No specific names or dates are associated with the church's shift from observing the holy day on Saturday to observing it on Sunday. At first, especially when many Christians were converted Jews, their holy day was Saturday. However, because the Resurrection and the beginning of Creation had both occurred on the first day of the week (Sunday), the church soon observed that day instead. (More Gentiles were becoming Christians as well, which contributed to a desire to shake off Jewish customs.) By the end of the first century, Sunday worship was the norm. We can assume the change caused some friction, for in Colossians 2:16 Paul admonishes, "Therefore do no 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."

It's important to note that the Sabbath was not simply moved; Christians altered the observance as well as the day. Hallmarks of the early Christian "Lord's day" celebration, according to Justin Martyr (ca. 100-ca. 165), included readings from Scripture (particularly the Gospels), a sermon, communal prayer, and Communion—very different from Jewish Sabbath observance. By Jewish standards, Christians don't keep the Sabbath at all.



One of the most appealing teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination is their insistence that Christians must obey the Ten Commandments . . . all ten of them. They rightly expose the errant thinking among many Protestant Christian sects that claims, “We don’t have to keep the Ten Commandments for salvation anymore.”

Of course, as Jesus reminds us:

And behold, one came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?” And [Jesus] said to him . . . “If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (Matt. 19:16-17).

Given our agreement on this point, the Seventh-day Adventist commonly asks: “If you believe we have to keep the Fourth (our Third) Commandment, why aren’t Catholics and other Christians obliged to attend Mass and Services on Saturdays instead of Sunday?”

We can draw our first source from the Catholic worshippers'[sub][/sub] Catechism, which declares:

Since they express man’s fundamental duties towards God and towards his neighbor, the Ten Commandments reveal, in their primordial content, grave obligations. They are fundamentally immutable, and they oblige always and everywhere. No one can dispense from them. The Ten Commandments are engraved by God in the human heart (2072).


Thus, the Third Commandment is “fundamentally immutable” because it’s one of the Ten Commandments, which Jesus said we must follow to attain everlasting life. However, the Catholic Church teaches the particular day we celebrate in keeping the Third Commandment to be ceremonial, or an accidental component of the law that is changeable. Here’s how the Catechism puts it:

Sunday is expressly distinguished from the Sabbath which it follows chronologically every week; for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces that of the Sabbath. In Christ’s Passover, Sunday fulfills the spiritual truth of the Jewish Sabbath. . . . Those who lived according to the old order of things have come to a new hope, no longer keeping the Sabbath, but the Lord’s Day. . . . The celebration of Sunday observes the moral commandment inscribed by nature in the human heart to render to God an outward, visible, public, and regular worship. . . . Sunday worship fulfills the moral command of the Old Covenant, taking up its rhythm and spirit in the weekly celebration of the Creator and Redeemer of his people (2175-76).

Are there biblical data that concur with this teaching of the Church? Absolutely!


St. Paul tells us that the ceremonial aspect of the old law—the Sabbath day itself—is no longer binding for the Christian faithful:

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in regard to food or drink or in respect to festival, or a new moon or a Sabbath day—things which are a mere shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ (Col. 2:16-17).

Clearly, the Sabbath is “a mere shadow”—that is, fleeting by nature. And “shadow” (Greek, skian) is the same word used by the inspired author of the letter to the Hebrews for the animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant—also no longer binding on Christians.

For the law, having but a shadow (Greek, skian) of the good things to come, and not the exact image of the objects, is never able by the sacrifices which they offer continually, year after year the same, to perfect those who draw near (10:1).

Moreover, it is important to note how Paul uses the same division of “festivals” (annual holy days), “new moons” (monthly holy days), and “Sabbaths” (the weekly holy days) that the Old Testament uses in 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4, 8:12-13, 31:3; and elsewhere, when referencing Jewish holy days. Clearly, along with the yearly and monthly holy days—which no Christian today claims is binding upon believers in Christ—the Sabbath is included in what Paul calls a mere shadow.

When Paul teaches that Christians do not have to keep the Sabbath, he speaks of the holy days that were specific to the Jews. He is not saying—and does not say—that we do not have to keep any holy days at all. In context, Paul is dealing with Judaizers, who were telling Gentile Christians they had to be circumcised and keep the Old Covenant law that had passed away, which would include the Sabbath and other holy days, in order to be saved. Some overlook this fact when they use Paul’s epistle to the Romans against the necessity of keeping the Third Commandment.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. . . . One man esteems one day as better than another, while another man esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord (14:1-6).

