1. Why We Do Not Keep the Sabbath

2. What does the Bible teach about this?
We meet on the “first day of the week” (Sunday), because in the New Testament that is what we are told to do
But many believe we ought to meet on “the Sabbath” – 7th Day Adventists, some churches of God, Messianic Jews, etc.
Others have deemed it unimportant
What does the Bible teach about this?

3. The Sabbath for Israel Exodus 20:8-11 – part of 10 commandments
Given to the nation of Israel Deuteronomy 5:2-3 Exodus 31:12-18 (13, 16-17)

4. The Sabbath for Israel
Ezekiel 20:12, Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

5. The Sabbath for Israel
Nehemiah 9:13-14, “You came down also on Mount Sinai, And spoke with them from heaven, And gave them just ordinances and true laws, Good statutes and commandments. You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, By the hand of Moses Your servant.”

6. The Sabbath for Israel
There is NO observance of the Sabbath in Genesis (with the patriarchs)
What about Genesis 2:1-3?
Even with this, we do NOT read of anyone in Genesis observing the Sabbath.
Moses wrote to Israel, including Genesis and could be including this for the benefit of Israel. Also explains the week!

7. The Sabbath for Israel What about Exodus 16:23-29?
In wilderness on way to Mt. Sinai.
First mention of Sabbath, and it was to His nation, Israel, that WOULD meet at Mt. Sinai.
This could be preliminary instructions to teach and PREPARE Israel to keep the Sabbath.
NOTE that many did not listen

8. The Old Law has been replaced
We are no longer under the Old Law – ANY of it!
Jeremiah 31:31-34 promise of a new covenant
Hebrews 7:12, a change in law needed
Hebrews 8:7-13, quotes Jeremiah

9. The Old Law has been replaced
We are no longer under the Old Law
Ephesians 2:14-16, Jesus broke down the middle wall of separation (the LOM), abolished the commandments
Colossians 2:13-16, he wiped out the handwriting of requirements. Let none judge you in … Sabbaths

10. The Old Law has been replaced
We cannot use the Old Law to justify what we do today – instrumental music, incense, priestly garments (clergy – laity)

11. The Old Law has been replaced
Is there a distinction between the covenant and ceremonial laws?
2 Corinthians 3:7, the LOM was described as, “the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious…”
Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, 10:2-4 (both sets)

12. The Old Law has been replaced
Is there a distinction between the covenant and ceremonial laws?
Romans 7:4, you have become dead to the law (of Moses – TT) through the body of Christ
Romans 7:7, What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.”

13. The Old Law has been replaced
Today we observe MOST of the original commandments…
Not because they were part of the LOM, but because they are taught in the New Testament.
We meet on Sunday, because that is what is taught in the New Testament

14. The “first day of the week”
Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-2, Luke 24:1-2, John 20:1 – all 4 gospels make reference to the day Jesus arose. Why?
This was a new beginning! (cf. Romans 6:3-4)

15. The “first day of the week”
Acts 2:1, the day of Pentecost – a Sunday
Pentecost (or feast of weeks) was an annual feast observed 50 days AFTER the Passover Sabbath (Leviticus 23:15-16)
The day the church began

16. The “first day of the week”
Acts 20:7, the disciples came together “to break bread” on “the first day of the week”. Note also vs. 6, where Paul waited 7 days. He departed the next day (vs. 11)
1 Corinthians 16:1-2, the day we “lay by in store…” (give)
Frequency? How often is there a “first day of the week”?

17. The “first day of the week”
Why, in Acts do we find Jewish Christians still keeping the Sabbath and other Jewish traditions?
While they did, it was not necessary, NOR could it be compulsory.
Cf. Romans 14:6, etc.

18. The “first day of the week”
Jewish Christians observed Jewish traditions?
Could they have done this for reasons OTHER than keeping the Old Law?
Meeting with Jews afforded opportunities to teach Christ as Messiah
1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Paul always went to Jews first

19. The “first day of the week”
Jewish Christians observed Jewish traditions?
Portions kept as heritage (why change dietary law, when not necessary? Why not still rest, remember God, and be with family on Saturday if you could?)
NOTE: This did not replace NEW commands (such as Sunday and Lord’s Supper). And they COULD NOT BIND IT!

20. The “first day of the week”
Jewish Christians observed Jewish traditions?
A “learning curve” - Time to learn and mature in the faith – many of the issues with conscience had to do with the “weak” and the “strong”
2 Corinthians 3:11, Hebrews 8:13

21. The “first day of the week”
Early patristic writers, consistently make reference to meeting on Sunday
While NOT inspired, these early writers give us insight into what Christians did during early centuries after the church was established

22. The “first day of the week”
Early patristic writers:
The Didache (c. A.D. 120) declares that “every Lord’s day” the Christians gather themselves together and “break bread” (ANF.VII.381).
Wayne Jackson,

23. The “first day of the week”
Early patristic writers:
The Epistle of Barnabas (c. A.D. 120), in discussing such things as incense, new moons, and Sabbaths, says that the Lord “abolished these things” in deference to “the new law of our Lord Jesus Christ” (ANF.I.138). Later, it is affirmed: “Wherefore, also, we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead” (I.147).
Wayne Jackson,

24. The “first day of the week”
Early patristic writers:
Tertullian (A.D. 200) argued that the “old law” had been consummated; thus the “observance of the Sabbath is demonstrated to have been temporary” (ANF.III.155). Elsewhere he says that “Sabbaths are strange” to Christians, and that they share together “the Lord’s day” (70).
Wayne Jackson,

25. Are we worshipping Him as He commands us?