The Bible Sabbath of Jesus Christ
All content except intro by Steve Wohlberg (used with permission)
www.whitehorsemedia.com
Sabbath Truth Introduction.
Many are surprised to know that over five hundred different denominations of Sabbath keeping Churches that keep the true Sabbath today and the number is growing. Why are whole chains of Churches switching back to the true Sabbath according to the fourth Commandment? The Bible tells us in Daniel that a persecuting power would change God's laws and this fact has gone unnoticed by the majority. Could the majority have it wrong as they did in the days of Noah? Why did so many people die for keeping the Seventh day Sabbath? Many say the Sabbath to Sunday change was in honour of the resurrection and others say it was nailed to the cross. Others will tell you any day can be kept as the Sabbath as long as you keep one. And still others say as long as you do everything to the glory of God the Sabbath commandment can be ignored. And yet still others call keeping this day of blessings legalism. Please read on if you would like to know the real Sabbath truth according to the one source we can always trust – the Holy Word of God.
In these pages you will make these Amazing Discoveries about the Sabbath:
1) There is abundant proof that the fourth Commandment, the Bible Sabbath is on Saturday, while Sunday is “the first day of the week.”
2) The Bible Sabbath is not Jewish. It belongs to God.
3) Jesus Christ kept the Bible Sabbath, taught much about the Sabbath, and clearly stated that He is “Lord even of the Sabbath day.” Luke 4:16; Matthew 12:8.
4) Jesus Christ never mentioned “the first day of the week” even one time He taught nothing about it!
5) The New Testament itself says nothing about Sunday being set aside in honour of the resurrection.
6) The Bible Sabbath continues after the cross and was kept in the Book of Acts by both Jews and Gentiles. Luke 23:54-56; Matthew 24:20; Acts 13:42-44; 16:13. See also New Testament Sabbath.
7) There is no Biblical authorization for the change of the Bible Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday.
8) Bible Prophecy and history both testify to the fact that the Roman Catholic Church changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Daniel 7:25.
9) God made the Sabbath to be a blessing to all people. It is His special sign that He is the Creator of heaven and earth. Isaiah 56:2, 6-7; 66:22-23; Ezekiel 20:12.
10) Rediscovering the Bible Sabbath of Jesus Christ is part of Bible Prophecy in the end-times.
The Truth About The Sabbath
Jesus Christ kept the Sabbath
“As his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Luke 4:16. Jesus Christ kept over 1000 Sabbaths. Christians should “walk, even as he walked.” 1 John 2:6. Jesus is our “example.” 1 Peter 2:21.
The Sabbath Remains after the Cross
After Jesus died, His followers “rested on the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56. Thus the commandment was still there after the cross. Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD., forty years after Jesus died. Looking down to that time, Jesus said to His disciples, “pray ye that your flight be not in winter, neither on the sabbath day.” Matthew 24:20. Many years after the resurrection Luke wrote, “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river.” Acts 16:13. The Sabbath will continue into eternity. In “the new earth ... from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22-23.
Being “Saved by Grace” and the Sabbath
We are “saved by grace.” Ephesians 2:8. Saved from what? “JESUS ... shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. What is sin? “Sin is the transgression of the law.” 1 John 3:4. What law? Paul wrote, “I had not known sin, but by the law.” Then he quotes the Tenth Commandment, “Thou shalt not covet.” Romans 7:7. Jesus “died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3), one of which is Sabbath-breaking. “All have sinned” and are “guilty before God” for breaking “the law.” Romans 3:19, 23. Therefore we cannot be justified or saved by our works of keeping the law. Romans 3:20. When we confess our sins, Jesus grants us “the forgiveness of sins” by “his grace.” Ephesians 1:7. Then Christ says, “if you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15.
Are All “Sabbath-breakers” Lost?
Of course not! Throughout history millions of Spirit-filled Christians have not understood about the Sabbath. It is the same today. Yet listen to the word of God. During “the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained.” Acts 17:30-31. Jesus is the Judge, and He kept the Sabbath. In “the time of the end ... knowledge shall increase.” Daniel 12:4. Knowledge is now increasing on the Sabbath subject. Sincere ministers and Christians of many denominations are studying and accepting the truth about the Sabbath of Jesus Christ.
After the cross, Christians
“rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56.
Sunday in the New Testament
The following is an examination of every New Testament text that mentions Sunday,
“the first day of the week.”
1) Matthew 28:1 “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.” Here two different days are mentioned. One is “the sabbath,” and the other is “the first day of the week,” or Sunday. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, but Matthew reveals that this did not make Sunday the Sabbath.
2) Mark 16:1-2 “When the sabbath was past ... very early in the morning the first day of the week.” The resurrection of Jesus on Sunday morning was glorious. Super-glorious! Yet there is no evidence that this made Sunday sacred. Did the cross make Friday sacred? As in Matthew 28:1, Sunday came “when the sabbath was past,” that is, the day after the Sabbath.
3) Mark 16:9 Jesus was risen early the first day of the week.” Sunday is simply called “the first day of the week.” The “week” began in Genesis at the Creation. God made the world in six days, then He “rested on the seventh day ... blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.” Genesis 2:2-3. God made “the seventh day” His Holy Day, not “the first day of the week.”
4) Luke 24:1 The women went to the tomb on “the first day of the week” after “they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56. This text is extremely important. These were Christian women. They loved Jesus. They kept the Sabbath after the cross. Luke was a Gentile who wrote this about 28 years after the resurrection. The Sabbath was still there. These women were keeping it “according to the commandment” found in Exodus 20:8-11. These verses prove that the Sabbath continues after the cross, and that the Sabbath is not Sunday.
5) John 20:1 Mary came to the tomb on “the first day of the week.” As in Matthew, Mark and Luke, John simply gives a narrative account of the resurrection of our Lord on Sunday.
6) John 20:19 On the first day of the week” (late Sunday afternoon), the disciples “were assembled” behind shut doors. Why? “For fear of the Jews.” This was not a worship service. They were afraid. They had not believed the reports from the women that Jesus had risen. Mark 16:9-13. Did they think that the Jewish authorities might burst in, accuse them of stealing the body, and then arrest them? Then Jesus revealed Himself as the risen Lord. Yet He never mentioned Sunday.
7) 1 Corinthians 16:2 “Concerning the collection for the saints” (vs. 1). The context and other Scriptures reveal that Paul was raising a “collection” for needy believers in “Jerusalem” (vs. 3) during a time of famine. See Acts 11:27-30; Romans 15:25-26. On “the first day of the week” (Sunday), “let every one” (individually), “lay by him” (Lit. Greek “at home”), “in store” (in storage), a certain amount. The Greek “by him in store” reveals that this was to be done in their homes. The first day of the week was ideal for the Corinthian believers to look back on the previous week, examine their finances, and set aside a weekly contribution. This would then be gathered and made ready for Paul, “that there be no gatherings when I come.” Paul was going to pass through Corinth. He wanted the money ready for him to pick up. This was an emergency situation and not their regular practice, for Paul had to give them “orders” to do what they were not normally doing (vs. 1). Paul said nothing here about a church service or the resurrection.
8) Acts 20:6-13 This was Paul's last meeting with a small group of believers in “Troas.” It was at night (20:7-8), on the “first day of the week.” Biblically, the day begins at sunset. Genesis 1:5, 8; Luke 23:54, etc. Therefore this meeting took place on a Saturday night. The New English Bible says, “on Saturday night.” Paul preached his farewell sermon, “ready to depart on the morrow.” Sunday morning, at the “break of day,” while Luke “sailed,” Paul began his 25 mile trip “to Assos.” Thus Paul travelled many miles that Sunday. He had been in Troas for “seven days” (vs. 6). A simple count reveals that they arrived on the previous Sunday, stayed for a week, and had their last meeting on that Saturday night, which would have been right after the Sabbath. Not far from Troas, Paul kept the Sabbath. Acts 16:11-13. The book of Acts mentions Sunday only 1 time, yet the Sabbath is mentioned 11 times (1:12; 13:14, 27, 42, 44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4). A careful study of this “Saturday Night in Troas - Sunday Travel to Assos” account is proof that Paul did not keep Sunday holy.
Seven Fourth Commandment Sabbath Facts
1) Sunday is simply called, “the first day of the week” which actually means the first day after the Sabbath. See What Day is the Sabbath or Who changed the Sabbath for more detail.
2) Jesus Christ Himself never mentioned Sunday, even one time!
3) Not once is Sunday set aside as a Holy Day in honour of the resurrection.
4) In Matthew, Mark and Luke, Sunday always comes “after the Sabbath.”
5) The Holy Spirit comes to teach only what Jesus taught. John 14:26; 16:13-14.
Because Jesus never mentioned Sunday, the Holy Spirit will not teach it.
6) The apostles were to teach only what Jesus “commanded.” Matthew 28:20.
Because Jesus never mentioned Sunday, the apostles could not have taught it.
7) Sunday cannot be part of the New Covenant because it began after the blood was shed. Matthew 26:28. After death, you cannot add to a covenant. Galatians 3:15. See also The New Covenant.
