Frequently Asked Questions

The following are the most frequently asked questions on the fourth Commandment on the Ten Commandments.org. Most faq's on this web site have currently been on the Ten Commandments or the fourth Commandment, but as we receive frequent questions from the other available web sites, those questions and categories will be added also. FAQ's

Currently available FAQ topics

The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath)
1. Should we keep Sunday in honour of the resurrection?
2. Has the calendar been changed?
3. Can we be sure we have the true Seventh day?
4. Can we just keep any day in seven?
5. Was the Sabbath made only for the Jews?
6. Is there a new Law of Christ?
7. Do we have to keep the Sabbath since we are under Grace?
8. How could the majority be wrong?
9. Was the Sabbath abolished?
10. Was the Sabbath changed to Sunday?
11. Why do most keep Sunday if the Sabbath is Saturday?
12. Can we choose our own day since the Sabbath was made for man?
13. How do we KEEP the Sabbath?
14. What is the Sabbath all about?
15. Why is the Sabbath so important to God?
16. If ALL Commandments are eternal, then shouldn't the Sabbath be valid from creation to eternity?
17. Are there any Churches that say the Sabbath is a valid Commandment but do not keep it?
18. Does Colossians 2:16 say we do not have to keep the Sabbath?
19. Does Galatians 4:9-10 say the Sabbath is bondage?
20. Does Romans 14:5 say we can choose our own Sabbath day?
21. Is it works or legalism to obey the Sabbath?
22. Is Sunday the Lord's Day?
23. Did Jesus break the Sabbath Commandment?

The Fourth Commandment (Sabbath) FAQ's

1. Should we keep Sunday in honour of the resurrection?
Nowhere in the Bible are we told to keep Sunday holy. History confirms that there were some Christian leaders (now called the early “Church Fathers”) that yielded to temptation and began shifting to Sunday around 90-120 A.D. to avoid persecution for Judaism. “Jesus Christ rose on Sunday!” became their rationalizing cry. So they used the resurrection of Jesus, who “died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3) of which sin is the breaking of God’s Law (1 John 3:4), as an excuse to break one of the Ten Commandments.

There would have also needed to be a new commandment given to change the Seventh day God made Holy to the first day, but no such commandment exists in scripture. Such a change would also seriously contradict the words of Jesus who said that not even a comma of the law is going to change. (Matthew 5:17-19) See the Ten Commandments FAQ 1 for more information. Baptism is the memorial of the resurrection commanded in the Bible. Select should we keep Sunday in honour of the resurrection for more detailed information. See also was the Sabbath changed to Sunday in the Bible or what day is the Sabbath. Read who changed the Sabbath for the real truth.

There is also an unbiased 5 DVD documentary on the history of the Sabbath that proves the historical facts and information has been supplied by more than 50 experts from all walks of life which also reveals the truth about the Sabbath and how the day was changed. See the “Seventh Day” for more information. You can also read FAQ 11 or the Catholic version of the Ten Commandments for the real truth on how the Sabbath to Sunday change occurred.

2. Has the calendar been changed?
Yes, the calendar has been changed but it never changed the weekly cycle of days or confused the days of the week. In October 1582, ten days were dropped from the calendar and the date went from Thursday the 4th to Friday the 15th. The days of the week were not affected. Select has the calendar changed for more detailed information.

3. Can we be sure we have the true Seventh day?
How could a loving God command you to keep His Sabbath day Holy and then not let you know what day it is? So needless to say, there is no shortage of solid evidence to what day the true Sabbath is. One easy way is to just look up Saturday in any normal dictionary. Here are two definitions.

Saturday n. the seventh and last day of the week: the Sabbath.
Saturday n. the seventh day of the week; day after Friday; day of worship among Jews and some Christians.

In over 105 languages of the world where the Sabbath has not taken on the Pagan name Saturday, the seventh day Saturday is still called the Sabbath in those languages as it was named at creation. This proves that when those 105 languages originated at Babel in Genesis 11, Saturday was recognized as the Sabbath day and was incorporated into the very name of the day.

You can also find the Seventh day as easy as you can find the meat in the sandwich. Luke 23:52-54 says, “This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the Sabbath drew on.” Jesus died the day before the Sabbath which is called “the preparation day” because this is the time to get ready (to prepare) for the Sabbath. Verses 55 and 56 go on to say, “And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the Commandment.” Luke 24:1-2 continues on and says, “upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared… And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.” Jesus died on Friday, the preparation day, commonly called Good Friday and rested in the tomb on the Seventh day Sabbath, “according to the Commandment” which is Saturday, then on Sunday, the first day of the week, Easter Sunday to many, Jesus arose from the grave. See also the false Wednesday Crucifixion theory.

The Jewish people have been observing the seventh day from the time of Abraham, and they still keep it today. Here is a whole nation, millions of individuals who have been counting off time meticulously, week after week, calendar or no calendar, for thousands of years. Select which day is the Sabbath for more detailed information.

