Hello, I don't know any Christians who think the Sabbath is Sunday. Sabbath is Saturday. I think people often conflate a day of worship with a day of rest. These were never the same day; if you think they were the same day can you share evidence of that?
I believe Christians most often worship on Sunday, because that's the example given for what the early Christians did: Acts 20:7
I guess I will only give a little reply to this question from what I perceive. To begin with Lucifer it is known, I believe, that he was such a perfect angel, created by God, that he began to exult himself even to the point he wanted to be seated on God's throne. Then maybe when God put him in his place he is said to have gathered 1/3 of the angels in Heaven to follow him and make war against God. If this is correct here is a couple Scriptures of these things. Revelation 12:3-4, Revelation 12:7-9.
There is also the account of "other angels" who were banished, from Heaven, for what they did. In the Bible this account is not very detailed of the sons of God(angels) coming down and mingling with the daughters of men and making "giants" or hybrid angel/humans. Genesis 6. This was the main reason why God flooded the world with Noah and the ark etc. In the book of Enoch this story is much more detailed about what happened.
Verses of the "angels that sinned" 2 Peter 2:4-5, Jude 1:6. It is shown that even angels have free will.
As there may have been more to your question I hope what I have stated may have helped somewhat for an answer.
S Spencer Matthew 2144 on Genesis 1:1 - 3 years ago
part 1
Matthew 21:44.
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
There must be conviction before conversion, I believe that's why the law "Ministry of death" ( 2 Cor. 3:7-10.)
came before the gospel. It was meant to show us the weakness of the flesh. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Romans 8:3.
Christianity was attacked in the beginning of the church from within as we see today.
In Acts 20:28-30. Paul warns Ephesus, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Jude also warns us. "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
These warnings of what would come into the church (Leaven and tares). You see the tares Matthew 13:24-30.
We often try to pluck up the tares but Jesus instruct otherwise in verses 28-29: He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
The Bible said if u die and go to heaven u wont go to hell anymore since u had proof that Jesus is real but why did Lucifer and other angels go to hell? i thought when u go to heaven u would understand the real world
i don't see anywhere in this tread where someone said the the sabbath was moved to Sunday, in fact we Adam said made it clear "Sounds like gathering on the first day ( Acts 20:7) of the week to worship is being confused with observing the Sabbath." in other words we're not saying that.
We're saying they gathered on the 1st day of the week.
following Christ is a 24/7 lifestyle that the Holyspirit moves you to do, not the 10 commandments, so yes Saturday is a Holy Day and so is the other 6 days. I also don't see where I or anyone said the 10 commandments was abolished, but I gave you Colossians 2:14-17 (KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
What Paul is saying here is what he said in Romans 7:9.For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And Romans 8:3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
And where did we judge you?
Romans 14:4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Jesus was dead on the Sabbath day. It was on the first day of the week that He came forth from the dead. And when we turn to the resurrection account in the Gospel of Matthew (which was written primarily to Israel), it opens with:
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week. Matthew 28:1.
"At the end of the sabbath" - not just the end of a day, but the end of keeping the Sabbath day - "it began to dawn toward the first day of the week." That is tremendous!
Pentecost - The Church Was Born
Then we turn to the Book of Acts, and there we read that the church was born - and not on a Sabbath day, but on the Lord's Day, the first day of the week. Notice Acts 2:1:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come.
What does the Bible mean by "fully come"? Does it mean when the sun had come up? No.
It means "When the day of Pentecost [and all of which it spoke] was come." That which Pentecost had symbolized in the Old Testament is now come. It was the first day of the week, the only first day of the week Israel ever observed - for they observed seven Sabbath days after Passover, and then the day following the seventh Sabbath was Pentecost:
On that day the Holy Spirit came!
On that day the church was born!
Proof they worshiped on a Sunday.
Acts 20:7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
I agree with Adam, we worship all the days of our lives.
According to Isaiah 9:6, 12:2, 25:9, 43:11, 45:21-22, 54:5, Luke 1:68, John 8:24-27, 8:58, 10:28-30, 12:45, 14:6-9, 20:28, Acts 20:28, 2nd Corinthians 5:19, Ephesians 4:4-5, Colossians 2:9, 1st Timothy 3:16, John 3:5, Matthew 28:18-19, Luke 24:47-49, and Acts 2:37, Acts 2:38 is the true Biblical plan of salvation. Further backed up by Acts 4:12, 8:12, 8:16, 10:47-48, 19:2-6, and 22:16.
What is the motive for this campaign to discredit Jesus's divinity? Why do you celebrate when you feel you have delivered your case? Does this actually come from God, or does it actually come from the great deceiver?
Some of these comments even have a sense of pride- as if demeaning Jesus is an accomplishment to be proud of. Whomever is behind this campaign seems quite closed off to just normal, non-distorted interpreations of the Word.
Shame on you and everyone who is attacking and trying to discredit the Bible and demean Jesus. I find these posts disturbing and even sickening to think that Christians are giving into a lie so easily without question. But the truth will always expose the lie. Jesus is Lord and Jesus is divine and Jesus is the Son and Jesus is one with the Father and Holy Spirit, Jesus is the I AM, Jesus is God just as the Bible says.
Sounds like gathering on the first day ( Acts 20:7) of the week to worship is being confused with observing the Sabbath. These are 2 different things. I think everyday should be a day to worship and honor God. Following Christ as a Christian is a 24/7 lifestyle, not a temporary event once a week. I don't think the specific day people gather is so important. The verse in Acts I don't view as a command, but an example. God bless.
Hi Jerry. My understanding about the Sabbath is that it was a commandment from God for the Jews to observe. There were stipulations in what they could do on that day & in Jesus' day, the religious leaders added their own rules to it, making what was supposed to be a Holy Day of Rest into a burdensome commandment.
Even though many Christians believe in 'keeping the Sabbath', whether on a Saturday (Jewish) or a so-called 'Christian Sabbath', I don't accept either, as the Sabbath Day has nothing to do with Christian living. If a council has changed the Jewish Sabbath to a 'Christian Sabbath', then that is unbiblical. If we need to give a name to Christians worshipping together on a Sunday, then I would call it the "Lord's Day" ( Revelation 1:10), the day that believers set aside that was different to the Jews & in line with the Day of Resurrection ( Acts 20:7).
Hi Gregory, You are right but I would put it this way, Christ has freed us from the "curse" of the law, and that we are no longer under the "curse" of the law. Galatians 3:11-13. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth
We was redeemed by his precious blood. Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; We was purchased by his blood Acts 20:28, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
We are forgiven but those sins wasn't, Jesus wasn't pardoned because he was the Christ, He had a debt to pay to the father, God is not a crooked judge, the penalty for those sins had to be paid, And he paid them on the cross. A good study on Romans Ch: 5, 6, 7, and 8 is very helpful on this topic.
In every Bible-based, Bible-believing congregation, the 'leader of the Church' (also, called an Elder or Pastor) should have elders & deacons to assist in the teaching, direction, & management of the flock. So in Acts 20:28, Paul called for the Ephesians elders & gave them this instruction: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
The Pastor & the eldership have the responsibility & endorsement by God to teach & shepherd His flock, ruling well & directing the Church according to the Scriptures & in a society that opposes Christ. In the early Church, believers were heavily dependent on their leadership for proper spiritual guidance as they had little else by way of the full counsel of God & spiritual maturity to discern correct or incorrect teaching. Therefore, the apostles had to often 're-teach' or warn the believers of wrong teaching & to beware of the 'wolves' lurking in the Church to destroy her.
Today, we have the full revealed Word in our hands & the Spirit to help us understand & apply its Truths. If the Pastor or speaker has said something that seems incorrect, or in your case, a questionable decision he has made, then I believe it is the right & responsibility of the Christian to enquire further about it. If it's a question of something spoken from the Word, one can approach the speaker (as a couple have even asked me to further expand a point that I may have glossed over). If it's to do with a Church matter (its organization, its direction, its ministry, etc.), then doubtless the elders would've come together to discuss & pray over the matter & the Church informed so the matter is fully aired. If there is an individual dispute over it, then it would be correct, in all humility & knowing the Pastor's position & responsibility, to seek further light on it from him or the elders. One shouldn't be chastised for it.
h. That it appears from the Word that Christians began worshipping the Lord on the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2), though attendance to meeting with others at the synagogue was still practised by Paul ( Acts 9:20, 13:5, 14:1, etc.), there appears a departure from the religious side of the Sabbath to the first day of the week, maybe in remembrance of the Lord's resurrection & a separation from the Jewish Sabbath which included worship. No doubt, the Sabbath still remained a day of rest for them.
I am personally not inclined to whether I worship on the first day, the second or even the seventh day, as the Sabbath Day significance has no application or meaning to me under the New Covenant. When I was in employment, the need for a rest day was still required & appreciated, but that's all there was to it. If Sunday as a worship day is a problem to some, then set another day aside to worship with the Lord's people. But if to keep the Sabbath becomes an unquestionable, non-negotiable requirement that can bring on the Wrath of God or disfavour to the people, then I simply cannot see that expressed in the Word or by the Spirit, & one would have to do some intricate exegesis to provide convincing proof.
Apologies for keeping this response lengthy (though brief, in some respects), but thought to raise some thoughts for you to chew on & respond where necessary, i.e. trying to lay down some groundwork to build upon. Every blessing.
Hi Rodney, I did post a reply to your similar request yesterday. Maybe you haven't seen it, or you might be looking for further comment from others. I do hope you get other views to help you with your enquiry.
Rather, than repeat what I wrote earlier, I would add here: that the early Church may have picked the First Day of the Week as the day to come together to worship the Lord in remembrance of their Saviour's resurrection on that day, as well as a show of further segregation from the Jewish Law. Of course, the Sabbath was being adhered to by the Jews, & indeed by Paul in his ministry to them (as in Acts 17:2). But it appears that believers no longer observed the Sabbath for worship (maybe it was still a day of rest though), but they came together on the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7), now being referred to as the Lord's Day ( Revelation 1:10).
In ministry in Pakistan, Friday is the Muslim's rest day & for a more dedicated worship & preaching in the mosque. As Christians, we had to fall in line with this day & so our corporate worship time in a Church Fellowship fell on a Friday. Some Churches still held a Sunday service, though that was not well attended, as most were required to work. So, any day that is selected can be used as a corporate day of worship, seeing that for the Christian, every day is alike to come before the Lord; but as ordered by the Lord, one day in the week still needs to be set aside as rest, for the health & recuperation of the mind & body. So I find it strange that an insistence for a Christian having to observe a Saturday Sabbath as necessary, as the Jews do, when that is not only meaningless for us but also demonstrates one placing himself back under the Law. I also wonder how well that believer observes the Sabbath: does he refrain from buying, or working in the garden, or dealing with an urgent repair job at home?
To your other question on observing the correct day of rest from the days of Adam & Eve, I wrote about this earlier.
Our duty as Jesus Christ's servants is to preach His Gospel. Can we make judgments about anyone BEFORE we tell them the Gospel? I don't think so. However, once we have preached to someone, and they react to the news of Christ as a dog/swine(they reject it, mock it, insult it etc), their blood is on their own head. We are clean.
Acts 18:6 'And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, YOUR BLOOD BE UPON YOUR OWN HEADS; I AM CLEAN'
And again, Acts 20:26-27 "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of ALL MEN. For I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE UNTO YOU ALL the counsel of God."
And again, Mark 6:11 "whosoever shall not receive you, NOR HEAR YOU, when ye depart thence, SHAKE OFF THE DUST UNDER YOUR FEET for a testimony AGAINST THEM. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
And again, Matthew "whosoever shall not receive you, NOR HEAR YOUR WORDS, when ye depart out of that house or city, SHAKE OFF THE DUST OF YOUR FEET."
Perhaps seeds were planted/watered by us and later that person will come to their senses, but the Bible tells us our duty is fulfilled. We depart from them and warn others.
Matthew 7:6 'GIVE NOT that which is holy UNTO THE DOGS, neither cast ye your pearls BEFORE SWINE, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.'
We see here, Christ Jesus never required us to babysit or go after the dogs or swine. Rather, he warns us to beware them.
Philippians 3:2 "BEWARE OF DOGS, beware of evil workers" Dogs are people who reject the Gospel of Christ. God compares them to evil workers.
And again, in Titus 3:10-11 "A man that is an heretick AFTER the first and second admonition REJECT; Knowing that HE THAT IS SUCH IS SUBVERTED, and SINNETH, BEING CONDEMNED OF HIMSELF.
As a Baptist, how does it work out for you to attend your Fellowship on a Sunday? It must be a real problem then.
