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People of The Living God |
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December 2020
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
RELIGIOUS BUT NOT GODLY
Alfred King
“And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves” (Mark11:15-17).
All who believe the Bible to be the true word of God realize that all other religions are false religions and lead to eternal death. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life and no man cometh unto the Father but by me”. (John14:6). Clearly then, all other ways lead to destruction. In this article, the purpose is not to go into why other religions are false but to consider the religion of Christianity. In Matt.7:21-23, Jesus declared, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” The importance here is that not only will all other religions be rejected on judgment day, many of those who claim to be “Christians” will also find themselves placed on Jesus’ left hand with the group of goats (Matt.25:33, 41). In the above scripture, Jesus went into God’s house of prayer and found bartering and ungodliness; therefore, He violently cleaned house.
In this article let us garner some insight from the Gospels, which will graphically expose religiosity which may exist within our hearts, especially if we have been of that group of Christians that have attended church most of our lives or have been members of a specific denomination or particular church for a considerable length of time. What we are searching for are signs and attitudes, feelings of superiority, pride, haughtiness, or self-righteousness, which bring awareness that we, and possibly our church, may need Jesus to come and clean house. We may need Jesus to overturn our tables of carnal traditions and scatter some of our “holier than thou” legalistic ideas, or our liberal lascivious greasy grace doctrines in order that we may be truly prepared for judgment day. We must be certain we will be placed on Jesus’ right hand on that day.
Jesus Eats With Sinners
Let’s begin in Matthew9:9-13. “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
What we are considering here is the progression that took place in the hearts of the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day, which all stemmed from their sectarian spirit. It began with just some mild questions, as in this case, which in themselves are not bad if the questions are for the purpose of searching for truth. But we must be sure this is our desire and are certain that we are not motivated by an evil eye looking for reasons to be critical. Many fall into this trap of the enemy, and it is almost always the result of religious teaching which has brought about a rigidity and unbending critical Christianity.
Jesus Breaks The Sabbath
The next burr that got under their Phariseeacle saddle was the Sabbath. Let’s read Matthew12:1-8. “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”
Sadly, there are some Sabbath observers who teach that if one does not observe the Sabbath they are lost. While People of the Living God strongly believe the seventh day of the week is the true Sabbath, its observance is not what saves us. It is through Jesus’ sacrificial offering of Himself for our sins, and by faith in that atoning sacrifice, that man is saved. From that point on, we must study and search for the path in which God calls us to walk. The law of God is most important, and obedience to that law is imperative; for knowingly breaking God’s commands will lead to a falling away. The Sabbath is one of God’s commandments and should be observed. However, there are many who are ignorant of this truth; therefore, God’s grace covers those who are not willingly ignorant.
For those of us who are Sabbath keepers, we must be cautious that we don’t become like the Pharisees of old. The Sabbath is to be observed as scripture commands, but we must never allow the Sabbath truth to rise above its rightful place in the Gospel. Love is the fulfilling of the law, and let us be sure that when we are dealing with others concerning the Sabbath, we always maintain God’s love, both for His law and for the one to whom we are presenting the Sabbath truth. The following account is a prime example of the Sabbath law being abused.
Several years ago a very young couple came to our church who had just been saved and were full of joy and excited about their new found salvation. They had no encounter with the Sabbath teaching and all they knew was Sunday observance. At the same time we had a staunch Sabbath keeper who was also visiting. He began talking to this young couple and, in essence, told them that if they were not observing the Sabbath, they were going to hell. The couple who had such joy in their new salvation and the new life they had found in God were suddenly cast into a pit of despair. They felt they had so transgressed that they were now heading for destruction. In less than thirty minutes, their joy had turned to grief. It took me over two hours to undo the damage this man had done. Truth can be used as a surgeon’s scalpel or as a club to beat people to death. Let us be loving and present truth in love, for truth presented in love can do miracles.
Breaking Tradition
Traditions have a very strong hold on people. We are very comfortable with our traditions and don’t want to break them or dismiss them. In Mark7:1-9, we have an account where the disciples did not wash their hands according to the tradition of the Pharisee and scribes. We begin at verse two: “And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.” Did these Pharisees bother to go to the word of God and see what it said? No! They immediately “found fault.” Continuing in verses three and four: “For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.” Jesus addressed some of their many traditions in Matthew 23, where He seriously stirred the pot and caused the hatred to boil. It is staggering to see how traditions often cause anger and hatred towards those who don’t hold the same traditions.
Jesus stated God’s truth to these men, but their traditions were more important than truth. The Lord responded to their criticism in verses 6-9, very clearly stating that their traditions held more importance and held preeminence over God’s word. “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” As we consider these events, we see hatred building in the hearts of the Pharisees and religious leaders toward Christ. Where it finally ends is astounding.
Jesus Forgives Sins
Let’s begin with Matthew9:2-6. “And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”
Notice how quick these scribes were to judge. They immediately fell back on their church doctrine that stated things had to be done a certain way or it wasn’t to be done at all. They did not take the time or effort to search out the particulars or seek God for understanding and discernment. Their church creeds and doctrines were set in concrete and could not be altered. While it is true that scripture is sound and not to be altered, we must realize that no denomination, movement, or church has all truth. We must continue to study and pray for understanding in this walk with God. As we continue looking at the way in which sectarianism operates, we will also see where it leads. We certainly do not want to end up where these men ended up, so let us consider carefully and reverently God’s word.
Jesus Casts Out A Devil
Notice in these next verses the progression. Even delivering a man from an evil spirit has to be questioned. Matthew9:32-34: “As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.”
As we saw in the beginning of this article, they merely asked questions. Now, however, questions are no longer a part of the narrative. They are in an offense mode. The deliverance of this man possessed of a devil does not deserve a question as to how it was done or what actually transpired. Rather the verdict of evil spirit activity on Jesus’ part was predetermined. The gavel dropped and the sentence was set. Jesus had to be operating through evil spirits. This certainly could not be of God, because their church doctrine taught this wasn’t the way deliverances should come. It was their church’s way or the highway. So sad for Jesus, He just didn’t fit in with their religious sectarianism.
Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem
As one continues to read through the book of Matthew, we find the Pharisees and religious leaders consistently questioning Jesus’ teachings, finding fault with His miracles, with His healings, with His authority, with His disciples, and always seeking to entangle Him in His words. Their hatred escalated to the point where they no longer merely desired to discredit Him but now they set about to have Him killed. Their disdain for Him seems to have reached a climax when Jesus rode into Jerusalem and allowed the people to worship Him. This continued even as He went into the temple. Let’s read Matthew21:15-16. “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”
There are many other incidents recorded where this animosity and hatred for Jesus grew to the point where it drove them. This loathing stemmed from their religious doctrines, traditions, and sectarian legalism. They felt they were the official and legal arbitrators of God’s word; the ones who were called to inforce it upon the populace. They were deceived, blind, and ignorant. They were so egotistically knowledgeable in their own self-interpretation of the law that they did not perceive the evil which was operating in their own hearts, and lacking humility which the law requires, they missed the Lawgiver when He came.
Sectarianism Breeds Hatred
It is clear that strong sectarianism leaves one void of salvation. Carefully consider Jesus’ words to the Pharisees and religious leaders just prior to His crucifixion found in Matthew23:37-38. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” These are words no one wants to hear from the lips of the Savior. However, this is what we will hear if we don’t recognize the sectarian spirit operating in our hearts. One may ask, “Aren’t we required to stand firm on God’s word and not compromise?” Yes, we are. But let me try to show the difference, which is evident in the last scripture referred to, Matthew23:37-38. Notice how Jesus pronounces this condemnation upon the Pharisees, but observe also God’s heart as He says, “how often would I have gather thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings,” and then He concludes with these sobering words: “but ye would not!” Jesus shows by this statement that He was full of love and compassion. It was Jesus’ desire that these should not perish, but they refused to face truth, the truth which would have dislodged them from the error of their ways. But they would not!
Hatred Leads To Murder
“Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified” (Matt.27:22). What began as a few questions about why Jesus did certain things which they possibly did not understand, over time, ended with murder. You may say, “This won’t happen to me”. Hopefully, it won’t, but sectarianism left unchecked will drive one into an unbelievable hatred of others who do not hold to the same doctrinal positions you believe. Sectarianism is a subtle and deceitful enemy which slowly and persistently gains control of one’s thoughts and opinions. It is often controlled through fear coupled with pride. Every Christian must examine himself by searching his heart and face this destructive enemy if he finds it lurking and working in his life. Even during the Great Reformation, Christians fought against one another, even some being killed over differences in theology.
The Pharisees and religious sectarians were so incensed and controlled by their hatred for Jesus that even after their evil deed was accomplished and Jesus was hanging on the cross, they had to gloat in their devious success, and therefore they came to mock Him. “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God” (Matt.27:39-43).
Lied To Cover The Truth
No miracle or supernatural act of God could turn them. While they claimed they would believe if He came down from the cross, the clear testimony of Christ’s resurrection from the dead, witnessed by the guards who were guarding the tomb, did not persuade them to believe. Rather than believe, they held a council to sweep this miracle under the carpet. They paid the guards to lie rather than admit they were wrong and guilty of their grievous transgressions. Surely, their house was left unto them desolate. “Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you” (Matt.28:11-14).
Final Thoughts
Jesus grieved over the multitudes who He said were like sheep, being scattered and without a shepherd. When I read these words of Jesus, it saddens my heart and, yet, it also places a great responsibility upon those who are pastors in our churches. Too many churches and denominations have pastors that are wolves in sheep’s clothing, much like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They fleece the sheep, and as long as the offering plates are full, they do not really care about the souls or the spiritual wellbeing of their constituents. These are some of the very religious teachers who will condemn the truths of God and the work of God in order to hold on to their traditions, keeping their sheep in spiritual darkness.
Sectarianism is a very destructive force, and we often don’t realize it is operating in our lives until we are suddenly awakened and recognize that we are getting angry or suffering from anxiety over some issue that others may be doing in the name of Jesus, things of which we disapprove.
Recently, I received a couple of emails promoting Calvinism. One was a picture of Spurgeon with a quote which read, “… to deny Calvinism is to deny the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Another was a picture of B.B. Warfield. His words of wisdom were, “The world should realize with increased clearness that Evangelicalism stands or falls with Calvinism.” These are truly rash statements and, fortunately, are untrue. Yet Christians are fanatically bound to such false ideas because of doctrines and traditions of men. The church is divided on the issues of Calvinism and Arminianism. Be assured that neither have the whole truth. My response to these emails was: “Truth did not originate with Arminius nor Calvin and both are wrong on several accounts. Somewhere between these two opinions is where scripture stands, and beyond both of these men are truths they neither understood, all of which is plainly taught in scripture. Let us go on, and let us not be bound to the teachings of men with human opinions which do not measure up to God's word. Scripture is the foundation not doctrines of men, and scripture teaches a deeper walk than either of these men knew.” There are Christians on both sides of these positions and both have some truth, maybe even quite a bit of truth, but both left to themselves alone, leave Christians at a very superficial level of spirituality. One obvious reason this is true is that both leave its parishioners spiritually immature. Scripture teaches us to go on to perfection, yet neither Arminianism nor Calvinism actually lead one on to that heavenly state. That great enemy of the church has successfully caused men of the cloth to get hung up on certain ideas that have shut down all progress to the fullness of the Gospel.
The very fact that neither Arminianism nor Calvinism endorse the baptism of the Holy Spirit coupled with the gifts of the Spirit (which are absolutely imperative if one is to go on to perfection) is a clear evidence that they have stopped short. Paul plainly states this in Ephesians4:11-13. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” (emphasis mine) While there are evangelists, pastors, and teachers in the church, the Apostles and Prophets are missing in all the mainline protestant churches. Prophets were not just preachers or declarers of the Gospel; they were men who received messages directly from God. They were called seers because they saw the messages given. Yet today, the false idea is that preachers are prophets. What does this do to the building up of the church? What does this do to bringing about the “perfection of the saints”? If these ministries were given for these purposes: can the goals be obtained without those gifts and ministries operating in the church? Yet we are taught that they are not for today. They supposedly passed away with the early church. This is part of the Gospel that is left out by both Calvinism and Arminianism. If a genuine prophet of God appeared in their churches today and gave a word from God, they would denounce them just as the Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day did with Christ.