4. Can we just keep any day in seven?
Is there a difference to God between secular and Holy? Of course! God only made the Seventh day Holy, and this is the only reason we have the Seventh day of the week. God desires us to worship Him every day, doing everything at all times to His glory, however, as to a Holy day of worship, God has commanded only one and has set apart no other day. We worship God seven days a week but if we kept the Sabbath seven days a week, we would not be Holy, we would be lazy. It should be obvious that it is not possible to keep the Sabbath every day. God specifically made the Seventh day Holy and commanded us to keep this day Holy, and yet some respond, “God, you have it wrong! We can keep any day!” Does God mean what He says and say what He means or not? We should not mock God and His Commandment like that.

We have the perfect example in Exodus 16, which is before the Ten Commandments were even codified in stone that undoubtedly shows that God does mean what He says and says what He means. The Sabbath is often called the test Commandment and the following passage shows why. God figures if Christians are not going to keep His Seventh day Sabbath Holy, then they are not going to be serious about keeping the rest of His Commandments either. Note how God tests if they will keep ALL of His Commandments.

Exodus 16:4-30 “Then the Lord said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. … 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, there will be none. 27 Now it happened that some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather, but they found none. 28 And the Lord said to Moses, How long do you refuse to keep My Commandments and My laws? 29 See! For the Lord has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.”

There is NO mistaking that God expects us to keep THE seventh day which He made Holy while all other days are secular. Select can we keep any day in seven for more detailed information. See also the Ten Commandment FAQ 5 for more information on does Holy matter to God.

5. Was the Sabbath made only for the Jews?
Multitudes of Christians call the Sabbath the “Jewish Sabbath.” But nowhere in the Bible do we find such an expression. It is called “the Sabbath of the Lord,” but it is never called “the Sabbath of the Jews.”

Adam was the only man in existence when God made the Sabbath. There were no Jews in the world for at least 2,000 years after creation. It could never have been made for them. Note the “children of Israel” God was angry with for not keeping the Sabbath in Exodus 16 were not Jews either. They were Abraham's seed just as we are. Galatians 3:29, “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” We are in fact spiritual Jews! See also FAQ 15 for more information.

The other Nine are not “Just for the Jews.” Does idolatry, murder, stealing and adultery apply only to Jews? The Sabbath is also for the “stranger” who are Gentiles. Exodus 20:10. In “the new earth ... from one Sabbath to another, shall ALL FLESH come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 66:22-23. Grace saved Gentiles kept the Sabbath. “The Gentiles besought that these words be preached to them the next Sabbath ... Paul and Barnabas ... persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.” Acts 13:42-43. Luke was a Gentile who kept the Sabbath. The Sabbath was valid at creation as were all the Ten Commandments even though they were not yet officially codified and there were no Jews in existence then. Select was the Sabbath only for the Jews for more detailed information.

6. Is there a new Law of Christ?
See FAQ 6 on the Ten Commandments. Select is there a new law in Christ for more detailed information.

7. Do we have to keep the Sabbath since we are under Grace?
See FAQ 4 on the Ten Commandments. Select we are not under law but grace for more detailed information.

8. How could the majority be wrong?
When it comes to Christianity, the majority is hardly ever right. The Sabbath to Sunday change began with Constantine in 321 A.D. in honour of Sun worship and the change was finalized by the Papacy who nearly murdered and tortured the Sabbath out of existence which is a fact most Christians are unaware of. See also did Constantine change the Sabbath. As a result all but 500 plus different denominations of Sabbath Churches keep the Seventh day Sabbath. Others who have grown up keeping Sunday are mostly not even aware of these facts and so Sunday becomes a mindset and a custom that is hard to change and accept for most people. When I discovered the truth about what happened with the Sabbath and that it was just as important as the other nine Commandments and in one respect even more so, I tried to share this truth with other Christians and to my amazement found that more than 98% of them did not even want to listen and just perpetuated the previous excuse that someone had given them. It was no longer a mystery why the majority are wrong. Satan went to great lengths to achieve this goal and has sadly achieved a great victory over many Christian Churches. This is by no doubt Satan's BEST accomplishment on the Christian Church and so many have no idea. WHY? Because the majority are to busy making excuses instead of checking this out.

In Jan 2008, I received an email from a person who wanted to help with answering emails from this web site and was very enthusiastic about the Ten Commandments and their importance. At least he was until the subject of the fourth Commandment came up. This was then followed by a constant stream of emails over a period of days with one excuse after another. As I continued to demonstrate from the Word of God that his excuse was not valid, he moved onto a new excuse. In an attempt to avoid the fourth Commandment, in the end he turned against all Ten Commandments and totally contradicted what he had first said about the Ten Commandments. Many times I have seen Christians discover the Sabbath truth and then Satan sends someone along and tells them they have it all wrong and gives them one or more invalid reasons as to why it is only nine Commandments and one suggestion. So why is the majority wrong? What are your thoughts right now? What spirit is it that does not want us to obey God in loving obedience?

