Eating Out on Sunday

[Knotical]

You probably already know I will bring this up, so I will go ahead open with it.

The fourth commandment reads as follows (Exodus 20:8-11, NASB):

Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

Plenty of folks who attend church on Sunday will immediately head out to their favorite restaurant for lunch as soon as the service is over. I am wondering where their rationale for this is.

The passage I quoted is pretty clear on the subject and even goes so far to state that even those who may be staying with us should not do any work on Sunday.

Now, I do not intend to purport myself as someone who religiously keeps the sabbath as I do have a job that actually requires me to work every third weekend. Obviously, I have thought of telling my boss that due to religious reasons I cannot work on Sundays, but then someone else would have to cover the time that I am not there, which would cause that person to break the same commandment on my behalf. It is not a great argument, but there it is.

But, when it comes to eating out I do not see the reasoning. Sure there are the arguments that it is giving certain people a break from having to prepare a meal, but in contrast to that they are actually just causing other people to work for them.

I have attended churches in the past where this was the norm, but have since found a church that takes this, among the other commandments, very seriously. In order to not cause anyone else to work for us we have what is called a "host family." The purpose of this ministry is so that those who come from out of town to attend the worship service may have a place to go other than a restaurant to get something to eat, plus it affords us the opportunity to fellowship more than just at church.

My point being, there are cases in our lives where adhering to commandments are sometimes easier than at other times.

Thoughts?

 

[evenifigoalone]

If it was an issue for me I'd just eat the previous day's leftovers.
I wonder how practicing Jews handle that (and holding jobs that require weekend work), seems like they'd have to be stricter on it than Christians, seeing as many of us don't believe it applies anymore.

 

[Knotical]

So, those who eat out on Sunday do not feel the Ten Commandments apply anymore?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Not necessarily. Because you believe something does not mean you always practice it.

Hm, I used to know a Messianic Jewish family. Would be interesting to hear their thoughts on this.

 

[Knotical]

Not necessarily. Because you believe something does not mean you always practice it.

True, though it does become an odd dynamic.

The reason I brought up this subject was I was listening to the Wally Show on a local Christian radio station this morning and they were talking about being a good witness of our faith. He specifically highlighted how when he would go out on Sunday afternoon after the worship service of the church he attends, and that he would give their server a better tip than usual because the server could see them praying before their meal.

I immediately thought, "Why are you there on Sunday?" Not to be completely legalistic, but it does highlight the fact that in his effort to be a good witness he is breaking if not one, but more, of the Ten Commandments.

 

[Deborah13]

The passage I quoted is pretty clear on the subject and even goes so far to state that even those who may be staying with us should not do any work on Sunday.

The OT scripture and so the 10 Commandment Sabbath is clearly said to be on Saturday, not Sunday.
There is no scripture that says the Sabbath is the 1st day of the week, Sunday.

My point being, there are cases in our lives where adhering to commandments are sometimes easier than at other times.

Why would you assume that they are working on their Sabbath when you eat at a restaurant on Sunday.

There used to be Blue Laws that didn't allow businesses to be open on Sunday. What was happening was that Jewish people and a few others would have to close their businesses for the whole weekend, loosing a day of business that no one else did. Justly those laws were overturned.

Who gave the Gentile church the right to enforce a Sunday Sabbath when God never speaks of it, nor do the apostles? Where is it in scripture?

 

[evenifigoalone]

Well not everyone thinks that the commandment stretches to doing nothing on Saturday/Sunday, I suppose. I never thought it did, and still don't.

I do think taking a day off to rest is good for health, and furthermore, devoting that day to God and worship is also part of the commandment. I think it's less about focusing what you can and cannot do on a given day and a bit more focused on just honoring the reason behind it.

I'm not bothered by going to a restaurant on Sundays, but that's just me, that doesn't mean I'm right in feeling that way.

 

[Knotical]

So, the idea is that as long as we take one day off a week as our "sabbath" we are good? Why then would that be on a different day than the day we attend a worship service?

If you extrapolate correctly verses concerning the Sabbath it is true that it was on Saturday, as it was the seventh day of the week. However, Christianity adopted Sunday as the sabbath as that is the day (arguably) Jesus rose again from the grave.

But when did we suddenly say we no longer have to adhere to the Ten Commandments?

