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What does the
church of Christ teach about the Sabbath Day?
What does the Bible say about
the Sabbath Day?
The Sabbath
Introduction:
The Sabbath observance is a very misunderstood concept today. Many,
no doubt sincere, people worship God in vain because of their
confusion over this word.
Body:
I. Hebrew Word
- The "root" word means "to
cease or rest." God rested on the seventh day from all His
work. Example: The Israelites were to cease work on that one
day. Genesis 2:2
- There is no record of any
Patriarch observing the Sabbath. There is no record of anyone
observing the Sabbath until the time of Moses. This is very
important.
II. Sabbath Law - To Whom Given
- Moses' words, "It was not with our fathers
that the Lord made this covenant, but with us, with all of us
who are alive here today." Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 12-15
- God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses on Mt.
Sinai. These laws were not given to everyone! They were meant
only for Israel Exodus 20:8-11
- God gave Israel a sign between them because
He brought them out of Egypt. Ezekiel 20:10-12
- God made known to Israel His laws through
Moses. This included the Sabbath. Nehemiah 9:12-14
- Therefore, we conclude that the Sabbath
observance, which was a part of the Law of Moses, was only given
to Israel. It was never given to any other people.
III. The End of the Sabbath Law
- What law of commandments separated Jews from
Gentiles? The Law of Moses! One of those commandments was to
observe the Sabbath. Ephesians 2:11-15
- Today we are dead to the Law of Moses. That
is the same law that said, 'You shall not covet' and also said,
'Remember the Sabbath day; to keep it holy.' The entire Law of
Moses was nailed to the cross. Romans 7:4-7
- The only reason that we are not to covet
today is because the Law of Christ commands us! Romans
13:9, Hebrews 10:1, 9
- Those who appeal to the old law make make
themselves a debtor to do the whole old law. Galatians
5:2-3
IV. What about the Christian Sabbath?
- Christians are to worship
together, not on Saturday (the Sabbath), but on Sunday, the
first day of the week. Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 16:2
- Sunday is never called "the
Christian Sabbath" in the New Testament.
- Today there is neither Jew
nor Greek. Galatians 3:23-28
- There is a "rest" coming
for the faithful Christian. Hebrews 4:1, 4-11
Conclusion:
Let us all strive to enter that eternal rest!
Bobby Stafford
March 6, 2011
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