God’s Holy Day Defended
George Burnside
WHY I LOVE CHRIST’S HOLY DAY
1. I keep the Bible Sabbath because God Himself kept the Bible Sabbath
God made a sufficient proof of His regard for the true Sabbath by resting the very first seventh day that ever came to this earth:
God rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2.
God rested on the seventh day. Exodus 31:17.
God rested the seventh day. Exodus 20:11.
God did rest the seventh day. Hebrews 4:4.
Whereas:
The seventh day Is the Sabbath- Exodus 20:10.
The seventh day is the Sabbath. Leviticus 23:1
The seventh day is the Sabbath. Deuteronomy 5:14.
The seventh (day) Is the Sabbath. Exodus 31:15
The seventh day, which Is the Sabbath. Exodus 16:26.
Therefore:
It Is as plain as day the Bible teaches that. God himself kept the seventh day Sabbath.
My first reason for keeping the Bible Sabbath is sufficient in itself to settle the whole question
now and forevermore. God Himself kept the seventh day Sabbath. That is conclusive evidence to substantiate and vindicate my keeping, your keeping, or any one else’s keeping of the seventh day Sabbath; for who could be wrong or even be accused of doing wrong when he follows the example of God Himself in keeping the very Sabbath day which God kept.
2. Because God Instituted it at creation for man to keep.
“Thus the heavens and the earth wore finished, and an the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God BLESSED the seventh day and SANCTIFIED it: bemuse that In It He had rested from all His work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:1-3.
“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them Is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord BLESSED the Sabbath day and HALLOWED It.” Exodus 20:11.
God BLESSED the seventh day. Genesis 23-3. The Lord BLESSED the Sabbath day. Exodus 20.11. God SANCTIFIED the seventh day. Genesis 2:1-3. The Lord HALLOWED the Sabbath day. Exodus 20:11.
Please notice that God BLESSED and SANCTIFIED the seventh day Sabbath at the end of creation. The blessing and sanctification show it was Instituted at that time for man to keep.
“God BLESSED the seventh day.” Genesis 2:1-3. God has said: “I change not” (Malachi 3:6), and
God’s Holy Day Defended
in Him there “is no variation, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. Consequently when God blesses anything, the blessing cannot be “REVERSED” (Numbers 23:20), because when God BLESSES anything, it “shall be BLESSED FOREVER.” 1 Chronicles 17:27.
“God SANCTIFIED the seventh day.” Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11. According to Webster’s dictionary “sanctify” means “to set apart to holy use.” The Bible states: “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it. BECAUSE that in it He HAD rested” (showing the day had already past before He blessed and sanctified it). Therefore He blessed and sanctified the seventh days then future, answering to the seventh day which had just past on which He HAD rested.
The above evidence clearly demonstrates the fact that God Himself has attached the utmost importance to the seventh day Sabbath by His personal blessing and sanctification, thereby definitely fixing the seventh day for all time as the only and true Sabbath.
God is the giver of rest, for He says to all, “Come unto me and I will give you rest!’ Matthew 11:28; Exodus 33:14. God knows which is the right day on which to rest, and He has given man the seventh day Sabbath as a day of rest:
“The seventh day thou shall rest.” Exodus 23:12. “The seventh day thou shall rest!” Exodus 34:21. “The seventh day is the Sabbath of rest!” Exodus 31:15 “The seventh day Is the Sabbath of rest.” Leviticus 23:3
God appointed the seventh day as a Sabbath to be the day of rest from secular work because that in it He Himself had rested from all His work. God’s rest was not made necessary by fatigue (Isaiah 40:28), but He rested on that day as an example to all men, thus making His rest on the seventh day a reason why men should rest on the seventh day-that man should do as God had done. Notice the, following texts which prove that God rested on the seventh day:
God rested on the seventh day. Genesis 2:2. God rested on the seventh day. Exodus 31:17. God rested the seventh day. Exodus 20:11. God did rest the seventh day. Hebrews 4:4.
No wonder in the New Testament after the cross the followers of Christ “RESTED the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56. No wonder the book of Hebrews in the New Testament positively states “There remains therefore a REST (keeping of a Sabbath) to the people of God. Let us labor therefore to enter into that REST, lest any man fall after the same example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9, 11, margin.
So we can see that the seventh day Sabbath is not manmade but God-made. It is not only the oldest institution but also the first institution which God gave to man, it being older and as significant as the marriage institution. Since the setting apart of the seventh day as the Sabbath day was coincident with the ORIGIN of man, the observance of that seventh day as the Sabbath is to be coexistent and coextensive with the DURATION of man.
3. Because the Sabbath was made for mankind.
Jesus said: “The Sabbath was made for MAN.” Mark 2:27. Man in this text means human being, mankind.” (Cf. Webster) Matthew 4:4; John 1:9.
The Bible does NOT say: “The Sabbath was made for the JEWS. But it does say: “The Sabbath was made for MAN!” Mark 2:27. It also says: The woman was made for the MAN. 1 Corinthians 11:9.
How could the Sabbath be made for the Jew only when it was Instituted at Creation (Genesis 2:13; Exodus 20:8-11) 2,500 years before a Jew existed? A Jew Is “a descendant of Judah,” according to Young’s Concordance.
Notice the Sabbath commandment itself. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy ... the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God [not Jew]. In it thou shall not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor THY STRANGER that is within thy gates.” Exodus 20:8-10. Please tell us to whom THY STRANGER refers if it does not refer to
some one who is not a Jew. God has taken the most scrupulous precautions against such an idea by writing into the fourth commandment the term THY STRANGER, who is not a Jew. Cf. Exodus 12:49; Numbers 15:16, 29; Isaiah 56:6-8.
Those who contend that the Sabbath was made ONLY for the Jew will, by the force of their own consistency, have to admit the woman was also made ONLY for the Jew and the Jew is the only man who can have a wife, because the woman was made for the same MAN for whom the Sabbath was made. The Sabbath was given about the same time marriage was given, and it applies to all men the same as marriage applies. So we can see plainly that the Sabbath is no more exclusively for the Jew than is the marriage institution. The Sabbath is not man-made but God-made, and it was made for all men in all the world for all time.
“It was set apart before the fall, it was made for man, it was made for all.” -R. F. Cottrel.
4. Because God commanded man to keep the Sabbath Notice how many times the Bible repeats God’s command for man to keep the Sabbath:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to KEEP It holy.” Exodus 20:13.
“Verily my Sabbaths you shall KEEP.” Exodus 31:13.
“You shall KEEP my Sabbaths.” Leviticus 19:30.
“You shall KEEP my Sabbaths.” Leviticus 26:2.
“KEEP the Sabbath day!” Deuteronomy. 5:12.
“KEEP my Sabbaths.” Leviticus 19:1
What stronger language could be used? The Sabbath which most men are forgetting, that very Sabbath, God says to “Remember.” God knew that man would forget His Sabbath. No wonder the fourth commandment, which deals with the Sabbath, is the only one of all God’s holy Ten Commandments which begins with “REMEMBER.”
“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shall thou labor, and do all thy work: but THE SEVENTH DAY IS THE SABBATH OF THE LORD THY GOD: In It thou shall not do any work!’ Exodus 20:8-10.
5. Because God commands man to keep not A day but THE SEVENTH DAY
God does not say in His commandment that man is to keep A seventh day, or ANY seventh day, or YOUR seventh day. Nor did God say to keep the day of Christ’s birth, or the day of Christ’s death, or the day of Christ’s resurrection. The ONLY weekly day which God or the Bible definitely and distinctly COMMANDED should be kept is “THE SEVENTH DAY [which] IS THE SABBATH OF THE LORD THY GOD” Exodus 20:10. How grandly simple the Bible makes this in the following texts:
THE SEVENTH DAY God ended His work. Genesis 2:1-3.
