The 10 Commandments are clear & straightforward! Why don't Christians acknowledge the Sabbath? Which one's do?

Question

When I read the scriptures, they always seem simple and easy to understand. It's not until I compare what I read in the Bible, to what religions and other Christians say, that things become confusing.

One example is the Sabbath. Why do most Believers follow 9 commandments, but ignore the one for the Sabbath? I've been told the Sabbath was not required when the New Testament arrived because of the newer scriptures, but there are also scriptures concerning the other 9 commandments that one could use to reason the same way. So why are those accepted?

If it's simple, plain, and clear, why complicate it? I've did some research, and found there is a group called the Seventh-Day Adventists who honor the Sabbath. Are they the only religion who does? If not, what other religions practice the Sabbath and what does the Sabbath involve? Thanks

Answer 1

I am a Sevennth-Day Adventist and I agree that the Sabbath(Saturday) is important to God and should be important to us

I see that you have 2 questions "Why don't people keep the Sabbath?" and "What does keeping the Sabbath involve?"

Question 1
Why do most people go to church on Sunday? There are about 11 reasons but they are NOT supported by the Bible.

I will explain each of the 11 reasons below it may be a little long, but it will cover all the reasons.

1.The early church changed
NO WHERE in the Bible does the early church say “The new day of worship is Sunday” There is NO verse in the Bible to support this.

The early church kept the Sabbath
The apostles kept the Sabbath
Acts 13:14
Acts 13:42
Acts 13:44
Acts 16:13
Acts 17:2
Acts 18:4

the Gentiles went to Church on Sabbath
Acts 13:42
Acts 17:1-4
Acts 18


2.Sunday is the new Sabbath because of the resurrection, or petecost etc
Ok and where does the Bible say worship on Sunday because of any of these events? NO WHERE
No verse in the Bible says worship on Sunday due to the Resurrection. God said that Baptism is symbol of the death and resurrection of Christ
Colossians 2:12
Romans 6:3-4
Galatians 3:27


3.Jesus fulfilled the law so the Sabbath is gone
Matt 5:17
"Do NOT THINK that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I HAVE NOT come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

does fulfill mean do away with or end

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to do away with them.
Isn’t that the contradictory?


4.We can’t tell which day
So, ENTIRE Jewish Nation all over the ENTIRE world woke up one morning and EVERY one of them forgot which day was the Sabbath?
That is not logical

The change of the calendar had no effect on the weekly cycle
The US Naval Observatory and the Royal Observatory both confirm the 7th day Sabbath(Saturday) is the SAME Sabbath that Jesus kept.

Mark 16 says that Jesus rose the day after the Sabbath. We all know Jesus rose on Sunday... so what day is the Sabbath?
Some people say “God didn’t name the days Sunday, Monday, Tuesday etc so we don’t have to keep it.”
Essentially what these people are saying is because we speak a different language from the Jews we don’t have to do what God says


5.It does not matter which day WE choose
God did not say "Pick a day to worship" He said "THE" 7th day is "THE" Sabbath. The word "THE" means a specific item.

The first person to say "It doesn't matter how we worship God" is Cain. Cain said "It doesn't matter how we worship God as long as we give something God will accept it. God does not care as long as you give and call it holy. Don't be legalistic Abel."
Was he right?
Is God specific about what He says.


6.It was only for the Jews, or The Jewish Sabbath is Saturday and the Christian Sabbath is Sunday
The Sabbath was given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden 1000 yrs before the first JEW was born Genesis 2:1-3 if they were Jews we all are Jews and STILL need to keep the Sabbath

There is NO SUCH THING as "The Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Sabbath". There is ONLY ONE Sabbath day regardless of religion, race, nationality or language. The 7th day Sabbath does not belong to the Jews it belongs to God, "I am Lord of the Sabbath" Jesus said. In addition "The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord" Exodus 20:8-11


7.Sunday has always been the Sabbath
This contradicts the Mark 16 which says Jesus rose the day after the Sabbath on the first day of the week.


8.we are under the new covenant
Hebrews 8:7-12 says
For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.(What was the problem?) But God found fault with the PEOPLE and said "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a nEW COVENANT with the house of ISRAEL and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt (Why?), because THEY DID NOT REMAIN FAITHFUL TO MY COVENANT, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.

The Old Covenant- the people failed to keep their part “They said we will do it” Exodus 19:8 and they failed

The problem with the Old covenant was the people failed to keep it. There was nothing wrong with the law.

