DECALOGUE 2.0
KEEPING IT HOLY
part 5

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Sabbath Rules

• Shabbath Goyim
  • Gentile that does prohibited work on Sabbath
• Eruv
  • Boundaries that allow for travel and to carry objects from place to place

Jesus on Sabbath

• The Sabbath was made for humankind. Humankind was not made for the Sabbath.
• Mark 2:23-3:6
• The Principles of the Sabbath are located in its origin

Origin of Sabbath

• God makes it Holy (Genesis 2:2-3)
• Commandments (Ex. 20, Deuteronomy 5)
• Sabbath Day, Year, Jubilee (Leviticus 25)

Exodus and Deuteronomy
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.

Principles of Sabbath

1. Remembrance of God
2. Harmony in Created Order
3. Respect of Humanity

Christian Sabbath Options

1. Sabbath = Saturday. Christians obligated to keep it.
2. Sabbath = Sunday. Christians obligated to keep it now.
3. Christians are free from Ceremonial observance, but there is wisdom in regarding the Lord’s Day as special

1. Seventh-Day
   • The Decalogue is part of God’s Moral Law. It was not “cancelled out” by Christ
   • Keeping the Seventh-Day is a test of the faithful who do not follow the apostasy
   • 7th Day Adventist, 7th Day Baptist, Worldwide Church of God, Messianic Jews

2. Sabbath Transfer
   • Sabbath is every seven days, not necessarily the seventh day of week
   • Rest is for Worship. Sets up a worship/work cycle.
   • Very little Biblical basis for the transference.
   • Rationale for “blue laws”

3. The Lord’s Day
   • Inclusion of Gentiles magnifies importance of Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7)
   • Eighth Day rationale (John 20:26)
   • Sabbath is not a binding ceremony (Acts 15, Romans 14)
   • The Lord is the focus of true “rest” (Hebrews 4:11)

The Lord’s Day

• Celebration of Lord’s Supper had special meaning on Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7 – 11, 1 Cor 16:1-2)
• Appearance of Jesus on Lord’s Day (John 20:26, Revelation 1:10)
• Late first century and Second century witness to special observances of the Lord’s Day

Conclusion

• The early church does emphasize the Lord’s Day over the seventh day
• This is not the result of a specific rule or change
• Some scripture is reinterpreted in light of Christ
• Sabbath and Lord’s Day are community events

Chris Benjamin

West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, AR
Evening Sermon, 21 October 2007

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