Rejoicing In the Sabbath:

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Sabbath is indeed kept today. BUT IT IS ONLY KEPT SPIRITUALLY in Christ. Jesus is our sabbath. Paul already dealt with this. He said sabbaths and new moons, etc., were shadows of the body of Christ. Since we have Christ now -- the body -- we have the TRUE sabbath. We have what cast the shadow. We still need a day of rest for our bodies, but it does not have to be the seventh day. Sabbath day was a memorial of OLD CREATION. We are new creatures now.

Colossians 2:16-17 KJV Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: (17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

The principle is: First is that which is natural, then afterwards is that which is spiritual (1 Cor 15:46). The spiritual is the true.

You’re not telling our readers about lunar sabbaths nor that the feast days were often called “sabbaths”. Not every time we read the word “sabbaths” is the writer talking about the seventh day Sabbath of the LORD.

Paul never kept sabbath after his salvation, but went to synagogues on sabbath because that is where he could reach the most Jews to preach to them about Jesus.

The writer of Acts calls the Sabbath…”the sabbath”. Luke never writes, “their sabbath” or “the sabbath of the Jews”.

He said he only did things under law in order to win people under law, not because God expected him to do it personally for God.

1 Corinthians 9:20 KJV And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

Totally different subject. Even in your paradigm, Paul keeps the Sabbath in Christ. Correct?

And sabbath is not included in the commandments of Jesus. Jesus commanded things the Old Testament law and ten commandments never commanded. Read Matt 5 and see that he compared HIS commandments with Law.

Matthew 5:21-22 KJV Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: (22) But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Ah…but you forget that Jesus is teaching rabbinically. Thus Jesus is interpreting the Law of God with reference to it pertaining to thought, word, and deed. In essence, Jesus is reminding them of the “spirit of the law”. Jesus isn’t nullifying the Law of God.

Not only that, but Gal 4 shows Paul's fear for those keeping days, months and years, and these were OLD COVENANT holy times.

Again, an indicator that Paul is taking about the “sabbaths” and the customs accompanying their observance in the Law of Moses. Not the Law of God.

He said Law was schoolmaster for ISRAEL ALONE, and only with them BEFORE Christ came. See Gal 3. And after faith came in Christ they are no longer under a schoolmaster. Chapter 4 carried the same thought on and said that since it was a schoolmaster for Jews who were under its bondage before Jesus, and Jews no longer should keep it, where did saved Gentiles get the idea that they should keep what the Jews are not even supposed to keep any more.

Again, the Law of Moses. It required the sacrifices for various violations that were intended to point them towards the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Paul isn’t writing about the Law of God.

Galatians 3:22-4:11 KJV (22) But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. (23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (4:1) Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; (2) But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. (3) Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: (4) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (5) To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (6) And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (8) Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. (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? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

This was speaking about LAW keeping amongst gentile believers. Context from 3:325 proves this.

Again, you’re not distinguishing between the Law of Moses and the Law of God.

That is why he later said:

Galatians 5:1-4 KJV Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (2) Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (3) For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (4) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Circumcision is only found in the Law of Moses, not the Law of God (the Ten Commandments). Therefore, again, in context Paul is addressing the Law of Moses.

Also, Sabbath Keepers are not “justified” by the Law. We are led of the Holy Ghost to obey the Holy Law of God because we are saved unto good works. Faith without works is dead.

TO BE CONTINUED...