In chapter six of Hebrews, the writer wrote: “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God” (Heb.6:1) Biblical doctrines are the foundation stones of Christianity and are critically necessary, yet we are called to “go on.” Calvinism and Arminianism both stop short of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus and, consequently, leave the church weak and vulnerable. This is especially true for the days which are approaching when the powers of darkness are released upon the world. Jesus warned of these days and calls the church to prepare herself and be mature in order to stand in the evil day. Going on involves being baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire and the gifts of the Holy Spirit operating freely in the church. Let us then go on and seek for all that God has for His church.
CREATED FOR OR UNDER
THE FALL
Susan Burton
This morning I was looking at the words reconciliation and atonement in the Bible. Word searches can be a powerful teaching for me. So, as I'm going along, I come to Proverbs16:6; “in mercy and truth, Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.” (NKJV) It made me think back to a time that God spoke to my heart a simple but important truth. Everything in this world is under two categories, either created for or under the fall. The fall only happened because God gave us a free will to make moral decisions. We have proven that we don't make good moral decisions most of the time. We want to be our own god, do things our way, and that leads to lack of peace, misery; sin produces no fruit and eventually death. But GOD provided a way of escape for us. He provided atonement as the means of escape. He provided atonement and reconciliation to Him through His beloved Son, Jesus! Proverbs16:6: “In mercy and truth atonement (cover, cleanse, pardon) is provided for iniquity (sin/evil) and by the fear of the LORD (MORAL REVERENCE) ONE DEPARTS FROM EVIL.” (NKJV) You cannot have true moral reverence or fear of the Lord without true repentance and faith that Jesus died for your sins. Then, through true faith and a regenerated heart, your life will start changing. You will be reaching for what you were created for and will depart from your fallen life.
If we call ourselves a Christian or a follower of Jesus but try to hold on to a lifestyle or belief system that clearly is not what we're created for, then we need to check ourselves. I'm not saying that we won't struggle with the sin nature; of course we do! But to accept and call something good that is evil is totally different. If you find yourself calling evil good, but also calling yourself a Christian, then I ask you to really think about what you are saying. You are calling the Bible a lie, in essence. For example, do you think you were created to abort a human, innocent life in the womb? Or would you say that is something that a fallen nature finds themselves doing out of fear, desperation, or even selfishness? What about if you are a woman but find yourself wanting to be a man? Would you say you were meant to be a man, but God made a mistake and made you a woman? Or what about if you have same-sex desires? Nature and biology tell the truth about both of those questions but, more importantly, the Bible teaches against these things.
There are plenty of sins to choose from, but these mentioned above seem to be major ones that some are saying are ok and not sin. Please don't think that I am trying to pick on you. I'm just human too! I'm asking you to think about it through the lens of created for or under the fall. Even if it comes under the category of the fallen, there is still hope through Jesus! That is the good news! I have struggles myself, not with those type things but other stuff that pertains to the fall. We all do!
The first step is agreeing with God above our own desires no matter how hard it is. It is our reverence for God in saying, “Lord this is hard, but I believe Your words over my own self desires. I will trust You and know that You will help me overcome any and everything that Your WORD says is sin. If I don't, then it's my own fault. Lord, I don't want to try to find a way to get by with what I'm doing, but rather to overcome self and glorify you.” That is a heart that is seeking Him and believes!
Scriptures compel us to not even have a hint of immorality. Ephesians5:3: “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.” This life is messy and hard, but there is hope through Jesus. He atoned for all sins big or small. Even the smallest of sins in our mind have to be atoned for. Nothing impure will enter Heaven. Our purity comes through Jesus Christ alone!
But I am saying there will be evidence that He is truly in our heart by our lifestyle. The Book of James teaches us these principles. Seasoned Christians, we have to tell the truth. We need to be the light for a dark world. We have to agree with the truth no matter how much we love somebody. We cannot be telling people that what they are doing is okay in the eyes of God if it is not. However, when we do speak up about it, our heart needs to be tender and filled with compassion. We need to be long-suffering, patient and full of mercy as God is full of mercy for us! As I share these things my heart trembles, because I know how easy it is to get tangled up in sin. Trust me, I know! I want mercy so I try to give mercy. But I just want good for all of us, and I want to find myself standing up and telling the truth in whatever platform I have. Thank you for letting me share my heart today with you.
FOURTEEN MYTHS ABOUT
THE SABBATH
Randall Walton
Following is a list of fourteen of the most popular arguments which are used against the observance of the Sabbath. We submit our defense in an article immediately following this list. It is our earnest desire to help God's people turn from tradition and myths to the truth as it appears in the Holy Scriptures. Walking in truth rather than error is like the difference between light and darkness.
Myths, fables and traditions have all played a part in the present apostasy which is prevalent all through the professed Christian religion. It is high time that those who desire to follow Jesus Christ open their eyes to the darkness into which the church has fallen due to its hanging on to the decadence of a sectarian system which is influenced by “seducing spirits and doctrines of devils” (IITim.4:1). Truth “sanctifies,” (John17:17) not myths and theosophical foolishness!
The Fourteen Myths
1. The Sabbath was not observed before the law was given from Mr. Sinai. It was only intended for ancient Israel.
2. Jesus abolished the law.
3. Jesus rose from the grave on Sunday making it the “Lord's Day.”
4. The early church fathers observed Sunday.
5. The apostles held their meetings on Sunday.
6. Pentecost occurred on Sunday which proves God blessed Sunday.
7. Sunday, being the first day of the week, is more appropriate for Christians because it speaks of a new life and a new week.