THE SEVENTH DAY God rested. Genesis 2:1-3.
THE SEVENTH DAY God blessed. Genesis 2:1-3.
THE SEVENTH DAY God sanctified. Genesis 2:1-3.
THE SEVENTH DAY God had rested. Genesis 2:1-3.
THE SEVENTH DAY God told us to remember. Exodus 20:8.
THE SEVENTH DAY God made the Sabbath day. Exodus 20:8.
THE SEVENTH DAY God made holy. Exodus 20:13; Isaiah 58:13.
THE SEVENTH DAY God told us to refrain from work. Exodus 20:10.
THE SEVENTH DAY God made HIS Sabbath. Exodus 20:10.
THE SEVENTH DAY God rested. Exodus 20:11.
THE SEVENTH DAY God blessed. Exodus 20:11.
THE SEVENTH DAY God hallowed. Exodus 20:11.
As there is only one day of American Independence, only one right day to celebrate the fourth of July, so THE SEVENTH DAY is the ONLY RIGHT SABBATH DAY for man to keep. Therefore every seventh day Sabbath should be underscored with red because it is God’s red-letter day of the week – “Day of all the week the best!”
6. Because the seventh day Sabbath is the LORD’S DAY
All through the Bible we are repeatedly told that the Lord has a definite and special day. The Lord’s regard for the Lord’s day is stressed in terms of possession. For example, as I would say of my hat: “Carl’s hat, hat of Carl, or my hat;” so the Lord shows His possession of His day by calling it: “The Lord’s day, day of the Lord, or my day.” Notice the following texts:
“The Lord’s day.” Revelation 1:10.
“Lord even of the Sabbath day.” Matthew 12:8.
“Lord also of the Sabbath.” Mark 2.28; Luke 6:5.
“My holy day.” Isaiah 58:13; Nehemiah 9:14; Exodus 31:15; Leviticus 19:3, 30.
“The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.” Exodus 20:10.
“The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 5:14, Leviticus 23:1
Who can doubt the plain statement of the Holy Bible when it gives all these Scriptural witnesses to testify that the seventh day Sabbath is the Lord’s day?
7. Because the Sabbath is the SIGN between God and His people forever
As most articles have their particular brand or trade-mark to establish their genuineness, as every policeman has a badge to vindicate his authority, as every official has his seal to ascertain his identification and power, so God has a visible mark or sign between Him and His people that forever distinguishes them. The Bible plainly states what this sign is:
“I gave them my SABBATHS, to be a SIGN between Me and them.” Ezekiel 20:12. “Hallow my SABBATHS; and they shall be a SIGN between Me and you.” Ezekiel 20:20. “My SABBATHS you shall keep: for It is a SIGN between Me and you.” Exodus 31:13. “It is a SIGN between Me and the children of Israel FOREVER.” Exodus 31.17.
8. Because the Sabbath is God’s flag.
God has a flag.
I (God) will set up MY ensign. Isaiah 49:22.
A flag is a sign:
“They set up their ensigns for signs” Psalm 74:4.
God’s sign is His Sabbath:
“I gave them MY Sabbaths, to be a SIGN.” Ezekiel 20:12, 20.
“It [my Sabbath] is a SIGN.” Exodus 31:13.
“It [my Sabbath] is a SIGN forever.” Exodus 31:17.
Since God has a flag. Isaiah 49:22, R. V.
And a flag is a sign Psalm 74:4.
And God’s sign is His Sabbath. Ezekiel 20:12, 20.
Therefore God’s FLAG IS HIS SABBATH. Things equal to the same things are equal to each other.
God took of the fabric of time and made Himself an ensign for eternity. He made a unit of time by the rolling of a globe, and He called that unit day. He took a handful of days, seven, and made them a week. And of that week He took the last day, the seventh, and made it the Sabbath. -That Sabbath is His sign, His emblem, His FLAG.
A flag is more than a mere piece of cloth. It is a special piece of cloth consecrated to the definite purpose of signifying all that a government is and has. So Is the Sabbath. It is more than merely a day. It is a special day. Like the cloth in a flag it Is a piece of time that has a special significance, being consecrated by God Himself to represent the government of God with all its power, purpose, and privilege. The Sabbath, therefore, Is as different from any other day as the flag is different from any piece of cloth.
Since the Sabbath is the flag of God’s Kingdom and I am a subject of God’s Kingdom, I want to see the HOME FLAG flutter because It speaks of the homeland. Just as Old Glory has gathered people out of all nations to America and it is a sign of America, so God’s flag reminds us that we are strangers and pilgrims in a foreign land (Hebrews 11:13), that our home is far away upon a golden strand.
The Sabbath is God’s flag all the way from Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained and under it will finally rally the faithful who will be gathered from earth’s remotest bounds. Isaiah 11:12.
Since no flag could take the place of Old Glory to the true American; so no other day could take the place of God’s seventh day Sabbath to the true Christian. Any flag won’t do; neither will any day do. It is nothing short of high treason to disrespect God’s flag. Men have too long scuffed God’s Old Glory under their feet. It is high time to rally round the flag of God and let it wave as our standard forever at any cost, we must be as loyal to and true to Gods flag.
9. Preserving His Sabbath, a parallel to the final redemption of mankind.
When Moses endeavored to persuade Israel in Egypt to keep the Sabbath, Pharaoh made a law against it. Exodus 5:5-9.
Therefore God took Israel out of Egypt to keep the Sabbath:
“Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it ... the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; In It thou shall not do any work. And REMEMBER that thou was a servant In the land of EGYPT, and that the Lord thy God brought thee thence through a MIGHTY HAND and by a stretched out arm: THEREFORE the Lord Thy God COMMANDED thee to KEEP THE SABBATH DAY.” Deuteronomy 5:12-15; cf. Psalm 105:43-45.
We have every assurance that the Sabbath will play a prominent part in the final redemption of mankind in a manner that will be similar to and parallel to the Exodus. Notice the unmistakable evidence from the Bible.
“And in THAT DAY there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an ENSIGN [cf. No. 8] of the people; to It shall the Gentiles seek: and His REST [cf. Exodus 16:23; Hebrews 4:9 margin] shall be glorious. And It shall come to pass In THAT DAY, that the Lord shall set His hand again the SECOND TIME TO RECOVER THE REMNANT OF HIS PEOPLE [first time at the Exodus, Deuteronomy 5:1215]. And He shall set up an ENSIGN [cf. No. 8] for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” Isaiah 11:10-12.
10. The seventh day Sabbath before Sinai. Exodus 16:1; 19:1.
Since so many falsely believe that the Sabbath command did not exist before Sinai, this reason and proof is of profound significance to the sincere seeker of Bible Truth. Notice the Bible evidence which shows the Sabbath command existed before Sinai:
“How long refuse you to keep My COMMANDMENTS AND MY LAWS? For the Lord hath given you the SABBATH!” Exodus 16:4, 28-29.
“This In that which the Lord hath acid, Tomorrow Is THE REST OF THE HOLY SABBATH.” Exodus 16:23.
This Scriptural evidence showing the Sabbath commandment was in existence before Sinai Is highly creditable, open, aboveboard, and explicit. Notice the following lessons God taught His people there that day concerning the Sabbath:
What day it is Exodus 16:26.
What it is Exodus 16:23.
How to prepare for it Exodus 16:23, 26.
How It should be kept Exodus 16:30.
With what it Is associated Exodus 16:28.
Who gave it to man Exodus 16:29.
