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Is the Sabbath Saturday or Sunday?
There is one holiday that has
caused quite a controversy. This is the weekly holiday known as the
Sabbath.
The first observance occurred on the seventh day of creation when God rested
from all his work. One question that must be asked… Was God tired?
No, the fact of the matter is that He set this one day, the seventh day apart,
thus making it a holy day , or holiday.
The Sabbath, or the Seventh Day has not changed. Sunday has been called
the Christian Sabbath, but there is no evidence in scripture that the Sabbath
was changed from Saturday to Sunday.
When do we worship?
The original intent of the Jewish Sabbath was to be a holy day of rest, not convene for worship
in a building. Under the Mosaic Law there was no synagogue service.
In fact the synagogue movement did not occur until after the return from
Babylon. Therefore, when a congregation meets has absolutely nothing to do
with the Sabbath.
The early believers met on the first day of the week. According to the
Jewish calendar the first day of the week begins on Saturday night. Remember in
Genesis first there was evening then there was morning, so a day begins at
sunset not midnight. Recall the passage in the book of Acts 20:7 "
Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break
bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his
message until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they
were gathered together."
Note there were many lamps in the room, and Paul preached until midnight!
This was not on the Sabbath, because it is the first day of the week. It
is not Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. either. Actually the meeting
here takes place Saturday Night sometime after dusk until midnight.
Remember, six days you must work and on the seventh rest…. The Jewish
believers of the first century had to work on the first day of the week.
After the day of Synagogue services the believers meet in homes and elsewhere on
Saturday evening.
Saturday evening was not the Sabbath. It is acceptable for believers to
meet on the first day of the week, Saturday night or Sunday evening.
Yeshua taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, therefore it is acceptable to
meet on the Sabbath as well.
Which day is holy? Saturday or Sunday?
The Sabbath was not observed by Noah, Abraham or any person before the Law of
Moses was given.
There is no New Testament requirement to observe the Sabbath day, nor an
absolute requirement on what day or time you are to have church services.
There is not enough room on this pamphlet to cover the differences between the
New Covenant and the Old Covenant. Just note that
there was a big controversy in Acts 15, when a decision was made by the
Jerusalem Council stating that Gentiles did not need to observe the Jewish law
to become believers. They were required to observed the law given to Noah
in Genesis 9.
This Law for all mankind included:
Life for a Life
Sexual immortality
Idolatry
Therefore the observance of the Sabbath was never a requirement for Gentiles or
Gentile Believers.
Sabbatarian groups who are adamant about the observance of the Sabbath Day get
around this verse by claiming they are “Spiritual Israel”, “Spiritual
Jews”, “Ephrimites” or one of the “Lost Tribes.”
If their claim that the Sabbath Law is still in effect they would carry out the
legal requirement for breaking the Sabbath, stoning. I don't think they
would claim to be Jews if this were enforced!
Who is right? Both are Right!
On one hand there is no biblical support for the Christian claim for a
Sunday Sabbath. On the other hand here is no obligation to hold services
on the Sabbath day of rest on the Seventh Day.
Who is wrong? Both are wrong!
Both groups have condemned one another on the issue of something that is
wholesome, holy, and good. A day set aside to rest and meditate on the
Word of God.
The Bible clearly leaves this up to the individual. Each person must be
convinced in his own mind. You should not judge you pastor for worshiping
on Sunday and he should not condemn you for worshipping on Saturday.
Romans 14:5 One man regards one day above another, another regards every day
alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the
day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he
gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and
gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for
himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the
Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end
Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the
living. 10 But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you
regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment
seat of God.
Check out this site on the Torah at
www.yeshuatyisrael.com/torah.htm
Torah
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