8. We are to keep every day holy.
9. Every person has a right to choose for himself which day to keep.
10. One day in seven is all that counts. The seventh day for one person may not be the seventh day for another.
11. The calendar has been changed. No one knows for sure which day is the seventh.
12. What about the International Date Line? Doesn't that prove that the days are unimportant?
13. Jesus said there are twelve hours in a day. How can you count from sundown to sundown?
14. What about people living in the Artics? How can they count from sundown to sundown?
* * * * * * * * * * *
1. The Sabbath was not observed before the law was given from Mr. Sinai. It was only intended for ancient Israel.
The setting aside of the seventh day as a blessed and holy day was done at the time of the creation. “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made” (Gen.2:2,3). This was, of course, about 2500 years before the Law was issued from Mt. Sinai.
Notice that God sanctified the seventh day; that is, He set it apart and made it holy. Whatever may have happened subsequent to the creation would not detract from the sacredness of the seventh day unless it has been specifically stated by God Himself. And such a statement is nowhere to be found in the Holy Scriptures.
It is noteworthy to mention the fact that some months before the Ten Commandments were given, God gave absolute instructions concerning the Sabbath: He said that manna would fall to the ground six days but not on the seventh. “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord:” “Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day,which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none” (Ex.16:23-26).
God gave an indisputable testimony concerning the Sabbath. Every sixth day the people were to gather twice as much manna as they had on the first five because there would be none on the seventh day. Here was a weekly miracle which began before the Law was given from Mt. Sinai and continued on for the next forty years (Exodus16:35)!
Perhaps this is the reason the Lord said, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex.20:8-11). They were already respecting it, and now they were reminded to “remember” it! God rested that day and they were to do likewise.
Jesus clarified this issue in Mark2:27-28 when He said, “The sabbath was made for MAN (not the Israelite, nor the Jew), and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath.” God sanctified the Sabbath for MAN'S sake, not for ancient Israel.
Is it logical to believe that when God blessed and sanctified the seventh day at creation that He didn't inform Adam and Eve of the fact? We think not! And remember, Adam was not an Israelite. He was man, and the Sabbath was made for man.
It is most apparent that God intended for mankind to cease from his own labors (as God did from His, Heb.4:10) on the seventh day of each week: that day has a special blessing upon it that is not shared by the other days of the week.
2. Jesus abolished the law.
It is not true that Jesus did away with the Ten Commandments, the law. He testified most emphatically that He had not come to destroy the law but to keep it, or fulfill it. “For verily I say unto you, TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS, one jot (a dot) or one tittle (a small mark) shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt.5:18).
In view of this verse, why do we have ministers lifting the fourth commandment out of the law and saying, “This one has passed away”? Jesus' own words make it plain that He did not, nor did He intend to, do away with any part of His great moral standard, the Ten Commandments.
While it is true that the “Mosaic Code” (Moses' law) was abolished because Jesus was the antitype of that typical code, He did not bother the Ten Commands except to broaden or magnify their jurisdiction, e.g., He taught that lust was as sinful as the act of adultery. Sin, He affirmed, begins in the heart of man, and it must be dealt with. And sin, John tells us, is transgression of the law (IJohn3:4). Logic teaches that if there is no law, there is no sin; if there is no sin, there are no sinners; if there are no sinners, then everyone is saved! And no one needs to be born again!?
The attempt to write off the viability of the law of God is one of the most pitiful and weak arguments against Sabbath keeping which has been adopted by men of the cloth. Such a position as this deprives the Judgment of its legitimacy. There must be a standard or criterion to which God holds men accountable; otherwise, His day-of-reckoning would be a farce, or a day of injustice wherein Almighty God would reward some with eternal life while He arbitrarily condemned others to eternal damnation and destruction.
But such is not the case. His eternal precepts and principles stand forth as a beacon of light to those who will receive them. True freedom is found in compliance and obedience to God's divine law, for it is in that state where God Himself dwells.
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law.” Who said that? None other than Brother Paul, who usually is pointed to as the one who disdained the law (Rom.3:31). We, Christians, saved by grace and not by works, we establish, or build up, God's law. How? By breaking it, abrogating it, banishing it from our lives? No! We establish it by keeping it, observing it, obeying it, defending it!
And since the Sabbath is a part of the law, we are compelled to include it right along with the prohibitions of adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, etc.
“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city” (Rev.22:14). Need we say more?
3. Jesus rose from the grave on Sunday making it the “Lord's Day.”
We are made to wonder if this claim has even the slightest credibility. Let us suppose that Jesus rose on Tuesday. Now, can we possibly imagine anyone claiming that Tuesday is the Christian Sabbath because Jesus rose on that day? Nonsense; this myth is a fairly modern one; it was not heard of when Sunday keeping became a “Christian” practice. The resurrection of Jesus is not even remotely connected to the heathen practice of S U N day observance. This false claim deserves to be named for what it is: a monstrous lie!
If Jesus' resurrection changed the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first day, why didn't at least ONE of the Bible writers inform us of this important matter? Nowhere in the New Testament is there the tiniest hint that God removed the blessing from the Sabbath and placed it on Sunday! And, yet, we have millions of devout Christians who believe that Sunday is a holy day. Why? Who told them this big lie? (We'll answer that later.)
Truthfully, Jesus did not rise from the tomb on Sunday morning. If we are to believe His own testimony, then He arose late on the Sabbath day, before sundown. Read carefully Matt.28:1-2 in the KJV or a Greek Interlinear and see for yourself that before the first day of the week began, Jesus was out of the tomb. The modern (per)versions will not tell you the truth about Matt.28:1-2, so don't go there for proof.
But even so, what right does anyone have to say that Jesus' resurrection nullified the sacredness which God placed on the 7th day at creation? Is this not an act of arrogancy on the part of those who promote such an unbiblical argument as this? Think about it!
(Ask for our free tract, “3 Days and 3 Nights.”) John's use of the term “Lord's day” in Rev.1:10 does not, did not, could not, refer to the first day of the week. It is quite possible that he alluded to the period of time in which the events he witnessed while “in the Spirit” took place. If he meant a certain, literal, single day, he most certainly didn't mean SUNday, for the simple reason that only one day was ever called His day: “the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark2:28). The seventh day, then, is truly the Lord's day!
