Dd-48. SCRIPTURES Used to TEACH the SABBATH! Part 3. DOWNLOAD to SAVE as a PDF Doc to read OFFLINE. Dd-48. SCRIPTURES used to TEACH the SABBATH! PART 3 In part 1 and part 2 of this study in God’s word we found that NONE of the Old Testament verses of Scriptures that are used to TRY and prove that Christians must keep the weekly Sabbath DAY as being Holy do NOT prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding. And here in part 3, we will take a close look at all the Scriptures in the New Testament that are used to try and prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. Let us begin this study in God’s word with Matthew 5:17-18 which is probably the most used New Testament passage of Scripture to try and prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding under the New Covenant. Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #18. Matthew 5:17-19. Matthew 5:17-19. “Think NOT that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians sincerely believe with all their heart that Jesus is teaching his disciples to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY and ALL the Law of Moses. They focus on the words, in NO wise or in NO WAY shall one jot or one tittle shall pass away from the LAW until heaven and earth passes away. Then they focus on Christians who are supposedly BREAKING the FOURTH commandment in THEIR EYES. Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #18. As usual, all seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians have taken yet another passage of Scripture OUT of its CONTEXT and they have read INTO Matthew 5:17-19 their OWN preconceived belief that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. That is their WHOLE focus. For you see, if they can SUBVERT and compel you to keep the LETTER of the law concerning the FOURTH commandment then you become easy PREY for them to subvert and compel you to then keep the DIETARY laws of Moses. And then they can subvert and compel you to keep the yearly feast days. Let us now read the same three verses of Scriptures but I will emphasize the KEY word that unlocks the TRUE INTENDED meaning of Matthew 5:17-19. And then, we will read other KEY verses of Scripture in the CONTEXT to learn the true sound Biblical meaning of what Jesus is teaching us. Matthew 5:17-19. “Think NOT that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of THESE least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” WHAT least commandments? ONE of THESE least commandments? So then, WHAT ARE the least of THESE commandments? Jesus gave us LEAST of LESS commandments by giving us just TWO commandments under the New Covenant. And ALL of the laws that Almighty God requires to receive eternal life are FULFILLED by FAITH in Jesus and walking in LOVE. Now, the commandments that Jesus is about to MAGNIFY are in the CONTEXT that follows. The CONTEXT does not end at Matthew 5:48. But rather, the context continues all the way through to Matthew 7:28,29. I will highlight some more KEY-words because, in truth, the CONTEXT does NOT even end here. The WHOLE context is not just THESE SAYINGS but EVERYTHING that Jesus himself taught his disciples to believe and teach to us, his church, under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. The LEAST commandments are listed in Matthew 5:2-16. But THESE LEAST commandments are the TWO commandments in Matthew 22:37-40. Matthew 7:28,29. “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29. For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” And what did the scribes teach? They taught the “LETTER” of the Law of Moses. And what did Jesus teach? Jesus taught his disciples to teach us to keep the “SPIRIT” of the law. Romans 7:6. “But now we are delivered from the law, (Speaking of being delivered from all the ORDINANCES written by the hand of Moses that Jesus abolished and nailed to the cross, according to Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14-17) that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and NOT in the oldness of the letter.” Let us now back up to Matthew 7:12. “THEREFORE, ALL things whatsoever you would that men should DO TO YOU you, do you even so to them: for THIS IS the law and the prophets.” The DOCTRINE of Jesus is all the moral law of God that is FULFILLED in ONE word, LOVE. Galatians 5:14. “For ALL the law is FULFILLED in one word, even in this; You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.” For THIS IS the law and the prophets, according to the teaching of Jesus himself. Now let us back up to Matthew 5:20-22 so that you can see that Jesus is teaching us to keep the MORAL laws of God and NOT about ANY of the ceremonial commandments of the keeping of DAYS, months, or years that he abolished and nailed to the cross. Matthew 5:20-22. “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall EXCEED the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21. You have heard that it was said by them of old time, (Speaking of the Old Covenant written in the Old Testament in the TEN Commandments) You shall not KILL; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22. But I SAY unto you, (And under the NEW Covenant written in the New Testament we are to obey the SAYINGS of Jesus or the DOCTRINE of Jesus) That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Rather than me quoting the whole context of three chapters, I will just quote the