The following is provided by The Bible Study Center of Irvine, Kentucky as a thought starter from one of over 2200 in-depth Bible Studies we have available. If you would like more Info, write to us at P.O. Box 1, Irvine, Kentucky 40336 or call our computer bulletin board at (606) 744-6079 OR (606) 723-3333 to download files of ascii text Bible Studies which you can use with any type of computer. Most of the Bible studies on the BBS get into much deeper areas of the scriptures including many aspects of REVELATION and prophecy for today covered in deep detail. If you like more depth to your studies than most people are used to getting, give the board a try. YOU WILL NEVER BE ASKED FOR DONATIONS, ETC. We offer NO OBLIGATION Bible Studies WITHOUT anyone pestering you for money or anything else. Our studies will only interest SERIOUS Bible students and will DOWNRIGHT BORE anyone else. Over 2200 studies available; 300/1200/2400/9600/14400 baud (v.32/v,32bis/HST/v.42bis) 24 hours a day. This study may be freely posted on other bbs' and distributed to others provided this leader remains with the study text at all times. THIS STUDY WILL PROBABLY BE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU HAVE COMMONLY HEARD TAUGHT (FROM EITHER OPPOSING SIDE) CONCERNING THE SABBATH CONTROVERSY. This study is not written to un-christianize people who believe differently than what is taught here. There are some very fine Christian people who are advocates of a different point of view as pertaining to the Sabbath doctrines. This study is presented by the Bible Study Centerin W. Carrollton, Ohio. It is written by our pastor, Doyle Armstrong, and is sent forth with the prayer that it might at least inspire each and every reader to dig more deeply into scriptural subjects. If you would like more Bible Studies, feel free to call the Bible Study Center Computer Study Library (on your computer) at (606) 744-6079. We serve 300, 1200, and 2400 baud 24 hours daily. For more information, you may write us at 1130 Dale Dr., Winchester, Ky 40391. We will NEVER pester you for money, etc... Many people and various church movements are at "odds" today with one another as to whether or not they should hold "worship" services on Saturday or on Sunday. I often receive literature from people who claim that SUNDAY is the SABBATH, and also from people who claim that worship on Sunday is the mark of the beast. Which teaching (if either) is right? I hope that you are an honest heart, and if you are, I believe that this study will be of benefit to you. The Bible makes very clear that an honest heart is one who does not have any reason or personal desire for truth to be something in particular. They JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS TRUTH. In other words, they don't care what truth is...they just want to learn of it and live it. Let us approach this study with that very attitude of heart. Colossians 2 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 2:15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 2:16 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]: 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ. 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 2:23 Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. The word SABBATH (Greek = sabbaton) used here in this passage is a transliteration of the HEBREW word "Shabbath". The real problem with this word has nothing to do with its meaning (BASICALLY "rest"), but rather has to do with many varied interpretations as to the TRUE PURPOSE of the Sabbath. Let's look at what Paul is teaching concerning the Sabbath. Since Paul wrote MOST of the New Testament period writings, and since Paul was used by God more than any other man (outside of Jesus of course) to TEACH and REVEAL the doctrines for this new covenant (testament) age in which we live, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO TAKE HEED TO HIS MESSAGE. In Colossians 2:17 (just quoted), Paul speaks of a BODY (Greek = "soma" which is normally rendered "BODY") and a "shadow" (Greek = "skia" which definitely refers to a "shadow"; i.e. see its usage in Acts 5:15 which refers to Peter's shadow). I think the reader will readily agree with the following illustration: Old Testament (covenant) period.....CHRIST.....New Testament period ________ ----------________ "holy days" ----- __________ ___________________ "new moons" (shadows) |"BODY" =| | There has to be | "sabbath" _____ | CHRIST | | LIGHT to cast a | __________-------- ---------- | shadow!!! | --------- ------------------- Shadows are not CLEAR pictures, but are vague representations of the reality. Thus the "holy days" (Greek = "heorte" means "FEASTS", the "new moons", and the "SABBATH" were NOT THE REALITY (in the manner they were kept ceremonially under the Old Testament system), BUT INSTEAD ARE JUST VERY DIM "SHADOW" PICTURES OF THE REAL "BODY" OR SUBSTANCE. Let us consider a thought: If a man is married, which would be better? (1) For him to have his marital relationship with his wife? (2) OR should he carry on his marriage relationship with HER SHADOW? The CHURCH is the spiritual "BRIDE OF CHRIST" (2 Corinthians 11:2). I DON'T BELIEVE THAT GOD OR JESUS IS PLEASED IF WE BUILD OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SPIRITUAL HUSBAND'S SHADOW, RATHER THAN WITH HIM. A shadow is only a vague and very dim image of the reality. I would MUCH rather KEEP the REALITY of the sabbath rather than just strive to fulfill the shadow; wouldn't you??? Can we be SURE that the sabbath of the old covenant WAS really just a shadow of the REAL SABBATH (and I am CERTAINLY not talking about Sunday). Notice Paul the apostle's words in Hebrews 10:1. 