4. The early church fathers observed Sunday.
There is no reliable documentation which declares that Christians observed Sunday in the first or second or third centuries A.D. By the middle of the fourth century it had become illegal to do any business or unnecessary work on “the venerable day of the sun,” as expressed by Constantine, the Roman Emperor. But the first day of the week was not a part of the religious practices of the early Christians. Not only did they not observe Sunday as the Sabbath, neither did they hallow Easter as the resurrection of Jesus! Easter and Sunday were incorporated into the Christian religion straight out of paganism by none other than the Roman Catholic Church. They had no Scriptural basis nor Biblical authority for carrying out this diabolical plan, yet they were successful because they had the military force to back up their claims of power and their right to formulate doctrine.
In fact, they make the boast that, though they had no Bible authority to change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday, the fact that the whole world, including Protestants, observes Sunday proves that they possessed the divine right to make doctrines as they saw fit!
Following are quotations from the Catholic Mirror, September, 1893, in which the author berates the “Bible-Believing Protestants” for following Roman Catholic doctrine:
“… for, inasmuch as Saturday was the day kept and ordered to be kept by God, divine authority alone, under the form of a canceling decree, could abolish the Saturday covenant, and another divine mandate, appointing by name another day to be kept ‘holy,’ other than Saturday, is equally necessary to satisfy the conscience of the Christian believer. The Bible being the only teacher recognized by the Biblical Christian, the Old Testament failing to point out a change of day, and yet another day than Saturday being kept ‘holy’ by the Biblical world, it is surely incumbent on the reformed Christian to point out in the pages of the New Testament the new divine decree repealing that of Saturday and substituting that of Sunday kept by Biblicals since the dawn of the Reformation. (The author here refers to those who profess ‘the Bible only’ as Biblicals, Ed.)
“Examining the New Testament from cover to cover, critically, we find the Sabbath referred to sixty-one times. We find, too, that the Savior invariably selected the Sabbath (Saturday) to teach in the synagogues and work miracles. The four Gospels refer to the Sabbath (Saturday) fifty-one times.
“In one instance the Redeemer refers to Himself as ‘the Lord of the Sabbath,’ as mentioned by Matthew and Luke, but during the whole record of His life, whilst invariably keeping and utilizing the day (Saturday), He never once hinted at a desire to change it. His apostles and personal friends afford to us a striking instance of their scrupulous observance of it after His death, and, whilst His body was yet in the tomb, Luke (23:56) informs us: ‘And they returned and prepared spices and ointments, and rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandment.’
“We now approach the investigation of this interesting question for the next thirty years, as narrated by the evangelist, St. Luke, in his Acts of the Apostles. Surely, some vestige of the canceling act can be discovered in the practice of the apostles during that protracted period.
“But, alas! We are once more doomed to disappointment. Nine times do we find the Sabbath referred to in the Acts, but it is the Saturday (the old Sabbath). Should our readers desire the proof, we refer them to chapter and verse in each instance. Acts13:14,27,42,44. Once more, Acts15:21; again, Acts16:13; 17:2; 18:4.
“‘And he [Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.’ Thus the Sabbath (Saturday) from Genesis to Revelation!!! Thus, it is impossible to find in the New Testament the slightest interference by the Saviour or His apostles with the original Sabbath but, on the contrary, an entire acquiescence in the original arrangement; nay, a plenary endorsement by Him, whilst living; and an unvaried, active participation in the keeping of that day and no other by the apostles for thirty years after His death, as the Acts of the Apostles has abundantly testified to us.
“The Gentile converts were, as we see from the text, equally instructed with the Jews, to keep the Saturday, having been converted to Christianity on that day, ‘the Jews and the Greeks’ collectively.
“God's written word enjoins His worship to be on Saturday, absolutely, repeatedly, and most emphatically, with a most positive threat of death to him who disobeys. All the Biblical sects occupy the same self-stultifying position which no explanation can modify, much less justify.
“Proposing to follow the Bible only as teacher, yet before the world, the sole teacher is ignominiously thrust aside, and the teaching and practice of the Catholic Church adopted, despite the most terrible threats produced by God Himself against those who disobey the command, ‘Remember to keep holy the Sabbath.’
“The Catholic Church for over one thousand years before the existence of a Protestant, by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday. We say by virtue of her divine mission, because He who called Himself the ‘Lord of the Sabbath,’ endowed her with His own power to teach, ‘he that heareth you, heareth me.’
“The only recourse left to the Protestants is either to retire from Catholic territory where they have been squatting for three centuries and a half, and accepting their own teacher, the Bible, in good faith, as so clearly suggested by the writer of the 'Appendix,' commence forthwith to keep the Saturday, the day enjoined by the Bible from Genesis to Revelation; or, abandoning the Bible as their sole teacher, cease to be squatters, and a living contradiction of their own principles, and taking out letters of adoption as citizens of the kingdom of Christ on earth – His Church – be no longer victims of self-delusive and necessary self-contradiction.
“Reason and common sense demand the acceptance of one or the other of the alternatives: either Protestantism and the keeping holy of Saturday, or Catholicity and the keeping of Sunday. Compromise is impossible.” End of quotation!
Constantine, the Roman Emperor, legalized Sunday as a day of rest in A.D. 321, Pope Sylvester in A.D. 325 blessed Sunday, and in A.D. 364 the R.C. church made Sunday keeping mandatory.
The early Protestants did not question the Sunday observance for a lack of Biblical knowledge, but modern Protestants have fabricated all sorts of excuses to justify their keeping of the R.C. holy day, thus creating a hybrid religion which is part Protestant and part Roman Catholic. We agree with the Catholic scribe: either become a Sabbath-keeping Protestant, or a Sunday-keeping Catholic:
“Compromise is impossible.”
5. The apostles held their meetings on Sunday.
This topic was partially covered by number 4, but we'll point to a few popular claims which are made by many people: John20:19 states: “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst.” This, very plainly, was not a worship service nor even a religious meeting. These men were huddled together in fear, no exultation: no singing, praying, preaching or reading the Scriptures.
