One of the most controversial subjects among Christians is God’s Seventh Day Sabbath. Some are not even aware that God’s Sabbath begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. Because many Christians today don’t know that some of what they believe originate from pagan origins and man-made traditions, most don’t know that the current day of worship actually originated from sun worship, which is why it was named SUN-day and that it was NOT in honor of Christ’s resurrection, as some claim. History confirms that Christ followers worshiped on Saturday until around 120 A.D. when believers were persecuted into changing their day of worship to Sunday in fear of their lives. Millions died during the inquisition of the dark ages for refusing to worship on Sunday, which was made a law only in the fourth century. This is why most denominations today worship primarily on Sunday and not Saturday.
A true believer walks as Jesus walked, even though it may go against long held traditions and teachings. Jesus warned his disciples against holding the traditions of men above the commandments of God. He called people like that hypocrites.
“Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites: as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commands of men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” (Mark 7:6-8)
He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3 ESV)
Christians wouldn’t dare argue that we must obey the other nine commandments, BUT they freely disregard the fourth commandment. I believe that before we go down this path, we should be absolutely sure, as far as God is concerned, before we, as puny humans, null any part of His Laws.
Which Day is the Sanctified Sabbath Day?
Even though most people don’t look to the Bible as the authority, God’s Word is the only place to answer this question, as well as that of every other biblical doctrine. And the “which day is holy” question is answered at the very beginning of the Bible.
The word Genesis means “beginnings” and Genesis almost immediately addresses the subject of the Sabbath, which is the seventh day of the week. God must have wanted this issue clearly established early on from the outset.
In the Bible, God’s days begin at sundown and end at sundown the following day.
And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. (Gen 1:5)
And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. (Gen 1:8)
And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. (Gen 1:13)
And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day. (Gen 1:19)
And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. (Gen 1:23)
And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. (Gen 1:31)
So did God ever sanctify a specific day as holy? If so, which day is it? Further, if God declared a specific day holy, what gives anyone the right to change it?
And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Gen 2:2-3)
Many Christians have genuine misunderstandings about the Sabbath. Most of these misunderstandings are from confusion about the Ten Commandments and the sacrificial law, also called the Mosaic Law or the Law of Moses. The sacrificial law was observed for centuries and it took a while for the gospel to spread to Jews and Gentiles. It was especially difficult for the Jews to understand that the sacrificial law ended when Jesus died on the cross. At that time, Christ became our one and final sacrifice. Paul had to deal with this problem and it took time for the Jews in his day to realize they no longer were to offer up animal sacrifices or keep the Law of Moses, which was the sacrificial law. However, even today, many Jews, especially those living in Jerusalem, desire to build a third temple and bring back animal sacrifices.
So What’s The Problem?
There are some who don’t understand how the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Scriptures are connected. Some professing Christians don’t even read or study the Old Testament, at all. I actually spoke with a woman a few weeks ago who only reads from the New Testament. She called herself “a New Testament Christian”. This is absurd! How can a true believer read only some of the Bible and not all of it? I’d have to say that they’re NOT really believers at all. How can I say this with certainty?
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness… (2 Timothy 3:16)
It doesn’t say “some Scripture” or “most Scripture”, but, “ALL Scripture”! …and that’s from the New Testament! So how can someone only read a portion of the Bible and claim to have accurate knowledge of the Bible? They can’t!
Many people make ungodly excuses for not keeping the seventh day Sabbath as God intended. Because Friday evening and Saturday are considered the “weekend”, most people make plans for rest and relaxation or to do what they want after working all week. Many have jobs which require them to work on the weekend. And some only have the weekend to engage in recreational activities, household chores, traveling or whatever. They feel that keeping the Biblical Sabbath is just too much.
In my next podcast, I will list the justifications, rationalizations and misunderstandings given by those who want to avoid honoring God on His consecrated holy day.
Loving Yahweh with Heart, Soul and Strength 