The following chapter in Romans I think refers to Christians
versus Jewish believers that are still under the impression that we are to observe the Sabbath. (Romans 14)
However, some groups make observing the Sabbath a part
of justification or even declare that in the end this will constitute the mark of the beast.
I personally don't see the reason for a non
Jew to observe the sabbath but won't argue with him or her on it, unless he or she thinks that this is what justifies
a person.
I used to go the church on Saturday, but it was so I could
sleep in on Sunday.
Josh McDowell speaking of the circumstantial evidence of
the Resurrection says,
"Fact number two is the sociological phenomenon of
the Christian Sunday. the decision to change 'the day of worship' from the Sabbath (Saturday) to the first day of the week.
(Sunday) probably is one of the most significant decisions ever made by a group of people in history. This is especially true
when one considers the consequenses the Jews believed would result if they were wrong.
The early Christians were devout Jews who were fanatical
in their observance of the Sabbath. The Jews feared breaking the sabbath. They believed they would incur the wrath of
God if they broke it. Yet something happened that caused these committed Jewish men and women to turn their backs on all their
years of religious training and tradition.
They changed their 'day of worship' to Sunday in honor of
the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I know of no other historical event that is celebrated 52 times a year.
The most rational explanation for all this is that Jesus
Christ appeared to them after His resurrection. (The Resurrection Factor, McDowell, pg. 107)
Though the OT scripture do say to 'keep it holy' (Exodus
20:8), which I would think worship would do.
This also brings to mind that 'man was not made for the sabbath but the
sabbath for man.' (Mark 1:27) So this is a time of rest. So if I rest on saturday or Sunday it should not really matter as
long as I rest, right?
Doesn't the scripture say somewhere that Jesus is our rest?
"And God did rest the seventh
day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that
some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a
certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not
your
hearts. 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore
a rest to the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from
his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (Hebrews
4)
Here is a link that talks more about it: http://www.carm.org/sda/sunday.htm
I am remembering
a story that the Late Walter Martin (Cult Expert) told. It was a long time ago so pardon the loose paraphrase.
He told
of a man who hadn't seen his sweetheart in quite some time.
He approaches the plane where she is to step off and when
she steps off the plane he comes running toward her.
Finally, getting to where she is he falls down on the ground and
starts embracing her shadow.
This is a silly story meant to show the silliness of those that embrace the shadow when
the Person is here.
What is the purpose of the shadow, except to let us know the person is nearby.
"Let no man
therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which
are a SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME; but the body is of Christ."
(Colossians 2)
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11)
"For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as
he hath said, As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest:
although the works were finished from the foundation
of the world. For he hath said somewhere of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God RESTED on the seventh day from all his
works; 5 and in this
[place] again, They shall not enter into my REST. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should
enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of
disobedience, 7 he
again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if
ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts. 8 For if Joshua had given them REST, he would not have spoken afterward of
another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a SABBATH REST for the people of God. 10 For he that is entered into HIS REST hath
himself
also rested from his works, as God did from his." (Hebrews 4)
The sabbaths and the Jewish Feasts were meant
to point to the person.
Only if we see that these are shadows and Jesus is the substance do we get the whole meaning
from these feasts.
BJ Maxwell