During the first few decades of Church history, the question of Jewish-Gentile relations with the Church and the law was a hot topic. As long as the Temple was standing, Christians of Jewish descent were free to attend the Temple and keep certain aspects of the Old Law, as long as they did not teach these things to be essential for salvation.

Debater:
No specific names or dates are associated with the church's shift from observing the holy day on Saturday to observing it on Sunday. At first, especially when many Christians were converted Jews, their holy day was Saturday. However, because the Resurrection and the beginning of Creation had both occurred on the first day of the week (Sunday), the church soon observed that day instead. (More Gentiles were becoming Christians as well, which contributed to a desire to shake off Jewish customs.) By the end of the first century, Sunday worship was the norm. We can assume the change caused some friction, for in Colossians 2:16 Paul admonishes, "Therefore do no 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."

It's important to note that the Sabbath was not simply moved; Christians altered the observance as well as the day. Hallmarks of the early Christian "Lord's day" celebration, according to Justin Martyr (ca. 100-ca. 165), included readings from Scripture (particularly the Gospels), a sermon, communal prayer, and Communion—very different from Jewish Sabbath observance. By Jewish standards, Christians don't keep the Sabbath at all.

All this is meaningless jabber related to the doctrines and traditions of men, lies, which Jesus Christ warned His followers to steer clear of - Matthew 15 vs 1 - 14 & Mark 7 vs 1 -13

Jesus Christ, the Christ in the Word Christianity did not mandate a day of worship for His followers much like it is specified in YHWH - God's Old Covenant Law of Moses. Instead, Jesus Christ taught His followers that He is the Lord of the Sabbath meaning every day is a Holy day for all of His servants to do the good works He has commanded of them. Every follower of Jesus Christ is under a mandate to live Holy - continuous submission and obedience to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ - until the end.

Debater:
... However, because the Resurrection and the beginning of Creation had both occurred on the first day of the week (Sunday), the church soon observed that day instead...

You spoilt it by showing you say this because you are 7day People.

Notwithstanding, people ought to know that God clearly said "To be a Statute Forever"!

The same forever used for Abraham's Contract which God is still upholding till tomorrow.

So, even if there is more communal respect for the first day of the week, The Law of Seventh Day, ought to be obeyed, if any had any Respect and Love for God!

Kobojunkiee:
All this is meaningless jabber related to the doctrines and traditions of men, lies, which Jesus Christ warned His followers to steer clear of - Matthew 15 vs 1 - 14 & Mark 7 vs 1 -13 ...

Mathew 19:17
"but if thou wilt enter into life, KEEP THE Commandments

When you say "doctrines and traditions of men/church" , what exactly (and specifically) do you mean? not just in the context of this post but generally. I've gone through your posts trying to understand them and that phrase keeps showing up - and it seems to me that you tag anything you don't like doctrines of men, so I want to understand.

Also, when you say that we should do only what Christ has said, do you mean that we shouldn't do what Christ did not say?
For example, Christ did not say anything about things like suicide, taking bribes, lesbianism (just examples) etc.. are we free to do those since Christ did not say that we shouldn't do them?

cc kobojunkie

Kobojunkiee:
All this is meaningless jabber related to the doctrines and traditions of men, lies, which Jesus Christ warned His followers to steer clear of - Matthew 15 vs 1 - 14 & Mark 7 vs 1 -13

Jesus Christ, the Christ in the Word Christianity did not mandate a day of worship for His followers much like it is specified in YHWH - God's Old Covenant Law of Moses. Instead, Jesus Christ taught His followers that He is the Lord of the Sabbath meaning every day is a Holy day for all of His servants to do the good works He has commanded of them. Every follower of Jesus Christ is under a mandate to live Holy - continuous submission and obedience to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ - until the end.

khorsky:
1. When you say "doctrines and traditions of men/church" , what exactly (and specifically) do you mean? not just in the context of this post but generally. I've gone through your posts trying to understand them and that phrase keeps showing up - and it seems to me that you tag anything you don't like doctrines of men, so I want to understand.