Sabbath Facts in The Book of Acts
“Saved by Grace” Gentiles kept the Sabbath in Antioch
The “facts” from “Acts” are shocking. In Antioch, Paul “went into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Acts 13:14. Jews and Gentiles were there. Verses 16, 26. After preaching about Jesus, “the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.” Verse 42. Thus these Gentiles were Sabbath-keepers who received Christ. They wanted to hear more about Jesus the next Sabbath. Paul did not tell them that Sunday was now the Lord's Day. But, “speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Verse 43. These Sabbath-keeping Gentiles were now “in the grace of God.” Paul told them to “continue” in this grace. They did all week. Then “the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” Verse 44. Paul preached only the word of God, not the traditions of men. The Sabbath was still there, and the Gentiles in Antioch were keeping it.
The Sabbath and the Jerusalem Council - Acts 15
The council came together to discuss “this question ... this matter” of “circumcision” and “the law of Moses.” Acts 15:1-2, 5. The Sabbath was not an issue. The Church decided that the Gentiles were “saved ... through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 11) and did not need not to be circumcised or to keep the law of Moses. Yet to avoid offending the Jews, they were given certain restrictions. Verses 19-20. At this early, date in church history, the believing Gentiles were still worshiping with the Jews in the synagogues “every sabbath day.” Verse 21.
A Sabbath-Keeping Church begins in Philippi
Luke and Paul delivered “the decrees” of the council and entered Greece to “preach the gospel.” Acts 16:4, 9-10. In Philippi, “on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side.” Acts 16:13. There was no synagogue there, but it was still the Sabbath! A Gentile named Lydia,” whose heart the Lord opened ... was baptized, and her household” (16:14-15). This was the beginning of the New Testament Sabbath-keeping Church of Jesus Christ in Philippi. Paul's letter to the Philippians was written to this church.
A Sabbath-Keeping Church begins in Thessalonica
Paul went into a Jewish synagogue in Thessalonica “As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue and on three sabbath days reasoned with them from the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead.” Acts 17:1-3. Paul preached about the resurrection of Jesus. He did it on the Sabbath. He did not mention Sunday. Many “devout Greeks” believed. Verse 4. This was the beginning of the New Testament Sabbath-keeping Church of Jesus in Thessalonica. Paul's letters to the Thessalonians were to this church. All practicing Jews still keep the seventh day Sabbath today and always have and undoubtedly did then, so there is no mistake as to what day Paul kept the Sabbath on as was “his custom” since this was a Jewish synagogue! As for his custom, Paul was a Jew and a Pharisee since childhood. Acts 26:4-5.
A Sabbath-Keeping Church begins in Corinth
Paul “came to Corinth ... he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 18:1, 4. “He continued a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Verse 11. Paul did not preach the traditions of men, but only “the word of God.” “Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized,” including “Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue” (vs. 8). Crispus was a Sabbath-keeper who probably became one of the leaders (see 1 Corinthians 1:14) of the early New Testament Sabbath-keeping Church of Jesus Christ in Corinth. Paul's letters, First and Second Corinthians, were written to this church.
A Sabbath-Keeping Church begins in Ephesus
Paul “came to Ephesus” and found “certain disciples.” Acts 19:1. As usual, “he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.” Verse 8. This was obviously on the Sabbath days, as in Antioch, Corinth and Thessalonica. Many rejected his preaching, so Paul finally “separated the disciples.” Verse 9. He continued there “by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.” Verse 10. Those who received the Lord became the nucleus of the New Testament Sabbath-keeping Church of Jesus Christ in Ephesus. Paul's letter to the Ephesians was written to this church.
Paul was NEVER Accused of Sabbath-breaking
Paul was finally arrested in the Temple in Jerusalem. Acts 21. At his trial before the Sanhedrin, even the Pharisees said, “we find no evil in this man.” Acts 23:9. Before Felix, Paul declared, “so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Acts 24:14. Before Festus, “to the Jews have I done no wrong.” Acts 25:10. Before Agrippa, “I continue unto this day ... saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.” Acts 26:22. The prophets and Moses did not say that “Sunday-keeping should come.” Finally, Paul spoke to the Jews in Rome, “persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” Acts 28:23. During all his trials, the Jews never once accused Paul of breaking the fourth Commandment, the Sabbath! Why? Because he never did!
The New Testament Churches In Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth
and Ephesus were all Sabbath-keeping Churches made up of Jews
and Gentiles who believed in Jesus Christ. Paul started all these
churches by preaching only “the word of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 19:10. Jesus Christ never mentioned Sunday.
