More questions on the Sabbath... I have been getting questions time and time again over the above subject and here are some of my answers on the same. Q1: Is the Sabbath for a New Testament Christian just one day separated from the six days of work or maybe all days should be treated alike? A: Any day is the Sabbath. As for special day of rest and separation, Christ became our Sabbath so we have rest in him. A scripture to illustrate this point. Hebrews 4:4-12 (NKJV) 4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; [a] 5 and again in this place: “They shall not enter My rest.”[b] 6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience, 7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.”[c] 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Honestly speaking, the Sabbath was part of the law, that has been fulfilled in Christ so we now have the Holy Spirit to help us along and through Him we can observe all the aspects of the law and where we fail (very common), then He becomes the fulfillment of the same. Colossians 2:16-23 (NKJV) 16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not[a] seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore,[b] if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Q2: Should a Christian not buy anything on the sabbath? A: Well, the above passages clearly show you that it does not matter anymore as God is more concerned with your state in Christ than what day you are buying or selling. In the OT yes it mattered on all these matters you ask of, but not anymore. Q3: Was the Sabbath day specifically for Isrealites? A: Yes and no. Yes it was and no it was for anyone that converted to Judaism. So, if one converted or worked for a Jew, they would have to observe these laws. However, those who come into Christ no longer are required to do so. We have a special day of worship which we have selected (Sunday) but all days are special days and you can worship God in any of these days because God seeks true worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Its no longer about where and when, its all about your inner state and position in Christ. (John 4:23) So, bottom line, the Law and the Sabbath where both fulfilled in Jesus Christ and we are thus able to fulfill them by appropriation. This big word comes from the root property (item that belongs to someone) where we derive proprietor (owner). So, Christ is the Law (property owner) and fulfilled it (met its terms and conditions) and now we have Christ (we are His property) and He is the fulfillment of all the Law once and for all time. As Gods property, Christ is our Proprietor and thus we have appropriated (taken possession of) His righteousness and through this, we are thus justified (absolved and made right)!! What a wonderful God we serve.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 05:02:00 +0000
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