The Old Covenant was based on the people, God says “If you will...then I will” Exodus 19:5

The New Covenant is based on God, God says “I will and I will”

Where does God say that He is changing some of the laws? Where does God say that He is doing away with the Sabbath?

The New covenant, same law


9.Jesus broke the Sabbath
If Jesus broke the Sabbath then how can he say “I have kept my Fathers commandments John 15:10


10.We worship on the lord’s day … Sunday
Again, NOT ONE verse to support this claim, nor is there any verse in the Bible calling Sunday the Lord's Day. the only days called the Lord's day is the Sabbath(Saturday) and the day of Christ’s 2nd coming
Exodus 20:8
Isa 58:13,14
Matthew 12:8
Mark 2:28
Luke 6:5
Provide ONE verse that calls Sunday the Lord's Day


11.We don’t have to keep the Old law anymore we are under the spirit of the Law Love God and your neighbor
A) Is it ok to murder people? Is it ok to commit adultery? Or steal or worship other gods or be disrespectful to your parents? Then why are we getting rid of the only commandment that starts with “Remember”?

B)Does the Spirit of the Law void the Letter?
Spirit- don’t hate your brother
Letter- don’t murder

Spirit- don’t lust
Letter- don’t commit adultery

Spirit- Let you yes be yes and no be no
Letter- Don’t bare false witness

How can you keep the spirit and break the letter?

C) Jesus is quoting the “Old” Law when he says love God and your neighbor
Love God – Deut 6:5
Love your neighbor Lev 19:18

D) Mosaic law was done away with but the Mosaic law is different from the 10 commandments. The 10 commandments are eternal written in fire with the finger of God, Mosaic is temporary written by Moses.

12.We worship God everyday
This is a last ditched effort when people realize they have no Biblical basis to support violating God’s command by ignoring the Sabbath and worshiping on Sunday. It is a way to sound holier than thou willfully disobeying God

The disciples worshiped God everyday and they ALL kept the Sabbath.

Jesus prayed to His Father in Heaven everyday in addition to the fact that He is God and He still kept the Sabbath
Luke 4:16
Matthew 12:9,10
Mark 1:21
Mark 6:2 Luke 4:16
Luke 4:31
Luke 13:10

The Bible shows that If you worship everyday you STILL keep the Sabbath

Some may quote Acts 20:7
but where in this verse does this say that the Sabbath is done away with?
Where does this verse say that we should keep Sunday Holy?
Where does this verse say that it was common to meet on Sunday?
The verse tells us why the met on Sunday because Paul was leaving the next day


Revelation 14 says that 3 messages go out to the world right before the end comes. The first message says worship the creator and then it quotes the 4th commandment.

God is calling his people to return to the commandments and worship Him as He has described. He wants His people to leave man made traditions and come back to His word.

Question 2
"What does keeping the Sabbath involve?"
Here is a free online video that talks about your question it is called "Laboring to Rest" The Pastor talks about preparing for the Sabbath and how to keep it Holy
http://www.amazingfacts.org/media/player.asp?pid=691&type=video

The second part is called Holiday or HolyDay
http://www.amazingfacts.org/media/player.asp?pid=692&type=video

Answer 2

The 10 commandments were given to the Jews. Practicing Jews keep this Sabbath. The Christians met every day to start with, then eventually worked down to the day the Lord rose from the dead-which is not the Sabbath. There is no command for the Christians to keep the Sabbath.
The Seventh-Day Adventist are considered a cult by conservative apologist. They have some teachings which are clearly heretical. I personally think they are good people, and have visited their church for some of their seminars. Some of their doctrinal teaching is not correct. Their end-time material is fascinating.

Answer 3

Many religions say that they keep the sabaath holy. The problem is: What is Holy.
No, people should keep the Sabbath Holy and even Jesus said so and it is in the NT as well. Many believe that going to church on Sunday is keeping it Holy. I had debates about this before. There are many who still work on Sunday, even though it is expressly forbidden. So, I don't work. I worship and have family time. Seven Day Adventists celebrate the Sabbath on Sat and I, on Sun. I think that this is one of those things that is left up to each individual to interpret. Many pastors are not preaching it anymore b because it steps on too many toes. Just my thought.