11. Because the TEN COMMANDMENT LAW will stand FOREVER
“The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His COMMANDMENTS are sure. They STAND FAST FOREVER AND EVER.” Psalm 111:7, 8; cf. 119:152.To prove that “His commandments” in this quotation refer to the Ten Commandment Law which contains the Sabbath, we call to your attention the expression “works of His HANDS”. The only commandments which were the works of God’s hands and in fact the only thing that God ever wrote with His own hands according to the Bible, are the TEN COMMANDMENTS. Notice the following text:
“He commanded you to perform, oven TEN COMMANDMENTS; and HE WROTE THEM upon two tables of stone.” Deuteronomy 4:13, cf. Exodus 31:18; 34:1.
12. Because God would NOT CHANGE HIS LAW God would not change it: “I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3:6.
God forbade man to change it:
“You SHALL NOT ADD unto the word which I COMMANDED you, neither shall you, DIMINISH ought from It that you may keep the COMMANDMENTS of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 4:2; cf. 12:32.
Christ taught that the Law remained unchanged:
“Do not for a moment suppose that I have come to ANNUL THE LAW. In truth I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, NOT THE SMALLEST LETTER, not a PARTICLE shall pass away from the Law until all has taken place.” Matthew 5:17, 18. Weymouth.
Paul, James, and John taught the Law remained unchanged:
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we ESTABLISH THE LAW.” “The DOERS OF THE LAW shall be justified.” Romans 3:31, 2:13.
“If you fulfill the royal law YE DO WELL For whosoever shall keep the WHOLE LAW, and yet offend in ONE POINT, he is guilty of all.” James 2:8-12; cf. I John 2:4-6. 5:1
13. He that attempts to CHANGE GOD’S LAW is AGAINST GOD.
For any one to attempt to change God’s Holy Law, it would seem to the true Christian like the touch of a profane hand upon the ark of God. Through all the history of the world God has maintained the laissez faire theory in regard to His law-”Let well enough clone.” In spite of this, fools rush in where angels fear to tread, and man has attempted to change God’s law; notice what the Bible states concerning this lese majeste (high treason):
“And he shall speak great words AGAINST THE MOST HIGH, and ... think to CHANGE TIMES AND LAWS.” Daniel 7:25. “The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the LAWS, CHANGED the ordinance, BROKEN the everlasting (Exodus 31:161 covenant.” Isaiah 24:5; cf. Zephaniah 3:14; Ezekiel 22:26.
14. Because God is AGAINST those who are AGAINST His law
“Therefore as the fire devours the stubble so their root shall be as rottenness because they have CAST AWAY THE LAW OF THE LORD.” Isaiah 5:24.
“Whoever therefore shall break ONE of these least commandments and shall teach men so, he shall be called LEAST In the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19.
“He that turns away his ear from hearing the LAW, even his PRAYER SHALL BE ABOMINATION.” Proverbs 28:9; cf. Hosea 4:6; Isaiah 30:9; Jeremiah 6:19.
15. The Ten Commandments Are God’s Character
Because the law which contains the Sabbath contains the same great eternal qualities of God Himself.
The CLOSE RELATIONSHIP existing between God and His law is demonstrated below to a mathematical nicety:
1. God is JUST - Romans 3:26. His law is JUST - Romans 7:12.
2. God is TRUE - John 3:33. His law is TRUE - Nehemiah 9:13.
3. God is PURE - 1 John 3:3. His law is PURE - Psalm 19:7,8.
4. God is LIGHT - 1 John 1:5. His law is LIGHT - Proverbs 6:23.
5. God is FAITHFUL - 1 Corinthians 1:9. His law is FAITHFUL - Psalms 119:86.
6. God is GOOD - Nahum 1:7. His law is GOOD - Romans 7:12,16.
7. God is SPIRITUAL - John 4:24. His law is SPIRITUAL - Romans 7:14.
8. God is HOLY - Isaiah 6:3, 1 Peter 1:15. His law is HOLY - Exodus 20:8, Romans 7:12.
9. God is TRUTH - John 14:6. His law is TRUTH - Psalms 119:142,151.
10. God is LIFE - John 14:6. His law is LIFE - Matthew 19:17.
11. God is RIGHTEOUSNESS - Jeremiah 23:6. His law is RIGHTEOUSNESS - Psalm 119:172.
12. God is PERFECT - Matthew 5:48. His law is PERFECT - James 1:25.
13. God is ETERNAL - John 8:35. His law is ETERNAL - Psalms 111:7,8.
14. God is PEACE - Isaiah 9:6. His law is PEACE - Psalm 119:165.
15. God is THE WAY - John 14:6 His law is THE WAY - Psalm 119:30-32
16. God is SURE - 2 Timothy 2:19 His law is SURE - Psalm 19:7, 111:7,8
17. God is UNCHANGING - Malachi 3:6 His law is UNCHANGING - Psalm 111:7,8
18. God is SWEET - Psalm 34:8 His law is SWEET - Psalm 19:10, 119:103
19. God is WISE - Psalm 111:10 His law is WISE - Psalm 19:7
20. God is OUR MEDITATION - Psalm 63:6 His law is OUR MEDITATION - Psalm 1:2
21. God is JUDGE - Psalm 50:6 His law is JUDGE - James 2:12
22. God is ENLIGHTENMENT - Psalm 18:27 His law is ENLIGHTENMENT - Psalm 19:8
23. God is LOVE - 1 John 4:7,8 His law is LOVE - Romans 13:8-10
24. God is CLEAN - Psalm 19:9 His law is CLEAN - Ezekiel 22:26
25. God is BLESSED - Psalm 28:6 His law is BLESSED - Exodus 20:11
26. God is DELIGHT - Psalm 37:4 His law is DELIGHT - Psalm 1:2
27. God is WONDERFUL - Isaiah 9:6 His law is WONDERFUL - Psalm 119:18
28. God is LIBERTY - Isaiah 61:1 His law is LIBERTY - James 1:25, Psalm 119:45
29. God is COMFORT - Psalm 23:4 His law is COMFORT - Psalm 119:50
30. God is OUR SONG - Revelation 15:3 His law is OUR SONG - Psalm 119:54
31. God is MERCIFUL - Exodus 34:5 His law is MERCIFUL - Psalm 119:58
32. God is KNOWLEDGE - Isaiah 11:2 His law is KNOWLEDGE - Psalm 119:66
33. God is HOPE - Psalm 130:7 His law is HOPE - Psalm 119:74
34. God is LIFE - Psalm 36:9 His law is LIFE - Proverbs 3:1,2
35. God is SOUND - Proverbs 8:13,14 His law is SOUND - Psalm 119:80
36. God is UNDERSTANDING - Psalm 147:5 His law is UNDERSTANDING - Psalm 119:99
37. God is HAPPINESS - Psalm 146:5 His law is HAPPINESS - Proverbs 29:18
38. God is JOY - Psalm 16:11 His law is JOY - Psalm 119:162
God’s 1aw manifests His qualities to such an extent that He Himself identifies Himself with His law by calling it the ROYAL LAW. James 2:8-12.
16. THE STANDARD by which TRUE AND FALSE religions are determined
“TO THE LAW and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it Is because THERE IS NO LIGHT IN THEM.” Isaiah 8:20.
17. THE STANDARD by which God’s final TUDGMENT will be made
It is a cold fact; nevertheless it Is as true as the needle is to the pole that God’s law which contains His Sabbath will be the standard of His Judgment. Notice the following Biblical evidence:
“JUDGED BY THE LAW.” Romans 2:12.
“JUDGED BY THE LAW.” James 2:8-13; cf. Ecclesiastes 12:12, 13.
God spoke the Ten Commandment Law with His OWN voice and wrote it with His OWN finger upon tables of stone (Deuteronomy 4:12, 13). Therefore there is no excuse for any one, be he priest, preacher, or prelate, to be so misinformed as to say that Moses gave and wrote the Ten Commandment Law.
