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SABBATH KEEPING AND THE CHRISTIAN

In the Ten Commandments, we read, “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). Some school children in America may see the 10 commandments posted in some public schools. So, should Christians today observe the Sabbath?

“Sabbath” (Heb., Shabbat) means, “rest, repose, cessation from exertion.” The Sabbath law was first made known to Moses at Mt. Sinai (Neh 9:13-14). It was given only to the nation of Israel as a sign between the Jews and God (Ex. 31:17). This covenant of the Law was not given to the prior generations of the Hebrews before Moses (Deut 5:3). It was a reminder of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Deut. 5:12-15). The “seventh day [not the first day of the week] is a sabbath of the LORD” (Ex 20:10, Deut 5:14). So, it means no more to a modern Gentile than does the 4th of July to a Frenchman.

The Law containing the Sabbath has been nailed to the cross of Christ as obsolete (Col 2:14-17). Jesus “takes away” the Law of Moses “in order to establish” His gospel law of the New Covenant (Heb 10:9). Paul said if try to go back to the Law of Moses to keep it and be justified by that Law, then we will fall from grace (Gal 5:1-4). The Jewish Sabbath law is not for us to observe today.

Removal of the Ten Commandments does not mean we can live immoral lives in taking God’s name in vain, stealing, murder, adultery, coveting or being disrespectful to parents. For example, colonial American law made murder a capital crime. It is still so today, not because we’re under colonial law but because current American law is against murder. Every one of the original 10 commandments has either been repeated or strengthened in the New Testament, except the Sabbath. “ Remember the Sabbath Day” is the only one of the 10 commandments NOT repeated in the New Testament.

Christians are taught to come together on the “first day of the week” (Acts 20:7) to eat the Lord's Supper in commemoration of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection (Matt 26:28, 1 Cor. 11:23-26). On Sunday, the First Day of the week, we should contribute to the work of the Lord’s church (1 Cor. 16:1-2). The first day of the week is not the Sabbath, but it is the day Christians must assemble to worship the Lord.

For Christians, Christ is our Sabbath (rest) in this life. He says, “Come to Me...I will give you rest” (Matt 11:28). This refreshing fellowship in Christ is a foretaste of the “Sabbath rest” we will enter and enjoy in heaven (Heb 4:9). Setting personal time aside to rest and reflect on God and His Word is a good, regular discipline but is personal judgment. The NT doesn’t legislate a specific 24 period requiring it.

-W. Frank Walton