Those who have read my books, Revise Us Again, Jesus: A Theography, and From Eternity to Here, are aware that those who follow Jesus Christ are not under the Law. Instead, we’ve been given the Spirit of the living God who fulfills the Law in and through us.
Consequently, the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament era have been done away with in Christ. The New Testament is clear that those laws were merely “shadows” pointing to Jesus.
But some Christians feel personally convicted to follow them, which they are perfectly free to do.
That said, those who have not read the aforementioned books sometimes write us and ask, “Are Christians obligated to keep the Sabbath like the Old Testament Jews were?”
In this post, I will answer that question in some detail.
In Colossians 2:16-17, Paul actually answers this question. He writes,
Therefore do not 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. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
In this passage, Paul mentions several Old Testament ordinances and warns us against judging one another concerning their observance.
He argues that because the ordinances are shadows that have been fulfilled in Christ, we must not allow anyone to judge us concerning them.
Biblically speaking, a shadow is an illustration of an aspect of Christ. Old Testament shadows are usually physical people, events, stories, or ordinances that typify spiritual things relating to Jesus.
Just as a physical shadow resembles the physical object in which it reflects, a biblical shadow resembles the spiritual things that Christ has provided for us in the New Covenant. For example, the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb was a shadow of the Lord Jesus Christ, the real Lamb of God (see 1 Cor. 5:7).
Therefore, we no longer sacrifice lambs because the shadow of the real Lamb has been fulfilled in Christ.
The principle of biblical shadows dictates that when the reality of the shadow appears, the actual shadow is no longer kept.
Hebrews 10:1 states that the Law (that is, the first five books of the Old Testament known as “the Torah”) contains many shadows.
In our book Jesus: A Theography, Leonard Sweet and I trace numerous Old Testament shadows that are often ignored, explaining how they are fulfilled in Christ.
Sabbaths, New Moons, and Feasts
The five shadows Paul mentions in Colossians 2:16 are the ordinances of 1) meats, 2) drinks, 3) festivals, 4) new moons, and 5) Sabbath days.
All of these ordinances are contained in the Law of Moses. The first two relate to eating (Heb. 9:10), while the last three refer to the keeping of sacred days.
In this post, we will pay specific attention to the ordinances of Sabbaths, new moons, and festivals.
Colossians 2:16-17 settles the question regarding the nature of the Sabbath, and its demand. If the Sabbaths mentioned in Colossians 2:16 refer to the seventh day Sabbaths, then the passage clearly teaches that the seventh day (the Sabbath) is a shadow which has been fulfilled in Christ, and we are not obligated to keep the shadow.
However, some have suggested that the Sabbaths referred to in this passage do not refer to the seventh day Sabbaths, but to the Sabbaths of the yearly feasts mentioned in Leviticus 23. In other words, they say the text is talking about the festival Sabbaths.
Really?
In order to determine which Sabbaths this passage is speaking of, let’s take a closer look at the last three ordinances mentioned in the passage, i.e., Sabbaths, new moons, and festivals.
The Greek word for festivals is heorte which means feasts or feast days. Therefore, festivals refer to the seven feasts found in Leviticus 23.
These feasts are: 1) the feast of Passover, 2) the feast of Unleavened Bread, 3) the feast of Firstfruits, 4) the feast of Pentecost, 5) the feast of Trumpets, 6) the Day of Atonement, and 7) the feast of Tabernacles.
On these feast days, Israel was to rest, assemble, and give offerings. Because these were rest days, they are also called Sabbaths.
The new moons were monthly celebrations accompanied by sacrifices and offerings. The new moons were kept once a month.
Lastly, the Sabbath was a weekly day of rest and offerings. The Sabbath was the seventh day.
Now look at the passage again:
Therefore do not 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. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
Since Paul has already mentioned the feast days of Leviticus 23 using the word “festivals,” it makes no sense for Paul to repeat himself by referring to the festivals again and calling them “a Sabbath day.”