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Paul states it VERY clearly....THE LAW WAS A "SHADOW OF GOOD THINGS TO COME". I have read books that attempt to lead people to believe that Paul is not speaking here of anything having to do with the SABBATH. However, the writers of those SAME books cross themselves up by striving to prove that OTHER scriptures which speak of the LAW (and use the SAME Greek word "nomos"), ARE speaking of the commandments which include the FOURTH of the ten commandments (the one concerning the SABBATH). The FACT is, Paul understood the basic TRUTH that is expressed in SO many different texts of scripture; THAT THE LITERAL EVENTS, RITUALS, AND RULES OF THE OLD COVENANT, WERE "SHADOWS" TO PORTRAY SPIRITUAL TRUTHS FOR THE NEW COVENANT. Notice for example the following: OLD COVENANT (testament) * NEW COVENANT (testament) ****************************************************************** God's chosen people were * God's chosen people ARE spiritual LITERAL fleshly descendants * descendants of SPIRITUAL ISRAEL; of LITERAL Israel. * JESUS CHRIST. Compare Ex. 4:22 * with Heb. 12:23...Both LITERAL * Israel (nation) AND Jesus are * called God's "FIRSTBORN". 1 Pet. * 2:5-10 speaks of this "HOLY * NATION", which were NOT a people * (i.e. nation) in the PAST (this * NEW NATION is spiritual "ISRAEL". * See also Galatians 4:22-31. ****************************************************************** OLD TESTAMENT ISRAEL were * Spiritual Israel MUST STILL KEEP under the old LITERAL * the law of circumcision, BUT MUST "SHADOW" system which was * do so in a SPIRITUAL manner. given by God in order to * Colossians 2:11. Gal. 5:6 typify the reality. * shows that LITERAL circumcision * does NO one any good if they are * Christians whether they do it or * not. The SAME is true of Sabbath * keeping. ******************************************************************* Please study our file on clean and unclean beasts to see further proof of this very important part of this study. ******************************************************************* OLD TESTAMENT ISRAEL were * Spiritual Israel MUST STILL KEEP under the LAW LITERALLY for * THE SABBATH (not one jot or tittle every CEREMONY contained in * has passed away). SUNDAY is NOT the the LAW. * SABBATH, NOR IS SATURDAY OR ANY * OTHER DAY. Spiritual Israel MUST * KEEP the sabbath in a SPIRITUAL * manner. ****************************************************************** Galatians 4: 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 4:10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 4:11 I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. Many people today are still under this LITERAL bondage of striving to fulfill the types, when we are suppose to be PAST THE SHADOW and come to Jesus Christ, the "BODY". Paul tells us the same was true back in HIS DAY. However, if you will get your Bible and read the entire context, you will find that SUCH LITERALISM WAS DOING GREAT DAMAGE TO TRUE FAITH. He said they were observing various LITERAL "days" and times (i.e. they were still trying to keep the OLD LITERAL aspect of the SHADOW). This was causing them to trust in their own WORKS as part of their salvation. Paul GOT ONTO THEM IN A VERY SEVERE MANNER. Romans 14: 14:1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, [but] not to doubtful disputations. 14:2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day [alike]. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth [it] unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard [it]. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. Paul declares in this text that it is a sign of "WEAK" faith when people feel bound to keep the LITERAL ceremony of the law. Anyone who is at all familiar with Paul's writings will realize that the MAIN subject that he had to deal with in ALL of his letters was this problem of LITERAL "SHADOW" keeping. In this text, he refers to two major parts of this very problem. ONE is the eating of "herbs" (Greek = "lachanon" which refers to vegetation forms of food as contrasted with "MEATS" or animal foods). The OTHER is the observance of "days" under the ceremonial aspect of the LITERAL "shadow" of the law. I REALIZE that Paul did not absolutely FORBID such, BUT HE DID SHOW that people who TRUSTED in such as part of their Christian experience were "WEAK" in FAITH. Why did Paul say this? Because such people were depending on WORKS which were only ceremonial under the old covenant in order to portray TRUE SPIRITUAL WORKS under the NEW COVENANT. We could go on and on, as the types and scriptures which prove this point are very numerous. However, in order to keep this short, I will ask the reader to study some of the other files in order to get the picture more clearly painted in their heart as to how God set up the LAW under the old covenant. For now, we need to learn what IS the TRUE sabbath? God does not REALLY care WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK that we worship Him, as we are suppose to be worshipping Him in "spirit and in truth" now in the NEW COVENANT. A careful study of John 4 should demonstrate that such worship is not even the same thing as our assembling together in order to spiritually "FEED" upon the word of God. WORSHIP is suppose to be a part of our EVERY DAY Christian lives, and not dependent upon being in a particular location, church building, or on a particular day. Also, our spiritual REST (sabbath) SHOULD be a part of our EVERYDAY experience, rather than