa, it would depend upon which end of the Island.

The Date Line runs thru the middle of the Island.

One SDA is in church, and another is mowing his lawn down the street.

Luckily, the International Date Line does not pass through any land mass.

I was informed that the Dateline has moved.

[Gregory Matthews]

The issue regarding Samoa is a complex one. Sammie is correct that the International Date Line (IDL) does not now and never has crossed through land. From its inception to the present the IDL goes from the North Pole to the South Pole, generally following the 180th longitude.

However, as there are some islands in the pacific through which the 180th longitude crosses, the IDL ahs gone to one side or the other in order to keep those islands on one day.

In recent times, Samoa enacted a change in the IDL. So, the statement that the IDL has changed, made by Rachel, is also correct. I take responsibility for her statement. The situation is so complex that I simply informed her that there had been a recent change in the IDL that affected Samoa and that all of Samoa was on the same side of the IDL. NOTE: I did not get into issues related to American Samoa.

For a further brief statement which indicates the complexities of this I cite from Wikipedia:

Quote:

In Tonga, Seventh Day Adventists (who usually observe Saturday, the seventh-day Sabbath) observe Sunday due to their understanding of the International Date Line, as Tonga lies east of the 180° meridian. Sunday as observed in Tonga (as with Kiribati, Samoa, and parts of Fiji and Tuvalu) is considered by the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be the same day as Saturday observed in most other places.[15][16]

Most Seventh Day Adventists in Samoa planned to observe Sabbath on Sunday after Samoa's crossing the date line in December 2011, but SDA groups in Samatau village and other places (approx. 300 members) decided to accept the IDL adjustment and observe Sabbath on the "new" Saturday.[17] Debate continues within the Seventh-day Adventist community in the Pacific as to which day is really the seventh-day Sabbath.

The Samoan Independent Seventh-day Adventist Church, which is not affiliated to the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church, has decided to continue worshiping on Saturday, after a six-day week at the end of 2011.

[TrevorL]

In an earlier Post brief mention was made of the 10th Commandment “Thou shalt not covet” and how Paul speaks of his experience and severe problem with this commandment. The very commandment seemed to awaken lust or coveting. The whole of Romans 6-8 should be considered, but Paul’s experience indicates that the solution is not to directly concentrate on the Commandments, nor consider that this is the secret to Godly living. The emphasis should be by faith in the gospel of Christ, by the faith revealed in and through Christ that we can find deliverance from a Law and Sin environment:

Romans 7:24-25 (KJV): 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The heart of this deliverance is accomplished in God’s Son by his positive walk in faith and trust in God and his victory over the lusts of the flesh:

Romans 8:1-3 (KJV): 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful (or Sin’s) flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Salvation is by faith in the Gospel of Christ. It is faith in this gospel that brings forgiveness of sins and leads to a life of Godliness and obedience.

Romans 1:16-17 (KJV): 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The Apostles and Philip preached this gospel, and this is summarised in the following:

Acts 8:5,12 (KJV): 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Here is a clear indication that the gospel preached contained both elements, things concerning the Name and the Kingdom. A correct balance and proper understanding of these elements are necessary for salvation. The speech in Acts 3 contains both of these in an expanded form, but even this speech must be carefully considered in all its elements and understood in the light of the rest of the Scriptures.

Undoubtedly we must seek to fulfil the following:

Matthew 7:24-25 (KJV): 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

It is also interesting how Paul treats the sin of stealing:

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV): Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

This has been described as sublimation or replacement therapy. A bad habit is not overcome by direct confrontation, or obedience to a law, but a gradual change of attitude and practice, using the very hands that once stole to labour and give to others.

The emphasis should then be on the complete way of life in Christ. There are many Scriptures that speak of this, and the emphasis is mainly on growth in understanding and transformation. In other words the emphasis is not on simply obeying the Commandments, especially as interpreted by some as the 10 Commandments. Our life is to be Christ centred, understanding his life, and the proper significance of his death and resurrection and looking forward to his return to establish his kingdom on the earth for the 1000 years.