The LAW OF MOSES is as carefully separated from the LAW OF GOD in the Holy Bible as the north pole is from the south pole. I have taken the time to trace through the entire Bible from beginning to end, from Genesis to Revelation, and I have found scores of passages that mention these two laws, but never are they confused. On the contrary the Bible carefully, clearly, and plainly distinguishes between the LAW OF GOD and the LAW OF MOSES, showing they are two separate and distinct laws. When the Bible separates these two laws, it is a good policy for man to do the same.
What the Constitution is to the United States, so God’s holy Ten Commandment Law is to His government. America may make covenants, codes, ordinances, and statutes, but never should she repeal or change the Constitution which is her basic law. The Law of Moses likewise contained codes, contracts, pledges, ordinances, and rites which were given and taken away, but not God’s holy basic Ten Commandment Law. It never was, is, or will be changed or repealed. How could God repeal such commandments as: “Thou shall not steal, murder, kill, etc.?” Right in the very heart of such basic commandments is found the seventh day Sabbath commandment. No wonder the Bible says:
“UNTIL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY. NOT THE SMALLEST LETTER, NOR PARTICLE SHALL PASS AWAY FROM THE LAW.” Matthew 5:18, Weymouth. That the LAW OF GOD is carefully separated from the LAW OF MOSES in the Scriptures will be demonstrated beyond all possibility of successful contradiction in the following table:
LAW OF GOD LAW OF MOSES
Called Royal Law. James 2.8. Called Law contained In ordinances. Ephesians 2:15.
Spoken by God. Deuteronomy 4:12. Spoken by Moses. Leviticus 1:1-3.
Written by God. Deuteronomy 4:13. Handwriting of ordinances. Colossians 2:14.
Written by God’s finger. Exodus 31:18. Written by Mows. 2 Chronicles 35:12.
Written on tables of stone. Exodus 24:12. Written in a book. 2 Chronicles 35:12.
Placed in ark. Exodus 40:20. Placed in side of ark. Deuteronomy 31:24-26.
Is Perfect. Psalm 19:7. Made nothing perfect. Hebrews 7:19.
Stands fast forever and ever. Psalm 111:7,8 Nailed to cross. Colossians 2:14.
Was not destroyed by Christ. Matthew 5:17-19 Was abolished by Christ. Ephesians 2:15.
Magnified by Christ. Isaiah 42:21. Taken out of way by Christ. Colossians2:14.
Gives knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20, 7:7 Instituted in consequence of sin. Leviticus 4-7.
“Abraham KEPT MY LAWS and COMMANDMENTS!” Genesis 26:5. cf. 4:3 margin. Some seem to think the Ten Commandment Law or God’s law was not in existence before Sinai. The above text shows such an objection is not an explanation but merely an excuse a self-evident falsity. Such an opinion runs counter to facts. To those who question the existence of the TEN COMMANDMENTS in the PATRIARCHAL AGE we submit the following:
1. Genesis 14:19,20 17:1,9 35:2-4
2. Genesis 31:19,30-36 35:2,4
3. Jude 1:14,15 2 Pet 2:6-8
4. Genesis 2:1-3 Exodus 5:5
5. Genesis 9:22 22:7,8
6. Genesis 27:42 37:21; 4:8-12; 4:23,24; 6:11; John 8:44
7. Genesis 16:4,5 19:32-38 20:1-8 26:10,11 34:2-7; 39:9 2:21-25 Jude 1:7
8. Genesis 21:25
9. Genesis 20:1-8 12:18,19 27:24 34:13 37:30-33; 3:4,5 21:23 John 8:44
10. Genesis 30:1 John 8:44
20. Because the Bible writers UPHELD THE LAW
ABRAHAM: “Kept My commandments.” Genesis 26:5.
MOSES: “Remember the SABBATH DAY to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8.
NEHEMIH: “Keep My commandments.” Nehemiah 1:9; 9:13,14.
JOB: “Receive the law.” Job 22:22.
DAVID: “I shall keep Thy law.” Psalm 119:34.44,55; 78:1.
SOLOMON: “Who so keeps the law Is a wise son.” Proverbs 28:7; 29:18.
ISAIAH: “Blessed Is the man that keeps the Sabbath.” Isaiah 56:2.
EZEKIEL: “They shall keep My laws and hallow My Sabbaths.” Ezekiel 44:24.
DANIEL: “Keep His commandments.” Daniel 9:4.
MATTHEW: “Keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17.
JOHN: “He that hath My commandments, and keeps them he loves Me!” John 14:21.
PAUL: “Keeping of the commandments.” 1 Corinthians 7: 19; Romans 3:31; 7:6,7.
JAMES: “Keep the whole law.” James 2:10.
CHRIST’S CHURCH: “Keep the commandments!” Revelation 12:17; 14:12.
PASSPORT INTO HEAVEN: “Do His commandments!” Revelation 22:14.
ANGELS: “Angels do His commandments.” Psalm 103:20.
JESUS: “I have kept my Father’s commandments.” John 15:10.
CHRIST SAID: “If you love Me. keep My commandments.” John 14:15.
“Keep the commandments!” Matthew 19:17.
Please notice the sum and substance of the whole matter as stated by the Bible itself: CONCLUSION: “Let us hear the CONCLUSION of the whole matter: Fear God, and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: for this is the WHOLE duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13.
21. THE LAW OF GOD is endorsed by the New Testament
Some seem to think the New Testament does not endorse the Ten Commandments. Upon what grounds are such decisions based? The facts bear sufficient witness to prove beyond all reasonable doubt or question that the New Testament, as shown below, not only endorses the Ten Commandments, the fourth of which is the seventh day Sabbath, but repeats many of them verbatim.
