Christians and the Sabbath Day

Question:

Jesus kept the sabbath day (7th day) according to his commandments while he was alive and even rested the 7th day the hours following his death. so why do Christians keep Sunday, the first day of the week, as there sabbath?  I am glad Jesus did not fall and break the (10) commadments while alive or dead if he had we would all be lost.

Submitted by RP on January 29, 1999.

Answer:  (Given by Bro. Don Raines)

Thanks for your question. I too, am glad that Jesus did not break any of the commandments of the Father. Let me say first of all that I agree with you. Jesus did keep the sabbath. This is why:

1. Jesus was a Jew, born under the law (Galatians 4: 1-5). As a Jew, he was required to observe the sabbath as were all Jews.
2. When Jesus died on the cross, the apostle Paul said that he "nailed" the ordinances Jewish law), to the cross, and took them out of the way (Col. 2:14).
3. By fulfilling the Law and prophets, Jesus abolished the old law (Ephesians 2: 11-16). He abolished the Jewish ordinances just as we abolished the ordinance of slavery in this country.  The covenant of keeping the sabbath was a covenant made with Abraham's descendants. It was given to the Jews as Mt. Sinai. (Deuteronomy 5: 1-3).  Observance of the sabbath was never given to Gentiles, of which are most Christians.
4. Christians are not under the old school master, Jewish law (Galatians 3: 23-29).
5. We are now under the law of Christ. And as such, we meet on the first day of the week (Sunday) to worship God in spirit and in truth. We do this because this is what the Christians in the Bible did.

Consider these truths:

1. First, the church was established on day of Pentecost (Acts 2) Pentecost was 50 days after the Passover (7 sabbaths plus one day=50 days) Day 50 is always the first day of the week or Sunday.
2. Secondly, the church came together on the first day of the week to worship. They partook of the the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20: 7); They gave of their means on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16: 1-2)
3. Under the Old Testatment law, the sabbath day itself was holy. No work could be done. Under the New Testament law, our worship is holy, not the day.

Let me summerize: Jesus kept the sabbath because he was a Jew and born under the law. Christians do not keep the sabbath because that law (which contained the commandment to keep the sabbat), has been abolished and is no longer in force. We now live under the law of Christ, which does not set aside any day and call it holy. It is the church that is holy to God, not Sunday.

I Hope this helps clear up some of your questions. If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

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