It is also unfortunate that most Christians do not understand Bible Prophecy and have not studied the historical side of this topic either. If they had, they would know that the Bible tells us that Satan would give his power and authority to a Church so that they in turn could change the law of God against His will. See Sabbath FAQ 11 and the origin of sun worship, Sunday sabbath and Babylon for more information.

There is an unbiased 5 DVD documentary on the history of the Sabbath available where the information has been supplied by more than 50 experts from all walks of life which also reveals the real truth about the Sabbath and how the day was changed. See the “Seventh Day” for more information.

9. Was the Sabbath abolished?
Many Christians believe that Colossians 2:16, Galatians 4:9-10 and Romans 14:5 are referring to the Seventh day Sabbath and even some believe that Colossians 2:16 refers to the Ten Commandments rather than the referenced ceremonial law (Law of Moses.) See FAQ 10 and FAQ 11 on the Ten Commandments for more information on Colossians 2:16 and Galatians 4:9-10.

Since all three of these passages refer to the “Law of Moses” that ended at the cross, you will note how the “Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge” and the “Peoples New Testament” Commentaries on Romans 14:5 have referenced all the passages that Paul discussed with the Romans, Galatians and Colossians that so many misunderstand and were referring to the “Mosaic Law.” The problem is that Christians do not receive good teaching on what the “Law of Moses” was all about and what problems were encountered by the Apostles after the cross in that Christians no longer needed to obey this law anymore.

“Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge. Romans 14:5 - esteemeth: Galatians 4:9, Galatians 4:10; Colossians 2:16, Col 2:17”

“People's New Testament By B. W. Johnson. Romans 14:5 - One man esteemeth one day above another. A second difference of opinion is now cited. Some, Jewish converts or Gentiles who did not understand that the old covenant was ended, believed that the Jewish Sabbaths and new moons should be kept sacred. Compare Colossians 2:16, and Galatians 4:10.”

For a brief explanation by FAQ, see FAQ 18, FAQ 19 and FAQ 20, which cover each of these passages. This is a big and important topic and so it is best to read the following for detailed information on the ceremonial law and the Ten Commandments. You could also read the following on was the Sabbath abolished?

10. Was the Sabbath changed to Sunday?
Based on Matthew chapter 5 alone the answer is no. Jesus said in Matthew 5:18, “…Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law...” Not even a comma of the law will be altered. We never have to make assumptions when it comes to important issues in God's Word. When anything significant changed we were always told. The Ten Commandments are the only thing that God personally added to the Bible. There is no way in this universe that God would not unmistakably tell us in His Word if He were to alter the Ten Commandments by even the smallest amount.

There are two passages that are assumptions that people attempt to use to justify why they believe that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday but God's Word does not function on assumptions. If there were a change, the Bible would be SCREAMING the change at us. See was the Sabbath changed to Sunday in the Bible or the sabbath to Sunday change for very detailed evidence of the real truth. See also the history of who changed the Sabbath to Sunday.

History and FAQ 11 also reveals the truth on how the Sabbath got changed to Sunday. There is an unbiased 5 DVD documentary on the history of the Sabbath available where the information has been supplied by more than 50 experts from all walks of life which also reveals the real truth about the Sabbath and how the day was changed. See the “Seventh Day” for more information.

11. Why do most keep Sunday if the Sabbath is Saturday?
The Roman Catholic Church when it ruled for 1260 dark years, called the dark ages, are who is truly responsible for the day change against God's wishes. God even informed us that they would think to change His law in Daniel 7:25, “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.” The word think is used because the Roman Catholic Church think they have changed the day and that their authority stands above scripture and that God will just go along with their change, but in reality, as far as God is concerned it remains eternally unchanged.

The two quotes below give the real historical truth as to how the Sabbath got changed from Saturday to Sunday and why. Keep in mind that sun worship is something that God detested. This is where the Pagan name Sun-day came from. See was the Sabbath changed to Sunday in the Bible or the history of who changed the Sabbath to Sunday to find how this first Sunday law resulted in the Catholic Church completing the change. Read also did Constantine change the Sabbath.

First Sunday Law enacted by Emperor Constantine - March, 321 A.D. “On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain-sowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. (Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time [A.D. 321].)” — Source: Codex Justinianus, lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol.3 (5th ed.; New York: Scribner, 1902), p.380, note 1.

“The Church made a sacred day of Sunday … largely because it was the weekly festival of the sun; for it was a definite Christian policy to take over the pagan festivals endeared to the people by tradition, and to give them a Christian significance.” — Source: Arthur Weigall, The Paganism in Our Christianity, p. 145. Copyright 1928 by G. p. Putnam's Sons, New York.