And you're right, there's no scriptural warrant to change the day to Sunday - it appears it was something that the early Church began to do ( Acts 20:7) - maybe in recognition & remembrance of their Saviour's resurrection. But I would be fine if someone wanted to worship on the Saturday, but it may be a lonely experience for them. When serving in Pakistan, I worshipped with believers there on a Friday - the point was that we did worship the Lord & we did it together in common love & faith.
Apostle Paul the Tent Maker on Matthew 27 - 4 years ago
Wesley's Notes for Acts 18:3
18:3 They were tent makers by trade - For it was a rule among the Jews (and why is it not among the Christians?) to bring up all their children to some trade, were they ever so rich or noble.
People's Bible Notes for Acts 18:3
Ac 18:3 Because he was of the same occupation, he abode with them. This is the first mention of the handicraft by which so often during his toilsome life Paul earned his daily bread. Every Jewish boy was taught a trade, and Paul no doubt learned his in Tarsus.
What an amazing testimony Paul had: born a Jew; became a high ranking Pharisee. Became a citizen of Rome: served warrants to kill Christians (see Stephens death).
Confronted on the Damascus Road, on his way to serve more warrants: and was confronted by Jesus Christ.
At the end of this chapter 18, Paul decides to minister to the Gentiles which was his calling. His entire ministry is a marvel when you consider all of the things he endured for the sake of His Savior. He did what he knew to be doing.
Do we know what to be doing?
Matthew 26:31-46
Revelation 14:12-13
It's not a law to do something for Jesus. It's an act of Love, a privilege, it's worship and adoration. Love makes us want to give love.
That's Him, inside of our spirit and soul. Do you feel it? We are indwelled with Someone so powerful...that even death could not stop it. He walked out of that tomb in the glorious power of Love.
God so loved the world! That He GAVE...his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should Not perish, but have everlasting life.
Love gives.
We give love because He loves us.
Obeying laws is an insult to this kind of Love. We never can be good enough in our own power to emulate the God-kind of Love.
This is a quick summary for New Testament Christians who want clarifications of the "Lord's Day" (Sunday) vs the Old Testament "Sabbath" (Saturday).
The Sabbath was a ceremonial day given to Old Testament Jews to keep. New Testament Christians (Jews and Gentiles) do not follow the old carnal, beggarly, religion of the Jews because the fulfillment of those things are in Christ. This is the same reason Christians do not worship in a Temple made with hands but instead worship the Lord in their hearts. ( Rom 14:1-23; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Gal 4:1-31; Col 2:14-17).
The answer to this question (and all others) are in the KJV Bible. There is a false religion that promotes Sabbath Worship. They state that Sunday Worship is "The Mark of the Beast", but they do not know their Bible and reject what the New Testament states about the Sabbath and about the Lord's Day. Try my words and all others with God's Word. ( Rom 3:4)
Hebrews is a book of the Bible that exalts Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament legal systems. Jesus also teaches us throughout the Gospels that the thousands of rules in the Old Testament are kept with two primary Laws which are basically: "Love God" and "Love Your Neighbor" ( Mark 12:30-36). Keeping these two rules in Christ fulfill the whole law. Further detail of how to do this is throughout Scripture, but no man can keep these laws perfectly, that's why we need Christ.
Paul (the Apostle to the Gentiles), taught us to come together regularly and to keep the "Lord's Day" (the day Christ arose from the dead). This is the first day of the week. Christians have met throughout the New Testament and throughout History on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. Our Sabbath/Rest is in Christ, He has fulfilled the Old Testament laws which we and no other man can. (Heb; Acts 20:7; I Cor 16:1-2; Rev 1:10)
Christians come together on Sunday to keep the New Testament Doctrine not to keep the Old Testament Ceremonial Religion given to the Jews.
My confession of faith on Repentance is the same as written here:
"We believe in a true conversion, justification and new birth. In a true conversion there is sincere sorrow for sin and transgression, and condemnation thereof. The justification is obtained through conversion when believing upon the wrought- righteousness of Christ, becoming liberated from the debt of sin and judgement, whereby we are "born again" and renewed unto the image and nature of God through the renewing of the Holy Ghost."
Luke 24:27 ; John 1:28 ; John 3:3 ; Acts 20:28 ; Romans 1:27 ; Romans 5:1 ; Galatians 3:26
Dr. Burgess, thank you for your questions regarding the great value we place of the KJV Bible. As you will understand, I can't give you a full answer here as it would go well beyond the limitations of such a Site as this, but you no doubt, would have already done some other research. As well, we don't get to see your email address which we can personally respond to; you should however, get an alert from KJB Online to your email address that "someone has responded to your comment". So to your questions.
a. Indeed, the KJV isn't the oldest translation and yes, there were older Manuscripts available at that time. However, when King James commissioned the leading biblical scholars (approx. 47 translators) to translate the Bible at the behest of the Puritans, he wanted them to be accurate & consistent with the original texts, yet to conform to the ecclesiology of the Church of England. Hence, in 1 Timothy 3:1 (& elsewhere), the word for the Gk. 'episkopon' has been given as, Bishop, which should have correctly been translated, Overseer. It was never the intention of Apostle Paul to have such appointments in the Church, but simply, Elders & Deacons. But that aside, these KJV translators had found a number of errors from those 'older' manuscripts (from the Alexandrian text: Textus Vaticanus & Textus Sinaiticus). Even when compared with each other, the Alexandrian texts varied by as much as 3000 separate 'disagreements' just in the Gospels. So the 'later', & deemed more reliable & faithful to the Textus Receptus, (from Erasmus' five manuscripts & to which even later manuscripts gave support to and also from the original Masoretic Text, for the O.T. translation), was the Authorized King James Bible born. We can't consider all the differences between the RSV, NIV, etc. with the KJV, since they are many (e.g. Isaiah 7:14 "virgin"; Luke 2:33 "Joseph"; Acts 20:28 "Blood", are just a few changes or omissions).
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Pet 2:22, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
I guess it's like this, I'm a sinner, I deserve to die, Jesus did no sin, He paid the penalty for my sin when He died on the cross, I guess that's the same as He paid the ransom, so that a sinner like I could go free, He paid the price.