Perhaps one of the best known teachings on the need for growth and transformation is the following:

2 Peter 1:3-11 (KJV): 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Perhaps the best summary of all of this is the following where Christ is depicted as the True Sabbath:

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV): 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Kind regards

Trevor

[Samie]

...

Perhaps the best summary of all of this is the following where Christ is depicted as the True Sabbath:

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV): 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus says in v29 above that REST comes AFTER I have LEARNED of/from Him. In all aspects of life, NOT excluding church-going. Makes one wonder if after having LEARNED from Jesus that His going to church on Saturdays was His custom, I make it my custom to go to church on Sundays instead because Sunday is CONVENIENT for the group I belong.

Am I really bent on FOLLOWING and RESTING with our Shepherd or bent on following and resting with my group?

[pierrepaul]

For readers of this thread who are not yet aware that our Shepherd is a Sabbath keeper, here's Scriptures:

Quote:

NKJ Luke 4:16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

It was Jesus custom to be in church on the Sabbath day, the 7th day of the week, Saturday.

Attending worship services on Sabbath, be it in a synagogue 2000 years ago or in a church today, is not the same thing as "Sabbath keeping". In Moses' day, there were daily religious services. The 4th commandment is not a commandment to go to church on the 7th day. It is a commandment to "remember" and to refrain from work. Jesus attended synagogue on Sabbath, but he also challenged prevailing ideas about what was permitted on the Sabbath.

[Samie]

Hi Pierrepaul,

You have a good point. But the big issue remains unresolved.

It was Jesus' custom to attend church worship services on Saturdays. Why do you think many among His sheep refuse to follow His custom and instead opt to attend church worship services on Sundays?

[TrevorL]

Greetings again Samie,

But the big issue remains unresolved.

It was Jesus' custom to attend church worship services on Saturdays. Why do you think many among His sheep refuse to follow His custom and instead opt to attend church worship services on Sundays?

I appreciate your latest comments. There are two Scriptures that could be considered, and I will let you decide if these are applicable:

Romans 14:4-6 (KJV): 4 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard It.

Galatians 4:9-11 (KJV): 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Kind regards

Trevor

[Samie]

Greetings again Samie,

Originally Posted By: Samie

But the big issue remains unresolved.

It was Jesus' custom to attend church worship services on Saturdays. Why do you think many among His sheep refuse to follow His custom and instead opt to attend church worship services on Sundays?

I appreciate your latest comments. There are two Scriptures that could be considered, and I will let you decide if these are applicable:

...

I don't think Rom 14:4-6 nor Gal 4:9-11 are applicable. The issue is following the Shepherd, NOT the esteeming nor regarding nor observing of days which is what the verses you offered speak of.

I could regard, esteem & even observe all days to be the same, but that is entirely different from following our Shepherd in His custom of attending church worship services on Saturdays. Following our Shepherd is NOT turning again to the weak and beggarly elements, don't you agree?

As proof, Paul who wrote those verses said: NIV 1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

[TrevorL]

Greetings again Samie,

I don't think Rom 14:4-6 nor Gal 4:9-11 are applicable. The issue is following the Shepherd, NOT the esteeming nor regarding nor observing of days which is what the verses you offered speak of.

I could regard, esteem & even observe all days to be the same, but that is entirely different from following our Shepherd in His custom of attending church worship services on Saturdays. Following our Shepherd is NOT turning again to the weak and beggarly elements, don't you agree?

As proof, Paul who wrote those verses said: NIV 1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

I appreciate the clarification. I assumed that you also kept the Sabbath because of the 10 Commandments. I also assumed that as this is a SDA forum you were reflecting this aspect of their teaching. I was trying to show that Christ is the True Sabbath and the Sabbath under the Law was only a shadow.

Kind regards

Trevor