Why Protestant churches dont keep the Sabbath.

[hobie]

...and continue to disregard it even though its clear it was never changed by God. Almost all the Christian world reverences Sunday, did God know that this attempt to change His holy Sabbath would occur?

 "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. " Daniel 7:25

 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:28-30

 Yes, long ago God predicted that, from within the church itself, corrupt and misguided men would rise up who would attempt to change His holy law. So the prophecy came true as we clearly see in history, and it has come to pas as the Sabbath and those who kept it were swept away with only a faithful few still holding to the true day of worship, and a substitute put in.

[hobie]

Here are some statements showing who the Protestant churches are following and its not the Bible:

 "Protestants ... accept Sunday rather than Saturday as the day for public worship after the Catholic Church made the change... But the Protestant mind does not seem to realize that ... in observing Sunday, they are accepting the authority of the spokesman for the Church, the pope." Our Sunday Visitor, February 5th, 1950. This Rock

Question: Which is the Sabbath day?
Answer: Saturday is the Sabbath day.

Question: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
Answer: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday. -Rev. Peter Geiermann C.SS.R., The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50


 Q. Should not the Protestant doubt when he finds that he himself holds tradition as a guide?
 A. Yes, if he would but reflect that he has nothing but Catholic Tradition for keeping the Sunday holy; ... Controversial Catechism by Stephen Keenan, New Edition, revised by Rev. George Cormack, published in London by Burns & Oates, Limited - New York, Cincinnati, Chicago: Benzinger Brothers, 1896, pages 6, 7.

 "The Church, on the other hand, after changing the day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath, or seventh day of the week, to the first, made the Third Commandment refer to Sunday as the day to be kept holy as the Lord's Day. The Council of Trent (Sess. VI, can. xix) condemns those who deny that the Ten Commandments are binding on Christians." The Catholic Encyclopedia, Commandments of God, Volume IV, © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company, Online Edition © 1999 by Kevin Knight, Nihil Obstat - Remy Lafort, Censor Imprimatur - +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York, page 153.

 ''The [Roman Catholic] Church changed the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday by right of the divine, infallible authority given to her by her founder, Jesus Christ. The Protestant claiming the Bible to be the only guide of faith, has no warrant for observing Sunday. In this matter the Seventh-day Adventist is the only consistent Protestant.'' The Catholic Universe Bulletin, August 14, 1942, p. 4.

 "All of us believe many things in regard to religion that we do not find in the Bible. For example, nowhere in the Bible do we find that Christ or the Apostles ordered that the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of God given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath Day, that is the 7th day of the week, Saturday. Today most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the Church outside the Bible." The Catholic Virginian, "To Tell You The Truth,” Vol. 22, No. 49 (Oct. 3, 1947).

 "... you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify." The Faith of Our Fathers, by James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, 88th edition, page 89. Originally published in 1876, republished and Copyright 1980 by TAN Books and Publishers, Inc., pages 72-73.

 'Deny the authority of the Church and you have no adequate or reasonable explanation or justification for the substitution of Sunday for Saturday in the Third - Protestant Fourth - Commandment of God... The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.'' Catholic Record, September 1, 1923.

 "But since Saturday, not Sunday, is specified in the Bible, isn't it curious that non-Catholics who profess to take their religion directly from the Bible and not the Church, observe Sunday instead of Saturday? Yes, of course, it is inconsistent; but this change was made about fifteen centuries before Protestantism was born, and by that time the custom was universally observed. They have continued the custom, even though it rests upon the authority of the Catholic Church and not upon an explicit text in the Bible. That observance remains as a reminder of the Mother Church from which the non-Catholic sects broke away - like a boy running away from home but still carrying in his pocket a picture of his mother or a lock of her hair." The Faith of Millions


 "Perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the Church ever did, happened in the first century. The holy day, the Sabbath, was changed from Saturday to Sunday. "The Day of the Lord" (dies Dominica) was chosen, not from any directions noted in the Scriptures, but from the Church's sense of its own power. The day of resurrection, the day of Pentecost, fifty days later, came on the first day of the week. So this would be the new Sabbath. People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become 7th Day Adventists, and keep Saturday holy." Sentinel, Pastor's page, Saint Catherine Catholic Church, Algonac, Michigan, May 21, 1995

 'If Protestants would follow the Bible, they would worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church.' Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal, in a letter dated February 10, 1920.

 'It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church.'Priest Brady, in an address, reported in the Elizabeth, NJ on March 18, 1903. This Rock


 'Of course these .. quotations are exactly correct. The Catholic Church designated Sunday as the day for corporate worship and gets full credit – or blame ' This Rock,The Magazine of Catholic Apologetics and Evangelization, p.8, June 1997


 'The observance of Sunday by the Protestants is homage they pay, in spite of themselves, to the authority of the [Catholic] Church.' Monsignor Louis Segur, 'Plain Talk about the Protestantism of Today';, p. 213.

[hobie]

So why if the truth is before them, and the power of the false church overwhelming them, can they not see who they are following.

[Gregory Matthews]

I am not impressed by people who quote from people who quote from others who quote from someone else who quoted someone. I addition, I am not impressed by people who cite ancient documents, in situations where more modern documents are available. The above cites Peter Geiermamn. His comments actually predate 1910. They have been published, with changes, in 1930 and 1957. Actually, the Roman Catholic Church today claims that the Sabbath was changed by: 1) The apostles. 2) The Early Church. In actual, historical fact, the change in the Sabbath occurred over several hundred years. There is no one decree of any prelate, or other person, who can be said to have effected the change in the Sabbath. The cause of this change are complex and can not be fairly described to an edict of the Roman Catholic Church. Yes, I am aware of the Councils of Trent and Laodicea. There are many good historical works that give us information on this subject. The SDA Bible Source Book has more than 50 pages on this subject.  Of course there is the book, From Sabbath to Sunday, written by Samuele Bacchiocchi.  There are other works.  On this subject, one does not have to sources that are not original and or are ancient.   