The next mention of a Sunday meeting is in Acts20:7,8 where we find “upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.” Obviously, this was not a Sunday day-time service. As we all know, days were reckoned from sundown to sundown, not midnight to midnight. Therefore, this meeting was held on what we call Saturday night since the “first day of the week” began at sundown, and Bro. Paul preached until midnight and left on Sunday during the day. There is no record of the apostles ever having a religious service during the day on Sunday, the “first day of the week.” (* Note from the Editor)
In I Cor.16:1-2 Paul gave instruction for carrying out a mission for the destitute saints in Jerusalem who were victims of a severe drought. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.”
It is absolutely incredible to classify the above as a religious meeting, or a worship service, or any other kind of an assembly. Those who use these verses as “proof” that the early church gathered for religious meetings on Sunday are engaged in an exercise of dishonesty and deception. It is most clear that Sunday (the first day of the week) was considered a normal work day, a day upon which to gather together food stuffs, clothing, or other items to send to the poor saints in Jerusalem. This would involve harvesting of crops, by hard, hand labor, packaging them for transport, and perhaps even preserving some perishables. Not the slightest suggestion exists in favor of a Sunday religious service!
But we have read numerous rantings by respected “Bible authorities” who loudly proclaim that Paul commanded the Corinthians to have Sunday worship services! Again, we affirm that this is blatant dishonesty. It is a detestable demonstration of the depths of deceit to which some will descend in order to defend their defenseless traditions.
There exist no other references in the New Testament to the first day of the week. NONE! If modern Christians (Protestants, that is) wish to follow the practices of the early church as a precedent, then they should have their meetings on Saturday and Saturday night, and never on Sunday during the day. (Saturday night, at sunset, is the beginning of the first day and was the time of the meeting recorded in Acts20:7-11).
6. Pentecost occurred on Sunday which proves God blessed Sunday.
Pentecost, along with other annual events, did not fall upon the same day of the week every year. This concept (that Pentecost is always on Sunday) sprang forth as an added “proof” that Sunday was blessed of God as a holy day. But let us reflect upon this momentarily. If the Pentecost in Acts2 was on Sunday, and the basis for this is found in Leviticus23, then Pentecost had always been observed on Sunday, a fact which voids the sanctity of Sunday, because Pentecost had been observed since the time of Moses!
However, Pentecost was a rotational observance along with Passover, Unleavened Bread, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles. It was not a “first day of the week” celebration, nor did it occur on Sunday in Acts2.
In Leviticus 23, Moses set up the times and dates of “the feasts of the Lord.” The first month of the year was the time for the combined feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread. Passover day was a Sabbath, a day of rest when “no servile work” was to be done. The next day was the first day of Unleavened Bread, and was the day upon which the priest was to wave a “sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest” before the Lord. As stated in Lev.23:11, “on the morrow after the sabbath shall the priest wave it.” The Sabbath referred to here is not the weekly Sabbath, but the Passover Sabbath, the day before the waving of the sheaf.
Pentecost, then, was counted from that day, the day of the waving of the sheaf (Lev.23:15,16), fifty days. The fiftieth day was the day of Pentecost (Pentecost means fifty). Thus, whatever day of the week the sheaf waving occurs, Pentecost will fall on that same day (seven weeks and one day).
In order to determine the day upon which the Acts2 Pentecost occurred, we need only to find the day of Passover and the day of the sheaf waving for that year. For the sake of brevity, we will state that Jesus was crucified on the day of Passover (He had eaten Passover with His apostles the night before). We also assert that that day was Wednesday, the middle of the week, and that Thursday was the day of the sheaf waving.
Thursday, then, should have been the day for the priest to wave the sheaf before the Lord. It was also the day to begin counting fifty days to arrive at Pentecost, which, of course, occurred on Thursday that year. Pentecost follows Passover and occurs in the same pattern of annual rotation; it may fall upon any one of the seven days of the week depending upon the day of Passover.
Shall we consider Thursday a special day because the Holy Ghost fell upon the saints in Jerusalem on that day? Of course not! The Holy Spirit is not limited by time nor space; He may fall upon God's saints any day of the week (Even on Sunday).
7. Sunday, being the first day of the week, is more appropriate for Christians because it speaks of a new life and a new week.
This argument is pure hog-wash, even though it is used persuasively by many D.D.'s and Th.M’s. Isn't it strange how man is so adept at concocting fanciful fantasies to bolster his acts of rebellion against God's holy word?
We have heard all sorts of allusions and illusions describing the beauties of a glorious sunrise which comes with the breaking of a new day (which is somehow transferred to the breaking of a new week), all of which is meant to inform God that He made a mistake by resting after having worked for six days. Man has succeeded in improving on God's way! He rests first, then goes to work. How nice!
But what does a new life in Christ have to do with a new week? If carnal man can not come up with something better than this, he ought to resign or at least stop using such flimsy flim-flam to support his brazenness.
8. We are to keep every day holy.
It is impossible to keep something holy which is not already holy. And man isn't capable of making anything holy. The seventh day is holy because God made it so.
While it is true that we should live holy lives before God every day, this is not the same as keeping a day holy. Ceasing to work Sunday doesn't make it holy; going to church on Sunday doesn't make it holy; God Himself hasn't made it holy, so it is not a holy day. It is a pagan holiday, but has not been blessed by God.
So the term, “keep every day holy” is not only unscriptural, it is an impossibility. You just can't do it!
9. Every person has a right to choose for himself which day to keep.
If every person has the right to choose for himself about such an important issue as this, then he should be free to decide whether to obey any of the other commands of God. We say this is an important issue because it is a vital part of the Decalogue. No one has the liberty to pick and choose which of the Ten Commands he will obey. As James put it: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James2:10).
The idea of choice on this subject comes from Romans14:5,6: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” This is no invitation to “take it or leave it,” or do as you please!