A. Jesus Kept The Ten Commandments
Commandment 1
Matthew 6:24 Matthew 22:37 Matthew 19:17 Matthew 4:10
Matthew 14:33 Matthew 10:37, 38 Matthew 10:32, 33 Matthew 6:33
Mark 12:24-32 Mark 8:33 Luke 2:14 Luke 4:8
Luke 12:8,9 Luke 1:16 Luke 11:2 Luke 12:31
John 19:15 John 17:3 John 11:25 John 4:24
Commandment 2
John 4:24
Commandment 3
Matthew 27:29 Matthew 6:9, 10 Matthew 15:19 Matthew 12:31, 32
Matthew 27:39-43 Mark 15:18, 19 Mark 14:65 Mark 7:22
Mark 3:28, 29 Luke 11:2 Luke 22:64, 65 Luke 23:36, 37
Luke 12:10 Luke 23:39 John 19:3
Commandment 4
Matthew 12:2 Matthew 12:5 Matthew 12:8 Matthew 12:10
Matthew 12:11 Matthew 12:12 Matthew 24:20 Matthew 28:1
Matthew 12:1 Mark 3:4 Mark 16:9 Mark 16:2
Mark 16:1 Mark 6:2 Mark 1:21 Mark 2:28
Mark 2:27 Mark 2:24 Mark 2:23 Mark 3:2
Mark 15:42 Luke 4:31 Luke 13:10 Luke 6:9
Luke 6:7 Luke 6:6 Luke 6:5 Luke 6:1
Luke 4:16 Luke 13:15 Luke 13:16 Luke 6:2
Luke 14:1 Luke 14:3 Luke 14:5 Luke 18:12
Luke 23:54 Luke 23:56 Luke 24:1 Luke 13:14
John 19:31 John 20:1 John 9:16 John 9:14
John 7:22 John 5:18 John 5:10 John 5:9
John 7:23 John 20:19
Commandment 5
Matthew 19:18, 19 Matthew 15:3, 4 Matthew 12:31 Mark 10:19
Commandment 6
Matthew 21:38 Matthew 27:22, 23 Matthew 27:20 Matthew 27:3-5
Matthew 27:1 Matthew 26:59 Matthew 5:21 Matthew 26:14-16
Matthew 26:4 Matthew 24:9 Matthew 27:35 Matthew 23:31
Matthew 26:66 Matthew 20:18, 19 Matthew 17:23 Matthew 14:8, 10
Matthew 11:12 Matthew 10:28 Matthew 10:21 Matthew 22:6
Matthew 19:18 Matthew 15:19 Matthew 23:34, 35 Matthew 26:52
Mark 12:5 Mark 7:21 Mark 10:19 Mark 3:6
Mark 6:16 Mark 6:19 Mark 10:33, 34 Mark 12:7, 8
Mark 13:12 Mark 15:20 Mark 9:31 Mark 15:24
Mark 14:1 Mark 15:13-15 Mark 14:64 Mark 14:55
Mark 14:21 Mark 14:10, 11 Mark 6:24-27 Luke 22:2
Luke 10:30 Luke 18:20 Luke 9:9 Luke 24:7
Luke 23:33 Luke 23:23 Luke 22:5, 6 Luke 20:19
Luke 20:14 Luke 19:47 Luke 18:33 Luke 13:31
Luke 11:47-51 Luke 9:22 Luke 4:29 Luke 12:4, 5
John 19:6, 7 John 16:2 John 8:44 John 13:2
John 7:19, 20 John 19:15 John 7:1 John 8:37
John 12:10 John 11:50
Commandment 7
Matthew 12:39 Matthew 19:9, 18 Matthew 15:19 Matthew 5:27-32
Matthew 14:4 Matthew 5:8 Matthew 16:4 Mark 6:18
Mark 8:38 Mark 10:2-12 Mark 7:21 Mark 10:19
Luke 16:18 Luke 7:37 Luke 15:30 John 8:3, 4
Commandment 8
Matthew 19:18 Matthew 23:14 Matthew 21:38 Matthew 21:12, 13
Matthew 6:19, 20 Matthew 15:19 Mark 7:22 Mark 10:19
Mark 12:40 Mark 11:17 Luke 18:20 Luke 19:46
Luke 3:13 Luke 19:8 Luke 10:30 Luke 20:14
John 2:16
Commandment 9
Matthew 7:15 Matthew 27:63 Matthew 26:69-75 Matthew 26:34, 35
Matthew 26:24, 25 Matthew 26:14, 16 Matthew 24:23, 24 Matthew 28:13
Matthew 11:18, 19 Matthew 27:12, 13 Matthew 24:10, 11 Matthew 26:59, 60
Matthew 19:18 Matthew 5:11 Matthew 5:33 Matthew 15:19
Matthew 24:4 Matthew 26:48 Mark 13:21, 22 Mark 10:19
Mark 13:22 Mark 3:22 Mark 7:22 Mark 13:12
Mark 14:1 Mark 14:10, 11 Mark 14:21 Mark 14:30, 31
Mark 14:41 Mark 14:66-72 Mark 15:3, 4 Mark 14:56, 57
Mark 13:5, 6 Luke 22:5, 6 Luke 22:54-62 Luke 19:8
Luke 20:20 Luke 6:22 Luke 22:21 Luke 21:16
Luke 6:16 Luke 7:33, 34 Luke 11:15-20 Luke 21:8
Luke 22:34 Luke 23:2 John 3:19-21 John 13:2
John 8:44, 55 John 10:20 John 18:25-27 John 6:71
John 18:17 John 13:38
Commandment 10
Matthew 26:14-16 Matthew 19:22 Matthew 21:38 Matthew 5:28
Mark 4:19 Mark 7:22 Mark 12:7, 8 Mark 14:10,11
Mark 10:22 Luke 11:39 Luke 12:16-21 Luke 12:15
Luke 16:14 Luke 16:19-22 Luke 18:23 Luke 19:8
Luke 20:14 Luke 22:5, 6 John 8:44 John 2:16
B Paul Kept The Ten Commandments
Commandment 1.
Acts 24:14 Acts 27:23 Romans 1:21-32 Romans 1:9
Romans 3:30 Romans 3:18 1 Corinthians 14:25 1 Corinthians 8:4,6
1 Corinthians 10:20, 21 2 Corinthians 6:15 Ephesians 4:6 Philippians 3:19
Philippians 3:3 Colossians 2:18 1 Thessalonians 1:9 2 Thessalonians 2:4
1 Timothy 1:17 1 Timothy 2:5 1 Timothy 1:3 2 Timothy 3:4
Hebrews 12:28 Hebrews 9:14 Hebrews 3:12
Commandment 2.
Acts 15:20, 29 Acts 19:35 Acts 17:16, 29 Acts 21:25
Romans 2:22 Romans 11:4 Romans 1:23 Romans 11:4
1 Corinthians 10:7, 14 1 Corinthians 6:9 1 Corinthians 10:20, 21 1 Corinthians 10:19
1 Corinthians 5:10, 11 2 Corinthians 6:16 Galatians 5:20 Ephesians 5:5
Colossians 3:5 Colossians 5:21 1 Thessalonians 1:9
Commandment 3.
Acts 18:6 Acts 26:11 Romans 2:24 Colossians 3:8
1 Timothy 1:13 1 Timothy 6:1 1 Timothy 1:20 2 Timothy 3:2
Titus 2:5
Commandment 4.
Acts 13:42 Acts 20:7 Acts 18:4-11 Acts 17:2
Acts 16:13 Acts 13:44 Acts 13:27 Acts 13:14
Acts 15:21 1 Corinthians 16:2 Hebrews 4:4, 9
Commandment 5.
Romans 1:30 Ephesians 6:2 Colossians 3:20 1 Timothy 5:4
1 Timothy 3:12 1 Timothy 3:4 2 Timothy 3:2
Commandment 6.
Romans 3:15 Romans 11:3 Romans 1:29 Romans 13:9
Galatians 5:21 1 Thessalonians 2:15 1 Timothy 1:9
Commandment 7.
Acts 15:20 Acts 15:29 Romans 1:29 Romans 2:22
Romans 7:2, 3 1 Corinthians 5:11 1 Corinthians 6:13 1 Corinthians 6:18
1 Corinthians 7:2 1 Corinthians 10:8, 10 1 Corinthians 5:9 1 Corinthians 5:1
1 Corinthians 5:10 1 Corinthians 6:15 1 Corinthians 10:34-39 1 Corinthians 6:9
1 Corinthians 10:11, 13 2 Corinthians 11:2 Galatians 5:19 Ephesians 5:3, 5
Ephesians 5:23, 33 Colossians 3:18, 19 Colossians 3:5 1 Thessalonians 4:3
1 Timothy 3:2 1 Timothy 1:10 1 Timothy 3:12 2 Timothy 3:6
Titus 2:4, 5 Titus 1:6 Hebrews 13:4 Hebrews 12:16
Commandment 8.
Romans 13:9 Romans 2:21 Romans 2:22 1 Corinthians 6:8
1 Corinthians 7:5 1 Corinthians 6:10 2 Corinthians 11:8 Ephesians 4:28
1 Thessalonians 4:6 1 Timothy 1:10
Commandment 9.
Acts 13:6 Romans 3:4 Romans 3:13 Romans 13:9
Romans 1:25 1 Corinthians 6:8 2 Corinthians 11:13 2 Corinthians 11:31
2 Corinthians 11:3 Galatians 1:20 Galatians 1:6-8 Ephesians 5:6
Ephesians 4:25 Ephesians 4:14 Colossians 3:9 1 Thessalonians 2:3
1 Thessalonians 4:6 2 Thessalonians 2:11 1 Timothy 2:7 1 Timothy 4:2
1 Timothy 6:10, 21 1 Timothy 1:10 2 Timothy 2:18 2 Timothy 4:4
2 Timothy 3:13 2 Timothy 3:3 Titus 1:2 Titus 2:3
Hebrews 6:18
Commandment 10.