Below are a few more statements from the Roman Catholic Church which give the remainder of the simple and truthful answer as to why most Churches now keep Sunday as the Sabbath. Most Christians have no idea that this even happened or how. Revelation 13 also tells us that Satan gave his power and authority to the Catholic Church. Why? It was Satan's plan to have this Church change the Sabbath to Sunday. Why did Satan do this? The Sabbath is about who we give our allegiance to. If we obey God and keep His Sabbath day Holy, we give our allegiance to God. If we obey the Commandment of the Catholic Church and keep their day Holy, who do we give our allegiance to then? The Catholic Church answers this question below with two of their quotes. But looking deeper, who gave this Church power so God's true day of worship could be changed? Revelation 13:2. See the web site who is the antichrist for extremely detailed information proving beyond all doubt what the sad truth is here.

“Most Christians assume that Sunday is the biblically approved day of worship. The Catholic Church protests that it transferred Christian worship from the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday, and that to try to argue that the change was made in the Bible is both dishonest and a denial of Catholic authority. If Protestantism wants to base its teachings only on the Bible, it should worship on Saturday.” — Rome's Challenge www.immaculateheart.com/maryonline Dec 2003.

“For example, nowhere in the Bible do we find that Christ or the Apostles ordered that the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of God given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath day, that is the 7th day of the week, Saturday. Today most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the [Roman Catholic] church outside the Bible.” — Catholic Virginian, October 3, 1947, p. 9, article “To Tell You the Truth.”

“Perhaps the boldest thing, the most revolutionary change the Church ever did, happened in the first century. The holy day, the Sabbath, was changed from Saturday to Sunday. ‘The day of the Lord' was chosen, not from any direction noted in the Scriptures, but from the (Catholic) Church's sense of its own power…People who think that the Scriptures should be the sole authority, should logically become 7th Day Adventists, and keep Saturday holy.” — St. Catherine Church Sentinel, Algonac, Michigan, May 21, 1995.

“Question - Which is the Sabbath day?
“Answer - Saturday is the Sabbath day.
“Question - Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
“Answer - We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church, in the Council of Laodicea (A.D. 364), transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.” — Peter Geiermann, C.S.S.R., The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50, 3rd edition, 1957.

“It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church.” — Priest Brady, in an address reported in The News, Elizabeth, New Jersey, March 18, 1903.

“They [the Protestants] deem it their duty to keep the Sunday holy. Why? Because the Catholic Church tells them to do so. They have no other reason…The observance of Sunday thus comes to be an ecclesiastical law entirely distinct from the divine law of Sabbath observance…The author of the Sunday law…is the Catholic Church.” — Ecclesiastical Review, February 1914.

Select Roman Catholic Ten Commandments and who changed the Sabbath to Sunday for more information. You will find several more links from this page that will give more statements and more information on where the secret rapture theory originated from and who is the antichrist. Be prepared for a few shocking revelations.

12. Can we choose our own day since the Sabbath was made for man?
Christ taught that “the Sabbath was made for man.” Mark 2:27. Some say since the Sabbath was made for man we can choose not to keep it or choose our own day. Is this true? Man was made on the sixth day and the only reason we have a seventh day is because God added it for a Sabbath rest for man. The Sabbath was made for man at creation so what has changed? Absolutely nothing! The other Commandments were also made for man. Does this mean we can murder and commit adultery etc? Of course not.

The Pharisees thought the Sabbath was made just for them so Jesus was correcting them and said the Sabbath was made to be a blessing for ALL man and not a day of legalistic rules that they had turned it into. The Pharisees were accusing Jesus of breaking the Sabbath by picking corn for a meal on the Sabbath and so Jesus was pointing out to them that the Sabbath was made to be a blessing to man and not a burden. The statement of Jesus here is not some magical subclause that annuls the fourth Commandment. Picking corn on the Sabbath for a meal was a necessity and not unlawful. It was not wrong for Him to heal the sick and to meet human needs on His Holy Day. Jesus said that not even a comma of the law is going to change (Matthew 5:17-19) and Isaiah prophesied “The LORD … will MAGNIFY the law…” (Isaiah 42:21) not make the law less strict by allowing us to pick and choose if we want to obey a Commandment or not. God Commanded, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ... the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:8-10. See also FAQ 23.

13. How do we KEEP the Sabbath?
Select how to keep the Sabbath for detailed information on this question.

14. What is the Sabbath all about?
The following are excerpts from the web site www.sabbath-day.net which you can read for more detailed information.