Sure, adherence will not affect our salvation, but in a New Testament world it is a sign of obedience to God if we do.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Geeez. All I can say is that those of us who keep Saturday Sabbath are denounced for being followers of the Law, and told that "we are not under the law" and that "the day does not matter". But I said that the day DOES matter to them. The OP is proof of that. Many (not all) of those who claim the day does not really matter are secretly saying that to stay away from the true Sabbath and idolize Sunday. If the day did not matter, I would see some churches holding services on Tuesdays, others on Fridays, others on Mondays, but that's not what is pragmatically happening. To put it another way, the Sabbath critics really want to redefine it to being on held Sunday (while ironically claiming 'it does not matter').

I'm not sure what the motivation was to switch the Sabbath to Sunday anyways, so go out and eat. But one is not fulfilling the 4th command by not working on Sunday.

 

[WIP]

I've also pondered the question of eating out, buying gasoline, picking up a loaf of bread, etc. on Sunday or Sabbath because doing so requires or promotes another to work on that day. Then it occurred to me that pastors work on Sundays and/or Saturdays. Are they exempt or do we sneak around that by claiming they are not paid a salary but paid by donation? But then, every year our church council reviews our pastor's salary, which includes health care, retirement, mileage credit, room, utilities, etc. This is an amount determined in advance. Pastors are not paid on the hope that whatever happens to come into the collection plate will meet their needs.

 

[Michael74]

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread... Acts 20:7a KJV

 

[evenifigoalone]

So, the idea is that as long as we take one day off a week as our "sabbath" we are good? Why then would that be on a different day than the day we attend a worship service?

That's not what I meant, but I can see doing that out of need if you have work on Sunday. (Heck, I have to be available to work on Sundays or risk not being considered by employers. With my lack of experience I need every advantage I can get.)

As to the 10 commandments...in my opinion, it's not so much that they no longer apply as it is that it's more about the spirit of them than a legalistic "to the letter" approach. The 10 commandments set the basic guidelines and reasoning (respecting God and respecting others) behind our actions and daily conduct.

Growing up my parents never really addressed that particular commandment very well. It was always "that one doesn't apply because it's a Jewish thing". Kinda a dodgy approach to it.

 

[Knotical]

Pastors are fulfilling their calling, which to lead a local flock. How else would they be able to fulfill their calling and still put a roof over their heads and food on the table if the congregation which they are shepherding does not provide some kind of income. Even in the old testament the Levites received their portion of the sacrifices because they were called to be the priests of that nation.

 

[gr8grace3]

You probably already know I will bring this up, so I will go ahead open with it.

The fourth commandment reads as follows (Exodus 20:8-11, NASB):

Plenty of folks who attend church on Sunday will immediately head out to their favorite restaurant for lunch as soon as the service is over. I am wondering where their rationale for this is.

The passage I quoted is pretty clear on the subject and even goes so far to state that even those who may be staying with us should not do any work on Sunday.

Now, I do not intend to purport myself as someone who religiously keeps the sabbath as I do have a job that actually requires me to work every third weekend. Obviously, I have thought of telling my boss that due to religious reasons I cannot work on Sundays, but then someone else would have to cover the time that I am not there, which would cause that person to break the same commandment on my behalf. It is not a great argument, but there it is.

But, when it comes to eating out I do not see the reasoning. Sure there are the arguments that it is giving certain people a break from having to prepare a meal, but in contrast to that they are actually just causing other people to work for them.

I have attended churches in the past where this was the norm, but have since found a church that takes this, among the other commandments, very seriously. In order to not cause anyone else to work for us we have what is called a "host family." The purpose of this ministry is so that those who come from out of town to attend the worship service may have a place to go other than a restaurant to get something to eat, plus it affords us the opportunity to fellowship more than just at church.

My point being, there are cases in our lives where adhering to commandments are sometimes easier than at other times.

Thoughts?

Gal 5:1~~New American Standard Bible
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

We truly are free. Setting standards is between that person and Lord.......nobody else. And the standards that we make with the Lord for our lives are not to be imposed on others.

The parent child relationship and establishment principles for a nation are exceptions.

 

[Knotical]

Gal 5:1~~New American Standard Bible
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.

We truly are free. Setting standards is between that person and Lord.......nobody else. And the standards that we make with the Lord for our lives are not to be imposed on others.

The parent child relationship and establishment principles for a nation are exceptions.

This verse is referring to Christ freeing us from sin (slavery). It was not slavery to adhere to God's law. However, adhering to the law does not mean we are saved, but it is evidence that we are already saved, and we are following God's law to show our gratitude to Him.

 

[Edward]

The Sabbath is on Saturday as Deborah noted.

