Appointed for the Defense of the Gospel (Part 10)
Why We Don’t Keep the Sabbath Part 2
In the last issue we discussed three topics: (1) The fact that scripture is clear that the old law, which includes keeping the Sabbath, has been done away with—(Col. 2:12-17), and we noted that today’s Sabbath keepers fail to comply to the (2) Sabbath Rest restrictions (Exo. 35:1-3). The Law concerning (3) Burnt Offerings are not prepared and carried out as commanded (Num. 28:9-10). (4) Today’s Sabbath keepers do not keep the Law concerning restricted Travels (Acts 1:4, 12). Truth is always true, and when those who demand that the sabbath day is still binding, fail to follow the Lord’s instructions in regard to its observance, they are not worshipping and honoring God according to His will (Matt. 7:21-23).
From the beginning in the garden, through all the periods of history, and up to this very day there is always going to be a penalty for violating God’s law, including the sabbath laws. Any time any man failed to observe the law, a price for disobedience had to be met. So, exactly how can we explain away what Paul said concerning the Law in light of modern day Sabbatarians? Fact is we cannot. Fact is Sabbath Keepers Do Not Keep The Whole Law!
Paul told Christians, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” (Gal. 5:1-3). Sabbath keepers are guilty of keeping just parts of Old Testament Law. According to inspiration, they have become “a debtor to keep the whole law” (v.3). What Sabbatarian offers animal sacrifices; What Sabbatarian goes to Jerusalem three times each year to worship? Do they keep the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” (Ex. 23:15)? No! Do they “keep the Feast of Weeks” (Deut. 16:10)? No! The fact is the Law brings a curse to everyone who, “does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them” (Gal. 3:10). If you’re seeking to worship on the last day of the week, are you keeping the whole law also? If not, you’ll only find condemnation at the end of your earthly journey. My friends listen to Paul, “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” (Gal. 3:23-25). Paul knows “faith” comes by the hearing of God’s word by which we receive the knowledge of spiritual things (Gal. 3:1-2; Rom. 10:17). After faith, which is in Christ has come, “we are no longer under a tutor”.
Sabbath Day Keepers will argue that there is a difference between the “law of God” and the “law of Moses”. The fact is there is no biblical distinction in the Law of God and the Law of Moses. They teach the “ten commandments”, which includes the sabbath, is an ever-binding law of God and the law of Moses was merely a ceremonial law that has been done away with. How then can this be explained? “…Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses” (2 Chron. 34:14). How Long does it take to read 10 commands? Ezra read from “from morning until midday” and, “…read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God” (Neh. 8:3, 9). Do you think it took 9 hours to read the 10 commandments to the people?
Jesus Himself said, “Moses said, honor thy father and thy mother” (Mk. 7:10). Please observe that some elements which are in the so-called “ceremonial law” are said to be in the law of the Lord! “The king also appointed a portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths and the New Moons and the set feasts, as it is written in the Law of the Lord” (2 Chron. 31:3, Emphasis mine). Question: Did you ever read anything about burnt offerings in the ten commandments?
The sacrifice for purification, as offered by Mary, is not part of the ten commandments, yet is called the law of the Lord. “Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” (Lk. 2:22-24). Was this the law of Moses or the law of God? Fact is both are mentioned in this passage. Therefore, Sabbatarians are making distinction between the law of God and the law of Moses, when in fact, God made none! The only reason anyone attempts to prove there is a difference in the law of God and the law of Moses is that they may bind some part of the Old Law on people today, including Sabbath keeping.
To anyone who studies, and rightly divides this next scripture will end the discussion: “For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord” (Heb. 8:7-9), and (v.13) “In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.” When Christ died the old became obsolete and the new came into effect (Heb. 9:15-17). Where is the passage of Scripture that teaches the sabbath day is still binding? There are plenty stating the old law was removed. Even Jeremiah knew the day would come and bring a New Covenant. “31 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord” (Jer. 31:31-32). Do you believe the prophets? Do you believe the Apostles? Do you believe Jesus? Do you believe the truth? Jesus said, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17), Paul said, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thess. 2:9-12). Have you received, “the love of the truth”?
In our next issue we’ll conclude this study with a scriptural confirmation that “Christians are dead to the law that commanded sabbath keeping”.
If you keep the sabbath, do you keep these rules concerning its observance? If not, why not? Is God working in you, “both to will and to do for His good pleasure”? (Phil. 2:13)
In Love
Dave Scarpino