[Outta Here]

1 hour ago, hobie said:

So why if the truth is before them, and the power of the false church overwhelming them, can they not see who they are following.

People need to be ready to hear truth and accept it as truth. This is not unique to Biblical topics; it is true of anything one holds as a "truth" to their own foundational understanding. 

[TrevorL]

Greetings hobie,

2 hours ago, hobie said:

...and continue to disregard it even though its clear it was never changed by God. Almost all the Christian world reverences Sunday, did God know that this attempt to change His holy Sabbath would occur?

 "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. " Daniel 7:25

 "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:28-30

 Yes, long ago God predicted that, from within the church itself, corrupt and misguided men would rise up who would attempt to change His holy law. So the prophecy came true as we clearly see in history, and it has come to pas as the Sabbath and those who kept it were swept away with only a faithful few still holding to the true day of worship, and a substitute put in.

I do not consider that it is necessary under Christ to keep one day as a Sabbath, neither Saturday or Sunday. I believe that Matthew 11:25-30 and Hebrews 4 indicate the true meaning of the true "Rest" or Sabbath that the believers in Christ share. Hebrews 4 gives a much wider range of meaning to the Sabbath, and Matthew 11 is the true comfort and rest that we share in Christ. Discipleship with Christ is every day.

Kind regards Trevor

[debbym]

The Sabbath is an expression of God's love given to sinless man, the bless him even in a sinless state.  It increased humankind's walk with God,  with the creation, with  their fellow man, and their own heart week to week.   And we were made in be able to stretch and increase in love and understanding, and in worship for eternity.

Eternity begins for us when we receive Christ.  This walk with God the that stretches out for eternity remains empowered by His presence in the Sabbath for those who are burdened with the presence of sin, by nature and by every suffering and struggle around them.

[Gregory Matthews]

Hobie said in the quote below:

The answer is:  They sincerely believe that the Bible supports the Sabbath on the day we now call Sunday.  I reject that argument, as you probably do.  But, I can understand why some would believe that the Bible supports Sunday as the Sabbath and so should anyone who studies this subject.  

I would encourage anyone studying this subject to get into the historical background of this change.  There is much known today that can be helpful.

So why if the truth is before them, and the power of the false church overwhelming them, can they not see who they are following.

[debbym]

God is in charge of everyone's relationship to himself.  He knows his own, and he leads each one into truth and more truth every day.  In His time God will lead His children to more fully value the Sabbath.  God has perfect timing.  With every unfolding of truth there is a repercussion that God prepares His children for.  For example God did not prematurely reveal truths at times.  

He does not bring the end times punishments upon the evil angels before it's time.  They were brushing with the truth that Christ has all power and authority on heaven and earth, but the final end had not come. From the story of the demoniac's.

There is a timely unfolding of truth that has a purpose for eternity.  We cannot determine someone else's timeline, nor judge them as to what they know or do not know.  Only God holds all those reins.

We are each accountable for what we do with the light we are given, at each given moment.

[Gregory Matthews]

If a critic of the SDA Church wants to argue against current teachings of the SDA Church, where should the critic go to present evidence as to  what the SDA Church teaches?  Should it be to denominational writings 100 (or even 50) years old?  Should it be to current statements of belief?  Please tell me.

My comment was directed against ancient statements.  Period.

An additional comment should be made as to what is required and what is not.

In Adventism, there are doctrines in which the SDA denomination is willing for a range in understanding and belief to exist.

The same is true of the Roman Catholic denomination.  Just because a Priest/Bishop and even the Pope says something does not mean that it  is formal teaching required by all.

NOTE:  As to the Pope:  Only when speaking ex cathedra, which is seldom.  At other times the Pope is subject to error.

So also, just because the Editor of the Review  publishes something, or even the GC President, does not mean that it is required SDA belief.

Here is the bottom line:  Notwithstanding published comments that one may find, both in history and currently, Roman Catholic teaching on the change of the Sabbath has moved to a teaching that the change was made by the early church, the apostles, and the Bible.

Anyone who wants to present current RC teaching should know what current RC teaching is.

 

 

 

[Outta Here]

It is also quite helpful to know how, and why, and when they come to their current understandings. I appreciate Hobie's post.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Your questions are worthy of consideration and of responding to, as well as discussion.  I simply do not have the time to do so at this  moment.  Perhaps later/  In the meantime. . . . .?

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Of course.  And, I do not need to dominate the conversation.

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I am uncertain that I have good responses to your questions.  But I will give it a try.  I will copy your questions in BOLD and the place my response below each question:

1/ What are those "cornerstones" of the Sabbath doctrine?

a)  It is a special time that occurs on the Sabbath day.

'b)  It is a time to get together with God.

2/ How should these "Cornerstones" manifest in our life, and our church?

a)  In our life, this is an issue that must be resolved between us and God.  It is not between me and you.

'b)  As to our church,  This is a very sensitive issue as our members hold to a wide range of beliefs on this point and our congregations today often are involved in Sabbath activities that some believe violate   the Sabbath commandment.

3/ What does the world actually see, regarding the Sabbath, as it is lived and fulfilled in our daily life, and in our church life?

a)  The world at large has no understanding of this issue and probably simply sees it as a list or rules and regulations.

4/ Could the answers to the above 3 have anything to do with why people dont want to/cant keep the Sabbath?

Eg. I know someone who will wash the dishes on Sabbath, but will not dry them on Sabbath. To dry them on Sabbath would be "wrong."

a) Probably.