Bible Question:
Is keep the sabbath a requirement for salvation ? Is it a sin to not keep the sabbath? |
Bible Answer: The word sabbath is derived from the Hebrew word sebbat which means rest. The command to keep the sabbath and keep it holy was given to the Isaelites by Moses for 3 purposes. 1) As a reminder that God has given them rest from the work(slavery)that they had in Egypt. 2) Sabbath was not only one day a week it also was once every seventh year where the Israelites had to leave the land fallow or unplanted. This was called a sabbath year. This was a reminder that the Promiseland that God had given them still belonged to God b/c they belonged to God. 3) The sabbath rest was looking forward toward the future when the Israelites would no longer have to do the works of the Law (which Moses had given at Sinani). This was looking forward to the work that Jesus would do. He said "I am Lord of the sabbath" When Jesus came to earth and lived a perfect life he accomplishe the work no one else could do. When he said "It is finished" he was refering to the work of paying for our sins. Now that he is in Heaven he has "sat down at the right hand of the father" this represents that the work has been done. Read Hebrews Ch 3-5. Jesus has come to give us REST. He is our sabbath rest. The pupose of the sabbath was Past(Egypt) Present (The Lord is our God) and future (Jesus is our rest). Now that we are in Christ we have ceased from our labors, that is why the gospel is good news! Another point is this. The sabbath day in the Old Testiment is really on Saturday, we Christians have traditionally celebrated it on Sunday b/c that is the day that Christ arose. There is no biblical support to say that Sunday has to be a day of rest or that we must go to church on Sunday or shouldn't work on Sunday. I am a Pastor Suday is by biggest work day! Read Romans 14:5-6 For the Christian EVERY day is the Lords day!!! Every day is a day of rest b/c Christ has given us rest by doing all the work for us!! It is finished!!! Jesus is Lord!!! |