The false Sabbath
A question that all Christians may ask themselves at some point: “Do Christians need to keep the Sabbath?” All the more astonishing is the ever-same answer to this question. Yet the question cannot be more imprecise. The answer to this is therefore completely irrelevant. Why? You will find out in this article.
The importance of Sunday is fundamental today in the broad society, not only in the church. After many centuries of Sunday procedures in the Christian context, Sunday rest, Sunday mass, Sunday sermon, and for some also Sunday school, is establishing itself as everlasting truth. It cannot be other than right. In this constellation, therefore, the question of the Sabbath can only fail for Sunday (the wrong Sabbath).
Evidence inadmissible
The question of the Sabbath is therefore not a question of proof, even if evidence is helpful. It is also not a question of meaningfulness in the first place. This approach, however, has been generating discontent and false ambition among Christians for many years. A battle of self-opinionatedness. Completely useless. The question of the Sabbath is purely a question of discipleship. Whom do I follow? So in order to correctly answer the question, “Do Christians need to keep the Sabbath?”, the question must be asked as follows. “What does the Bible tell us? Do Christians who follow Jesus observe the Sabbath according to the example of Jesus?” This question has to be answered very clearly. – YES. One day Jesus is asked:
“Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. Mark 12:28-31
The claim may sound strange. Read carefully: “Christians who do not follow Jesus do not have to keep the Sabbath.” The Sabbath only makes sense in the following of Jesus. Here the Sabbath becomes indispensable, because it is a sign of the faithful followers. Compare Rev 12,17 and 14,12
What should I do?
A study of the word on the Sabbath can help. Read all available Sabbath verses and bring your questions in prayer to God the Creator. Do not ask experts. Most theologically trained experts will hold the traditional view of Sunday (false Sabbath) or belittle its relevance for our time. It is time for advice from the Holy Scriptures, the first source for decisions on true following.
Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. Ezekiel 20:12
