Rejoicing In the Sabbath:

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Aquila

James didn't list Sabbath keeping because it wasn't an issue of debate. You find Paul and others, including Gentiles gathering on the Sabbath throughout the book of Acts. Not once do they gather corporately on Sunday.

If they did not make it an issue FOR US by instructing us that we SHOULD keep it I dont consider it an issue.

When you see Paul visiting the Synagogues in Acts you will notice it was for the purpose of preaching Yeshua as the Messiah. I looked the places up years ago and thats what I discovered.

Also the Synagogue was the center of Jewish life so it would not be unusual for any Jew to go there.

My point is that these same Jewish APOSTLES concluded that Gentiles were not under the law of Moses. Its obvious from James statement that there were thousands of Messianic Jews who WERE still observing the law.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

If they did not make it an issue FOR US by instructing us that we SHOULD keep it I dont consider it an issue.

When you see Paul visiting the Synagogues in Acts you will notice it was for the purpose of preaching Yeshua as the Messiah. I looked the places up years ago and thats what I discovered.

Also the Synagogue was the center of Jewish life so it would not be unusual for any Jew to go there.

My point is that these same Jewish APOSTLES concluded that Gentiles were not under the law of Moses. Its obvious from James statement that there were thousands of Messianic Jews who WERE still observing the law.

What I dislike about the first sentence now is that you pretty much have to add "Commandment abolished" after it?

Reflections of the Church that's coming in paragraph 3...

I'd agree that the Apostles witnessed Gentiles not keeping the Law--such is Grace. We are further informed that this discussion will arise, and its importance should not overshadow Grace. Amen. I would like to suggest that if you take the trouble to observe the Sabbath anyway, just a little test, like a year, or a month, that your life will change, and you prolly will not go back.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

What I dislike about the first sentence now is that you pretty much have to add "Commandment abolished" after it?

Reflections of the Church that's coming in paragraph 3...

I'd agree that the Apostles witnessed Gentiles not keeping the Law--such is Grace. We are further informed that this discussion will arise, and its importance should not overshadow Grace. Amen. I would like to suggest that if you take the trouble to observe the Sabbath anyway, just a little test, like a year, or a month, that your life will change, and you prolly will not go back.

Traditional "Apostolics" would give the same challenge. Just TRY tithing for a while. Just try shaving your beard for a while. Women just try never trimming your hair. Just try taking off that watch for a while. They will tell you you will never go back!

[Titus2woman]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Traditional "Apostolics" would give the same challenge. Just TRY tithing for a while. Just try shaving your beard for a while. Women just try never trimming your hair. Just try taking off that watch for a while. They will tell you you will never go back!

Only in this Michael you give up nothing and gain everything.

Peace and rest made for man by God... how we get to a place that we find fault with that is astounding.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

The issue of whether Gentiles must obey the law of Moses was settled in the first century New Testament Church.

Hear the words of the Apostle Yacob (James).

Acts 21:25

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe , we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Since James does NOT include Sabbath keeping I dont do it. If he HAD then I would have no choice in the matter.

Methods of Sabbath keeping in the Law of Moses don't apply. The Sabbath itself however, is in the Law of God.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

It seems to me here that the Law is fulfilled, and not abolished? After all, James was merely stating observations there; doesn't seem to rise to the level of Commandment...

Amen. Context was a debate on circumcision, not Sabbath. We can see early church practice in Acts. The Gospel was preached and believers gathered corporately on the Sabbath. We do not see a break from this in the NT. The Sabbath is mentioned quite a bit in Acts. The problem is not drawing distinction between the Law of Moses (cultural) and the Law of God (moral). The Law of Moses was to Address Israel as a nation. The Ten Commandments reveal God's holiness and intent for all of mankind throughout the ages.

[Aquila]

Interesting...traditional Christians decry taking the Ten Commandments out of schools and courts. But they refuse to allow them into their hearts and churches.

[bbyrd009]

Ah, and let me say that, for me, I gave up a lot! It was tough! Saturday was my busiest day! Can't really relate it to the "watch" thing, though, I think because someone else would be watching in that scenario...lol.

[bbyrd009]

Amen.

"I do not serve a God who day and night roams the earth seeking whom he may devour."

Awesome.

[NorCal]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Amen.

"I do not serve a God who day and night roams the earth seeking whom he may devour."

Awesome.

Nope, I serve one that "Cometh like a Thief in the night".