Our Creator God starts off the fourth Commandment with the word “Remember.” This is because He knew it would be forgotten. God asks that we keep the Sabbath set apart for Holy purposes so we can draw nearer to Him. The Fourth Commandment to remember the Sabbath concludes the section of the Ten Commandments that specifically helps define a proper relationship with God, how we are to love, worship and relate to Him. It explains why and when we need to take special time to draw closer to our Creator. It is also a special sign between us and God forever, that it is Him that sanctifies us Him alone we belong to and worship. The Sabbath, the Seventh day of the week was set apart by God as a time of rest and spiritual rejuvenation. So why is this Commandment so frequently ignored, attacked and explained away by so many Christians? Could it be because the challenges to the Sabbath Commandment are views generated by the ruler of this present evil world? After all, this being wants us to accept these views because he hates God's law. He does all he can to influence us to ignore, avoid and reason our way around it. On our calendar the Sabbath begins at sunset Friday evening and ends at sunset Saturday evening.

Those that keep the true Sabbath day say that it is a blessing and their favourite day of the week. The Sabbath is quality time with family and relaxing and fellowshipping with God and other Christians. Jesus said we are to not only obey the Ten Commandments but teach them also yet some people are doing the opposite. Why are these people so determined to take this blessing from those who keep the Sabbath properly, and in the way Jesus intended and not like the Pharisees who turned it into a legalistic burden? God says we are to find this day a delight and a blessing. God did not say we should call it legalism or a burden! One should be very careful on how they stigmatize God's Holy day.

Isaiah 58:13-14 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a DELIGHT, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shall honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shall you delight thyself in the LORD...”

See also the next FAQ 15.

15. Why is the Sabbath so important to God?
In the above FAQ, we have seen that God intended the Sabbath to be a blessing to us and has asked us to call His Sabbath a DELIGHT, but what else makes the Sabbath so important to God? Most of the following are excerpts from the web site www.sabbath-day.net which one can read for more detailed information.

Most people understand that it is morally wrong to lie, steal, murder and to worship idols or take the Lord's name in vain etc, but the reason Satan is so successful in keeping so many from the Sabbath truth is because it is easy for him to convince the multitudes it is not important and sadly, most do not see the Sabbath as important as on the surface it does not appear to be morally wrong. The question is; does God see the Sabbath day as being important? If it is important to God then it has to be important to us. Since God made His Sabbath part of the Ten Commandments, it becomes sin to break the Sabbath as sin is breaking any of the Ten Commandments. (1 John 3:4) Sin is the reason Jesus died on the cross for us and it does not get more serious than that. We should know how much God detests sin but what are some other reasons that make the Sabbath so significant? See also the Ten Commandments FAQ 9.

Exodus 31:13-17 “Speak you also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my Sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a SIGN between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD that does SANCTIFY you. … 15 Six days may work be done; but in the Seventh is the Sabbath of rest, Holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a PERPETUAL covenant. 17 It is a SIGN between me and the children of Israel FOR EVER: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the Seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”

Ezekiel 20:20 “And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a SIGN between me and you, that you may know that I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.”

The Sabbath is a special SIGN that defines that we are God's children and He is our God that sanctifies us and makes us Holy. It also defines therefore that it is God that we worship and love and give our allegiance to. It is not a SIGN when we keep a secular day and profane God's Sabbath.

Some will say that this PERPETUAL covenant that is a SIGN forever, (Exodus 31:16-17) applies only to the Israel of God and this is correct. The question is; who is the Israel of God now? Today there is an Israel of the flesh (1 Corinthians 10:18) and an Israel of God, Galatians 6:16. The Israel of the flesh are those that are Jews by birth. The Israel of God is anyone who belongs to Christ and is under the New Covenant. Many do not understand that if we are Christ's then we are spiritual Jews and the Israel of God. If we reject this truth then we cannot be under the New Covenant. Observe who the New Covenant was ONLY made with by reading FAQ 8 on the Ten Commandments. Those who are Christ's became grafted into the Israel of God when the Jews rejected God's message from Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60) and stoned him. See Romans 2:28-29, Romans 9:6-8 and Galatians 3:28-29 below.

Romans 2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Romans 9:6-8 “Not as though the word of God has taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall your seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.”

Galatians 3:28-29 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

Before the cross we had a literal Israel while after the cross we have a spiritual Israel. Paul wrote, “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel” Romans 9:6. What does this text mean? Those “of Israel” refer to people belonging to the literal Jewish nation but just because people are “of Israel,” or Jewish, doesn't necessarily mean they are truly Israel indeed. See also 70 weeks of Daniel or Daniel 70 weeks.

Paul said there is an “Israel according to the flesh” (1 Corinthians 10:18) and an “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:14-16) centred in Jesus Christ. The “Israelites … according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3-4) refer to literal Jews who can trace their blood line back to Abraham but who do not as yet believe in Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Paul wrote, “They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God.” Romans 9:8. Thus this group although it has a wonderful religious heritage is made up largely of people who spiritually “are not the children of God.”