In addition, the fact that the seventh day Sabbaths are weekly is significant. In Colossians 2, Paul’s argument is a continuous flow.
Paul explains that Christ has fulfilled the entire spectrum of Hebrew sacred days, that is, the yearly (festivals), the monthly (new moons), and the weekly (the Sabbath).
If we say that the Sabbath in this passage refers to the festivals, this flow is broken, and we charge Paul with being needlessly redundant.
Nevertheless, by comparing the Old Testament passages that Paul so frequently drew from in his teachings, we see further evidence that the Sabbath in Colossians 2 must refer to the weekly Sabbaths on the seventh day.
Consider the following Old Testament passages:
1 Chronicles 23:31
And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in THE SABBATHS, in THE NEW MOONS, and on the APPOINTED FESTIVALS, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the Lord.
2 Chronicles 2:4
Behold, I build a house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on THE SABBATHS, and on THE NEW MOONS, and on THE SOLEMN FESTIVALS of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
2 Chronicles 8:13
Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on THE SABBATHS, and on THE NEW MOONS, and on THE SOLEMN FESTIVALS, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.
2 Chronicles 31:3
He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for THE SABBATHS, and for THE NEW MOONS, and for THE APPOINTED FESTIVALS, as it is written in the law of the Lord.
Nehemiah 10:33
For the showbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of THE SABBATHS, of THE NEW MOONS, for the ANNUAL FESTIVALS, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.
Notice that these passages refer to the same three sacred days that Paul mentions in Colossians 2:16. Like Paul, they all mention the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the festivals (some translations use “feasts”).
Given the fact that Paul frequently makes reference to the Old Testament, and the wording of these passages and Colossians 2:16 are identical, it is clear that Paul is referring to the same sacred days of which these Old Testament passages speak.
(In addition, Numbers 28:9-11 shows us that the Sabbaths mentioned in 1 Chronicles 23:31; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 8:13; 31:3, and Nehemiah 10:33 are clearly seventh day Sabbath days.)
Clearly, we can have confidence that Paul’s words in Colossians 2:16 make reference to the weekly Sabbath day, not to the yearly festivals.
The Shadow of God’s Rest
So Colossians 2:16-17 teach us that along with the monthly new moons and the yearly festivals, the weekly Sabbath is a shadow fulfilled in Christ.
But what was it a shadow of? And how did Christ fulfill it?
Hebrews 4:3-11 answers this question.
For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH,THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST,” although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS”; and again in this passage, “THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST.” Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS.” For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
This passage teaches us that both the seventh-day rest of Genesis and the land of Canaan described in the Book of Joshua speak of the rest of faith that we now enter into through Christ.
The rest of God is available to God’s people now, for the writer of Hebrews says, “we who have believed do enter into rest,” and “he who has entered into God’s rest has ceased from his own works.”
This rest of faith is found in God’s kingdom.
Although the kingdom of God will be manifested in the future during the glorious display of Christ’s coming (2 Tim. 4:1), we enter into His kingdom now (Luke 17:20-21; Col. 1:13).
The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14:17).
The kingdom is our inheritance. It is the heavenly places in Christ Jesus mentioned in Ephesians, which was foreshadowed by Israel’s inheritance of Canaan (Josh. 11:23; Eph. 1:18; 5:5).
Just as the Israelites had to fight the inhabitants of Canaan to enter into their promised kingdom, so we must enter into God’s kingdom through the fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12).
For does not the Scripture say “let us labor with diligence to enter into that rest,” and “the kingdom of God suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:12)?
In addition, Acts 14:22 tells us that we enter into God’s kingdom through much tribulation.
God’s people must press into His kingdom through faith (Luke 16:16; Heb. 4:3).
Paradoxically, when we enter into God’s rest of faith, we cease from our own labors just as God did from His. The spiritual principle of the Sabbath, then, is that humans must rest before we work. Adam’s first full day was God’s day of rest.