Sara, this passage speaks about the apostle Paul when he was preaching to the believers at Troas. On that day, the Lord's Day, Paul was preaching for an extended period of time and young Eutychus fell asleep & indeed, fell off from his place at the window sill far to the ground (a couple of levels down). People thought he had died, but Paul went to him & found that he was still alive & gave that good news to the people. And so verse 12 says that the people were greatly (same as, "not a little") comforted by this news that the boy was still alive. So with everyone happy, & awake, Paul went on to preach for another few hours!
e. Acts 20:7. "first day of Sabbath in reckoning 7 Sabbaths to Pentecost". The Greek word, Sabbaton used here, doesn't necessarily need to mean the Jewish Sabbath, as this word is used elsewhere with the meaning of 'week or weeks'. Refer to Mark 16:1 & 16:2. Clearly, v1 refers to the Jewish Sabbath & v2 to the 'first of weeks' = first day of the week = Sunday. So too, in Matthew 28:1: Sabbath + Week; Mark 16:9; Jn 20:1,19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2: all used the Gk. Sabbaton referring to week & not Sabbath.
f. 1 Cor 16:2. Literally translated: "Upon the first day of the Sabbaton (week), each one should lay by him (i.e. on his own, in private, in quietness, without show or fanfare) & store aside..". The instruction here is that the believer, in consideration of the 'poor saints', should as part of the day of worship & rest from their labours, along with the giving of their freewill offerings to the assembly, to also put aside these special gifts for the poor. This was so there wasn't a mad rush to do a collection at the last minute & even take away from the sanctity of the day.
g. Rev 1:10. To remain consistent with other references to the first day of the week, we can't change the reference to the Lord's Day in Rev 1:10 to read "Day of the Lord". That would be forcing an unreasonable application to a simple reading of the verse. John was "in the spirit on the Lord's Day", not "in the spirit towards the Day of the Lord".
I appreciate your feedback concerning the Seventh Day.
In considering the other side of the teaching that you presented, I will respond below.
The Seventh day was declared by God BEFORE He chose Israel. This Law was established for ALL to obey and enjoy.
The 10 Commandments are OT LAW, are they abolished?
Do you still follow the 10 Commandments?
Jesus abolished BLOOD Ordinances, and either partially or completely fulfilled OT prophecy concerning His first coming, but Christ did not come to abolish the LAW.
So, then, if a person claims to have FAITH in Jesus but all of his WORKS are evil, where do you think this person ends up? Jesus tells us very plainly ( Matthew 7:23). Looks like FAITH has a lot to do with following the LAW ( Galatians 3:11-12) and with WORKS, ( James 2:17).
The English word "week" is defined from the Greek word meaning "Sabbath" or "day of rest;" also a 7 day period of time.
You state that the Lord God or His only begotten Son changed the holy Sabbath day based upon Scripture (from your understanding of Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, and Revelation 1:10):
"The first day of the week began to be recognized as the Lord's Day and that the Church began worshipping on that day"
Acts 20:7, concerns the first day of the Sabbath in reckoning the 7 Sabbaths to Pentecost.
1 Corinthians 16:2 has to do with preparation (work) for when Paul returns.
Revelation 1:10 concerns John being taken "in the spirit" to the great and dreadful "day of the Lord" or the "Lord's day"
when the Messiah shall return, and John is given testimony in relation to that. (Not Sunday!)
None of these Scriptures you offer give authorization to change the Sabbath day from the SEVENTH DAY to the FIRST DAY of the week.
Christ FORETOLD US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW. God did not give us instruction to change the Sabbath, neither did Jesus, nor did the Prophets and Apostles.
a. The Sabbath was given to man Mark 2:27 at creation Genesis 2:2-3 it's not a day that God required just for the Israelite's to keep, which is why the 4th commandment starts with "remember" it is because the children of Israel had forgotten through hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt.
b. Jesus came to this world not to destroy the law and the prophets Matt. 5:17, The law (10 commandments) says to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
The breaking of bread in Acts 20:7 is referring to eating (food) (see Acts 20:11)
1 Cor. 16:2 the "first day of the week" Paul is referring to putting aside your offerings (collection for the saints) starting on the first day of the week (Sunday) (see 1 Cor.16:1)
Revelation 1:10 John was in vision on the sabbath (Lord's day is the sabbath, For the son of man is Lord, even of the sabbath day. (see Matthew 12:8)
c. What was nailed to the cross was the "ceremonial laws" not the 10 commandments. In (Matt.27:51) the veil of the temple was rent in two when Jesus died on the cross, the ceremonial laws that God had required since sin came into the world (sacrificing animals ect) was no longer needed because the ultimate sacrifice had just been made and that was the shedding of blood of a sinless Jesus on the cross.
Matthew 5:18 One jot or one tittle shall not wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter into the gates of the city.
Greg, you gave a good account in support of keeping the Sabbath day holy, but could you consider the following as the other side of this teaching?
a. Israel was marked out by God to be His chosen people: to set His Love upon them & through whom His Son would come to reconcile man to God. As such there were two clear signs that proved to the nations about them, that this people were Holy, separated to God: the giving of the Law & Circumcision. No other nation received this instruction & compulsion to obey.
b. when Jesus came into this World, His Ministry & His calling together of the twelve, they were still, in what we regard, the Old Testament, or Old Covenant, even though the Bible was divided differently. It was only natural, in keeping of the Law & occasion to worship, that the Sabbath was still recognized as the day of rest. After He rose from the grave & ascended to Heaven, the believers still worshipped on the Sabbath if attending the synagogue, but the 'first day of week' began to be recognized as the Lord's Day & the Church began to worship on that day ( Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2, Rev 1:10, in reference to the Lord's Day as a recognized day set aside).
c. as part of the New Covenant, we understand that it was made through HIS Blood (unlike the blood of the sacrifices under the Old) which not only gave all who expressed faith in Christ's Work a New & Living Way back to God, but also "nailed to the Cross the handwriting of Ordinances that were against them" ( Col 2:14). This now redundant Law signified that any obedience to it & binding of the Law to ourselves was no longer compatible to the New Covenant: indeed, to observe the Law of Works & the Law of Grace did despite to the Work of the Cross. The two cannot be syncretized. Gal 2:21: "for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Concerning the 7th day of the week and the 1st day of the week
The Hebrew definition of the word "week," or "weeks," simply means "sevened."
The Greek definition of the word "week" is defined as "Sabbath," i.e. the 7th day (of a seven day period); the day of rest.
The 7th day was established for ALL of mankind back on the 7th Day of Creation ( Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 34:21, etc. etc.) and was never abolished.
( Mark 2:27-28) "And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath."