In the New Testament sense, “the children of God,” applies only to those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord (John 1:12). “The Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16) refers to a composite group made up of both Jews and non-Jews who believe in the Crucified one, have died to self and been born again (see verses 14-15). This group is called “the Israel of God” because it is God centred, being made up of people who have a genuine experience with the Lord. Sadly, the majority of Middle East Israelis today don't fit this description.

Writing to non-Jews, or Gentiles, Paul wrote, “And if you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:28-29. This passage teaches that a Gentile, if he “belongs to Christ,” is mystically injected into “Abraham's seed,” which according to Isaiah 41:8 is Israel. In Galatians six, Paul summarized his doctrine by saying that anyone, circumcised or uncircumcised, who becomes a “new creature” through faith in Jesus, is now part of “the Israel of God”, verses 14-16. Thus before the cross we had a literal Israel but now those that are Christ's after the cross are a spiritual Israel.

Exodus 31:16-17 says the Sabbath is a perpetual covenant. Perpetual means NEVER ending. The passage not only says it is perpetual but it also says it lasts FOREVER. If we are Christ's then we are the Israel of God and this never ending covenant certainly applies to us just as the Ten Commandment covenant is eternal and the Sabbath is one of the Ten Commandments that we are told ALL flesh will be keeping even in the new Heaven and Earth, (Isaiah 66:22-23) so we should expect no less. See also FAQ 16 below.

Psalms 111:7-8 “The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his Commandments are sure. 8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.”

16. If ALL Commandments are eternal, then shouldn't the Sabbath be valid from creation to eternity?
The answer is an absolute yes, and it has been kept since creation and it will also be kept in the New Heaven and Earth.

Isaiah 66:22-23 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, … from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.”

Select the Sabbath from Creation to Eternity for detailed information with all the Biblical evidence.

17. Are there any Churches that say the Sabbath is a valid Commandment but do not keep it?
There have been many famous preachers that have admitted that we should be keeping the Sabbath but have not taught the truth because they said, “If I teach the Sabbath truth, most of my congregation will leave.” This is very sad and also very dangerous for the person holding back the truth. However, there is one Church that admits the Sabbath is Saturday and that if we are going to follow the Bible as our only source of doctrine, then we should be keeping the seventh day Sabbath. Normally you would receive 1001 different excuses from Christians as to why we do not have to keep this one Commandment, but the Roman Catholic Church does not have one of these regular excuses. Why is this? Because they are the ones who changed the day for which millions died and they do not keep the day because they believe their authority stands above the Word of God, so they can change it and God will go along with them. Are they in for a huge shock at the end of time! Observe the following quotes:

In 1562 the Archbishop of Reggio openly declared that tradition now stood above scripture. This is what he wrote. “The authority of the Church is illustrated most clearly by the scriptures, for on one hand she recommends them, declares them to be divine, and offers them to us to be read, and on the other hand, the legal precepts in the scriptures taught by the Lord have ceased by virtue of the same authority. The Sabbath, the most glorious day in the law, has been changed into the Lord's day. These and other similar matters have not ceased by virtue of Christ's teaching (for He says that He has come to fulfill the law, not to destroy it), but they have been changed by the authority of the Church.” — Gaspare de Posso, Archbishop of Reggio, Council of Trent.

The following quote is one of my favourite quotes for its truth and accuracy but is really quite sad.

See FAQ 11 for more quotes and Roman Catholic Ten Commandments more information.

18. Does Colossians 2:16 say we do not have to keep the Sabbath?
No, it does not. Paul is referring to the ceremonial sabbaths that were also called the “Ordinances” or the “Law of Moses” or “Mosaic Law” or the “Book of the Law” etc. The following is from the Strong's dictionary on the word translated “ordinances” in verse 14 in the KJV Bible that has translated this passage the best and very accurately. You will note that it says it is a “Law” and that it is a civil or “ceremonial law” and can be translated as “decree” or “ordinance” but the latter is clearer and used by the KJV Bible.

G1378 dog'-mah. From the base of G1380; a Law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical): - decree, ordinance.

This passage is best understood from the KJV Bible as the words of many other translations are inaccurate or hard to understand. Verse 16 says “sabbath days,” as in plural. What Paul is talking about here are the “ordinances,” which he makes very clear in verse 14.

Colossians 2:14-16 “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; … 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [offerings], or in respect of an holyday [feast], or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” Parenthesis are added.

The “ordinances” had meat and drink offerings, new moon festivals and seven different sabbath days. “Passover,” “Pentecost” and the “Day of Atonement” are just three examples that could be given. The ordinances as Paul says in verse 14 were nailed to the cross as these pointed forward to the work of Jesus on the cross. The best and easiest example to understand here is “Passover” as Jesus became our “Passover Lamb” and so brought an end to the Passover sabbath, which was just one of the seven ceremonial sabbaths that were exercised because of sin until Jesus ended this sacrificial system and these ceremonial sabbaths once and for all. See the Ten Commandments FAQ 10 for more information and further links that give even more detail. The following is from the late famous theologian Albert Barnes from Notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes (1798-1870) See also Adam Clarke Commentary and Colossians 2:16.

