The fourth of the ten commandments given to Israel by Moses states, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8). When the Sabbath day was observed, one could not leave his home (Ex. 16:29), could not build a fire (Ex. 35:3), and could not work (Deut. 5:14). Anyone breaking the rules on Saturday would be put to death (Ex. 31:15). It was serious not to observe that day properly. Because of this seriousness, it is understood why many today wonder, “Should I worship on Saturday?”
To understand why today’s day of worship should be on Sunday, one should first know why the Sabbath was first instituted. It was started so that Israel would remember that they were slaves in Egypt and God had set them free from their bondage: “But the seventh day [Saturday] is the sabbath … And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day” Deut. 5:14,15.
Modern day Christians are not to remember they were freed from Egypt’s hand. The observance of the Sabbath was for the Old Testament Jew. We are not under Old Testament laws: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith …” Galatians 3:11-12.
One trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross is free from the law’s bondage: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” Gal. 5:1. This is why the law of the Sabbath is not mentioned in the New Testament; it is not for those living by faith in the resurrected Christ. Nine of the ten commandments are (Mat. 19:18, Rom. 13:9) in the New Testament, but the one about the Sabbath was not reaffirmed.
The significance of the Sabbath changed when Christ came. Old Testament believers were waiting and looking forward to the Messiah’s coming. Those that still hold to the Old Testament’s keeping of the Sabbath are saying, by their beliefs and practices, that they are still waiting for Him to come. Christ has come. All changed when He came.
Jesus’ resurrection could easily have been on the Sabbath, but it was on Sunday morning as stated in the gospels (Mat. 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). His resurrection and many other important events happened on the first day of the week. Jesus was declared to be the Son of God on Sunday (Rom. 1:4). Pentecost also occurred on Sunday (Lev. 23:15-16). After Jesus died, there was much emphasis on the first day of the week.
Many teach that Constantine changed the day of worship to Sunday in AD 321, but the early church worshipped on Sunday before the New Testament was even completed. The Bible reveals how worship was often every day (Acts 2:46), but soon the main worship day was the first day of the week (Sunday):
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.” John 20:19
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” Acts 20:7 Notice the Lord’s Supper was also observed on Sunday.
After Paul purposed to minister to the gentiles, the Sabbath was never mentioned. Unless someone was ministering to the Jews directly and met with them in their synagogue (Acts 17:1-2), all meetings of the early church were on Sunday. Even offerings were taken up on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2).
We are not commanded to make one day holier than another: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. …” Rom. 14:5-6. The Sabbath is still on Saturday, but the emphasis, for one trusting on Christ and not keeping the law now is on the first day of week, not the last. There is no direct Scripture saying that Sunday is now the Sabbath either. We are to have the attitude to put a day aside to make God and His Word a priority along with fellowshipping with His people. Sunday is the day we need to put aside for the Lord!
“What is your priority on Sunday: fishing, soccer matches, the super market, or the one it should be, church?”
Just remember the days were from sun down to sun down back then like for example Thursday started on Wed evening at sun down so when the women went to the tomb they went on Sat. evening after the sun was down which make it Sunday As Sat. started Fri. evening until Sat. evening then Sunday started Sat evening and ended by sun down on Sunday even which became Monday , etc.
Great teaching on the Sabbath. Never considered that perspective before.
I know this devotion was not about giving, but I wanted to add an observation: I have observed that God’s people are a people of plenty (at least the people I have been around). They have food, they have shelter, they have clothing…most often in abundance.
The scripture from Psalm 37: 25 comes to mind:
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
As for myself, He has provided for me in a princely way. I have observed in my own life that God has trusted me with more as I proved myself trustworthy. When I began to understand how all I own is his and I am only a steward or caretaker, he multiplied it more. When I learned to obey when He nudged me to give over and above my tithe, he trusted me with more. When I became motivated in my life and giving to worship him through my giving, he made my cup overflow. He has allowed me to manage a substantial amount of his cattle, for that I am blessed.
Yes, there are well off people that are sinners but: The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it……that is what makes being a caretaker for the Lord special.
Praise God!
The whole point of tithing is that it takes faith in God to do so, and we can do nothing to please Him unless we live by faith.
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Since I have been saved, I have tithed. There were times as a single parent that my tithe was greater than my $11 a week food budget, but we were never wanting. I have never been late one time in paying my bills. It was those times people told me I was crazy for tithing what I “needed”. Later it was many of those same people that wanted to borrow money from me. God has been good. It is scary to tithe, but it is a blessing because you see God work in ways a non-tither will never see..
Bro. Bill, I guess where I’m getting confused about tithing is putting a percent on what you give. I’ve always thought that the Old Testament Law required the Jews to give 10% to the priest and care for the Tabernacle.
Today (in the Church Age), I thought a believer is not suppose to give the 10% (since that’s the O.T Law) but give like Paul said “cheerfully”. Don’t get me wrong, I DO faithfully tithe. But me & my family give ABOVE the 10% cause we believe giving 10% of our income is bringing us back under the Law.
By the way, I love the interaction of everybody on this website each week! Thank you Bro. Bill, Bro. David, and Star!
But, tithing was instituted even before the law! Hmmm..
The study I suggested earlier (http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/bible-answers/tithing.html) should answer most of your questions. It took me about two weeks to get that written. Many have the same questions, that is why I spent so much time on the article.
You’re absolutely right! I didn’t think about Abraham tithing to Melchizedek! And that was 400 years before the Law was given! Thanks!!!!
Yes sir,
This is me talking, but I believe that while establishing the 10% as a minimum is needful for those that will only ever want to perform as christians at that level, oddly enough it ends up limiting how some could bless and be blessed if they would just forget the 10% and become spirit led in their giving. It has been my experience that it will be well beyond 10%…maybe 20 or 30%, but is not tied to a percentage, but to obedience.
I want to share something else I have observed…in most cases when God has impressed me to give, he has already provided the means. Once, our Pastor mentioned a need in a ministry in our church from the pulpit in passing, the amount was the same as we had received from a source that we had never expected to collect from the same day…same amount, same day. God provided the funds to us then presented an opportunity to see if we would obey.
Another time, the Pastor, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, did an impromptu fundraiser from the pulpit for another need. The need was fairly large. Interestingly, my wife had turned over a large amount of money for little or no work that very day. The Holy Ghost prompted both of us and we gave that amount, which led to others giving extraordinary gifts and the entire amount being raised in one effort.
My point is not to brag on myself, but to brag on the provision of the Lord and his faithfulness. He has proven to me that if I can demonstrate myself to be a good steward, he will amply bless and provide over and above the need. My only regret is when I hear of people who are able to do so much with so little, and it seems to me that I have done so little with so much.
I pray that people will become sensitive and obedient to the spirit in their giving.
The Seventh Day Adventist worship on Saturday. What’s interesting, of all the Ten Commandments, they only focus on the Sabbath Day (Saturday)!
Bro. Bill, I have a question: I know a person should tithe. Me and my family have been faithful tithers for years now, but are believers today still suppose to give 10% or are we suppose to be “cheerful givers” as Paul said and not put a percent on our tithe?
I’ve always believed that the 10% tithe was an Old Testament Law for the Jews, and that believers today are only suppose to be cheerful givers. What do you think?
Yes, the Seventh Day Adventists still adhere to worshipping on Saturday. But, if they were really doing it biblically, there would be less Adventists as the punishment for missing the Sabbath is death. I don’t see them adhering to that law. Hmmm! And some still work on that day and certainly cook …
Yes, we are still responsible to tithe. It is not just Old Testament. Here is an article that will explain: “Giving Now and Then” — http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/bible-answers/tithing.html