Answer 4

I think the respect of God claims to keep out a day of the week as His day . It`s not so important if it is Sunday or Saturday . Jesus himself said sabbath was made for man , and not otherwise .
It`s very true that obeying the 10 commandments , we prove our love and respect for God . But , we have to see the essence , 'the spirit that makes alive ", and not" the body "of Law.
I know about 7th day adventists , and I think the`re good and enlighted people , but too connected to "the body ".I specifically refer to the ceremonial law , even if they say it isn`t so.
I myself read and cherrish The Scriptures , and I try to obey the commandments , even if Jesus gave us the law of grace . But , on the other side , he" didn`t come to break the law , but to achieve it "., and he was " obedient till death ".
What I wanna say it`s He obeyed the divine and universal laws , and not ceremonial ones . Those good people , Adventists , try to resurrect the original chistianism , and even more , but they do this in a rigid and "fearful" way. Maybe I`m wrong , but I think they fear so much for error , that give up divine grace and human spontaneity . Maybe I`ve exaggerated , and I feel sorry . I don`t wanna judge anyone. I myself am a sinner .

Answer 5

All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, reproving, and for setting things straight. However the Sabbath is an old law that was applied to the Jews in the old testament. When Jesus came to the earth to do His Fathers will He was Himself accused of breaking that law. His answer to the scribes and Pharisees was that He was the Lord of the covenant and He came to abolish the old covenant and establish a new one, one that would not be so burdensome. He then went on to illustrate some things that had to be done on the Sabbath which were more important than the old law, including the washing of their hands issue which was raised when He and His apostles ate without washing their hands......KECK

Answer 6

Jews keep the sabbath. The Bible says "If you break one commandment you are guilty of all....." That means in order for me to be righteous before God I have to keep the entire 10 commandments. Now, I prefer to be saved by grace than to be righteous by 10 commands that I know that I cannot keep. So I keep the Sabbath Day, but I cheat on my taxes, I tell a lie....etc. Sorry, no can't do, but I've tried.

Answer 7

the sabbath was one that Jesus himself healed on that day. when they confronted him

Mat 12:1 At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were hungry, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.
Mat 12:2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Mat 12:3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was hungry, and they that were with him;
Mat 12:4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests
Mat 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless
Mat 12:6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Mat 12:9 And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue:
Mat 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
Mat 12:11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
Mat 12:12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Mat 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.


Mar 1:21 And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

having church and getting food and all it says is ok to do.

Answer 8

1. they redefined Sabbath as Sunday, since it's their religion they can define their words.
2. they honor Sunday by not doing "unnecessary" work. Hospitals are necessary, some would say retail is also.
3. Fundamentalist Christians go to church Sunday, you're thinking of those who feel obliged only to Christian ethics
3. 10 Commandments are Hebrew, not Christian, orthodox Jews honor Sabbath from Friday night.

Answer 9

Christianity switched it's seventh day of rest and worship to the Sunday because that was the day that Jesus rose from the tomb.

Christians should be honouring the day they have chosen instead of working, shopping etc. but there aren't many REAL Christians left I think sometimes. That is why we have so many Churches that don't follow the Bible and are so liberal in their faith. I know I have a long way to go to be like Christ but I prefer to try and aim for that narrow path rather than the easier wide one that leads to destruction. For example I personally won't work on a Sunday (which has got me in trouble at work) and try to honour that day of rest.

Answer 10

Does doing away with the Mosaic Law, including the Ten Commandments, imply the taking away of all moral restraint?

Not at all; many of the moral standards set out in the Ten Commandments were restated in the inspired books of the Christian Greek Scriptures. (There was, however, no restating of the sabbath law.) But no matter how good a law is, as long as sinful inclinations dominate a person’s desires, there will be lawlessness. However, regarding the new covenant, which has replaced the Law covenant, Hebrews 8:10 states: “‘For this is the covenant that I shall covenant with the house of Israel after those days,’ says Jehovah. ‘I will put my laws in their mind, and in their hearts I shall write them. And I will become their God, and they themselves will become my people.’” How much more effective such laws are than those engraved on stone tablets!

Rom. 6:15-17: “Shall we commit a sin because we are not under law but under undeserved kindness? Never may that happen! Do you not know that if you keep presenting yourselves to anyone as slaves to obey him, you are slaves of him because you obey him, either of sin with death in view or of obedience with righteousness in view? But thanks to God that you were the slaves of sin but you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were handed over.” (See also Galatians 5:18-24.)