2a. Also, when you say that we should do only what Christ has said, do you mean that we shouldn't do what Christ did not say?
For example, Christ did not say anything about things like suicide, taking bribes, lesbianism (just examples) etc..
2b. are we free to do those since Christ did not say that we shouldn't do them?
cc kobojunkie

1. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, pointed out— also recorded in Matthew 15 vs 1 - 14 & Mark 7 vs 1 - 13 — to His followers that all ideas and rules that emanate from the personal interpretations and opinions of men are lies; he also declared that those who taught such lies in His name where false teachers and false prophets. Identified as false teachers and false prophets, by Jesus Christ, were the Pharisees, and teachers of the Law who had twisted God's Law to produce several doctrines and rules, an entirely different narrative, a religion, which they then fed and enslaved the people giving them power over the minds and lives of those who otherwise belonged to God. These false teachers had elevated what were their opinions(lies), a narrative completely different in almost every way from that of God's teachings to a status above God's own laws teaching these lies in place of God's direct commandments and statutes to His people, hence setting themselves up as gods over God's own people. It is as a result of this that prophet Hosea declared, of the people of Israel, "My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge. You priests have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be priests for me. You have forgotten the law of your God, so I will forget your children. - Hosea 6 vs 1 -6". The nation of Judah followed a religion and was made blind to God's Law by it. They were filled with ideas and traditions born of the religion of men — ideas that stood as an abomination against God. So when I refer to "doctrines and traditions of men(and their churches)", I mean by it every theological doctrine, all of them not taught by Jesus Christ, which the religion you consider Christianity is founded upon.

2a. Jesus Christ's teachings were directed at His followers individually and not at those in the world — he specifically focused His teachings on those who belonged in His flock. Recall that He said the truth of the Kingdom of God is hidden from the rest of the people outside. Well, what that means is that when your pastors and mogs go into brothels to condemn prostitutes and all others as being against God, they commit sin against Jesus Christ who instead instructed that His teachings are meant only for those who are of the lost sheep of Israel — do not cast that which is holy to the dogs — and also that He has come to save those among them who are weary and heavy-laden - Matthew 7 vs 6 & Matthew 15 vs 22 - 24 & Matthew 11 vs 28 - 30. Can a person while sinning against God be said to be doing that which is of God i.e. that which is holy? Of course not!

Now, let's take the subject of Lesbianism. According to His teaching, Jesus Christ said in the Kingdom of God, meaning for those who believe in Him and are of the lost sheep of Israel, sexual lust or impure thoughts of the heart is a sin - Matthew 7 vs 28 - 29. Now, when a person then states instead that the physical act of sex is a sin, obviously such a statement counters Jesus Christ's decree and as such is against Jesus Christ. So teaching others that lesbianism is a sin when Jesus Christ instead said that it is immoral thoughts/sexual lust that is sin pretty much means one is in defiance of Jesus Christ — accuses Jesus Christ of being a liar.

2b. As to whether we are free to do something simply because Jesus Christ didn't mention that particular thing in His sermons depends. First, Jesus Christ did not mention lesbianism in any of His sermons, so it is ridiculous for one to claim that he or she lives as a lesbian for the sake of the Kingdom of God or use the name of Jesus Christ. Next, since Jesus Christ did declare as sin the sexual lustful thoughts of one's heart, then it would also be a direct sin for one who believes in God yet considers self a lesbian to have such impure thoughts as expressed in the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Another example for you to consider is this: since Jesus Christ never sent anyone out to congregate churches, build monuments or even collect money from others using his name, it is equally ridiculous what your pastors do claiming they do it in the name of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus Christ never formerly sanctioned any of what they do in His teachings, it means your pastors and mogs are nothing but liars and deceivers who prey on your lives using the name of God. Also, because Jesus Christ condemned the teaching of doctrines and traditions of men as a sin against God, it is direct sin against God each and every time your pastors and mogs open their mouths to teach you these lies they spew at you using the name of God.

Basically, so long as you do not directly commit sin or violate that declared by God by Jesus Christ, and in the same token you do not associate with God that which is not of God, you are pretty much in compliance with the Truth of God.

In a couple of days, we will be celebrating the Christmas holiday for instance. Did Jesus Christ command such a celebration? Absolutely not! so it will be a direct sin against God to celebrate the Christmas holiday as though you do so in honor of God. But, God does not hold it against you when you celebrate that very same holiday without associating His name or honor to it in any way or form since God did not bar His followers from celebrating pagan holidays of which Christmas happens to be one of.

SEVEN DAY ADVENTISTS ARE GOOD CHRISTIANS.