THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE – 71 The Old Testament Verses The Seventh Day Adventist
“14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (1 Timothy 3:14-17, KJV).
Loved ones, in our Spiritual Battle many false teachers are confusing the masses concerning the truth about the Old Testament Law of Moses. Recently we received a letter from a woman who said she had heard the church of Christ did not believe the Old Testament. "It this true?" she wanted to know. Our response was WHAT the New Testament itself says about the Old Testament.
It is evident that the Old Testament was the Bible of the early church. It was the Scriptures that Timothy knew from his youth (1 Timothy 3:15). The Scriptures Jesus quoted in His personal ministry were from the Old Testament. The New Testament is full of Old Testament quotations. It was about the Old Testament that Peter said "men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (1 Peter 1:21).
The Old Testament Scriptures are inspired by God, profitable for study, and true in every way. The New Testament says they are:
1. Written for our learning (instruction) (Romans 15:4).
2. To be used as examples for Christians (1 Corinthians 10:6-11).
3. That which leads one to Christ (Galatians 3:23-26).
4. Fulfilled in Christ (Matthew 5:17-18).
Children's Bible classes emphasize Old Testament characters. One must know the Old Testament in order to understand the language of the New Testament authors who quote from it.
The Old Testament, however, should NOT be considered the standard for the worship and work of the church, any more than the epistles of Paul should be regarded as a standard for the work and worship of Israel in the wilderness. Christians do not build altars, offer animal sacrifices, or have a priesthood like Israel did in the Old Testament.
The Old Testament should be understood within the context of God's dealing with His CHOSEN people before the coming of Jesus Christ. The attempt to bring the rituals and laws of that age into the church of Christ (such as the use of mechanical instruments during worship, burning incense and candles, etc.) are not the product of Old Testament study. It comes rather from a lack of study of both Testaments.
The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA)
This man-made denomination is one of fastest growing today. Their name suggestions two things central to their belief system: a. The imminent advent (coming/appearance) of Jesus. b. Observance of the 7th day as a day of rest, worship, ministry. It is this second point we will examine (cf. 1 John 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
Definition Of “Sabbath”
The root meaning is, “To Cease, Desist… The idea is not that of relaxation or refreshment, but cessation from activity” (Vine). “Sabbath” means rest, NOT ‘seventh.’
The Sabbath was assigned by God to the 7th day of the week (Exodus 20:10; Deuteronomy 5:14). Sunday is not to be confused with the Sabbath Day (Mark 16:1-2).
“For the first three centuries of the Christian era the first day of the week was never confounded with the Sabbath; the confusion of the Jewish and Christian institutions was due to declension from apostolic teaching” (Vine).
The Sabbath observance was established at Mount Sinai (Nehemiah 9:13-14). God declared or made it known to Israel during their wilderness wandering. “The Lord has given you the Sabbath” (Exodus 16:25-30). It served as a test of Israel’s obedience (v. 28-29). God spoke the Ten Commandment law directly to Israel, NOT to others (Exodus 20:1, 8-11, 22). Later it was repeated to Israel by Moses (Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 12-15).
The SDA assert that the Sabbath was given at Creation, but without Biblical proof. The Bible says God rested on the 7th day of Creation - NOT man (Genesis 2:2). God uses His day of rest from the work of Creation to illustrate the rest (Sabbath) He later commanded Israel! (Exodus 20:11). The Sabbath was a memorial to cause Israel to remember how God had delivered them from Egyptian bondage (Deuteronomy 5:15).
The Old Testament makes it plain that the Sabbath was given as a sign (a distinguishing mark, a token of agreement) between God and the children of Israel (Exodus 31:13, 16-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 12-14). It manifested Israel’s faith in and relationship with the Creator; therefore it was a covenant (divine ordinance).It was never given to the Gentile nations (Ezekiel 20:9-14; Ephesians 2:11-12).
Israel was to observe the Sabbath until the end of Israel’s obligation to the Law of Moses (Exodus 31:13, 16-17): “Throughout your generations” - those living during a period of Israel’s history (v. 13); “Perpetual” - Everlasting, always, continuance existence (v. 16); “Forever” - Age-lasting (v. 17).
A “perpetual” and “forever” covenant is age-lasting in nature. The sons of Aaron were given the Levitical “everlasting” priesthood (Exodus 40:15). Yet, that priesthood ended with the changing of law (Hebrews 7:11-12). Therefore, what was “forever” had an end.
The age of the Old Testament law has ended (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:13; 1:1-2). Mankind has been discharged from that Old law (Romans 7:6). It has been done away (2 Corinthians 3:14), blotted out (Colossians 2:14), abolished (Ephesians 2:15). Humans are no longer under it (Galatians 3:25).
Conclusion
The Sabbath is NOT binding upon any person today. The law commanding it is no longer binding (Colossians 2:14-17). The Gospel of Christ assigns a different day for different reasons. The disciples came together for worship on the First day of the week (Acts 20:6-7). The first day is NOT a day of rest from labor, but it is a day of worship and spiritual work (1 Corinthians 14:26; 16:1-2).
Those striving to keep the old Law of Moses, including the Sabbath, are debtors “to do the whole law.” They “are fallen from grace” (Galatians 5:2-4). “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Romans 3:20). Now is the time to work. Heaven is the Christian’s Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9-11).
The churches of Christ are neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew (Romans 16:16; Matthew 16:18-19). We are the loving suffering body of Christ (Ephesians 1:20-23; 4:4-6) – CHRISTIANS: “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:16; cf. Acts 11:26; 26:28).
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).