Saturday or Sunday Worship? I. The

A. The day of rest principle dates 1. The Sabbath was the last day of the back to the completion of God’s week: Saturday. creation (Gen. 2:1-3). God rested on 2. The Sabbath as a religious obligation was first made known when the seventh day and sanctified it— presented the to set it apart as different from the Israel (Neh. 9:13, 14). other days of the week. In the 3. The Sabbath was primarily a day of Genesis account, the seventh day is rest. Remember that Old Testament NOT referred to as a Sabbath. worship took place on a daily basis in B. The Sabbath as observed by the the tabernacle, and later the temple. 4. The Sabbath was intended as a under the law was instituted in beneficent blessing, but by ’ day it Exodus 20:8-11; 16:4-5, 14-30 had become an unbearable burden. Matt. 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-3:6 I. The Old Testament Sabbath

C. The Sabbath as a legal D. Dr. John R. Rice comments: institution was specifically given • It becomes clear then by the plain as a sign between God and Israel and repeated teaching of God’s (Ex. 31:12-18). Word, that the Sabbath is a command to Israel under the 1. As part of the Old Testament law, Mosaic Law as a special sign or the Sabbath was an obligation covenant between them and God peculiar to Israel. It included more and was never commanded to than just the seventh day. Lev. 23:2- in any dispensation. 4 When we speak of the Sabbath, 2. It was initially given to test then, we speak of the seventh day, whether or not Israel would adhere Saturday, as the Old Testament to the law. Ex. 16:4-5 command of ceremonial law to 3. Purpose of the law: to reveal our Jews. sinfulness. Gal. 3:19-26 II. Should Christians observe the Sabbath?

A. Remember the Old Testament • Colossians 2:13-17 13And you, being Sabbath is Saturday, the seventh day. dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he B. In Colossians 2:13-22, Paul describes quickened together with him, having how we are free from the law, including forgiven you all trespasses; 14Blotting the observance of “sabbath days,” out the handwriting of ordinances stating that Christ has “blotted out the that was against us, which was handwriting of ordinances that was contrary to us, and took it out of the against us” and nailed that ordinance way, nailing it to his cross; 15And (as well as the others) to the cross. having spoiled principalities and Clearly, the observance of the seventh powers, he made a shew of them day Sabbath is NOT a command for openly, triumphing over them in it. Christians. 16Let no man therefore judge you in 1. Keep in mind the law was given to the Jews, not the Gentiles. Even though we meat, or in drink, or in respect of an were never under the law, we see clearly holyday, or of the new moon, or of the through the law God’s standard of holiness sabbath days: 17Which are a shadow and how we fall short. of things to come; but the body is of Christ. II. Should Christians observe the Sabbath?

C. In Galatians 4:8-11, Paul rebukes the • Galatians 4:8-11 8Howbeit then, when Christians at Galatia for their return to ye knew not God, ye did service unto Jewish legalism. Paul feared for these them which by nature are no gods. believers because they insisted in 9But now, after that ye have known observing “days, and months, and God, or rather are known of God, how times, and years.” Their emphasis on turn ye again to the weak and the Jewish law called their profession of beggarly elements, whereunto ye grace into question. desire again to be in bondage? 10Ye 1. There is an attempt to do have believers observe days, and months, and times, do the same thing today. Its called the and years. 11I am afraid of you, lest I Hebrew Roots movement. have bestowed upon you labour in 2. As a saved individual, what is wrong with vain. putting yourself under God’s law (like the sabbath) to be pleasing to God? • Hint: Galatians 2:21; 3:2-3; 5:1-8, 12-15 II. Should Christians observe the Sabbath?

D. Prior to the Gospel to the 3. It is not reasonable to think that the Gentiles, the Christians of the early Jerusalem council met on the sabbath. church were Jews, who witnessed to Acts 15:4-22 4. The Jerusalem council did not lost Jews in the synagogues on command believers to keep the Saturday, but gathered together as law of Moses or to keep the sabbath. Christians separately. Acts 11:26; Acts 15:5-11, 19-30; 21:25 13:5, 14-16, 44; 17:1-2, 10, 17; 18:4 E. Clearly, the observance of the 1. The scriptures make a distinction of the Jewish synagogues and the seventh day Sabbath is NOT Christian Churches. Acts 14:1, 21-23 incumbent upon 2. You can’t be witnessing in the believers. Seventh Day synagogues, and at the same time be Adventism/Hebrew Roots Movement gathered with the brethren. How could does not stand the test! you be in two places at once? Acts 14:27