If we believe in the Father and His only begotten Son, then we have Christ in us every day, not just one day per week.
This new understanding is an enhancement of the 7th day, not the abolishing of it. It was made to last forever. This is a day that God BLESSED and SANCTIFIED! Christ always honored the Sabbath. The Apostles kept the Sabbath; look at Acts 13:14, 27, 42, 44, Acts 16:13, etc.
Pentecost is a holy SABBATH day; i.e. a day of rest.
Many use the "first day of the week" spoken of in Acts 20:7, to change the Law of God, but this verse concerns the first Sabbath in reckoning the seven Sabbaths until Pentecost. (i.e. the first day of the Sabbath. Week = Sabbath.
In Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4, Paul is continually feeding the people Scripture on the SABBATH.
Christ never abolished the Sabbath; neither did Paul.
God never said anything concerning that fact, and if He wanted that day changed, He would have made it abundantly clear.
Have you considered looking at the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The Book of Enoch, in particular, reveals a 364 day solar priestly calendar.
52 (weeks) x 7 = 364
Look at the first book of Enoch; specifically, ch. 72, and ch. 82 (column 27) are words concerning the ancient solar calendar.
I believe Christians most often worship on Sunday, because that's the example given for what the early Christians did: Acts 20:7
I guess I will only give a little reply to this question from what I perceive. To begin with Lucifer it is known, I believe, that he was such a perfect angel, created by God, that he began to exult himself even to the point he wanted to be seated on God's throne. Then maybe when God put him in his place he is said to have gathered 1/3 of the angels in Heaven to follow him and make war against God. If this is correct here is a couple Scriptures of these things. Revelation 12:3-4, Revelation 12:7-9.
There is also the account of "other angels" who were banished, from Heaven, for what they did. In the Bible this account is not very detailed of the sons of God(angels) coming down and mingling with the daughters of men and making "giants" or hybrid angel/humans. Genesis 6. This was the main reason why God flooded the world with Noah and the ark etc. In the book of Enoch this story is much more detailed about what happened.
Verses of the "angels that sinned" 2 Peter 2:4-5, Jude 1:6. It is shown that even angels have free will.
As there may have been more to your question I hope what I have stated may have helped somewhat for an answer.
God Bless.
Matthew 21:44.
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
There must be conviction before conversion, I believe that's why the law "Ministry of death" ( 2 Cor. 3:7-10.)
came before the gospel. It was meant to show us the weakness of the flesh. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Romans 8:3.
Christianity was attacked in the beginning of the church from within as we see today.
In Acts 20:28-30. Paul warns Ephesus, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Jude also warns us. "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
These warnings of what would come into the church (Leaven and tares). You see the tares Matthew 13:24-30.
We often try to pluck up the tares but Jesus instruct otherwise in verses 28-29: He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
See part 2. Eyes to open ears to hear.
GOD Bless.
i don't see anywhere in this tread where someone said the the sabbath was moved to Sunday, in fact we Adam said made it clear "Sounds like gathering on the first day ( Acts 20:7) of the week to worship is being confused with observing the Sabbath." in other words we're not saying that.
We're saying they gathered on the 1st day of the week.
following Christ is a 24/7 lifestyle that the Holyspirit moves you to do, not the 10 commandments, so yes Saturday is a Holy Day and so is the other 6 days. I also don't see where I or anyone said the 10 commandments was abolished, but I gave you Colossians 2:14-17 (KJV) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
What Paul is saying here is what he said in Romans 7:9.For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And Romans 8:3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
And where did we judge you?
Romans 14:4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
GOD BLESS
Jesus was dead on the Sabbath day. It was on the first day of the week that He came forth from the dead. And when we turn to the resurrection account in the Gospel of Matthew (which was written primarily to Israel), it opens with:
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week. Matthew 28:1.
"At the end of the sabbath" - not just the end of a day, but the end of keeping the Sabbath day - "it began to dawn toward the first day of the week." That is tremendous!
Pentecost - The Church Was Born
Then we turn to the Book of Acts, and there we read that the church was born - and not on a Sabbath day, but on the Lord's Day, the first day of the week. Notice Acts 2:1:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come.
What does the Bible mean by "fully come"? Does it mean when the sun had come up? No.
It means "When the day of Pentecost [and all of which it spoke] was come." That which Pentecost had symbolized in the Old Testament is now come. It was the first day of the week, the only first day of the week Israel ever observed - for they observed seven Sabbath days after Passover, and then the day following the seventh Sabbath was Pentecost:
On that day the Holy Spirit came!
On that day the church was born!
Proof they worshiped on a Sunday.
Acts 20:7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:2. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
I agree with Adam, we worship all the days of our lives.
God bless.
Some of these comments even have a sense of pride- as if demeaning Jesus is an accomplishment to be proud of. Whomever is behind this campaign seems quite closed off to just normal, non-distorted interpreations of the Word.
Shame on you and everyone who is attacking and trying to discredit the Bible and demean Jesus. I find these posts disturbing and even sickening to think that Christians are giving into a lie so easily without question. But the truth will always expose the lie. Jesus is Lord and Jesus is divine and Jesus is the Son and Jesus is one with the Father and Holy Spirit, Jesus is the I AM, Jesus is God just as the Bible says.
Isaiah 44:6
John 20:27-28
John 10:30
John 5:18
John 1:18
Colossians 2:9-10
John 10:33
John 1:1
John 1:14
1 Corinthians 8:6
Revelation 1:17-18
Acts 7:59-60
Matthew 28:19
2 Peter 1:1
Acts 20:28
1 John 5:7
Even though many Christians believe in 'keeping the Sabbath', whether on a Saturday (Jewish) or a so-called 'Christian Sabbath', I don't accept either, as the Sabbath Day has nothing to do with Christian living. If a council has changed the Jewish Sabbath to a 'Christian Sabbath', then that is unbiblical. If we need to give a name to Christians worshipping together on a Sunday, then I would call it the "Lord's Day" ( Revelation 1:10), the day that believers set aside that was different to the Jews & in line with the Day of Resurrection ( Acts 20:7).
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth
We was redeemed by his precious blood. Ephesians 1:7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; We was purchased by his blood Acts 20:28, Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
We are forgiven but those sins wasn't, Jesus wasn't pardoned because he was the Christ, He had a debt to pay to the father, God is not a crooked judge, the penalty for those sins had to be paid, And he paid them on the cross. A good study on Romans Ch: 5, 6, 7, and 8 is very helpful on this topic.