No, he more fully explains his reasoning in verse 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 is here placing responsibility upon each individual. He is not approving disregard of the law; he is stating that it is to the Lord that the person will answer for his negligence to obey. That explains why he said, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Paul is not saying that it is okay to esteem every day alike. To the contrary; he affirms the fact that he that esteems every day alike is accountable to the Lord for his actions. He states an undeniable truth in Romans2:13 where he says, “For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but THE DOERS OF THE LAW SHALL BE JUSTIFIED.”
While it is true that we are free moral agents and have the right of free choice, we must accept the consequences of our choices. To suggest that anyone can decide for himself whether to accept or reject obedience to God's commands WITHOUT CONSEQUENCE is a dangerous falsehood. “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” means that you hold your eternal future within the power of your own free will: Your choice is of great importance!
It has been our experience that people who resist and fight the truth of the Sabbath have serious troubles in other areas of their lives which may be even more important than the keeping of the Sabbath. Rebellion begets rebellion and no Christian has the right to live in rebellion.
10. One day in seven is all that counts. The seventh day for one person may not be the seventh day for another.
This flimsy argument hardly deserves an answer, for God blessed, hallowed and sanctified THE seventh day not just any day. It is plainly set apart from the other days in both the Old and New Testaments as a day recognized by heaven as a special time: “If thou turn away thy foot from doing thy pleasure on MY HOLY DAY; and call the sabbath A DELIGHT, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words” Isaiah58:13). Notice God's viewpoint of this day; He calls it “MY holy day.” It would be totally impossible to count one of the other days as the seventh, or regard it as the Sabbath.
11. The calendar has been changed. No one knows for sure which day is the seventh.
There have been many attempts to change the days of the week, but all have failed. While it is true that the calendar has been changed pertaining to the months of the year, the seven days of the weekly cycle have continued unchanged throughout the history of mankind. Astronomers refer to the week as “the seven-day yardstick” which is used to calculate both the past as well as the future. It is an unerring record of time which has continued from creation to the present.
It is remarkable that some of the folks who make this false claim seem to have no trouble at all in knowing when the first day of the week arrives. Their only problem seems to be with the seventh day!
12. What about the International Date Line? Doesn't that prove that the days are unimportant?
The International Date Line is irrelevant insofar as the Sabbath is concerned. God created the earth as a sphere with the full knowledge that daylight would not be visible in all places at the same time on the globe. Nevertheless, He commanded that a certain day be remembered as a holy day wherever man may find himself.
When humankind were few in number and were located in a small general area, the observance of a certain day posed no real problem. But once man had discovered the shape of the earth and began to navigate its surface, the problem of time-keeping became a reality. Man realized that in order to avoid confusion from one area to another, it was necessary to establish an imaginary point at which one day ends while another begins. Thus the International Date Line.
If anyone wished to anchor a ship near the International Date Line and traverse back and forth over that line, he could end up with either 6 days or 8 days, depending upon the direction of his travel. However, that would not change the rest of the world which would continue on its ever-faithful course of making 7 full days per week. The important thing is to go by the sun in whatever time zone you happen to live.
Here in the continental U.S. We have 4 different time zones. When it is 6 p.m. in San Francisco, CA, it is 9 p.m. in Washington, D.C. Is that a problem? No, not at all. Every person who keeps the Sabbath holy does so according to the time when the sun sets in his zone. Since God created the earth, He took into account the problems and possibilities, and He provided the means to cope with any problems. And if He is not perplexed by it, why should we be?
13. Jesus said there are twelve hours in a day. How can you count from sundown to sundown?
Truly, Jesus did make the statement, “Art there not twelve hours in a day” (John11:9). The Jews observed time much as we do: 24 hours broken into two 12 hour segments. However, they counted from sunset to sun-up, and sun-up to sunset. Normally, there would be about 12 hours of darkness and 12 hours of daylight, although seasonal changes would lengthen and shorten the sunlight hours as per the time of the year. But each day included a night-time of darkness. This in no way affects the Sabbath (Lev.23:32).
14. What about people living in the Artics? How can they count from sundown to sundown?
Those who live in the Arctics where days alternate from 24 hours of sunshine to 24 hours of darkness still are aware of the time in relation to the rest of the world. It is not as if they are on a different planet. It still takes 24 hours to make a complete rotation on a common axis with the rest of the earth. The time zones extend from pole to pole so that those people who live near or above the arctic circle (or Antarctic Circle in the southern hemisphere) observe time in accord to the rest of the people in any given time zone. So what's the problem?
The Importance of the Sabbath
While the Sabbath is a great truth, the observance of it does not guarantee salvation for anyone. No one is saved by keeping the Sabbath anymore than people are saved by not stealing. It is not the seal of God; it is not a surety. It is a divine command which man has been ordered to obey. The penalty for breaking this command is the same as that for breaking any of the other commands of God: death!
The Sabbath is a shadow of things to come; it is a sign of the rest into which God has called His people, the rest of ceasing from “our own works as God did from his” (Heb.4:1-11). It is a weekly reminder that there is a rest for the people of God which is available now, in this lifetime. It is possible for man to walk so closely to God, in obedience to the Father's will, fully surrendered to the perfect (#7) will of the living God, that he no longer does his own will, but lives as Jesus lived: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt.3:17).
Jesus always did the will of His Father. Even the words that He spoke and the works that He did were from His Father. His commitment to the Father was total; His surrender was complete. He “ceased from his own works as God did from his.” He wants us to do the same. And He has given us the seventh day as a weekly jolt to inspire us to “cease from our own works” and enter into that glorious rest, the rest which is signified by the holy seventh day.
ADDENDUM
It is a well-known and documented fact that the substitution of Sunday for the Sabbath is not the only pagan observance the Roman Catholic Church is responsible for. Both Christmas and Easter are of pagan origin and were incorporated into Christianity via Rome. They were both celebrations of ancient heathen peoples and date back centuries before Jesus came on the scene.
Why should Christians observe purely pagan holidays which have absolutely no connection whatever with Jesus Christ and His life? People spend untold millions of dollars observing those heathen holidays who wouldn't think of obeying the words and commands of the Savior. Odd, isn’t it? Have you ever wondered how God looks at all of this foolishness which is carried on in the name of the Lord?
