What I understand and believe about the Sabbath

The Elimination of the Sabbath Commandment

The Hebrew word, “Shabbath” means an intermission, or interruption—a time of cessation, to put away. (Strong’s Concordance)
It was the first thing mentioned in the Bible that God declared to be holy (Genesis 2:2,3) It points us back to the Creation of this world—the starting point. It belongs to everyone!
The Sabbath was ordained to be a delight! (Isaiah 58:13-14)

THE SABBATH COMMANDMENT

The first three commandments show us how to have a good relationship with God; the last six show us how to have a right relationship with others.The fourth Commandment links our relationship with God and others.

The link between the Sabbath and Salvation is that Creation was done by God for us (Exodus 20:8-11), and Salvation, or Redemption (Dueteronomy 5:12-15) was done by God for us.
Nine of the Holy Commandments tell us what we must do for God. This Commandment tells us what God will do for us. Keeping the Sabbath is a message of grace…I am saved by grace, and I keep the Sabbath to prove it!
When I break the Sabbath, I am breaking the Law of God (James 2:10,11)
Keeping the Sabbath demonstrates my love of God (1 John 5:2)
God’s remnant people are Sabbath-keepers (Revelation 14:12)

JESUS AND THE SABBATH

Jesus used Sabbath to build relationships and work in the lives of those around Him.(Mark 3:1-6)
Jesus spent time in nature on the Sabbath, teaching and healing (Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23-28; 3:2-5; Luke 6:1-6)
Jesus rested in the redemptive healing of God’s righteous during the Sabbath.

THE ELIMINATION OF SATURDAY AS SABBATH

The Jews were required to keep seven “High” Sabbaths annually. Over time, these requirements were eliminated. (Romans 14:5) but nowhere in Scripture is the Creation Sabbath changed from the seventh to the first day of the week. In many languages, Saturday is named “Sabbath”

· No texts in the Bible refer to Christ’s changing of the Sabbath to Sunday. That change was made by the Catholic Church centuries later. The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine (Rev. Peter Geiermann, C.SS.R, 1977, TAN publishers) explains it this way:

We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.…The Church substituted Sunday for Saturday, because Christ rose from the dead on a Sunday, and the Holy Ghost descended upon the Apostles on a Sunday….The Church substituted Sunday for Saturday by the plenitude of that divine power which Jesus Christ bestowed upon her. (page 50).

· In Bible prophecy, we find that we will be forced to make a choice between God’s commandments or the law of man (Revelation 14:17; 15: 15:16-18).

Sabbath, in obedience to God’s Law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class, by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast, the other—choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of God.” (E.G. White, The Great Controversy p. 605)

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS, and HOW I KEEP THE SABBATH

< style="font-style: italic;">Sabbath is my favorite and most cherished time of the week. God intended for us to enjoy the Sabbath! It should be a celebration of the best life has to offer—the best (yet simple) food, the best dishes, fellowship with loved ones—the best of everything should be brought out on Sabbath. When I respect the Sabbath, and use it to glorify my Creator and rest in Him, I am revived and look forward to spending even more time with Him. However, when I don’t respect the Sabbath, my moral values seem to erode and fade quickly. I found that in order to treasure this special day, I first had to come to Christ—without Him, the Sabbath was just a “day off”

I begin to prepare for the Sabbath early in the week by doing a little every day.I do laundry during the week, pre-bake meals that can be frozen, then thawed for a quick reheat, or prepare ingredients to have on hand to assemble a simple sandwich, salad, or other cold meal. I also decide what to wear to church and make sure the outfit is ironed, polished, and mended. If hiking, we have our backpacks, water, snacks, and clothes ready on Friday afternoon.

I prepare spiritually in my daily prayer and devotions, and I try to treat people like God commands us to throughout the week, so that when the Sabbath draws near, I can come to the Creator in adoration and worship.

If you would like to learn more about the Sabbath, or provide insights and personal experiences that I can add to my site, please e-mail me !

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