Thank you.
The Pastor & the eldership have the responsibility & endorsement by God to teach & shepherd His flock, ruling well & directing the Church according to the Scriptures & in a society that opposes Christ. In the early Church, believers were heavily dependent on their leadership for proper spiritual guidance as they had little else by way of the full counsel of God & spiritual maturity to discern correct or incorrect teaching. Therefore, the apostles had to often 're-teach' or warn the believers of wrong teaching & to beware of the 'wolves' lurking in the Church to destroy her.
Today, we have the full revealed Word in our hands & the Spirit to help us understand & apply its Truths. If the Pastor or speaker has said something that seems incorrect, or in your case, a questionable decision he has made, then I believe it is the right & responsibility of the Christian to enquire further about it. If it's a question of something spoken from the Word, one can approach the speaker (as a couple have even asked me to further expand a point that I may have glossed over). If it's to do with a Church matter (its organization, its direction, its ministry, etc.), then doubtless the elders would've come together to discuss & pray over the matter & the Church informed so the matter is fully aired. If there is an individual dispute over it, then it would be correct, in all humility & knowing the Pastor's position & responsibility, to seek further light on it from him or the elders. One shouldn't be chastised for it.
h. That it appears from the Word that Christians began worshipping the Lord on the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2), though attendance to meeting with others at the synagogue was still practised by Paul ( Acts 9:20, 13:5, 14:1, etc.), there appears a departure from the religious side of the Sabbath to the first day of the week, maybe in remembrance of the Lord's resurrection & a separation from the Jewish Sabbath which included worship. No doubt, the Sabbath still remained a day of rest for them.
I am personally not inclined to whether I worship on the first day, the second or even the seventh day, as the Sabbath Day significance has no application or meaning to me under the New Covenant. When I was in employment, the need for a rest day was still required & appreciated, but that's all there was to it. If Sunday as a worship day is a problem to some, then set another day aside to worship with the Lord's people. But if to keep the Sabbath becomes an unquestionable, non-negotiable requirement that can bring on the Wrath of God or disfavour to the people, then I simply cannot see that expressed in the Word or by the Spirit, & one would have to do some intricate exegesis to provide convincing proof.
Apologies for keeping this response lengthy (though brief, in some respects), but thought to raise some thoughts for you to chew on & respond where necessary, i.e. trying to lay down some groundwork to build upon. Every blessing.
Rather, than repeat what I wrote earlier, I would add here: that the early Church may have picked the First Day of the Week as the day to come together to worship the Lord in remembrance of their Saviour's resurrection on that day, as well as a show of further segregation from the Jewish Law. Of course, the Sabbath was being adhered to by the Jews, & indeed by Paul in his ministry to them (as in Acts 17:2). But it appears that believers no longer observed the Sabbath for worship (maybe it was still a day of rest though), but they came together on the first day of the week ( Acts 20:7), now being referred to as the Lord's Day ( Revelation 1:10).
In ministry in Pakistan, Friday is the Muslim's rest day & for a more dedicated worship & preaching in the mosque. As Christians, we had to fall in line with this day & so our corporate worship time in a Church Fellowship fell on a Friday. Some Churches still held a Sunday service, though that was not well attended, as most were required to work. So, any day that is selected can be used as a corporate day of worship, seeing that for the Christian, every day is alike to come before the Lord; but as ordered by the Lord, one day in the week still needs to be set aside as rest, for the health & recuperation of the mind & body. So I find it strange that an insistence for a Christian having to observe a Saturday Sabbath as necessary, as the Jews do, when that is not only meaningless for us but also demonstrates one placing himself back under the Law. I also wonder how well that believer observes the Sabbath: does he refrain from buying, or working in the garden, or dealing with an urgent repair job at home?
To your other question on observing the correct day of rest from the days of Adam & Eve, I wrote about this earlier.
Acts 18:6 'And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, YOUR BLOOD BE UPON YOUR OWN HEADS; I AM CLEAN'
And again, Acts 20:26-27 "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of ALL MEN. For I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE UNTO YOU ALL the counsel of God."
And again, Mark 6:11 "whosoever shall not receive you, NOR HEAR YOU, when ye depart thence, SHAKE OFF THE DUST UNDER YOUR FEET for a testimony AGAINST THEM. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
And again, Matthew "whosoever shall not receive you, NOR HEAR YOUR WORDS, when ye depart out of that house or city, SHAKE OFF THE DUST OF YOUR FEET."
Perhaps seeds were planted/watered by us and later that person will come to their senses, but the Bible tells us our duty is fulfilled. We depart from them and warn others.
Matthew 7:6 'GIVE NOT that which is holy UNTO THE DOGS, neither cast ye your pearls BEFORE SWINE, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.'
We see here, Christ Jesus never required us to babysit or go after the dogs or swine. Rather, he warns us to beware them.
Philippians 3:2 "BEWARE OF DOGS, beware of evil workers" Dogs are people who reject the Gospel of Christ. God compares them to evil workers.
And again, in Titus 3:10-11 "A man that is an heretick AFTER the first and second admonition REJECT; Knowing that HE THAT IS SUCH IS SUBVERTED, and SINNETH, BEING CONDEMNED OF HIMSELF.
As a Baptist, how does it work out for you to attend your Fellowship on a Sunday? It must be a real problem then.
And you're right, there's no scriptural warrant to change the day to Sunday - it appears it was something that the early Church began to do ( Acts 20:7) - maybe in recognition & remembrance of their Saviour's resurrection. But I would be fine if someone wanted to worship on the Saturday, but it may be a lonely experience for them. When serving in Pakistan, I worshipped with believers there on a Friday - the point was that we did worship the Lord & we did it together in common love & faith.
18:3 They were tent makers by trade - For it was a rule among the Jews (and why is it not among the Christians?) to bring up all their children to some trade, were they ever so rich or noble.
People's Bible Notes for Acts 18:3
Ac 18:3 Because he was of the same occupation, he abode with them. This is the first mention of the handicraft by which so often during his toilsome life Paul earned his daily bread. Every Jewish boy was taught a trade, and Paul no doubt learned his in Tarsus.
Compare Acts 20:34, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:8, 1 Corinthians 4:12, 2 Corinthians 11:9.
What an amazing testimony Paul had: born a Jew; became a high ranking Pharisee. Became a citizen of Rome: served warrants to kill Christians (see Stephens death).