*Note from the Editor:
There is a fundamental misconception of this portion of scripture found in Acts 20. Luke’s intention of including this event in his record of the Acts of the Holy Spirit, is the miracle of the resurrection of Eutychus, who fell asleep while sitting in a window and fell to his death from the third loft. Luke’s focus was not on the service per-se but to glorify God for this wonderful miracle.
With this in mind, consider what the scripture actually says: “And upon the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7), is when the young man Eutychus fell, died, and was resurrected. This even is the subject of Luke’s record. The way the King James versions (and other versions also) is written, gives the impression that the disciples came together on the first day of the week but this is not true. The next phrase in Acts 20:7, according to the KJV is: “when the disciples came together to break bread”. This is not a correct translation. Let’s look at the actual translation from George Ricker Berry’s Interlinear of the New Testament. “And on the first [day] of the week, the disciples having been assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, about to depart on the morrow;” “having been assembled” is past tense, which clearly supports the premise that the focus of this record was the miracle and not an issue of Sabbath or Sunday worship. Once one reads this portion of scripture, he will see very clearly: The disciples had gathered for service on Sabbath, probably shortly before sundown. Paul preached until midnight, at which time Eutychus fell and was resurrected, which was the first day of the week. I pray this helps clarifies this point.
OPEN LETTER TO AMERICA’S CHRISTIANS
In light of the recent election and the ongoing turmoil, it is important that all Christians remember that while we are American citizens and desire the best for this nation, we are, first and foremost, children of God and citizens of another kingdom, a kingdom not of this world; rather a spiritual kingdom. In Col.1:13-14 Paul wrote: God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Being citizens in Christ’s kingdom, we have a Constitution which rises even above the Constitution of the United States of America, and under that Constitution we are called to a higher, more righteous, nobler, and holier standard which we must always remember when facing situations such as we are facing today in this nation.
When standing condemned before Pilate, Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John18:36). It is to this kingdom that all believers belong. The anger, division, strife, and contentions which exist in our nation must not serve to divide God’s people. Where we do not hold the same political opinions and ideas as to what is best for America, we must allow the laws of a better kingdom guide us through these difficult times.
One of the great difficulties is that there are Christians on both sides of the political aisle. Those on one side don’t understand how those on the opposite side can be “Christian” and vote the way they do or believe the way they do. All honest people realize there are flaws and faults in both party’s platform, and recognize that most career politicians are dishonest and, almost always, self-serving. Let us, as Christians, not be caught up in the world’s political machine and war against one another.
President Trump is certainly not a polished politician and is known for his crudeness and outspokenness, which can and does rub people the wrong way. We are used to politicians who weigh every word to gain the approval of most of those listening. After all, they are out for the votes. Some Christians cannot understand how any “Christian” could support and vote for someone like Donald J. Trump because of his obvious faults. They feel he has mismanaged the recent pandemic, bullied those who oppose him (even other nations), takes credit for things others in his party have accomplished, and is relentless in keeping immigrants, seeking a better life in the United States, from entering. Even his past is not that which would be such as would merit the presidency, the president of the most powerful nation in the world. He seems to be everything the Bible condemns: haughty, arrogant, proud, assertive, void of compassion, and the list goes on.
Yet across the aisle, the question is reversed and they wonder how “Christians” can vote for those who want to abort babies in the womb, support homosexuality, and gender preference (which by the way, some on the right support also), political correctness (taking away our first amendment rights) and a list which goes on and on.
Part of the problem lies in the fact that our news stations no longer present the facts of what is occurring in our nation and allowing America’s citizens to form their own opinions. Instead, they spin the news in support of their agenda and personal political leanings. One has to “shop around” to find truth.
There are truths which can be obtained and upon which we, as Christians, can rest, and they are found in God’s word. One very important truth is that we are all children of God and, therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus prayed that we would all be one, just as He and the Father are one and we must always remember that while we may not see eye to eye, we must still love one another and maintain respect for each other. None of us possesses all truth nor do we see as God sees; we are still learning as we listen to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to teach us.
The Corinthian Church had many problems, and those problems caused division among the congregation. In writing to them, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (ICor.1:10). In chapter 12 of the same book, Paul writes of the unity of believers and stresses the importance that the body of Christ functions as one. Consider a few verses from this chapter: Verse 12-14, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” Every born again believer is a member in the body of Christ and, if we are divided, we open ourselves up for the enemy to take advantage of us; for division weakens us. To allow our political views to separate us is harmful to the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing unity in God’s church. This does not mean that we don’t stand for truth and stand firmly. There are sins which Christians cannot condone nor allow to enter the congregation of the saints. We are in a constant warfare, striving against sin in our own lives as well as laboring to keep those transgressions which the sly ole devil attempts to slip into the midst of God’s people. God demands a holy people, a pure congregation. Paul tells us that God is going to present to Himself “a glorious church, having not spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph.5:27).
A church or body of believers which fits into this class cannot be divided and warring one against another. Rather, they are those who love one another just as Jesus loves.
How does this work out in our present crisis? To begin with we must spend some considerable time before God in prayer, confessing our sins and the sins of this nation. America has sinned greatly against God and His law. Our political leaders have succumbed to the pressures of the multitudes who have no moral compass and have no concern for God or His word. Scripture warns us that we reap what we sow and what is happening in America is certainly deserved. America has thumbed her nose at God, and sin has come in like a flood sweeping through this land taking multitudes in its wake. The church is America’s only hope. Therefore, we must not allow our enemies to divide us and weaken us. God hears the prayers of His people, and He is a God who not only hears but also answers. When God’s people unite, there is no power which can stand against them. This is where our strength is and where our security lies.
While we have our opinions and our political preferences, let us remember that we are, first of all, children of God, citizens of the kingdom of God and, as citizens, have been given power over all the power of every enemy. Let us rise to the call of this hour and be united in Christ Jesus, for it is in unity that we shall overcome and God will set up who He knows will be the best for our nation and His church.
The Editor