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Sabbath In The New Testament Q&A

Welcome to The Sabbath In The New Testament Q&A study

The object of God's work in this world is the redemption of humans and the Sabbath is designed to bring them into communion with God.

Therefore that which is necessary to be done on the Sabbath in the accomplishment of this work is in accordance with the Seventh-day Sabbath law of the Bible.

How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Matthew 12:12

Nevertheless, when the mind is absorbed with wearisome rites and man-made rules, the object of the Sabbath is thwarted. Its mere outward observance is a mockery.

Today as in the past, any denominational heartless ceremonies can not supply the lack of that truthful integrity and tender love which will ever characterize the true worshiper of God.

God values the service of love.

Question: What was the attitude of Christ toward the Sabbath when He was on the earth?

Answer: Luke 4:16.

He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Mark 1:21; 6:2.

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

When the sabbath day came, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things?

and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Question: Should Christians follow His example?

Answer: 1 Peter 2:21; 1 John 2:6.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Question: If Jesus was on the earth today, what day would He observe as the Sabbath?

Answer: Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Question: In foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, what command did Jesus give concerning the Sabbath?

Answer: Matthew 24:20.

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day.

Question: What example of Sabbath observance is given us by His followers at the crucifixion?

Answer: Luke 23:50-56.

Behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

That day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulcher, and how his body was laid.

They returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Which day is the Sabbath according to the commandment?

Answer: Exodus 20:10.

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates;

Question: What did they do when the Sabbath was past?

Answer: Luke 24:1.

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

Question: Which day did Paul and those who were with him observe at Antioch?

Answer: Acts 13:14.

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Question: At the close of the discourse, what request was made by the Gentile converts? With what result?

Answer: Acts13:42, 44.

When the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles thought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

And the next sabbath day almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.

Question: Where did the people assemble at Philippi for worship and on what day?

Answer: Acts 16:13.

On the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women which resorted thither.

Question: What example is given us by Paul at Thessalonica?

Answer: Acts 17:2, 3.

Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Opening and alleging, that Christ must have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Question: How long did Paul remain at Corinth?

Answer: Acts 18:11.

He continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Question: What did he do on the Sabbath-day?

Answer: Acts 18:4.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Question: What instruction did Jesus give regulating the observance of the Sabbath? What work is permissible?

Answer: Matthew 12:10-12.

Behold, there was a man who had his hand withered. They asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.

And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

How much better then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Question: From what should we refrain on the Sabbath? What blessing is promised to those who keep the Sabbath?

Answer: Isaiah 58:13, 14.

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable;

and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth,

and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Overview

Sabbath sacredness was the only reason people of Judea were to pray their flee to the mountains not to be on that day.

Paul haven't instructed the Gentile converts that change of the Sabbath had been made at this time.

Worship was held by the riverside, which shows that they did not meet in the synagogues on the Sabbath simply because the Jews met on that day.

Note that in all these texts the Spirit of God calls that day upon which they met - the Sabbath day.

Jesus crowned His argument by declaring Himself the Lord of the Sabbath - One above all questions and above all authorities.

Therefore, the Seventh-day Sabbath is the Lord's day. It belongs to Christ.

Furthermore, The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. The institutions that God has established are for the benefit of humanity.

References:

Lessons on The Great Three-Fold Gospel Message 1904
DA 286 - The Ellen G. White Estate
The Bible King James Version (KJV)