Many of my Christian friends have asked me why I
observe Sabbath on Saturday, when Christian churches hold service on
Sunday. For a couple of years now, I’ve always answered that I can’t
find where it was changed in the Bible. It’s become apparent to me my
answer might not be sufficient for some, because their pastor tells
them it’s an incorrect answer. But, dear friends, the Bible stands! So,
let’s check it out together, shall we?
Bible Study Time:
Select an online Bible program you’re comfortable with, being sure it has a keyword search feature. Next, look at any calendar, making sure we’re in agreement that Sunday is the first day of the week…Saturday, the seventh. Okay. I’m searching the King James Bible, because it’s the most common Christian Bible.
Bible Study Time:
Select an online Bible program you’re comfortable with, being sure it has a keyword search feature. Next, look at any calendar, making sure we’re in agreement that Sunday is the first day of the week…Saturday, the seventh. Okay. I’m searching the King James Bible, because it’s the most common Christian Bible.
First Search:
Let’s begin by searching the phrase,”first day of the week.” The phrase came up only twice, other than finding the tomb empty. The first instance is in Acts. Paul stops in to have dinner and fellowship with the disciples and talks until midnight because he is leaving in the morning. This is not referred to as Sabbath here, nor is it a large gathering, although there were many believers at the time. It was the disciples, a term most often used to describe the original ones.
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.”(KJV)
The second time the phrase appears:
Paul is writing to tell the Corinthians to lay aside money on the first day of the week, each as God had prospered them, so they wouldn’t have to gather money when he arrived in town. Again, no mention of the day being the Sabbath…or of a “church meeting.” 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.” (KJV)
Second Search:
Because many call Sunday “The Lord’s Day,” I searched that phrase and found only one occurrence. Revelation 1:10 (John speaking) “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” (KJV) Giving Christianity the benefit of doubt, I also searched “The day of the Lord.” In EVERY instance, that phrase referred to “end of days.” So what John was saying is that in the vision God was giving him, he was seeing “end of days” via the Holy Spirit.
Let’s begin by searching the phrase,”first day of the week.” The phrase came up only twice, other than finding the tomb empty. The first instance is in Acts. Paul stops in to have dinner and fellowship with the disciples and talks until midnight because he is leaving in the morning. This is not referred to as Sabbath here, nor is it a large gathering, although there were many believers at the time. It was the disciples, a term most often used to describe the original ones.
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.”(KJV)
The second time the phrase appears:
Paul is writing to tell the Corinthians to lay aside money on the first day of the week, each as God had prospered them, so they wouldn’t have to gather money when he arrived in town. Again, no mention of the day being the Sabbath…or of a “church meeting.” 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.” (KJV)
Second Search:
Because many call Sunday “The Lord’s Day,” I searched that phrase and found only one occurrence. Revelation 1:10 (John speaking) “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” (KJV) Giving Christianity the benefit of doubt, I also searched “The day of the Lord.” In EVERY instance, that phrase referred to “end of days.” So what John was saying is that in the vision God was giving him, he was seeing “end of days” via the Holy Spirit.
It’s become apparent to me my
answers may not be sufficient for some, because their pastor’s are
telling them it’s an incorrect answer. But, dear friends, the Bible
stands!
Starting With The Bible!
We started with the Bible and let God lead from there. It can be easy to look at a list of “do’s and don’ts” and get hung up on achieving a goal or looking like others who keep the Sabbath.
Third Search:
I keyword searched the phrase “seventh day” and got 48 scriptures. I could list them, but I’m not sure there’d be space here due to limits, and to the amount of Scripture my next search produced! “Sabbath” got 146 Scriptures!
Starting With The Bible!
We started with the Bible and let God lead from there. It can be easy to look at a list of “do’s and don’ts” and get hung up on achieving a goal or looking like others who keep the Sabbath.
Third Search:
I keyword searched the phrase “seventh day” and got 48 scriptures. I could list them, but I’m not sure there’d be space here due to limits, and to the amount of Scripture my next search produced! “Sabbath” got 146 Scriptures!
Does it sound like the God you know? Jesus taught about Sabbath, He
observed it. If the day had changed, don’t you think His teaching might
have included that?
Colossians is a book about, among other things, false teachings.
Verse 16 reminds believers “…Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an Holy Day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.” Each of these things God gave guidelines for, and expects us to observe them. In fact, after Christ’s return, we will still observe them, under his reign! (See Isaiah 66) Do a search on the “Constantine Creed,”
but not in the Bible. You won’t find it there!
It was written long, long after Christ died…
And so my friends, for me, God Himself would have to
stand in front of my eyes to convince me His day is Sunday, not
Saturday. No man will be able to do it. I think it’s part of the
deception God warned about in 2 Timothy 3. God told us to test
everything. Authenticity is my heart’s desire.
Verse 16 reminds believers “…Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an Holy Day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days.” Each of these things God gave guidelines for, and expects us to observe them. In fact, after Christ’s return, we will still observe them, under his reign! (See Isaiah 66) Do a search on the “Constantine Creed,”
I Prayed for You Today!
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Terrie Carpenter
You can find out more at Terrie’s Facebook Page –
“Lost Sheep Oasis”
www.facebook.com
Terrie Carpenter
You can find out more at Terrie’s Facebook Page –
“Lost Sheep Oasis”