THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 52 Is Sabbath Keeping Binding Today?

“8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 but the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11, KJV).

Loved ones, Satan, in an effort to deceive mankind in this Spiritual Battle, has bound Sabbath keeping on the unlearned. The state of Michigan has ratified four constitutions: in 1835, 1850, 1908, and its current one in 1963. The current one has some of the same items as were in the first three. Even so, the one in force now is the only one that guides the state.

Likewise, the Bible has had two testaments. The New Testament includes matters that were in the Old Testament. For instance, the New Testament has nine of the Ten Commandments. It does not include Sabbath-keeping. The Old Testament is "dead" for this dispensation. It was a covenant for the Jews and not for the rest – the Gentiles.

Christians can and should read and study the 39 books of the Old Testament. It tells about the creation, history of God's dealing with man for several hundred years, and it gives principles and examples that are beneficial. The apostle Paul wrote of one purpose when he said, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Many examples of obedience, courage, faith, and patience are for our "learning."

Another purpose is that it was a tutor to bring humanity to Christ. “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” (Galatians 3:24). NOTICE: We are no longer under a tutor, which is the Old Testament law.

The New Testament is prolific in declaring that it has replaced the old for divine authority in this age. Three illustrations make it abundantly clear that the Old Testament law is dead.

(1) This was illustrated by marriage (Romans 7:3-6). The Holy Spirit teaches that after a woman's husband dies "she is free from that law" (v. 3). Paul’s application was, “4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead …6 But now we are delivered from the law….” Yes, the Old Testament law is dead.

(2) The second illustration is described in Galatians 4:21-31 (please read). The bondwoman and the freewoman represent the two covenants, one from Sinai and the other from Jerusalem, which are the old covenant and the new covenant. Paul concludes by stating, "So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free” (Galatians 4:31). Again, it is seen that we are committed to the new and not the old.

(3) Paul contrasts "the ministration of death and condemnation" with the “ministration of the Spirit and righteousness" (2 Corinthians 3:7-17). He declares that the old and first covenant was "glorious" but the new was "much more glorious." The Old Testament had many glorious events, but it was replaced by a better law. The writer of Hebrews taught that Christ has “obtained a more excellent ministry,” because He “is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).

Indisputable Bible passages are clear that the law was replaced by the New Testament. Paul wrote, "...we are not under the law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14-15). Again, the writer of Hebrews states, "For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Hebrews 7:12).

The Law of Moses served its purpose, and then, God gave a new covenant. Jesus said after His resurrection, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me” (Luke 24:44).

When did the old covenant (Old Testament) cease to bind the Sabbath? When did it cease to bind us as to what we teach? It happened when Christ was crucified on the cross. “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" (Colossians 2:14).

Paul said that Christ, " Is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). The Law of Moses was given to the Jews only (Deuteronomy 5). But now Christ in the new covenant includes all Gentiles of the world and Jews.

Jesus came to "reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross” (Ephesians 2:16). The ONE body is the church built by Christ (Matthew 16:18-19; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; Romans 16:16). The beginning of the new covenant at the death of Jesus is described in Hebrews 9:11-22.

Those who want to go by the Old Testament and keep the Sabbath should realize that if they keep one of the laws, they are bound to observe all of them: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Here are some of the Old Testament practices they must observe: animal sacrifices, circumcision, priesthood, Sabbath, Passover Feast, and more.

If they choose to have instrumental music in worship as in the Old, then they must accept all of the practices. Why keep the Sabbath today and fail to have burnt offering of animals?

The 39 Old Testament books were given to the Jews and never to Gentiles. God has blessed all mankind to enter the "one body." Paul wrote, "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” (Galatians 3:27-28).

The Book of Galatians gives a thorough discussion of the superiority of the New over the Old. Also, Hebrews does the same.

Through the free gift of God’s grace by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 1:5) and your obedient faith (Romans 1:5; 10:17; 16:26), salvation is offered. If you have questions or wish to comment, please do so. Lord willing, a Bible answer will be provided for every Bible question.

Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. He is in control, so trust Him. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35).