Colossians 2:16 – “Or of the Sabbath days - Greek, “of the Sabbaths.” The word Sabbath in the Old Testament is applied not only to the seventh day, but to all the days of holy rest that were observed by the Hebrews, and particularly to the beginning and close of their great festivals. There is, doubtless, reference to those days in this place, since the word is used in the plural number, and the apostle does not refer particularly to the Sabbath properly so called. There is no evidence from this passage that he would teach that there was no obligation to observe any holy time, for there is not the slightest reason to believe that he meant to teach that one of the Ten Commandments had ceased to be binding on mankind. If he had used the word in the singular number - “the Sabbath,” it would then, of course, have been clear that he meant to teach that that commandment had ceased to be binding, and that a Sabbath was no longer to be observed. But the use of the term in the plural number, and the connection, show that he had his eye on the great number of days which were observed by the Hebrews as festivals, as a part of their ceremonial and typical law, and not to the moral law, or the Ten Commandments. No part of the moral law - no one of the Ten Commandments could be spoken of as “a shadow of good things to come.” These commandments are, from the nature of moral law, of perpetual and universal obligation.”

19. Does Galatians 4:9-10 say the Sabbath is bondage?
The Galatians had wandered from the truth that Paul had first taught them in favour of listening to some judaizing teachers from Jerusalem who insisted that they should still be observing all the rites of the Jewish religion called the “ceremonial law” or “Mosaic Law” and “ordinances” etc. This involved various ceremonial feasts days and the monthly new moon festivals and yearly ceremonial sabbaths that were part of the ceremonial law. James 1:25 calls the Ten Commandments the “perfect law of liberty” which of course means freedom and is the opposite of bondage. The Bible does not contradict itself. What Paul is speaking of here is the same thing that he spoke to the Colossians about in Colossians 2:14-17. See the above FAQ for more detail on this passage. Paul is not saying we can ignore anything in the Bible that is a day or a month or a year. Paul is referring to something that has days months and years, and this was the ordinances. It had feast days and monthly new moon festivals and yearly ceremonial sabbaths. These were bondage and were nailed to the cross as Paul explains in Colossians 2:14 in the above FAQ 18.

Galatians 4:9-10 “But now, after that you have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn you again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days, and months, and times, and years.”

See also the Ten Commandments FAQ 11 and its associated links for a thorough understanding of Galatians.

20. Does Romans 14:5 say we can choose our own Sabbath day?
To begin with, it must be admitted that the word “Sabbath” is not found in the entire chapter, and also very significant is that the word “alike” does not exist in the original Greek and so is an added word, which tends to convey an idea which the apostle never designed or intended. The whole chapter is about judging one another (verses 4, 10, 13). The issue here is not over the Seventh day Sabbath, which was a part of the Ten Commandments, but over the yearly feast days of the ceremonial law. Jewish Christians were judging Gentile Christians for not observing them. Paul is simply saying, “Don't judge each other. The ceremonial law is no longer binding.” Here is the main verse in contention. Romans 14:5 “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

It becomes clear from Romans 14 and 15 chapters, that many misunderstandings existed between Jewish and Gentile Christians in relation to certain customs which were sacredly observed by one but disregarded by the other. The main subject of dispute was concerning meats and days. The converted Jew retaining respect for the law of Moses abstained from certain meats and observed ceremonial days while the converted Gentile understood that Christianity put him under no such obligation or regard to ceremonial points. It also appears that mutual and heartless judgments existed among them and that brotherly love and reciprocal tolerance did not always prevail. Paul exhorts that in such things no longer essential to Christianity, that even though both parties had a different way of thinking they might and probably do still have an honest and serious regard for God. Paul further explains they should not therefore let different sentiments hinder Christian fellowship and love, but they should mutually refrain and withhold and make allowance for each other and especially not carry their Gospel liberty so far as to prejudice a weak brother or a Jewish Christian.

God has never said “one man may choose to esteem MY Sabbath, while another man may choose to esteem Sunday, or every day alike.” He has NOT left it up to us to “pick a day.” Rather, God has commanded, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ... the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:8-10