Confronted on the Damascus Road, on his way to serve more warrants: and was confronted by Jesus Christ.
At the end of this chapter 18, Paul decides to minister to the Gentiles which was his calling. His entire ministry is a marvel when you consider all of the things he endured for the sake of His Savior. He did what he knew to be doing.
Do we know what to be doing?
Matthew 26:31-46
Revelation 14:12-13
It's not a law to do something for Jesus. It's an act of Love, a privilege, it's worship and adoration. Love makes us want to give love.
That's Him, inside of our spirit and soul. Do you feel it? We are indwelled with Someone so powerful...that even death could not stop it. He walked out of that tomb in the glorious power of Love.
God so loved the world! That He GAVE...his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should Not perish, but have everlasting life.
Love gives.
We give love because He loves us.
Obeying laws is an insult to this kind of Love. We never can be good enough in our own power to emulate the God-kind of Love.
It's simply giving.
Mishael
This is a quick summary for New Testament Christians who want clarifications of the "Lord's Day" (Sunday) vs the Old Testament "Sabbath" (Saturday).
The Sabbath was a ceremonial day given to Old Testament Jews to keep. New Testament Christians (Jews and Gentiles) do not follow the old carnal, beggarly, religion of the Jews because the fulfillment of those things are in Christ. This is the same reason Christians do not worship in a Temple made with hands but instead worship the Lord in their hearts. ( Rom 14:1-23; 2 Cor 3:6-18; Gal 4:1-31; Col 2:14-17).
The answer to this question (and all others) are in the KJV Bible. There is a false religion that promotes Sabbath Worship. They state that Sunday Worship is "The Mark of the Beast", but they do not know their Bible and reject what the New Testament states about the Sabbath and about the Lord's Day. Try my words and all others with God's Word. ( Rom 3:4)
Hebrews is a book of the Bible that exalts Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament legal systems. Jesus also teaches us throughout the Gospels that the thousands of rules in the Old Testament are kept with two primary Laws which are basically: "Love God" and "Love Your Neighbor" ( Mark 12:30-36). Keeping these two rules in Christ fulfill the whole law. Further detail of how to do this is throughout Scripture, but no man can keep these laws perfectly, that's why we need Christ.
Paul (the Apostle to the Gentiles), taught us to come together regularly and to keep the "Lord's Day" (the day Christ arose from the dead). This is the first day of the week. Christians have met throughout the New Testament and throughout History on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. Our Sabbath/Rest is in Christ, He has fulfilled the Old Testament laws which we and no other man can. (Heb; Acts 20:7; I Cor 16:1-2; Rev 1:10)
Christians come together on Sunday to keep the New Testament Doctrine not to keep the Old Testament Ceremonial Religion given to the Jews.
"We believe in a true conversion, justification and new birth. In a true conversion there is sincere sorrow for sin and transgression, and condemnation thereof. The justification is obtained through conversion when believing upon the wrought- righteousness of Christ, becoming liberated from the debt of sin and judgement, whereby we are "born again" and renewed unto the image and nature of God through the renewing of the Holy Ghost."
Luke 24:27 ; John 1:28 ; John 3:3 ; Acts 20:28 ; Romans 1:27 ; Romans 5:1 ; Galatians 3:26
Dr. Burgess, thank you for your questions regarding the great value we place of the KJV Bible. As you will understand, I can't give you a full answer here as it would go well beyond the limitations of such a Site as this, but you no doubt, would have already done some other research. As well, we don't get to see your email address which we can personally respond to; you should however, get an alert from KJB Online to your email address that "someone has responded to your comment". So to your questions.
a. Indeed, the KJV isn't the oldest translation and yes, there were older Manuscripts available at that time. However, when King James commissioned the leading biblical scholars (approx. 47 translators) to translate the Bible at the behest of the Puritans, he wanted them to be accurate & consistent with the original texts, yet to conform to the ecclesiology of the Church of England. Hence, in 1 Timothy 3:1 (& elsewhere), the word for the Gk. 'episkopon' has been given as, Bishop, which should have correctly been translated, Overseer. It was never the intention of Apostle Paul to have such appointments in the Church, but simply, Elders & Deacons. But that aside, these KJV translators had found a number of errors from those 'older' manuscripts (from the Alexandrian text: Textus Vaticanus & Textus Sinaiticus). Even when compared with each other, the Alexandrian texts varied by as much as 3000 separate 'disagreements' just in the Gospels. So the 'later', & deemed more reliable & faithful to the Textus Receptus, (from Erasmus' five manuscripts & to which even later manuscripts gave support to and also from the original Masoretic Text, for the O.T. translation), was the Authorized King James Bible born. We can't consider all the differences between the RSV, NIV, etc. with the KJV, since they are many (e.g. Isaiah 7:14 "virgin"; Luke 2:33 "Joseph"; Acts 20:28 "Blood", are just a few changes or omissions).
Look at the last part of this verse:
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
1 Pet 2:22, Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
I guess it's like this, I'm a sinner, I deserve to die, Jesus did no sin, He paid the penalty for my sin when He died on the cross, I guess that's the same as He paid the ransom, so that a sinner like I could go free, He paid the price.
God bless you.
The LORD granted unto the apostles signs and wonders to be done by their hands to validate their testimony of grace ( Acts 14:3; Romans 15:19).
In a similar fashion, Peter was used of the LORD to restore Tabitha, known as Dorcas, back to life in Acts 9.
Translation, please.
e. Acts 20:7. "first day of Sabbath in reckoning 7 Sabbaths to Pentecost". The Greek word, Sabbaton used here, doesn't necessarily need to mean the Jewish Sabbath, as this word is used elsewhere with the meaning of 'week or weeks'. Refer to Mark 16:1 & 16:2. Clearly, v1 refers to the Jewish Sabbath & v2 to the 'first of weeks' = first day of the week = Sunday. So too, in Matthew 28:1: Sabbath + Week; Mark 16:9; Jn 20:1,19; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2: all used the Gk. Sabbaton referring to week & not Sabbath.
f. 1 Cor 16:2. Literally translated: "Upon the first day of the Sabbaton (week), each one should lay by him (i.e. on his own, in private, in quietness, without show or fanfare) & store aside..". The instruction here is that the believer, in consideration of the 'poor saints', should as part of the day of worship & rest from their labours, along with the giving of their freewill offerings to the assembly, to also put aside these special gifts for the poor. This was so there wasn't a mad rush to do a collection at the last minute & even take away from the sanctity of the day.
g. Rev 1:10. To remain consistent with other references to the first day of the week, we can't change the reference to the Lord's Day in Rev 1:10 to read "Day of the Lord". That would be forcing an unreasonable application to a simple reading of the verse. John was "in the spirit on the Lord's Day", not "in the spirit towards the Day of the Lord".