Romans 13:14 Romans 7:7 Romans 13:9 Romans 1:24
Romans 6:12 1 Corinthians 10:6 Galatians 5:16, 24 Ephesians 2:3
Ephesians 4:19, 22 Colossians 3:5 1 Thessalonians 2:5 1Timothy 3:3, 8
1 Timothy 6:10 1 Timothy 6:9 2 Timothy 4:3 2 Timothy 3:6
2 Timothy 2:22 2 Timothy 3:2 Titus 2:12 Titus 3:3
Hebrews 13:5
C. The Ten Commandments In Revelation
Commandment 1.
Revelation 21:3 Revelation 22:9 Revelation 21:22 Revelation 13:4
Revelation 19:4, 10 Revelation 4:8-11 Revelation 5:14 Revelation 7:13-17
Revelation 11:16 Revelation 22:3
Commandment 2.
Revelation 22:15 Revelation 9:20 Revelation 13:14, 15 Revelation 14:9, 11
Revelation 15:2 Revelation 16:2 Revelation 21:22 Revelation 21:8
Revelation 2:20 Revelation 19:20 Revelation 2:14 Revelation 20:4
Commandment 3.
Revelation 2:9 Revelation 13:1, 5, 6 Revelation 17:1-5 Revelation 16:9
Revelation 16:11, 21
Commandment 4.
Revelation 14:7
Commandment 5.
Revelation 12:17 Revelation 14:12 Revelation 22:14 (Matt 17:17-22)
Commandment 6.
Revelation 21:8 Revelation 22:15 Revelation 2:13 Revelation 6:8-10
Revelation 11:7 Revelation 12:4 Revelation 13:15 Revelation 18:24
Revelation 17:6 Revelation 19:2 Revelation 9:21
Commandment 7.
Revelation 2:14 Revelation 2:20-22 Revelation 9:21 Revelation 14:8
Revelation 17:15, 16 Revelation 18:3, 9 Revelation 19:2 Revelation 22:15
Revelation 21:2 Revelation 17:1-5 Revelation 21:9 Revelation 21:8
Commandment 8.
Revelation 3:11 Revelation 9:21
Commandment 9.
Revelation 18:23 Revelation 13:14 Revelation 12:9 Revelation 21:8
Revelation 2:2 Revelation 20:3, 8 Revelation 22:15 Revelation 3:9
Revelation 21:27 Revelation 20:10
Commandment 10.
Revelation 7:13-17 Revelation 18:9-19 Revelation 9:21
22. Because Jesus Christ supports the Ten Commandments
The following evidence Is not only richly suggestive but affords striking testimony in favor of the seventh day Sabbath law.
Christ came not to destroy the law. Matthew 5:17.
Christ testifies to the perpetuity of the law. Matthew 5:17-19.
Christ came to “magnify the law, and make it honorable.” Isaiah 42:21.
Christ kept His “Father’s commandments:’ John 15:10.
Christ is our example. We are to keep what He kept. I Peter 2:21. I John 2:6.
Christ said: “If thou wilt enter Into life, KEEP THE [TEN] COMMANDMENTS.” Matthew 19:17-19.
Note: I wish to stress the fact that by their association together in the Bible, the New Testament as well as the Old Testament, the words LAW and COMMANDMENT are interchangeable and have the same meaning.
Cf. Genesis 26:5, Exodus 16.28; 24:12; 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 17:37. 2 Chronicles 14:4; 19:10; 31:21; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 9:13,29,34; Proverbs 3:1, Matthew 19:17,18: Luke Romans 13:8, 9: James 2:8-10.
23. Because the NEW COMMANDENT of Christ leads me to keep the Sabbath
The New Commandment is worthy of attentive study and careful consideration. Here is Christ’s new commandment: “That you love one another!” John 13:34; 15:12; 1 John 3:23; 4:21. Far be it from me to give any one the impression that I believe the New Commandment does away with God’s Ten Commandments, because it does not, according to the Bible. Notice what the New Commandment leads the true Christian to do:
“Not as though I wrote a NEW COMMANDMENT unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning that WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER. And GOD IS LOVE, that we walk AFTER HIS COMMANDMENTS.” 2 John 1:5,6.
“We know that we love the children of God when we love God and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. For THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, that we KEEP HE COMMANDMENTS and HIS COMMANDMENTS are not grievous.” 1 John 5:2, 3.
Jesus Himself did not teach the new commandment was the ONLY commandment that man should keep. Christ said:
“If you love me KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” John 14:15.
Of which commandments did Jesus speak?
“Which? Jesus said,
THOU SHALT DO NO MURDER,
THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,
THOU SHALT NOT STEAL,
THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,
HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER: and
THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF. Matthew 19:18, 19.
These commandments are contained in the TEN COMMANDMENTS which also contain the SABBATH. In this passage Jesus did not command the keeping of any of the first four commandments. Is that any reason for man to break them? Is that any reason for man to worship idols, curse God or break God’s Sabbath? “Is the silence of God’s New Testament servants in the valleys of Judea more weighty than the thundering of God himself on Mt. Sinai The answer is no. These with the other four are the commandments of which Jesus was speaking when He said: “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17-19; cf. Exodus 20.
Since God is love (1 John 4:8) and the whole gospel is based on love (1 Corinthians 13). Since Jesus has said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments,” we understand that love is the basic factor of Christianity and that Jesus, the founder of Christianity, stresses love In His New Commandment. No wonder the New Commandment, which is the real essence of the whole Ten Commandments, was given. This agrees with the following text:
“Love is the fulfilling (Greek, fullness) of the law.” Romans 13:10.
LOVE AND THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
“Love to God will admit no other God.
Love will not debase the object it adores.
Love to God will never dishonor His name.
Love to God will reverence His day.
Love to parents win honor them.
Hate, not love is, is a murderer.
Lust, not love, commits adultery.
Love will give but never steal.
Love will not slander nor lie.
Love’s eye Is not coveting.”
D. L Moody
Thus it is as clew as day that love or Christ’s New Commandment does not do away with the Ten Commandments, but establishes them because: “Love is the FULNESS OF THE LAW.” Romans 13:10.
24. Jesus Christ the Son of God KEPT THE SEVENTHDAY SABBATH all His life.
If anybody would know which was the right Sabbath day to keep, surely It would be Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and He kept the seventh day Sabbath all His life:
“AS HIS CUSTOM WAS, He [Jesus] went Into the synagogue [church] on the SABBATH DAY, and taught them on the SABBATH DAYS.” Luke 4:16, 31.
The custom of the world is not the custom of Jesus. The custom of the world causes men to keep any day, but the custom of Jesus caused Him to keep THE Sabbath day-the very day that His Father kept at creation. Genesis 2:1-3. If it was good enough for Jesus, it Is good enough for me. I am confident of one thing and of this thing there can be no doubt or question: It was the CUSTOM OF JESUS TO GO TO
CHURCH ON THE SABBATH DAY.
Churches mentioned: Capernaum church. Mark 1:21. Nazareth church. Luke 4:16. His attendance: Matthew 12:9; Luke 13:10; 6:6, Mark 6:2.
Jesus Christ the founder of Christianity is the great example of every Christian. What He did they are supposed to do. Notice how plain the Bible makes this: “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an EXAMPLE, that you should FOLLOW HIS STEPS.” He that said he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, EVEN AS HE [CHRIST] WALKED.” I Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6. Since Christ is our example and He kept the seventh day Sabbath, who dare aspire to the “scorner’s seat and hurl the cynic’s ban- and accuse any one who follows the example of God Himself (Genesis 2:10) and the Son of God Himself (Luke 4:16) in keeping the very Sabbath day which They kept?