Note what is said by “Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible, Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A., (1762-1832)”
“Romans 14:5 - One man esteemeth one day above another - Perhaps the word ημεραν, day, is here taken for time, festival, and such like, in which sense it is frequently used. Reference is made here to the Jewish institutions, and especially their festivals; such as the Passover, Pentecost, feast of tabernacles, new moons, jubilee, etc. The converted Jew still thought these of moral obligation; the Gentile Christian not having been bred up in this way had no such prejudices. And as those who were the instruments of bringing him to the knowledge of God gave him no such injunctions, consequently he paid to these no religious regard.
Another - The converted Gentile esteemeth every day - considers that all time is the Lord's, and that each day should be devoted to the glory of God; and that those festivals are not binding on him.
We add here [the word] alike, and make the text say what I am sure was never intended, viz. that there is no distinction of days, not even of the Sabbath: and that every Christian is at liberty to consider even this day to be holy or not holy, as he happens to be persuaded in his own mind.
That the Sabbath is of lasting obligation may be reasonably concluded from its institution (see the note on Genesis 2:3) and from its typical reference. All allow that the Sabbath is a type of that rest in glory which remains for the people of God. Now, all types are intended to continue in full force till the antitype, or thing signified, take place; consequently, the Sabbath will continue in force till the consummation of all things. The word alike should not be added; nor is it acknowledged by any MS. or ancient version.”

See was the Sabbath abolished on FAQ 9. for more information and links to cover this and other related passages in much greater detail also with more Bible Commentaries from famous theologians. See also Romans 14:5 for more detail.

21. Is it works or legalism to obey the Sabbath?
It is no more works or legalism to obey the fourth Commandment, the Sabbath then it is legalism or works to obey the other nine Commandments. The answer is no if you are obeying all Ten Commandments for the right reason, which is not to be saved but because you are saved. We obey the law because we love Jesus (John 14:15) and no longer want to continue in the sin that nailed our loving Saviour to the cross. This point is covered in reasonable detail by the Ten Commandments FAQ 5.

22. Is Sunday the Lord's Day?
The Bible uses the phrase the “Lord's day” only once in Revelation 1:10, so we know the Lord does have a special day. But there is not one single verse in the whole Bible that refers to Sunday as the “Lord's Day.” However, the Bible does plainly identify the Sabbath as the Lord's Day. The only day ever blessed by the Lord or claimed by Him as His holy day is the Seventh day Sabbath. Matthew 12:8 “For the son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day.”

There is also an excellent, unbiased 5 DVD documentary on the true history of the Sabbath that proves how the Sabbath was changed to Sunday and the information has been supplied by more than 50 experts from all walks of life. See the “Seventh Day” for more information. It was about 461 A.D. when Sunday eventually took on the name the “Lord's Day” which was about 140 years after it had been changed through much persecution and against God's will. You can also read FAQ 11 for the real truth on who changed the Sabbath to Sunday.

23. Did Jesus break the Sabbath Commandment?
We can be very thankful that Jesus did not break the Sabbath but only the rules of the Pharisees. Those that make this statement obviously have no idea of the implications of this accusation. 1 John 3:4 says that sin is transgression of the law and if Jesus broke the Sabbath then he would have broken His own law and would have become a sinner. Just because Jesus was there when the Ten Commandments were given, it does not mean that He can murder or steal or break any one of the Ten Commandments. As a sinner He could not have been our one and final perfect sacrifice and redeemer. Let's look at the verses in contention just to clear up this fallacy anyway. The main passage is found in the book of John where Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath, and so the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath. Note that John is quoting the words of the Pharisees in this passage pretty much verbatim and are not John's personal opinion. We will see evidence of this soon. This is what Jesus said about the Pharisees in Matthew 5:20, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” These are those who also had Jesus crucified. Whose words do you think we should listen to? The words of Jesus or the words of the Pharisees?

John 5:5-18 “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. … 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. … 15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. 17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.”

The Pharisees also accused Jesus of blasphemy because He made Himself equal with the Father. Were the Pharisees correct? They were no more correct on this allegation than they were on their accusation of Jesus breaking the Sabbath. In the book of Matthew, we have another account of Jesus healing someone and the Pharisees once again accused Him of breaking the Sabbath. However, this time we have the words of Jesus as to if doing good deeds or things of absolute necessity are lawful on the Sabbath.

Matthew 12:10-12 “And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? 12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the Sabbath days.”

How convenient that the proponents quote what the Pharisees said but ignore the words of their own Lord and Saviour. Why would they put their faith in the Pharisees rather then Jesus Christ? Who in their right mind would listen to the Pharisees that Jesus said would not to enter the kingdom instead of Him, other then those not looking for truth and deceived by Satan? Why do they only quote John 5:5-18 but never mention Matthew 12:10-12 that says it was NOT unlawful to heal and do good on the Sabbath? This argument can only be from someone desperate to bury one of the Ten Commandments and that is very sad. I do believe that some do this on purpose but others do so in ignorance because they have allowed themselves to be deceived by the enemy because they have not had a love of the truth.

Jesus thankfully was not a sinner and did not break any of the Ten Commandments as He clarifies in this passage when He says “that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath,” such as healing people or pulling an animal out of a hole that would otherwise suffer. This also means it is okay for doctors and nurses and essential services to function on the Sabbath, but one should not constantly volunteer for Sabbath day work and should rotate with other people so they too can enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath.

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