The Old Covenant Sabbath was only a covenant sign for Israel under the Old Covenant. It was a key marker of Israel’s identity in comparison with everyone else around them who did not acknowledge Yahweh as the one true creator God. It was a sign of the covenant with God which celebrated God’s sole creative and redemptive glory. There were very strict regulations and penalties (death) pertaining to the Sabbath (Ex 16:23-30; 20:8-11; 31:12-18; 35:2-3; Lev 16:31; 23:3, 24, 32, 39; 25:2-6; Num 15:32; 28:9-10; Dt 5:12-15; Ezek 46:1-15).
Under the New Covenant (Col 2:16-17; Rom 14:5) we are not to judge over days, but rather follow the conscience. All of the Old Covenant observances (i.e. dietary laws, festivals, holidays, and special days) are not essential anymore since their reality was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the mediator of a better covenant (Col 2:16-23). They were merely types and shadows that pointed forward to their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Heb 10:1). Jesus Christ is a Sabbath rest (Heb 4:9-10).
In Acts (13:14, 27, 42, 44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4) the church never gathered together on the Sabbath but only on the Lord’s Day (Ac 20:7; 1 Co 16:2). They went to the synagogues on the Sabbath to preach the gospel because that’s where and when the Jews gathered.
Nowhere does the New Testament change the Sabbath to Sunday and Paul discourages in every way the observance of special days as mandatory (Gal 4:9-11; 3:10; Rom 3:20; 6:14-15; 7:1-6).
If someone insists on the Sabbath, ask “If we are going to be consistent then why don’t we kill those who break the Sabbath? If the Sabbath regulations have been changed then where are the New Covenant Sabbath regulations for the church today?” There are none.
Go with your conscience pertaining what day or days you worship on and don’t make it mandatory.
In Him,
Miles
No comments:
Post a Comment