25. Because Jesus Christ the Son of God KEPT THE SABATH AFTER the cross
It is a matter of common knowledge that after the crucifixion, Jesus RESTED in the grave. God RESTED on the seventh day at creation, and Jesus, the Son of God, RESTED on the seventh day at redemption. Both in life and death Jesus honored the Sabbath. He lay there BEFORE THE SABBATH. Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:52-56. He remained there until AFTER THE SABBATH WAS PAST. Matthew 28: 1: Mark 16:1, Luke 24:4, 6.
Christ’s life climaxed in keeping the Sabbath. It was His custom to keep it all His life and it was the last thing He did before He arose from the grave and went to His Father. Since it was the last thing that Christ did, if it is the last thing we ever do, we should keep the Sabbath.
Christ, while on earth, always kept the seventh day Sabbath. It was His custom to do so. His first sermon was on the Sabbath. During His life’s record we have no mention of any other day but the seventh as the Sabbath.
It seems very significant that Jesus, during three years instructing His disciples, often discussing the Sabbath with them and freeing it from its false burdens, making it a day of rest rather than a day of arrest, never once alluded to any change of the Sabbath to Sunday. Moreover there is not the slightest intimation of any change during the forty days of His resurrection. There is not a hint in the whole New Testament to even suggest the sanctity of any day besides the seventh day Sabbath. Where the Bible is silent man ought to be silent.
It is strange that some would endeavor to change the Sabbath day after the death of Jesus, since the worst kind of fraud and forgery is that which changes a man’s will after He dies.
God has given man a memorial of Christ’s death and resurrection. We should seek to commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord in the way of HIS OWN APPOINTING, namely, by means of the Lord’s supper and baptism. The Lord’s supper was given by Christ Himself to be a memorial of His death (1 Corinthians 11:26); and the sacred rite of baptism, to commemorate His resurrection. Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:3-5. Baptism, then, and not Sunday or any other day, is the Bible memorial of Christ’s resurrection. Since we are plainly told not to add or diminish from the Word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; Revelation 22:18), it seems that all real Christians would want to honor Christ’s resurrection the way He wanted us to do so-not by a day but by an institution-the ordinance of baptism.
26. Because Jesus CMMANDED the Keeping of the Sabbath AFTER the cross
Those who have the erroneous notion that Sunday should be kept after the cross may be sincere, but they are mistaken. While Jesus left no command or example for the observance of Sunday, the solid fact behind it all is He did leave a command and example for the observance of the seventh day Sabbath. Here is the Bible proof:
Christ’s Example:
“As His CUSTOM WAS. He [Jesus] went Into the synagogue [church] on the Sabbath day.” Luke 4:16.
Christ’s Command.
He that said “GO YE’ also said “PRAY YE’ “Pray you that your flight be not in the winter, NEITHER ON THE SABBATH DAY.” Matthew 24:20.
Christ’s Command Obeyed:
“They rested the Sabbath day according to the COMMANDMENT.” Luke 23:56.
Why did Jesus say “neither on the Sabbath day”? Because He recognized and stressed the SANCTITY of the SABBATH with its keeping even at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, 70 AD, almost forty years AFTER the CROSS. This clears the air of any fog that might have settled over the minds of some who question whether Christ commanded the keeping of the Sabbath after the cross.
27. Because Christ’s followers kept the Sabbath AFTER the cross
It is highly significant that the Bible records the observance of the Sabbath by the followers of Christ after the death of Christ on the cross. If anybody ought to know about the proper Sabbath, it should be those who were instructed by Christ Himself. He kept it while He was with them and they kept it when He left them:
“They returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and RESTED the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56.
As much as they loved Jesus, they would not desecrate the Sabbath even for Him. Cf. Luke 23:5256; 24:1; Mark 15:42-47; 16:1. Another notable feature about it all is that Christ was with them for over a month after His resurrection and nowhere or no place do we find any hint of His changing the Sabbath or of His correction for their keeping of the Sabbath after He died.
28. Because PAUL KEPT the Sabbath and PREACHED on it
The fact is irrefutable that Paul’s life-long manner or custom was to keep the very seventh day Sabbath that God kept at creation and Jesus kept at redemption:
“And Paul as his MANNER WAS, went In unto them, and three SABBATH DAYS reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.” Acts 17:2.
Another very striking proof of Paul’s observance of the Sabbath is found in Acts 18:4 where it
states:
“And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue [church] EVERY SABBATH.”
The Bible says Paul knew “the DOCTRINE OF THE LORD,” (Acts 13:12), arid In the same chapter he PREACHED IT: “Preached to them the next SABBATH.” Acts 13:42.
Other verses showing Paul kept and preached on the Sabbath: Acts 13:44; 16:13; 13:14.
Those who contend that nobody but Jews kept the Sabbath are parting company with the facts given in the Bible. Notice the textual evidence showing others besides Jews kept the Sabbath:
“And when the JEWS were gone out of the synagogue, the GENTILES besought that these words might be preached to them the next SABBATH.” “The GENTILES HEARD!” Acts 13:42,48. According to the above scripture, the Gentiles asked Paul to meet with them on SABBATH. No other day is mentioned. Paul did not change the appointment, because the next Sabbath “the Gentiles heard!” Sufficient evidence to prove that Paul preached to a non Jewish audience on a Sabbath by their own appointment.
“And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue EVERY SABBATH, and persuaded the Jews and the GREEKS.” Acts 18:4.
With the above evidence at hand showing Gentiles and Greeks kept the Sabbath, the theory that only Jews kept it has gone into hopeless bankruptcy.
29. Because the APOSTOLIC CHURCH kept the Sabbath after the cross
Any one who thinks the Bible teaches that any other day besides the seventh day was observed as the Sabbath after the cross is asked to examine carefully the following texts:
Texts Church Date Number
Acts 13:14, 42-44. Antioch 45 AD. 2 meetings
Acts 16:12, 13. Philippi 53 AD. 1 meeting
Acts 17A, 2. Thessalonica 53 AD. 3 meetings
Acts 18:1A, 11. Corinth 54 AD. 78 meetings
Here is listed a total of eighty-four meetings on Sabbath. So we can easily see that nothing is more certified than the fact that the apostolic church kept the Sabbath after the cross.
30. Because the Sabbath has been kept to the present time
It is a fact, obvious to any student of history, and the proofs are plentiful to furnish substantial evidence, that there have always been faithful seventh day Sabbath keepers from the time of Christ to the present age.
A. D. 75 - FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS:
“For there Is not any city of the Greeks, nor any of the barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on THE SEVENTH DAY hath not come!” -Flavius Josephus Against Apion from “The Works of Flavius Josephus,” p. 925.
A. D. 250 - ORIGEN, BISHOP OF ALEXANDRIA:
“Let us therefore no longer keep the Sabbath after Jewish manner. . . . But let every one of you KEEP THE SABBATH after spiritual manner, rejoicing in meditation on the law.” -Epistle to the Magnesians, Chap. lx.
A. D. 350 - ATHANASIUS:
“We are assembled on the day of the SABBATH, not because we are Infected with Judaism, ... but we approach the SABBATH to adore Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath.” --The Signs of the Times,” Jan. 17, 1933, p. 13.
A. D. 400 -AUGUSTINE:
“On this day, which is THE SABBATH, mostly those ore accustomed to meet who are desirous of the word of God.” -”Augustine’s Sermon,” 128, tom. 7, p. 629.
A. D. 450 -SOCRATES:
“Almost all of the churches throughout the world celebrate the sacred mysteries on the SABBATH of every week.” -”Socrates,” Book v, chap. 22.
A. D. 590 -POPE GREGORY I:
“It has come to my ears that certain men of perverse spirit have sown among you some things that are wrong and opposed to holy faith, so as to forbid any work being done on the SABBATH DAY.”-”Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers,” Volume 13, book 13, epistle I, page 336.