key verse stating THESE least of commandments that we are to keep under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. Matthew 5:27,28. “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit ADULTERY: 28. But I SAY unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Again, the focus of the teaching of Jesus is on keeping the MORAL law of Almighty God. You will not find any TEACHING of Jesus to keep any DAYS as being any of the commandments under the New Covenant. Jesus expounds more on adultery which you can read on your own. Matthew 5:33,34. “Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time, You shall not forswear yourself, but shall perform unto the Lord your oaths: (Or you shall not take the name of the Lord in VAIN) 34. But I SAY unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:” Matthew 5:38,39. “You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39. But I say unto you, That you resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:43,44. “You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44. But I say unto you, LOVE your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:48. “Be you, therefore, PERFECT, even as your Father which is in heaven is PERFECT.” And the only way to do this is to REST in Jesus for HOLINESS. Each and every time we repent and CONFESS our sins we are made PERFECT once again in the eyes of Almighty God who makes us perfect, Holy, and RIGHTEOUS IN or Lord Jesus Christ. Keep reading the context in Matthew 6:1 through Matthew 7:29 and you will see the TRUE meaning of THESE LEAST commandments of Jesus, the law and the prophets. Again, the focus of the LEAST of these commandments is walking in LOVE toward one another and thereby we FULFILL ALL the law of God required of us under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. The SAYING of Jesus is that if we do not show MERCY to others then God will not give mercy to us, according to James 2:13. Matthew 6:12-15. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 14. For IF you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15. But IF you forgive NOT men their trespasses, NEITHER will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 7:1,2. “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:11.12. “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Speaking of giving you His Holy Spirit to empower you to overcome sin and do the works of healing that Jesus did through the Eternal Spirit dwelling in him) 12. Therefore, all things whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for THIS IS the law and the prophets.” Again, Jesus gave us TWO commandments under the New Covenant which Almighty God Himself put in the mouth of His Prophet, Jesus to give to us. THESE are the LEAST commandments. Love God and love your neighbor as yourself and ALL of the law that God requires to receive eternal life is FULFILLED. And God warned us in prophecy that whosoever does NOT obey His words that He put in the mouth of Jesus then they will be held accountable to Almighty God Himself. Please read Deuteronomy 18:18,19. “I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto you, and will put My words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will NOT hearken unto My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.” And, to ME, for anyone to dogmatically teach Christians to do what Jesus himself ABOLISHED and NAILED to the cross is a whosoever that is NOT hearkening unto Yahweh’s words that He put in the mouth of Jesus to teach to his Apostles to teach to us. And the Apostle Paul clearly teaches the words of Jesus concerning not to allow others to judge us for not keeping the ceremonial laws of the keeping of the Sabbath DAYS and for not keeping the dietary laws written in ordinances by the hand of Moses. For a deeper in-depth study of Matthew 5:17-19 that gets into the Greek language please read Dd-23. What does MATTHEW 5:17,18 TRULY Mean? But for now, please know and understand that Matthew 5:17-19 does NOT prove that keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #19. Matthew 24:20. All seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians use Matthew 24:20 to argue that the weekly Sabbath will be kept in the FUTURE. They argue, why would Jesus say to pray that your flight be NOT on the Sabbath day if so be that Christians are not obligated to keep the weekly Sabbath day? Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #19. Do Christians live in Judea? NO! The vast majority of people who live in Judea are unsaved children of Abraham from both the seed of Ishmael and the seed of Jacob who keep the weekly Sabbath day. Does Jesus care about the unsaved? YES! That is why Jesus is asking Christians to pray that the flight of the people in the land of Judea be NOT in the WINTER and that it will be hard on women who are pregnant. And none of those things have anything to do with the keeping of the Law of God. So why did Jesus bring up the Sabbath day? It is because the unsaved Jews keep the LETTER of the law which requires THEM to not walk more than two miles on the Sabbath day. But that is NOT what Jesus teaches about the Sabbath day. Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for MAN and NOT that man was made for the Sabbath. Jesus taught that it is GOOD to do GOOD things on the Sabbath. And it is a GOOD thing to flee from danger. But the unsaved Jews say that is breaking the Sabbath. And thus, they would NOT flee on the Sabbath day. For a deeper sound Biblical understanding on why Matthew 24:20 does NOT prove that Christians must keep the weekly Sabbath DAY lest they sin, please read the study Dd-24. Matthew 24:20 FUTURE Sabbath KEEPING! Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #20. Romans 3:31. All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians use Romans 3:31 to argue that we do NOT make VOID the LAW through FAITH. Romans 3:31. “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #20. The word “establish” means to set up the law on a firm and permanent foundation. So how do we set up the law on a permanent foundation? The answer is right there in the verse. It is through our FAITH that we ESTABLISH the law on a firm and permanent foundation, And what is the FOUNDATION of the Apostles of Jesus Christ? Keep reading. 1 Corinthians 3:11. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which IS Jesus Christ.” So then, THROUGH our FAITH IN Jesus Christ as BEING our TRUE Passover Lamb we ESTABLISH the LAW of the feast of Passover on the ONLY firm and PERMANENT foundation of Jesus Christ. In other words, we ARE keeping the law of the feast of Passover through or BY our FAITH IN Jesus as being the TRUE MEANING of why the law of the feast of Passover was given to the children of Israel in the first place. That is why Paul teaches us that we are to keep the law in NEWNESS of SPIRIT and NOT keep the LETTER of the law under the Old Covenant written in the Old Testament which Jesus abolished and nailed to the cross. So it is NOT that the FOURTH commandment ITSELF was nailed to the cross. But rather, it is that all the ORDINANCES contained IN the fourth commandment were abolished and nailed to the cross so that we can NOW keep the NEWNESS of the SPIRIT of the fourth commandment THROUGH our FAITH IN Jesus as our TRUE Sabbath rest. Please read the studies called Dd-15. THE WEEKLY SABBATH REST is a SIGN! and Dd-13. Is JESUS OUR TRUE SABBATH REST? But for now, please know and understand that Romans 3:31 does NOT prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. For you see, according to John 1:17, the law came by Moses but grace and TRUTH came by Jesus Christ, And if we continue IN the TRUTH then the TRUTH shall make us FREE. So then, it is the Law of Liberty that we ESTABLISH under the New Covenant written in the New Testament and NOT the old Law of Moses because the LETTER kills and the SPIRIT makes alive. Always remember that NONE of the MORAL commandments were abolished and nailed to the cross so do not be deceive by their sarcastic argument where they say things like, Well, since we are not under the law then that means we can commit murder, adultery and break all of the TEN Commandments. They fail to understand that the FOURTH commandment is a CEREMONIAL law to God and NOT a MORAL law toward our fellow man. Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #21. Romans 7:12. All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians use Romans 7:12 to argue that Paul says the law is holy, just, and good. And therefore, to them, that means that Christians must keep the weekly Sabbath DAY for it is part of the law that is holy, just, and good. Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #21. When we KEEP Romans 7:12 in its CONTEXT we learn the TRUE sound Biblical meaning of the law being holy, just and good. In the very next verse we see that the law is holy, just and good because without the law we would not know what is sin and what is not sin. Romans 12:13b. “...But sin, that it might appear sin...” And Paul adds in verse 14 that the law is SPIRITUAL. Also, the context of verse 12 starts off by Paul saying that one is only under the law so long as he is ALIVE. And then Paul says that we are DEAD to the law BY the sacrifice of Jesus and that we are NOW married to Jesus. Please read Romans 7:4. “Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.” Paul explains what being DEAD to the law means in Romans 7:6,7. “But NOW we are DELIVERED FROM the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve IN NEWNESS OF SPIRIT, and NOT in the OLDNESS of the LETTER. 7. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, You shall not covet.” So Paul is talking about the MORAL law of God being holy, just, and good because the MORAL law of God shows us what is sin and what is not sin. And the law that we are no longer under is the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES that Jesus abolished and nailed to the cross, according to Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14-17. So NO! Romans 7:12 does NOT prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #22. 1 Corinthians 7:19. All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians argue that all through the New Testament we are taught that we MUST keep the COMMANDMENTS of God. And then they argue that the word COMMANDMENTS is speaking of the TEN Commandments and that the FOURTH commandment is ONE of the TEN Commandments. Therefore, they conclude that Christians MUST keep the weekly Sabbath DAY on the SEVENTH day of the week lest a Christian SINS. Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #22. What they fail to understand is that we are NOT under the OLD Covenant and that under the New Covenant Jesus gave us just TWO commandments. So whenever you see the word “COMMANDMENTS” in the New Testament, know and understand that it means the TWO new commandments that Yahweh put in the mouth of Jesus to give to us. Was not the law of circumcision a COMMANDMENT of Yahweh that He gave to Abraham? Please read 1 Corinthians 7:19. “Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.” Paul said that the COMMANDMENT of circumcision is NOTHING, but rather, it is the KEEPING of the commandments that matters. Then Paul explains HOW we KEEP the COMMANDMENT of circumcision under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. Please read Colossians 2:10,11. “And you are COMPLETE IN him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 IN whom also you ARE circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh BY the circumcision of Christ:” Now read 1 Corinthians 14:37,38. “If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you ARE the COMMANDMENTS of the Lord. 38. But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.” So NO! 1 Corinthians 7:19 does NOT prove that the weekly Sabbath is binding on Christians. Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #23. 1 Peter 2:21,22. All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians argue that Jesus is our EXAMPLE to follow. And since Jesus kept the weekly Sabbath DAY then that proves that Christians must also keep the weekly Sabbath day lest they sin. Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #23. 1 Peter 2:21,22. “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: 22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” This is what is called “twisting the Scripture”. They find a verse of Scripture that is TRUE but then they attach that true sound Biblical Scripture to what is also true under the OLD covenant to make it seem as if we must keep the Old Covenant AND the New Covenant at the same time. Was not Jesus ALSO CIRCUMCISED in the FLESH on the eighth day, according to the custom of the Jews under the Old Covenant? YES! So does that mean that we who are under the NEW Covenant MUST be circumcised in the flesh lest we SIN? NO! Jesus was born under the Old Covenant. Jesus had not yet gone to the cross to establish the New Covenant. So then, ALL of the 50 verses in the gospels that contain the word “Sabbath” in them do NOT prove that Christians must keep the weekly Sabbath DAY just because Jesus kept the Sabbath as was his custom being born under the Old Covenant Law of Moses. Please read the study Dd-2. Is SABBATH keeping in the NEW TESTAMENT? Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #24. Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14-17. All seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians “INTERPRET” these two passages of Scripture to mean that there are NO ORDINANCES in the FOURTH commandment. And therefore, they conclude that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAYS was NOT abolished and nailed to the cross. Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #24. Well, they are WRONG! The fourth commandant does, indeed, have ORDINANCES contained in it. The ordinances contained in the FOURTH commandment are the INSTRUCTION on HOW to keep the Sabbath DAY Holy. Here are those ORDINANCES contained in the FOURTH commandment that Jesus FULFILLED and ABOLISHED on the cross, according to Colossians 2{3-23 and Ephesians 2:8-15. #1. REST on the Sabbath DAY. #2. No picking up sticks on the Sabbath DAY. #3. You can only travel so far on the Sabbath DAY. #4. You can not kindle a fire on the Sabbath DAY. #5. Any one breaking the Sabbath DAY by NOT resting for 24 hours on the seventh DAY of the WEEK must be stoned to death BY the people. And those ordinances were abolished and nailed to the cross so that we can NOW serve God in NEWNESS of SPIRIT through our FAITH IN Jesus as our TRUE Sabbath rest. There is no ordinance, law, commandment, or any teaching in the New Testament under the New Covenant that we must REST on a DAY of the week lest we sin. So, the teaching that Christians MUST REST on Sunday is also a false teaching. Please read the studies Dd-3. What COLOSSIANS 2:14-17 TRULY MEAN?, Dd-4. What does EPHESIANS 2:8-15 TRULY MEAN?, Dd-5. What Does Contained in ORDINANCES Mean?, Dd-15. THE WEEKLY SABBATH REST is a SIGN!, Dd-41. Is the WEEKLY SABBATH DAY A SHADOW?, and Dd-13. Is JESUS OUR TRUE SABBATH REST? Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #25. James 2:10,11. All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians use James 2:10,11 to argue that if a Christian breaks even ONE of the TEN Commandments then they are GUILTY of breaking ALL TEN Commandments. Then they conclude that Christian are not saved by FAITH ALONE. Therefore, to THEM, James is teaching that Christians MUST keep the weekly Sabbath DAY lest they SIN. James 2:10,11. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.” Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #25. Again, they have taken these two verses of Scripture OUT of their CONTEXT. James is actually teaching us NOT to keep the Law of Moses and that we are to keep the Law of LIBERTY. James says that if we have RESPECT of persons then we are transgressing the Law of Christ under the NEW Covenant. You shall not have respect for persons is NOT one of the TEN Commandments. So James is not isolating just the TEN Commandments as some Sabbath keeping Christians CLAIM. Please read James 2:1,8-24. “My brethren, have not the FAITH of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which you are called?... ...8. If you fulfill the ROYAL LAW according to the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well: 9. But if you have respect for persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. (Speaking of the FAITH of Jesus Christ and NOT the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant. Keep in mind that ALL SIX of the MORAL commandments contained in the TEN COMMANDMENTS are a part of the TWO commandments that Jesus gives us under the New Covenant written in the New Testament) 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, (Speaking of the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant) and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if you commit no adultery, yet if you kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12. So speak you, and so do, AS THEY that shall be JUDGED BY the LAW of LIBERTY. 13. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy; and mercy rejoices against judgment. (So do NOT keep the Law of Moses that says love your enemy and hate your enemy. But rather, be as they that keep the Law of LIBERTY who LOVE their enemies and those who despitefully use us) 14. What does it profit, my brethren, though a man says he has faith, and has not works? Can faith save him? (The answer to can faith save is a yes and no answer. For you see, we are saved for the purpose of walking in love AND the doing of good works such as helping the poor. So then, we are initially saved by now works to be empowered to learn obedience to do good works) 15. If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16. And one of you says unto them, Depart in peace, be you warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit? 17. Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. (James is speaking about good deeds of helping one another and NOT the works of keeping the ORDINANCES in the CEREMONIAL commandments of God under the Old Covenant) 18. Yea, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19. You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21. Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22. See you how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23. And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24. You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.” Then they “INTERPRET” the words of James to mean the WORKS of the LAW, as in, the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant. But that is NOT what James is talking about adding good deeds to our FAITH in Jesus Christ to NOT have respect of persons by turning a blind eye to the poor and only having respect to the Christians dressed in fine clothing. Jesus said that if we hate our brother then that is the same as murder under the new Law of LIBERTY in Jesus Christ. So NO! James 2:10,11 does NOT prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. Weekly Sabbath DAY argument #26. John 14:15, 1 John 2:3.4, 1 John 3:4, 1 John 3:22, Revelation 12:17, and Revelation 22:14,15. All of the seventh DAY of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians “INTERPRET” the word “COMMANDMENTS” in the New Testament to either mean just the TEN Commandments or ALL the Law of God under the Old Covenant. And every one of the above verses of Scriptures have the word “commandments” plus the command to KEEP the commandments. And thus, to every Sabbath keeping Christian all these verses of Scriptures mean that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians. Sound Biblical answer to weekly Sabbath DAY argument #26. But, in TRUTH, all of these verses of Scripture in the New Testament with the word “commandments” in them are speaking of the commandments TAUGHT BY Jesus written IN the New Testament under the New Covenant. Please read John 15:10-14 and notice the words that I have highlighted showing that the commandments in the New Testament are the commandments of Jesus and NOT the commandments that Yahweh commanded Moses to give to the children of Israel for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations. John 15:10-14. “If you keep MY commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (Anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear can clearly see that there are TWO SETS of commandments. Jesus obeyed his God and father's commandments under the Old Covenant written in the Old Testament. And now we are to obey the commandments of Jesus under the New Covenant written in the New Testament) 11. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12. THIS IS my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14. You are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.” We are friends of Jesus HOW? NOT by obeying what Moses commanded the children of Israel under the Old Covenant but rather, we are friends of Jesus by obeying what Jesus commands us under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. Let us now read 1 John 2:3-9 so you can see that the word “commandments” is speaking of the commandments of Jesus under the New Covenant and NOT the commandments of Moses under the Old Covenant. 