Question:
Dear
Greg,
Some teach that it does not matter which day we observe as the Sabbath.
Is that correct?
Samuel
Answer:
Dear
Samuel,
We have many questions posted on this topic under the category “Ten Commandments”
where we discuss all of the commandments, with many questions about the Sabbath
commandment.
In brief, here is the teaching of Christianity.
The old covenant included the Ten Commandments.
The old covenant is no longer required for Christians in order to be
saved. The only requirement for
Christians, under the new covenant, is to accept Jesus Christ, to follow him
and to obey him (as opposed to Moses, the old covenant, etc.).
We are given salvation by grace.
Nothing we can do will ever earn salvation.
Nothing we can do will gain salvation.
God gives us salvation by his grace, freely.
If a gift is free, then it is without obligation or requirement.
God does not give us salvation, then make it conditional upon our obedience.
However, having been saved by the cross of Christ, Christians will obey
Jesus Christ because they have been saved.
We are not saved BY works, we are saved FOR works.
It is vital that we understand that nothing we do saves us.
It is vital to understand that only Christ can save.
It is vital to understand that once we are saved, by God’s grace, then
Christ lives in us and he produces the works of his new covenant.
The new covenant affirms and confirms some of the principles and laws
of the old covenant, but again, none are required for salvation.
The new covenant specifically mentions laws and commands for Christians
in what are called sin lists and virtue lists (lists that New Testament authors
give us that define what Christ accomplishes in the lives of Christians, and
the works that are works of sin that come from sinful human nature.
One example is Galatians 5). These
are known as the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.
None of the virtue lists in the New Testament mentions Sabbath keeping.
Sabbath keeping is nowhere mentioned as something Christ does in the
life of a Christian. On the other
hand, no sin list mentions Sabbath-breaking as a sin, as something that will
keep someone outside of God’s kingdom.
Many other things are mentioned—some of them not specifically spelled
out in the old covenant.
The sign of the old covenant was the Sabbath—and it still is for Jews,
people of the old covenant. The
sign of the new covenant is the love we have for one another, that God has for
us, the sign of the cross and the empty tomb.
Jesus is the sign of the new covenant.
He is Lord of all (as Mark 2:28 says, “even of the Sabbath.”).
The Sabbath is not a holy time for Christians—it is not a day that must
be observed or Christians will not be saved.
It is not the sign of obedience between Christians and God.
It is a sign for Jews—but not for Christians.
The sign for CHRIST-ians is Jesus Christ, and him only.
Not Jesus plus
the old covenant law or some bits and pieces of the old covenant law.
If we keep the Sabbath do we also keep the Hebrew holy days?
Then what about the dietary laws?
And the animal sacrifices? And
three tithes? And not wearing clothing
with mixed fabrics? And not marring
the corner of our beards? And,
and, and? And if we only keep a
part of the old covenant, upon whose authority do we do that?
Who will presume to play God and tell us which part of the old covenant
we should keep and which part we do not?
We are either Jews or Christians.
It is not Jesus plus
the law, but Jesus alone
who saves.
Sabbatarians often say that such an approach leads to permissiveness.
The New Testament is clear that Christians obey Jesus Christ and that
they behave morally and uprightly. But
that morality does not include the Jewish Sabbath or holy days.
Please reference the other questions and answers we have posted and let
me know if I can be of further help as you struggle with this question.
May God bless you.
In Christ,
Greg Albrecht