I appreciate your feedback concerning the Seventh Day.
In considering the other side of the teaching that you presented, I will respond below.
The Seventh day was declared by God BEFORE He chose Israel. This Law was established for ALL to obey and enjoy.
The 10 Commandments are OT LAW, are they abolished?
Do you still follow the 10 Commandments?
Jesus abolished BLOOD Ordinances, and either partially or completely fulfilled OT prophecy concerning His first coming, but Christ did not come to abolish the LAW.
So, then, if a person claims to have FAITH in Jesus but all of his WORKS are evil, where do you think this person ends up? Jesus tells us very plainly ( Matthew 7:23). Looks like FAITH has a lot to do with following the LAW ( Galatians 3:11-12) and with WORKS, ( James 2:17).
The English word "week" is defined from the Greek word meaning "Sabbath" or "day of rest;" also a 7 day period of time.
You state that the Lord God or His only begotten Son changed the holy Sabbath day based upon Scripture (from your understanding of Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, and Revelation 1:10):
"The first day of the week began to be recognized as the Lord's Day and that the Church began worshipping on that day"
Acts 20:7, concerns the first day of the Sabbath in reckoning the 7 Sabbaths to Pentecost.
1 Corinthians 16:2 has to do with preparation (work) for when Paul returns.
Revelation 1:10 concerns John being taken "in the spirit" to the great and dreadful "day of the Lord" or the "Lord's day"
when the Messiah shall return, and John is given testimony in relation to that. (Not Sunday!)
None of these Scriptures you offer give authorization to change the Sabbath day from the SEVENTH DAY to the FIRST DAY of the week.
Christ FORETOLD US EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW. God did not give us instruction to change the Sabbath, neither did Jesus, nor did the Prophets and Apostles.
a. The Sabbath was given to man Mark 2:27 at creation Genesis 2:2-3 it's not a day that God required just for the Israelite's to keep, which is why the 4th commandment starts with "remember" it is because the children of Israel had forgotten through hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt.
b. Jesus came to this world not to destroy the law and the prophets Matt. 5:17, The law (10 commandments) says to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
The breaking of bread in Acts 20:7 is referring to eating (food) (see Acts 20:11)
1 Cor. 16:2 the "first day of the week" Paul is referring to putting aside your offerings (collection for the saints) starting on the first day of the week (Sunday) (see 1 Cor.16:1)
Revelation 1:10 John was in vision on the sabbath (Lord's day is the sabbath, For the son of man is Lord, even of the sabbath day. (see Matthew 12:8)
c. What was nailed to the cross was the "ceremonial laws" not the 10 commandments. In (Matt.27:51) the veil of the temple was rent in two when Jesus died on the cross, the ceremonial laws that God had required since sin came into the world (sacrificing animals ect) was no longer needed because the ultimate sacrifice had just been made and that was the shedding of blood of a sinless Jesus on the cross.
Matthew 5:18 One jot or one tittle shall not wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter into the gates of the city.
Greg, you gave a good account in support of keeping the Sabbath day holy, but could you consider the following as the other side of this teaching?
a. Israel was marked out by God to be His chosen people: to set His Love upon them & through whom His Son would come to reconcile man to God. As such there were two clear signs that proved to the nations about them, that this people were Holy, separated to God: the giving of the Law & Circumcision. No other nation received this instruction & compulsion to obey.
b. when Jesus came into this World, His Ministry & His calling together of the twelve, they were still, in what we regard, the Old Testament, or Old Covenant, even though the Bible was divided differently. It was only natural, in keeping of the Law & occasion to worship, that the Sabbath was still recognized as the day of rest. After He rose from the grave & ascended to Heaven, the believers still worshipped on the Sabbath if attending the synagogue, but the 'first day of week' began to be recognized as the Lord's Day & the Church began to worship on that day ( Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2, Rev 1:10, in reference to the Lord's Day as a recognized day set aside).
c. as part of the New Covenant, we understand that it was made through HIS Blood (unlike the blood of the sacrifices under the Old) which not only gave all who expressed faith in Christ's Work a New & Living Way back to God, but also "nailed to the Cross the handwriting of Ordinances that were against them" ( Col 2:14). This now redundant Law signified that any obedience to it & binding of the Law to ourselves was no longer compatible to the New Covenant: indeed, to observe the Law of Works & the Law of Grace did despite to the Work of the Cross. The two cannot be syncretized. Gal 2:21: "for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."
Concerning the 7th day of the week and the 1st day of the week
The Hebrew definition of the word "week," or "weeks," simply means "sevened."
The Greek definition of the word "week" is defined as "Sabbath," i.e. the 7th day (of a seven day period); the day of rest.
The 7th day was established for ALL of mankind back on the 7th Day of Creation ( Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11, Exodus 34:21, etc. etc.) and was never abolished.
( Mark 2:27-28) "And he said unto them, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath."
If we believe in the Father and His only begotten Son, then we have Christ in us every day, not just one day per week.
This new understanding is an enhancement of the 7th day, not the abolishing of it. It was made to last forever. This is a day that God BLESSED and SANCTIFIED! Christ always honored the Sabbath. The Apostles kept the Sabbath; look at Acts 13:14, 27, 42, 44, Acts 16:13, etc.
Pentecost is a holy SABBATH day; i.e. a day of rest.
Many use the "first day of the week" spoken of in Acts 20:7, to change the Law of God, but this verse concerns the first Sabbath in reckoning the seven Sabbaths until Pentecost. (i.e. the first day of the Sabbath. Week = Sabbath.
In Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4, Paul is continually feeding the people Scripture on the SABBATH.
Christ never abolished the Sabbath; neither did Paul.
God never said anything concerning that fact, and if He wanted that day changed, He would have made it abundantly clear.
Have you considered looking at the Dead Sea Scrolls?
The Book of Enoch, in particular, reveals a 364 day solar priestly calendar.
52 (weeks) x 7 = 364
Look at the first book of Enoch; specifically, ch. 72, and ch. 82 (column 27) are words concerning the ancient solar calendar.