Post by John on Jul 13, 2018 19:55:20 GMT -5
What is the Sabbath day? We know that in Old Testament, it was on the seventh day, because that is the day that God rested from all of his works, so he hallowed that day. That means that in the Old Testament, and up until the cross, the Sabbath was on Saturday. This shouldn't even be debatable. Knowing that, how is it we have people today calling Sunday the Sabbath day? Did the Bible change the Sabbath from the seventh day of the week to the first day of the week? No place that I can find. My opinion as to how this change came to be is based on my study of scripture. If you read in the book of Acts, you will notice that it was a common practice for the early church to meet on Sunday, which became known as the Lord's Day. This allowed for many of the Christian Jews to attend the synagogue services on Saturday, which allowed for them to witness for Christ. Then they would come together on Sunday. The question is, what are we to observe today? The Saturday Sabbath? The Lord's Day? What? Let's turn to Hebrews 4:1-11, as that gives us the answer.
LET us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
What is this passage telling us? The message went out to everyone, but it didn't benefit any but those who believed. He is warning his listeners that if you don't believe, you will come short of entering into God's rest. Here is the key. "For we which have believed do enter into his rest." That is how we benefit from the Sabbath today. Through faith in Christ, we automatically enter into his rest. We cease to trust our works to save us, and rest in Jesus. In the past, you had to observe the seventh day, which was a work, or you were guilty of violating the Sabbath. Today, we simply trust in Christ. The message of the gospel was first brought to the natural Jews, and they failed to enter in because they didn't believe. The message was then brought to the gentiles, and many believed and entered into God's rest. It is no longer about a day on the calendar, but it is about faith in Christ.
There are many types and shadows in scripture. It was because of unbelief that the Jews couldn't enter Canaan, and wandered in the wilderness 40 years. Only Joshua and Caleb were able to enter in among the adults who were alive when God first told them to take possession of the land because they believed the Lord. The same thing applies to entering into God's rest today. It is only possible through faith. We either believe God or we don't. We either believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God or we don't.
LET us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, Today, after so long a time; as it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
What is this passage telling us? The message went out to everyone, but it didn't benefit any but those who believed. He is warning his listeners that if you don't believe, you will come short of entering into God's rest. Here is the key. "For we which have believed do enter into his rest." That is how we benefit from the Sabbath today. Through faith in Christ, we automatically enter into his rest. We cease to trust our works to save us, and rest in Jesus. In the past, you had to observe the seventh day, which was a work, or you were guilty of violating the Sabbath. Today, we simply trust in Christ. The message of the gospel was first brought to the natural Jews, and they failed to enter in because they didn't believe. The message was then brought to the gentiles, and many believed and entered into God's rest. It is no longer about a day on the calendar, but it is about faith in Christ.
There are many types and shadows in scripture. It was because of unbelief that the Jews couldn't enter Canaan, and wandered in the wilderness 40 years. Only Joshua and Caleb were able to enter in among the adults who were alive when God first told them to take possession of the land because they believed the Lord. The same thing applies to entering into God's rest today. It is only possible through faith. We either believe God or we don't. We either believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God or we don't.