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Bible Study How Should Christians Keep the Sabbath

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Jay T

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How Shall We keep the Sabbath?

God is merciful. His requirements are reasonable, in accordance with the goodness and benevolence of His character. The object of the Sabbath was that all mankind might be benefited. Man was not made to fit the Sabbath; for the Sabbath was made after the creation of man, to meet his necessities. After God had made the world in six days, He rested and sanctified and blessed the day upon which He rested from all His work which He had created and made. He set apart that special day for man to rest from his labor, that, as he should look upon the earth beneath and the heavens above, he might reflect that God made all these in six days and rested upon the seventh; and that, as he should behold the tangible proofs of God's infinite wisdom, his heart might be filled with love and reverence for his Maker.

In order to keep the Sabbath holy, it is not necessary that we enclose ourselves in walls, shut away from the beautiful scenes of nature and from the free, invigorating air of heaven. We should in no case allow burdens and business transactions to divert our minds upon the Sabbath of the Lord, which He has sanctified.

We should not allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character even. But the mind cannot be refreshed, enlivened, and elevated by being confined nearly all the Sabbath hours within walls, listening to long sermons and tedious, formal prayers. The Sabbath of the Lord is put to a wrong use if thus celebrated. The object for which it was instituted is not attained. The Sabbath was made for man, to be a blessing to him by calling his mind from secular labor to contemplate the goodness and glory of God. It is necessary that the people of God assemble to talk of Him, to interchange thoughts and ideas in regard to the truths contained in His word, and to devote a portion of time to appropriate prayer. But these seasons, even upon the Sabbath, should not be made tedious by their length and lack of interest.

During a portion of the day, all should have an opportunity to be out of doors. How can children receive a more correct knowledge of God, and their minds be better impressed, than in spending a portion of their time out of doors, not in play, but in company with their parents? Let their young minds be associated with God in the beautiful scenery of nature, let their attention be called to the tokens of His love to man in His created works, and they will be attracted and interested. They will not be in danger of associating the character of God with everything that is stern and severe; but as they view the beautiful things which He has created for the happiness of man, they will be led to regard Him as a tender, loving Father. They will see that His prohibitions and injunctions are not made merely to show His power and authority, but that He has the happiness of His children in view. As the character of God puts on the aspect of love, benevolence, beauty, and attraction, they are drawn to love Him. You can direct their minds to the lovely birds making the air musical with their happy songs, to the spires of grass, and the gloriously tinted flowers in their perfection perfuming the air. All these proclaim the love and skill of the heavenly Artist, and show forth the glory of God.

Parents, why not make use of the precious lessons which God has given us in the book of nature, to give our children a correct idea of His character? Those who sacrifice simplicity to fashion, and shut themselves away from the beauties of nature, cannot be spiritually minded. They cannot understand the skill and power of God as revealed in His created works; therefore their hearts do not quicken and throb with new love and interest, and they are not filled with awe and reverence as they see God in nature.

All who love God should do what they can to make the Sabbath a delight, holy and honorable. They cannot do this by seeking their own pleasure in sinful, forbidden amusements. Yet they can do much to exalt the Sabbath in their families and make it the most interesting day of the week. We should devote time to interesting our children. A change will have a happy influence upon them. We can walk out with them in the open air; we can sit with them in the groves and in the bright sunshine, and give their restless minds something to feed upon by conversing with them upon the works of God, and can inspire them with love and reverence by calling their attention to the beautiful objects in nature.

The Sabbath should be made so interesting to our families that its weekly return will be hailed with joy (call the Sabbath a delight, Isaiah 58:13,14). In no better way can parents exalt and honor the Sabbath than by devising means to impart proper instruction to their families and interesting them in spiritual things, giving them correct views of the character of God and what He requires of us in order to perfect Christian characters and attain to eternal life. Parents, make the Sabbath a delight, that your children may look forward to it and have a welcome in their hearts for it.

 
Why only one day? Shouldn't we work to make everyday the same in the
Lord.
 
notaxbill said:
Why only one day? Shouldn't we work to make everyday the same in the
Lord.

OK....
Let me ask you something.
If every day was the same....then why did God make just one day holy...separated by 6 days of work (Exodus 20:8-11) ?

I've had people tell me that they keep 'every day' holy,
unto the Lord.
And, that sounds very religious !

BUT...it is flat out disobedience, to what God said to do.

God is only taking those, who follow what He says, to heaven.

Revelation 22:14 "Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city".
 
Are you saying it's wrong to worship God on any day other than Saturday, even if you still do worship on Saturday?
 
element80 said:
Are you saying it's wrong to worship God on any day other than Saturday, even if you still do worship on Saturday?
Let Jesus answer that question, OK ?
15:3 "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition ?"

15:9 "But in vain ...they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men".
 
I believe (and if I'm wrong, so be it), but the MAJORITY of churches believe that the sabbath is Sunday. I had never heard of church services on Saturday until about 7 years ago. So, I would think that since so many years have gone by and most having their sabbath on Sunday that that would be the actual sabbath day.

But, I really don't think that God cares. As long as it's the 7th day to us.

Once again, I think there are much more important things to debate. I wonder what God thinks of all the bickering and debates that go on. I'm not saying I'm innocent. Heck, sometimes I ENJOY a good debate, but I often stop and picture him sitting on his throne just shaking his head in dissapointment that so much energy is being spent on debating what he may not consider "that important".

JMO.
 
As they are led to by God. Colossians 2:16-17. Don't worry about how others keep the Sabbath, just be sure you keep it in a way that you honor Christ.
 
Re: Sabbath

AVBunyan said:
I'm not a Jew under the law - I do not have a Jewish Sabbath.
I'm glad to hear that....as there is no such thing, as the 7th day Sabbath, being Jewish !