While the Sabbath commandment did make it into the 10 commandments, it was actually pre-existing. The Sabbath was instituted in Eden and all signs point to they observed the Sabbath day long before the 10 commandments were handed down.

According to scriptures (Colossians 2:16, Romans 14) seem to indicate that the Sabbath requirement is not enforced at this time but will return in the future. In the Millennium probably).

It's like tithing though...used to be required, isn't now, but the Lord will bless you if one does observe it. So go on out to eat with a clear conscience because you'll be ok.

 

[Deborah13]

While the Sabbath commandment did make it into the 10 commandments, it was actually pre-existing. The Sabbath was instituted in Eden and all signs point to they observed the Sabbath day long before the 10 commandments were handed down.

Not disagreeing just would like you to share the signs you see. What signs are those?

Even in the old testament the Levites received their portion of the sacrifices because they were called to be the priests of that nation.

A pastor is no more of a priest than you are.
But as far as the principle of sharing our blessings with the pastor and elders, it is clearly stated by Paul, in the NT, that we should be doing this.
1Ti 5:17 The well-leading elders of double honour let them be counted worthy, especially those labouring in word and teaching,
1Ti 5:18 for the Writing saith, `An ox treading out thou shalt not muzzle,' and `Worthy is the workman of his reward.'

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread... Acts 20:7a KJV

Hmm....this is what I see....if you see something different, please share. NOTE: imo..The Church has systematically removed Jewish thought from the scriptures.
Act 20:7 And on the first of the week, the disciples having been gathered together to break bread, Paul was discoursing to them, about to depart on the morrow, he was also continuing the discourse till midnight,
Act 20:8 and there were many lamps in the upper chamber where they were gathered together,
Young man falls out the window, Paul restores him.
Act 20:11 and having come up, and having broken bread, and having tasted, for a long time also having talked--till daylight, so he went forth,
1)The Biblical first day begins between the evenings, in other words during sunset, on Saturday night.
a.Paul plans on leaving on the morrow (morning) [one needs to study this word and it's root meanings]
2)gathered to break bread? Was this the Lord's Supper or a fellowship meal or both? I don't know.
3)Paul was teaching the disciples
4)it was midnight (during the middle of the night) there were many lamps lite
5)young man falls asleep, falls out the window, Paul restores him
6)they break bread again and eat
7)they talked until sunrise
8)then Paul left on his travels
9)it's now the morning of the first day (Sunday), if it's Monday morning then Paul taught and they visited for 24 hrs. OR they met on the Sunday night and went until Monday morning. Either way this doesn't sound to me, like a church service that we see in say Corinth.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

So, the idea is that as long as we take one day off a week as our "sabbath" we are good? Why then would that be on a different day than the day we attend a worship service?

If you extrapolate correctly verses concerning the Sabbath it is true that it was on Saturday, as it was the seventh day of the week. However, Christianity adopted Sunday as the sabbath as that is the day (arguably) Jesus rose again from the grave.

But when did we suddenly say we no longer have to adhere to the Ten Commandments?

Sure, adherence will not affect our salvation, but in a New Testament world it is a sign of obedience to God if we do.

There is nothing in the Torah that says Jews need to go to the Temple to worship on the Sabbath.
So whatever day you go to church, it should not have anything to do with keeping the Sabbath holy.

 

[gr8grace3]

This verse is referring to Christ freeing us from sin (slavery). It was not slavery to adhere to God's law. However, adhering to the law does not mean we are saved, but it is evidence that we are already saved, and we are following God's law to show our gratitude to Him.

If you look close at the context, Paul is talking about the Law.

I agree with you we are not justified by the law. And if this is true, you are not in bondage to it. If you decide to have a sabbath day and want to do it in the middle of the week, be content with your choice and do it. There is no judgement from God because you were justified by your faith.

Added: This actually is part of the sabbath. Resting on His grace. A relaxed mental attitude because all that we need is provided by His Grace.

 

[Edward]

Not disagreeing just would like you to share the signs you see. What signs are those?

Well off the top of my head, there's Moses and the Isarelites in the desert (before receiving the 10 Commandments) and they were receiving Manna from heaven back in chapter 16 and were instructed to gather a double portion on the 6th day...

Exodus 16:
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”/(NKJV)

They gathered a double portion on the 6th day in preparation for the Sabbath. I know it doesn't come right out and say it, but it's pretty clear that they needed more on Friday, and what else could it be for?!) This was way before Moses received the tablets (that's up in chapter 34 I think.) I think there are more examples of this nature also but I can't remember them right now, lol. I could prolly dig some more up if needed.