Change, prophecy, resurrection, Sabbath, sacred law, and Sunday are topics, today. After some hours of careful work, I was able to present a portion of a response to the six classic arguments (errors) regarding the Sabbath being changed by the Resurrection of Jesus. This clear, well-reasoned teaching appeared (without a byline naming the author) within a newspaper article written in 1850. The various arguments compared to the word of GOD were shown as follows: “1. That the Jewish prophets predicted, such a change; 2. That there was a necessity for the change in order to commemorate the completion of the work of redemption, which was finished by the resurrection of Christ; * * * 4. That on this day of the week Christ frequently met with his disciples after the resurrection; 5. That from that time the Apostles and primitive Christians religiously observed the first day in memory of this event, and as a substitute for the Sabbath; 6. That the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended, was the first day of the week; 7. That by "Lord's day," (Rev. i, 10,) the first day of the week was intended.” A fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “truth” (Level 3 with 1,367 points, a member since July 20, 2009) posted the following:
Jesus is risen! That is why Sunday became a holiday -the Lord's Day - in the world. This is the foundation of Christianity. OK?
Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. 7 Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.”
Matthew 28
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (Daniel 7: 23-27, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: GOD and The Framework of Time (09/20/2014); About Knowing the Name of GOD (09/21/2014); Changing Times and Laws? (05/14/2014); Should Men Take Their Hats Off? (05/15/2014); To Keep It Holy (02/23/2014); 7 “Godly” Sins? (02/24/2014); About Sabbath (10/16/2013); We Shall Behold Him (10/17/2013); Newness of Spirit? (01/04/2013); Two Different Testaments? (01/05/2013)
“truth”, here is one of many unpopular, sacred teachings derived by examination of the Bible that was published in Paris, ME, November 1850 in volume one, number one of a newspaper, SECOND ADVENT REVIEW, AND SABBATH HERALD. Six of seven arguments were detailed in the article (without byline naming the author), Has the Sabbath been changed from the Seventh to the First day of the Week? (p. 1-4). Such things are only shared and taken seriously among believers having the meekness of Jesus:
7. "Lord's Day."—An argument for the change of the Sabbath is founded on the supposed application of the title "Lord's day," to the first day of the week. The only passage referred to for the purpose of sustaining it, is Rev, i, 10. "I was in the spirit on the Lord's day." But that the day here called the Lord's day, is the first day of the week, is merely assumed, and hence is not to be considered as proved. It is not in fact probable that this is the day referred to. * * * If these words be understood to refer to a natural day, it is more likely to be the seventh day, which God had blessed and sanctified for his special service, than the first day. The seventh day is called by Him "my holy day," and "the holy of the Lord"—phrases similar to the one in this passage. This was also the Sabbath which was made for man, and of which Christ says he is Lord. And since it was observed up to the close of the New Testament history, it would be perfectly natural for John to speak of it as " the Lord's day." Further, there is no evidence that the first day of the week was denominated the Lord's day, at so early a period. Only one writer mentions the expression till towards the close of the second century ; and the reputed author of this passage, when speaking, in his Gospel, (which was written some years later than the Apocalypse,) of the resurrection of Christ, and the first day of the week, never intimates that the day should be called by any other name. The learned Morer, though an advocate for the first day, in mentioning the different days to which this phrase may be applied, acknowledges the entire uncertainty as to what day is intended, and says, "It is very likely that the more solemn and public use of the words was not observed until about the time of Sylvester II., when, by Constantine's command, it became an injunction." It is evident, therefore, that this passage cannot justly be used as proof that the Sabbath was transferred to the first day of the week.
We have now examined the texts commonly adduced to prove a change of the original Sabbath, and have found them utterly insufficient and deceptive. Hence the claims of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, without alteration, are fully sustained. The advocates for the first day are aware that if an abrogation or change of the original Sabbath law cannot be made out, the seventh day is still the true Sabbath. Dr. Dwight, for instance, makes the following admission: "If we cannot find in the Scriptures plain and simple proof of the abrogation of the original day, or the substitution of a new one, the seventh day undoubtedly remains in full force and obligation, and is now to be celebrated by all the race of Adam." [From Sab. Vindicator]
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, the Lord’s resurrection was not intended to change divine law, or the timing for scheduled sacred events previously announced through prophecy. Jesus came to fulfill, not to annul, countermand, or erase.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment