Friday, 1 April 2016

Should we keep the Sabbath (Part 1)


Sabbath - To be kept or not (Part 1)

Its friday night, and its the beginning of weekly sabbath. I have just came back from a prayer meeting in church.

Keeping the sabbath has been a heavily debated discussion between the Sabbath keepers and Sunday Worshipers. Generally, what I observed is that, the Sabbath keepers tend to judge the Sunday Worshipers as heretic, unsaved, lost or even demonic.

One of the bible verses that is always being discussed is
Colossians 2:16

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (NIV)

For most Sunday Worshipers, the sabbath in Colossians 2:16 refers to weekly Sabbath. While the Sabbath keepers refers it to the High Sabbath in the feasts and moon seasons.

Lets read from Colossians 2:14-17. This time from KJV

Verse 14, 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;

Verse 15, And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it;


Verse 16, 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;

Verse 17, Which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ

These former things were the rudimentary forms of religion with no power for the New Testament believer. They can actually cut one off from grace if they make it obligatory. Paul did not want the new covenant believer to become entangled in bondage again by their keeping these as an obligation, as law. He goes on to explain Christ is the "Substance," these things he mentions were shadows, including the SABBATH. We have Christ so these things are not needed for any spiritual growth or development.

What was nailed to the cross? Was it just the ceremonial Laws or all of the Laws? Was there a distinction between moral laws and ceremonial laws? No, all Laws was nailed unto the cross, including Sabbaths

Christ said it is finished, the New Covenant was made, cancelling out the debt of the law, both the law of Moses including the 10 commandments, the penalty of our sins was paid in full by his perfect sacrifice. Col.2:17 they are a shadow of things to come. Christ came, He is the substance, the law was the pattern, Christ is the reality. All the law, the patterns and shadows pointed to the person, Which is Christ himself

God Salvation Plan - Gospel of Jesus Christ

God Salvation Plan

The Bible gaves us very clear instruction for salvation


1. You must realise you are a sinner

 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

2. Because you are a sinner, you are condemned to death.

“For the wages [paymentof sin is death” (Romans 6:23)

3. But God loved you so much He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, to bear your sin and die in your place.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

4. You need to repent from your sins and accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour

Example of a simple prayer

“Oh God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus was my substitute when He died on the Cross. I believe His shed blood, death, burial, and resurrection were for me. I now receive Him as my Savior. I thank You for the forgiveness of my sins, the gift of salvation and everlasting life, because of Your merciful grace. Amen.”


After you are saved, there are three things to practice daily for spiritual growth:


  • Pray -- you talk to God.
  • Read your Bible -- God talks to you.
  • Witness -- you talk for God.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

John 5:24


Note:
Nowhere in the bible, it states that we are saved if we follow a certain church. The bible is very clear on justification by faith alone. If a church comes to preach faith + baptism + obey commandments as way of salvation, we should not accept these teachings