Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: davidbu@loowit.wr.tek.com (David E. Buxton) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: the Sabbath Message-ID: Date: 25 Apr 91 03:45:15 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 69 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article , ROBERT@kontu.utu.fi (Robert W. Johnson) writes: Robert Johnson uses the "any day will do" texts and comments that the Sabbath is ceremonial and so out with the shadows of the cross. In reading the OT it is clear that there were ceremonial Sabbaths that were annual Sabbath days - Passover, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles . . . . After the cross it would clearly be a big issue of the times as to what to do about these annual Sabbath days. The Judaisers were adament that even the sacrificing must continue. Others would propose that these feast days be Christianized and others that some or all of the Sabbath days of the year be abandoned completely. These feast days clearly had sacrificing and were clearly shadows of the cross and would clearly be an issue to resolve in those days. But when we examine the NT and see the disciples and apostles keeping the Sabbath it is clear that the 7th day Sabbath was not at all at issue. Clearly the heros of the NT kept the Sabbath, even with the Gentiles. There are texts that at first glance suggest Sunday, but on closer examination they clearly point to Sabbath observance. On the other hand the 7th day Sabbath has nothing to do with sacrificing and cannot be one of the shadows of the cross; being created by Jesus at the end of creation week before Adam sinned. Before Adam sinned there was no need for the cross and symbolism of the cross to come. Jesus, having created the Sabbath, is Lord of the Sabbath and created the Sabbath for man, for his own good. Without the weekly Sabbath we bog down in our materialistic pursuits. The Sabbath is a way by which God ensures that we turn to Him seriously at least once a week. God has offered ways by which man can choose His ways vs the traditions of man, He has done this down through history - the two trees in the garden, the golden image on the plane of Babylon, etc. Did the friends of Daniel risk their lives for nothing? Else why were they exampled in the Bible? The Sabbath is clearly God's day and the day Jesus created. Examining history it is clear that Sunday came into practice after the Apostles were dead in their graves. Not so much today, but the Catholic Church used to be adamant that they alone have the authority to change the day, claiming there is no Biblical proof for Sunday, but the tradition of the church of Peter. This became very clear at the Council of Trent, that Sunday was a symbol of tradition and not at all Sola Scriptora. These old Catholic claims run headlong into Daniel 7:25 - about "think" to change times and laws. Daniel 7:25 is totally pointless prophecy if we insist that man's laws are at stake - they change constantly. But too many texts that say God and His laws do not change. Paul makes it clear that we are under grace and that law keeping does not save us. Paul also upholds the law. Jesus clearly stated - "If you love me keep my Commandments". So, turning to a parable that I posted some time ago - a parable about two husbands. The one husband saw the author of a new book being interviewed - a study showing that women would not abandon their husbands if their husbands quit celebrating their birthdays and anniversaries. So, the husband of the parable quit bothering with the days so important to his wife. What kind of Christians are we if we insist on doing nothing that is not directly linked to salvation? The Bible is clear that God eagerly desires that we keep His day. So why be like the hypothetical husband who abandons the birthdays of his wife and marriage. As one non SDA put it to me - this husband of the parable "was never saved in the first place" - but that is what he said before realizing that my parable was about the Sabbath of the Bible vs Sunday of tradition. As Jesus said ~ "In vain do they worship me, keeping the traditions of man". Perhaps it is possible to be saved while worshipping Him in vain? But why search out the theological minimums of salvation if we claim to be motivated by Love - Love for our fellow man and love for God? Why not love God in the ways that He asks in His Bible? Dave (David E. Buxton)