A. D. 791-COUNCIL OF TRIAU: (In Italy)
“Further, when speaking of that SABBATH which the Jews observe, that last day of the week, and which also our peasants observe.” – “13th Canon of the Council of Triau!”
11TH CENTURY -SCOTLAND:
“They worked on Sunday, but kept SATURDAY In a Sabbatical manner.” “History of Scotland.” Andrew Long, Vol. 1, page 96.
14 TH CENTURY -ABYSSINIA:
“It Is not therefore, In imitation of the Jews, but in obedience to Christ and His holy apostles that we observe that day [Sabbath].” -Reason for keeping Sabbath, given by Abyssinian legate at the court of Lisbon (1534) In “Church. History of Ethiopia,” by Michael Geddes, pp. 87. 88.
AD 1576 - WALDENSES:
“They were called Inzabbatt, not because they were circumcised, but because they kept the SABBATH according to the Jewish law.” “They kept the Sabbath day.” “Deuteche Biographie,- Art.,
“Goldast.” Godstus, historian.
AD 1653-GOA, INDIA:
“They keep Saturday holy, nor esteem the Saturday fast lawful, but on Easter even. They have solemn service on Saturdays.” – “History of the Sabbath,” J. N. Andrews, p. 569.
AD 1665-SIANFU, CHINA:
Stone tablet unearthed dating before the eighth century: “On the seventh day we offer sacrifice. after having purified our hearts and received absolution for our sins.” Id., Page 565.
AD 1738-COUNT NICOLAUS VON ZINZENDORF:
He was the founder and first bishop of the Moravian church. “The days which we keep are Sunday as the Lord’s resurrection day. and the SABBATH or the REAL REST DAY OF OUR LORD!” Id., 753.
AD 1844 - MRS. E. G. WHITE:
“In the autumn of 1846 we began to observe the BIBLE SABBATH. And teach and defend It.”-
”Testimonies.” Volume 1, page 75.
And the dragon [Satan, cf. Revelation 20:2] was wroth with the woman, [God’s church, cf. Jeremiah 6:2; 2 Corinthians 11:2] and went to make war with the remnant [last or remaining part. cf. Exodus 26:12] of her seed which KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS [10 commandments. cf. Matthew 19:17-19] of God.” - Revelation 12:17, 14:12.
A man may rub his eyes in amazement when he sees the following quotations. These have been selected from the writings of reputable Sunday-keeping authors. While I have the deepest veneration for their sincerity, yet I with Job cannot help but say: “Your own mouth condemns you and not I. Your own lips testify against you.” Job 15:6.
LUTHERAN:
“The observance of the Lord’s day (Sunday) Is founded not on any command of God but on the authority of the church.” -”Augsburg Confession of Faith,” as quoted In Cox’s “Sabbath Manual.” p. 287.
EPISCOPAL:
“We have made the change from the seventh day to the first day, from Saturday to Sunday, on the authority of the one holy catholic, apostolic church of Christ.” – “Why We Keep Sunday.” by Bishop Seymour.
METHODIST:
“It is true there is no positive command for Infant baptism. Nor is there any for keeping holy the first day of the week.” -”Theological Compendium,” 1902, by Revelation Amos Binney, pp. 180. 181.
BAPTIST:
“There was and Is a commandment to ‘keep holy the Sabbath day,’ but that Sabbath day was not Sunday. There is no Scriptural evidence of the change of the Sabbath Institution from the seventh to the first day of the week.” -Edward T. Hiscox, D. D., author of “The Baptist Church Manual.”
PRESBYTERIAN:
“The Christian Sabbath [Sunday] is not in the Scripture, and was not by the primitive church called the Sabbath.” – “Dwight’s Theology,” Vol. 4. p. 40 1.
CONGREGATIONAL:
“There Is no command in the Bible requiring us to observe the first day of the week as the Christian Sabbath.” – “Mode and Subjects of Baptism”, by Fowler.
CHRISTIAN:
“The first day of the week is commonly called the Sabbath. This is a mistake. The Sabbath of the Bible was the day Just preceding the first day of the week. The first day of the week is never called the Sabbath anywhere in the entire Scriptures. It Is also an error to talk about the change of the Sabbath. There never was any change of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. There Is not at any place in the Bible any Intimation of such a change.” – “First Day Observance.” pp. 17. 19.
CATHOLIC:
Cardinal Gibbons In the following statement hit the nail on the head. In this statement he is splendidly right. “But you may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you win not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday. a day which we never sanctify.” – “Faith of Our Fathers,” pp. Ill, 112.
“If the Bible Is the only guide for the Christian, then the Seventh-day Adventist Is RIGHT In observing the Saturday with the Jew.” The Question Box, Conway, p. 254.
33. Because the change of the calendar has not altered or lost the seventh day Sabbath
What higher authority could we cite than the Royal Astronomer of England and the Director of the U. S. Naval Observatory? Notice what these authorities state concerning the change of the calendar and the altering of the weekly cycle. F. W. Dyson, Astronomer Royal, Greenwich, London, in 1932 stated:
“As for as I know, In the various changes of the Calendar there has been no change in the seven day rotation of the week.”
James Robertson, Director American Ephemeris, U. S. Naval Observatory:
“We have had occasion to investigate the results of the works of specialists in chronology and we have never found one of them that has ever had the slightest doubt about the continuity of the weekly cycle since long before the Christian era. There has been no change In our calendar In past centuries that has affected in any way the cycle of the week.”
The change from old style to new style did not Interfere in any way with the free-running week. The change was made on Friday. October 5. 1582. Ten days wore made up by calling the 5th of October the 15th of October. This is all that was done.
The various changes of the calendar affected the days of the month and not the days of the week, hence no time has been lost. Consequently the Sabbath day is still the seventh day of the week or SATURDAY.
A passport is something that gives a person a RIGHT TO GO SOMEWHERE. The commandment KEEPERS and DOERS have the RIGHT TO ENTER INTO the city of God which is in heaven. Galatians 4:26.
“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.” Revelation 22:14.
It is admitted man cannot do this In his own strength but he can do it THROUGH CHRIST. “I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
This reason has the ring of finality in it because it leads to the inevitable conclusion that the Sabbath will be kept in heaven by ALI-Jew as well as Gentile. Every man that gets to heaven win keep the Sabbath there. Here is the Bible proof:
“For as the NEW heavens and the NEW earth which I WILL make shall remain before Me said the Lord. So shall your seed and your name remain, and IT SHALL COME TO PASS, that from one new moon to another [cf. Revelation 22.2] and from one SABBATH to another, shall ALL flesh come to
worship before Me said the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22. 23.
Since the seventh day Sabbath was In the world before sin came, it will be in the world when sin is gone. Genesis 2:1-3; Isaiah 66:22, 23. Consequently the incident of sin in the history of our world has not, does not and will not make void the eternal claims of the seventh day as the Sabbath on this earth.
CONCLUSION:
The BIBLE CONCLUSION and the final analysis of the Sabbath leads us to the ultimate fact that beyond all doubt or question of uncertainty, the seventh day (Saturday) is the TRUE BIBLE SABBATH and all TRUE Christians ought to keep it. Notice the Bible conclusion:
“There remains THEREFORE a keeping of a SABBATH to the people of God. Let us labor THEREFORE to enter into THAT REST, lest any man fall after the same example of disobedience.” Hebrews 4:9, 11 margin.
“Let us hear the CONCLUSION of the whole matter. Fear God, and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS [including the seventh day Sabbath]: for this is the WHOLE duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:12.
Since GOD kept the seventh day Sabbath at CREATION and commanded man to keep it: Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11. Since CHRIST kept it at REDEMPTION and commanded man to keep it: Luke 4:16; Matthew 28: 1; 24:20. Since ALL THE SAINTS will keep it In heaven (Isaiah 66:22, 23),
If we are going to keep it there, why not here? If we are going to keep it then, why not now?