God set up that day, as a [sign] of His true followers:
20:20 "And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a [sign] between me and you, that ye may know that I [am] the LORD your God".

Is your vision 20/20 ?
 
Nikki said:
But, I really don't think that God cares. As long as it's the 7th day to us.

Once again, I think there are much more important things to debate.

Actually, it does matter Nikki. Only the seventh day was blessed, made holy and sanctified (set apart). It's purpose and function is distinct from all the rest. God commands us not to work but to make the day holy.

Why? Because I'm a Jew? Because the Sabbath was merely pointing to Christ? Why did God command it?

"Because God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it because He rested from the works which He had made."

No room for Jewish exclusivity here.

The 'one day in seven' doesn't work. Creation shows it, Exodus affirms it.
 
Jay T said:
God is only taking those, who follow what He says, to heaven.

Not to fly too much off topic, but your statement is incorrect. Salvation is not assured by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ.

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." - Galations 2:16

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8 - 9.
 
Sean said:
Jay T said:
God is only taking those, who follow what He says, to heaven.
Not to fly too much off topic, but your statement is incorrect. Salvation is not assured by works, but by faith in Jesus Christ.
Do you understand that faith, in Jesus Christ, 'results' ...in good works ?
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always [obeyed], not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, [work out] your own salvation with fear and trembling.
2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

[quote:5fb40]
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." - Galations 2:16
Does the Bible contradict itself ?
Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law [are] just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

OR...is there an answer, that makes both of those Bible verses, harmonize ?
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8 - 9.
[/quote:5fb40]
Please finish the Bible verse context.....
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them".
 
Brutus/HisCatalyst said:
As they are led to by God. Colossians 2:16-17. Don't worry about how others keep the Sabbath, just be sure you keep it in a way that you honor Christ.
Yes, only those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, will observe the 7th day Sabbath, as He asks in: (Exodus 20:8-11.....Isaiah 58:13,14....ect.).
 
Jay T said:
Do you understand that faith, in Jesus Christ, 'results' ...in good works ?

You answered your own question. Works come as a result of your faith in Christ, but you're salvation is not guaranteed by how many good deeds you do. The Bible clearly states that faith in Christ is the ONLY way you're getting to Heaven, because there is not a single person that has ever walked on this earth that can be "good enough" to deserve what Jesus did for us on the cross, except Christ himself.
 
Sean said:
Jay T said:
Do you understand that faith, in Jesus Christ, 'results' ...in good works ?

You answered your own question. Works come as a result of your faith in Christ, but you're salvation is not guaranteed by how many good deeds you do. The Bible clearly states that faith in Christ is the ONLY way you're getting to Heaven, because there is not a single person that has ever walked on this earth that can be "good enough" to deserve what Jesus did for us on the cross, except Christ himself.
You reckon without Bible knowledge.
As it is written:
Revelation 22:14 "Blessed [are] they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city".
God describes His people as......
Revelation 14:12 "Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus".
QUESTION: Are the saints...Christians ?
 
I reckon with faith in my lord and savior, and Bible verses.

" They said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.'
And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house.
And he took them that {very} hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his {household.}
And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household." Acts 16: 31 - 34

"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;
so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."


I may not always quote a Bible verse in every post, but I know its there. I know that God would not send His son to be brutally tortured, whipped, and hung on a cross for us to still have to work our way to Heaven. Because we can not equal the sacrifice that He made with "our good deeds."
 
Why are we wasting our time arguing about when to worship God, either Saturday or Sunday. If you set aside time each day during the week to worship Him with your entire being, I don't think He cares which day you set aside for Him. It really doesn't make sense.
I almost feel as though this is actually one of the most rediculous arguements on this board that is repeated over and over again, there are many.
 
Sean said:
I reckon with faith in my lord and savior, and Bible verses.

" They said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved,
Yet to believe in Christ requires beelieving 'every' word He said....such as, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy" (Exodus 20:8-11)
Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say ?"
 
KnarfKS said:
Why are we wasting our time arguing about when to worship God, either Saturday or Sunday. If you set aside time each day during the week to worship Him with your entire being, I don't think He cares which day you set aside for Him.

Actually, it does matter KnarfKS. Only the seventh day was blessed, made holy and sanctified (set apart). It's purpose and function is distinct from all the rest. God commands us not to work but to make the day holy.

Why? Because I'm a Jew? Because the Sabbath was merely pointing to Christ? Why did God command it?

"Because God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it because He rested from the works which He had made."

No room for Jewish exclusivity here.

The 'one day in seven' doesn't work. Creation shows it, Exodus affirms it.

It is amazing how many Christians will 'pooh-pooh' not only the words of Christ but the example of Him as well and do their own thing, thinking that God 'won't mind'. And then many of them are so self-righteous and condemning to those of the world when they don't even follow their own faith properly.
 
Jay T said:
[quote="Brutus/HisCatalyst":f0b7c] As they are led to by God. Colossians 2:16-17. Don't worry about how others keep the Sabbath, just be sure you keep it in a way that you honor Christ.
Yes, only those who love the Lord Jesus Christ, will observe the 7th day Sabbath, as He asks in: (Exodus 20:8-11.....Isaiah 58:13,14....ect.).[/quote:f0b7c]

Jay, did you read the verse, there is to be no passing of our petty judgement for those who eat meat, or don't keep the saturday Sabbath. Christ's new covenant has made it so that any day can be a sabbath. So why get offended if I worship on Sunday? Titus 3:9 tells us not to quarrel over such things. The Fact is, there is one right day to worship, and that's the day you can truly give God the worship he deserves whether that day is Saturday or not.
 
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