Understanding Sabbath Laws in Christianity: A Misunderstood Commandment

In the Christian faith, the Sabbath represents a day marked by rest and worship, as ordained by God. The question often arises, ldquo;If by faith we are saved, do we need to keep the Sabbath?rdquo; To fully comprehend this, we must delve into the biblical basis and historical context of these laws.

Biblical Foundations

First, itrsquo;s crucial to examine the foundational scriptures that discuss the Sabbath. In Ecclesiastes 12:14, it is said, ldquo;God will call every creature to account for everything unknown, be it good or bad. The sum of the matter when all is said and done: Fear God and keep His Commandments, for this applies to all mankind.rdquo; This passage underscores the importance of adhering to Godrsquo;s commands, including the Sabbath.

Matthew 5:17-18

Then, consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:17-18, where He states, ldquo;Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.rdquo;

Matthew 8:22 8:23

Furthermore, Jesusrsquo; warning is explicit in Matthew 8:22 8:23. Here, He said, Some people came and said to Him, 'We prophesied in Your name and cast out demons in Your name.' But He replied, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who bring ill][1]fortune!' This highlights the significance of adhering to the commands and laws of God.

Myths and Realities

Unfortunately, many Evangelical Christians believe they do not need to obey Godrsquo;s Commandments, often based on misinformation. However, the New Testament explicitly emphasizes the importance of obeying Godrsquo;s Law. For instance, Jesus affirms that the Sabbath was made for humankind, not the other way around, in Mark 2:27: ldquo;The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.rdquo;

Correcting Misunderstandings

Some Bible College teachings led me to believe that most of the Ten Commandments were reaffirmed in the New Testament, except for the Sabbath Day. However, these teachings were incorrect. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, made this commandment relevant and applicable to the New Testament era. Therefore, the Seventh Day should be kept holy, just as God commanded.

Historical Context and Weekly Worship

The Christian group I belong to emphasizes following the practices and beliefs of the early church as much as possible, using Scripture as our foundation. However, there is no evidence in the early church of Christians worshipping on the Sabbath, contrary to what one might assume.

Sunday Worship in Early Christianity

Several reasons explain why Christians gather for worship on Sunday, the first day of the week:

Christ rose on Sunday, as mentioned in John 20:1-9. The disciples met on Sunday, as indicated in John 20:19-31. The church was born on Pentecost, which occurred 50 days after the resurrection, or the 7th Sunday after the resurrection, as described in Acts 2:1-13. The Lordrsquo;s Supper was observed on Sunday, as shown in Acts 20:7. Paul preached on Sunday, as seen in Acts 20:7. Offerings were given on Sunday, as recorded in I Corinthians 16:2.

Early Church Fathers and Sunday Worship

Church Fathers like Ignatius and Justin Martyr, who lived in the early centuries, also spoke about Sunday worship. Ignatius lived from about 50 to 110 A.D. and Justin Martyr was a prominent Christian writer in the second century. Both emphasized the importance of gathering on Sunday for worship.

Justin Martyr wrote, ldquo;And at this service they always begin by singing hymns to the Son of God, and after that there is a reading of the Scriptures and a homily, or sermon, and then prayer.rdquo; This passage highlights the early Christian practice of gathering on Sunday for worship and the emphasis on the communal reading of Scriptures and reflections on the teachings of Christ.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Sabbath is a significant commandment that applies to Christians. The beliefs and practices of the early church support Sunday worship, but this does not negate the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy. By understanding and adhering to Godrsquo;s commands, we can uphold the foundational principles of Christianity and seek to honor Godrsquo;s will. Let us not let menrsquo;s opinions or traditions override the commands of God.