a Saturday OR Sunday event. I recently read a book written by a Seventh Day Adventist in which he kept stressing that Sunday was the day the ancient pagans named for SUN worship. He forgot to tell his readers that SATUR(N)DAY is the day the ancient pagans named for the worship of Saturn. He also forgot to tell the readers that EVERY day of our week is named for some PAGAN DEITY. The ancients believed in keeping EVERY day HOLY for the sake of some PHONEY non-existent "god". Are we as Christians suppose to do any less for the true and living GOD? From what we have seen in many others of our Bible Studies, the TYPE or "shadow" ALWAYS has literal characteristics which portray the equivalent of the SPIRITUAL characteristics. Let us look at the basic picture which the sabbath portrays. THE SABBATH WAS A "REST". That is even the meaning of the word. Paul speaks of such in Hebrews 4. I am going to INSERT SOME THOUGHTS I hope you will consider. They are surrounded by parenthesis. 4:3 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. (This verse states that TRUE BELIEVERS HAVE entered into a "rest". Even though this is not SABBATON in the Greek, the word that is used, "katapausin" IS THE DESCRIPTIVE TERM which portrays what God required of the SABBATH day. The verses later in this context DEMONSTRATE that the REST spoken of here IS the same as GOD experienced (LITERALLY AS A TYPE) on the seventh day. IT IS A FACT THAT TRUE BELIEVERS ALREADY HAVE THE SABBATH REST, and it is not spoken of as something to be kept weekly). 4:4 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. (Most Sabbatarians stress that God set the example on what they often call the FIRST SABBATH. The Greek word is the same here, "katapausin", as is used in reference to the REST that Christians HAVE in verse 3. 4:5 And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my REST. 4:6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Surely the reader can see here that this REST is not the keeping of a literal SABBATH. The JEWS which are spoken of here DID KEEP THE LITERAL SABBATH, but DID NOT enter into the TRUE SPIRITUAL SABBATH because of their UNBELIEF). 4:7 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. 4:8 For if Jesus (JOSHUA....both names are spelled the same in the GREEK/HEBREW. IF GREEK WERE THE LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN THE DAYS OF JOSHUA HE WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED "JESUS") had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his. (HERE IS THE KEY TO THE MESSAGE PAUL SPOKE OF IN GALATIANS 4. If we enter into JESUS' REST (rest in HIM by faith), WE CEASE FROM OUR OWN WORKS. In other words, we QUIT striving to save ourselves by keeping various religious "works" which are just "SHADOWS". Those are OUR works, and CANNOT SAVE US or KEEP US SAVED). 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (It is easy to understand what Paul is speaking of here if we just notice the entire message of the earlier chapters of Hebrews. He is writing to HEBREW people who have been converted to Christianity and yet are still holding onto their own OUTWARD LITERAL "SHADOW" works of old covenant ceremony. He is trying to get them to see the same thing that he was covering in the letter to the Galatian church. I.E. that they MUST TRUST COMPLETELY IN CHRIST and REST [SABBATH] in HIM. While it is true that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD, James makes that statement clear by showing that WORKS must be the RESULT OF TRUE FAITH, and will also be inspired by the experience in the HEART....NOT BY RELIGIOUS LEGALISM). Though I will wait until later to cover the many more proofs that I an give of this TRUTH, I would like to stress this FACT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SUNDAY IS THE SABBATH, NOR DO I BELIEVE THAT SATURDAY IS THE "SEVENTH" DAY, just because many people today think that it is. In a later study, I will PROVE FROM THE BIBLE WHY THIS IS SO. It is impossible for anyone today to KNOW positively the ORIGINAL seventh day. However, since God is not concerned with the keeping of days, we need not be concerned either. Recently I read a book by a fellow who stated quite strongly that the Catholic church started the SUNDAY worship "system", and he quoted a leader in the Catholic church who made that very claim. What I thought was very strange was that the man who included the Catholic fellow's quote in his book believed (and I agree) that the Catholic church is the result of the APOSTASY which took place in the early church. This author believed (and rightly so) that the people who were striving to serve God as TRUE CHRISTIANS in the middle of the first century WERE NOT and cannot be termed in any way "ROMAN CATHOLICS". However, since it served his purpose, he still quoted the Catholic leader when he claimed that the Catholic church began the system of Sunday worship. The Catholic leader claimed that the Christians who worshipped on Sunday in the mid first century were ROMAN CATHOLICS, and that therefore the Catholic church started the whole thing. Surely the reader who has done any studying at all will realize the fallacy of this. The Christians in the middle part of the first century were FAR from being PAPAL servants...THEY WERE THE TRUE SERVANTS OF GOD. I don't believe that they JUST worshipped on Sunday either; I have read both scriptural and historical accounts which PROVE to me they had CHURCH on various days of the week. Therefore, whether we meet on Saturday, Sunday, or whatever the DAY, let us FEED UPON THE TRUTH OF THE WORD OF GOD WHENEVER WE DO SO.