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NASB | Exodus 20:8 ¶ "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Exodus 20:8 ¶ "Remember the Sabbath (seventh) day to keep it holy (set apart, dedicated to God). |
Subject: Must Christians keep the Sabbath today? |
Bible Note: The Sabbath is mentioned myriads of times in the New Testament. Here are just a few references: Mark 2:27,28; Luke 4:16; Hebrews 4:4,9; Luke 23:54-56; Acts 13:14; Acts 17:2. Notice that Jesus kept the Sabbath, and so did His disciples, even after His resurrection and ascension. In fact, they kept no other day! Note that Gentiles also kept Sabbath (Acts 13:42,44). The point is, the Sabbath is a very common theme in the entire Bible, including the new Testament. Remember, too, that the Sabbath is in the heart of the Ten Commandments, which is an unchangeable, unalterable law (Psalm 111:7,8; 89:34; 119:152; Mal 3:6). Furthermore, Jesus had said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). See John 14:15,21,23; 1 John 2:3-6. Love is the basis of the Ten Commandments (see Matthew 22:37-40). Love for God is manifest by obedience to the first four commandments, which forbid idolatory, making and worshiping graven images, blasphemy, and requires the observance of the seventh day Sabbath. Love for one's neighbour is manifest by obedience to the last six precepts. After all, one who loves his neighbour will not steal from him, kill him, etc; will he? The Ten Commandments is an unalterable law. Therefore, all ten precepts (including the Sabbath) stand fast forever, and are binding upon every person who claims the name of Christ (see Matthew 5:17,18). We must walk as He walked. Disregarding any one of the ten precepts is serious offence to God (see Matthew 5:19). While keeping the whole law is required of us (James 2:10), it does not save us. However, obedience is the fruit of love. We don't keep the Ten Commandments to be saved, but because we are saved. According to Revelation 14:12 and 22:14, the saved of all ages are those who have been faifhful to God's commandments. Let me also note that our faith in Jesus does not negate our responsibility to keep the law of God. It is our duty (Ecclesiastes 12:13). "Do we then make void the law through faith? GOD FORBID: yea, we ESTABLISH the law" (Romans 3:31). This is just a brief summary. However, I am more than willing to further discuss this topic with anyone interested. My e-mail is jevhar@yahoo.com. You may request a free CD ROM, which I will send to you without cost or obligation. This CD-ROM presents Bible-based studies on the major themes of the Bible, such as the Salvation, Sabbath, What Happens after Death, and many, many more! Please also visit my website at: http://www.geocities.com/jevhar. May God's richest blessings be with you, as you "search the scriptures daily [to see] whether these things [are] so" (Acts 17:11). |