1 John 2:3-9. “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4. He that says, I know him, and keeps not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5. But whoso keeps his WORD, (Or whosoever keeps the TEACHINGS of Jesus) in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6. He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (Who did not sin and who had compassion for the hurting people) 7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word (NOT the teachings of Moses, but rather, the teaching of Jesus) which you have heard from the beginning. 8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines. 9. He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now.” And hating your enemy was taught under the Old Covenant. But LOVING one another is the new commandment of Jesus under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. So then, his commandments that we are to keep are the commandments of Jesus under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. Now let us read 1 John 3:4 in its CONTEXT to see that the transgression of the LAW is speaking of the NEW law of walking in LOVE and NOT HATING our fellow man, especially our brothers and sisters in the Lord. 1 John 3:1-24. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knows us not, because it knew him not. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3. And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure. 4. Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (Is it not a sin to transgress the Law of Christ? YES! So since we are reading in the New Testament under the New Covenant how can anyone dogmatically demand that the Apostle John is talking about the Law of Moses? If you keep reading the CONTEXT you will clearly see that the Apostle John is NOT talking about the Law of Moses. One must read into this verse of Scripture their own preconceived belief that John is talking about the Law of Moses here in verse 4) 5. And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6. Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him. 7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8. He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9. Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (In other words, IF NOT keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY under the New Covenant IS a sin then the Holy Spirit would convict us of sinning. And since the Holy Spirit does NOT convict us of sinning for NOT keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY then we are NOT sinning) 10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever does not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother. 11. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother abides in death. 15. Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (This is New Testament LAW and NOT the Law of Moses) 16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17. But whoso has this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21. Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 23. And THIS IS his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (The TWO LEAST commandments) 24. And he that keeps his commandments dwells in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us.” Again, the word “COMMANDMENTS” in the New Testament refers to the TWO commandments of Jesus and the TEACHINGS of Jesus. And Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 22:14,15 are no different. They have nothing whatsoever to do with keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY. Jesus did NOT abolish ANY of the SIX MORAL commandments written in the TEN Commandments. But Jesus DID, indeed, abolish the ORDINANCES contained in the FOURTH commandment as well as all of the other ORDINANCES contained in the ceremonial commandments and the dietary commandments. And thus, we are not obligated to keep ANY day of the week as a day of rest in order to please God. This study was not meant to be an in-depth study covering all the verses of Scripture showing why we are not obligated to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY as a DAY of rest. So if you desire to go deeper into God’s word then please read all the studies under the heading >>>Dd-0. What is the TRUE Sabbath?<<< Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to read ALL the studies that I gave links to throughout this study concerning this subject on Sabbath TRUTH. My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to write to me. My contact email is MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail .com. Some Sabbath-keeping Christians CLAIM that the early church kept the Sabbath as the Jews, but I assure you that the early first-century church was accustomed to gathering together BEFORE the light of daybreak on the FIRST day of the week that THEY called the Lord's day. Please read all the studies linked within this study and all the studies linked below. This study was just the TIP of the iceberg of exposing the ERRORS of interpretation made by the Saturday seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping churches, and the Sunday first day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians. All of the studies listed under the subject heading >>>Dd-0. What is the TRUE Sabbath?<<< And also read Dd-20. Did The Early Church KEEP the Sabbath day to learn the truth of what the early church believed. Thanks again for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the truth of the whole word of Almighty God.
Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
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