Are the Sabbath laws binding on Christians today?
Christians and the Sabbath - John MacArthur
See the comments for a (weak) rebuttal if you are so inclined.
Colossians 2:16-17 HCSB
Therefore don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah.
Hebrews 4:9-10 HCSB
A Sabbath rest remains, therefore, for God’s people. 10 For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.
Interesting that HCSB capitalized Sabbath in Hebrews but not in Colossians.
Galatians 4:10-11 HCSB
You observe special days, months, seasons, and years. 11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.
Romans 14:5 HCSB
One person considers one day to be above another day. Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind.
Of course; it’s the days we all get together to dedicate that day to God, time of worship, and it’s a commandment. I think those scriptures are about those who are being legalistic.
But how much of the commandment should be observe then?
Jeff
Before I comment further, I should mention that we could have different definitions of what it means to observe the Sabbath. We could also be bringing different presuppositions and have a different definition of what the Sabbath is. Which could then lead to all commenter’s to talk past each other.When you ask, “how much of the commandment should be observed then?” If I’m understanding you correctly, what would be ‘no observance’, ’some observance’, or ‘full observance’? Apologies if I’ve misunderstood.Have a good night!
Hi,
What I mean is there are rules and regulations spelled out in the OT regarding keeping the Sabbath. If we are to keep the Sabbath then don’t we have to obey the ceremonial laws associated with it in order to truly keep it?
Hope that helps. Let me know if that needs further clarifying.
Jeff
My own opinion probably isn’t going to be that pertinent. Most will follow the indoctrination they’ve received from whatever denomination or group they’re a part of. I think for most, what keeping the Sabbath is, is going to be in the ‘eye of the beholder’. You probably wanted more from me and my apologies if I disappointed.
Colossians 2:16-17 , Galatians 4:10-11 and Romans 14:5 are not about the one-day in seven but rather refers to the ceremonial sabbaths and feasts of the law, it is Torah. The one-day in seven is creational (not Torah), just like marriage, and so continues until Jesus comes again.
Thanks for the insight and for stopping by Richard. I will look into this more.
Jeff
What about Matthew 5:17-20? I would be very careful about teaching people that they don’t have to observe the Sabbath when it is one of the 10 Commandments. The early Christians met on the first day of the week to break bread and prepare for the week. They did not convert the Sabbath to Sunday. The Romans moved the official day of worship for the Catholic religion because the peasants of the Roman empire worshipped their Sun god on Sunday. This made it easier to convert them to Catholics.
My questions then are:
-What exactly is “the Sabbath” in new covenant times?
-What does observing the Sabbath entail?
Jeff
The best summary is provided in the Westminster Larger Catechism.Question 116: What is required in the fourth commandment?Answer: The fourth commandment requires of all men the sanctifying or keeping holy to God such set times as he has appointed in his Word, expressly one whole day in seven; which was the seventh from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week ever since, and so to continue to the end of the world; which is the Christian sabbath, and in the New Testament called the Lord’s day.
Question 117: How is the sabbath or the Lord’s day to be sanctified?Answer: The sabbath or Lord’s day is to be sanctified by an holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful; and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to betaken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God’s worship: and, to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.
Question 119: What are the sins forbidden in the fourth commandment?Answer: The sins forbidden in the fourth commandment are, all omissions of the duties required, all careless, negligent, and unprofitable performing of them, and being weary of them; all profaning the day by idleness, and doing that which is in itself sinful; and by all needless works, words, and thoughts, about our worldly employments and recreations.
Also try:The Work of the SabbathThe Means of Grace: The SabbathThese are both by Pipa who wrote The Lord’s Day
Richard thanks for posting that. I’ve been meaning to read through that and am embarrassed to say I haven’t yet, even though I consider myself reformed.
Jeff