In Ephesians, Paul teaches the same principle. We must first sit with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6) before we can walk in righteousness (Eph. 4:1) and stand against the enemy (Eph. 6:11).
Resting in the finished work of our Lord is the basis of all spiritual life and work. Only those who rest in God’s promises and cease from their own efforts can receive God’s righteousness, peace, and joy.
Only those who rely on God’s Spirit by faith, not depending on their own strength, can please the Lord. Romans Chapters 7 and 8 teach us that our own efforts will never bring righteousness, but only faith in Christ will.
Christ brought the kingdom of God, and He is the king.
Since the preaching of John the Baptist, the kingdom of God has been made available to mortals (Matt. 11:11-12). Therefore, the shadow of the Sabbath has been fulfilled by Christ.
The true Sabbath is the kingdom of God that is among us right now, and it will one day be manifested for all to see.
The Sabbath and the Decalogue
If the Sabbath is a shadow as Colossians 2 and Hebrews 4 clearly explain, then why was it a part of the ten commandments? This is a valid question. But the answer is quite simple.
The Decalogue is a short-hand summary of all 613 commandments contained in the Law of Moses. Consequently, it contains examples of the moral law toward God (do not take His name in vain), the moral law toward others (stealing, lying, etc.) and the ceremonial law (keeping the Sabbath holy).
In addition, according to Exodus 31:13 and Ezekiel 20:12, the Sabbath was a sign of God’s covenant with Israel. The Sabbath signified Israel’s covenant with God in much the same way that circumcision served as a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham.
Both circumcision and the Sabbath are said to be everlasting covenants in the Old Testament (Ex. 31:16; Lev. 24:8; Gen. 17:13), yet they are no longer binding today because they were fulfilled in Christ, who is the Eternal Sabbath and the Eternal Circumcision of the heart.
What is important to God is the keeping of the real Sabbath and having the real circumcision which are found in Christ.
Since the Sabbath was a shadow pointing to Jesus, worshipping God on Sunday, Tuesday, or Friday, for example, does not violate God’s character or harm others.
For these reasons, there is no New Testament Scripture that commands us to keep “the letter of the Law” as it pertains to the fourth commandment.
In his treatise against judging fellow Christians, Paul writes the following in Romans 14:5-6:
One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone.
Paul says that every person should be “fully convinced in their own mind.”
So those whose consciences lead them to rest on the Sabbath are perfectly free in the Lord to do so. But they are not free to judge those who does not share that same conviction, for again, Israel’s sacred days were shadows that have been fulfilled in Christ (Col. 2:16).
The First Day of the Week
Although the early Christians did not observe the literal Sabbath, they did routinely meet together on Sundays.
Acts 20:7 says that the disciples came together to break bread on the first day of the week, and 1 Corinthians 16:2 exhorts believers to store up their financial offerings on the first day of the week.
Sunday is the first day of the week. The Sabbath — Saturday — is the seventh day of the week.
In addition, the Bible never teaches or implies that the Sabbath day changed to Sunday. Rather, the Bible teaches that the Sabbath is a shadow that has been fulfilled.
Interestingly, the early Christians called Sunday “the Lord’s day.” This is based on Psalms 118:22-24:
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.
This text is referring to the day that Jesus rose from the dead (see Acts 4:10-11). Jesus rose again on the first day of the week, therefore, this is the day that He became the head of the corner (Mark 16:9).
Some have suggested that the apostles kept the Sabbath day because we read about them going into the temple courts and the synagogues, preaching the message of Christ on the Sabbath.
But the apostles went to the temple courts and the synagogues on the Sabbath day to preach to unconverted Jews. Since the Jews resided in the temple area on the Sabbath, as well as some Gentiles, Paul and the others went there to prove to them that Jesus was the Messiah.
A careful reading of Acts 13:14-48; 14:1-7; 17:1-14 and 18:4 show that these meetings were evangelistic outreaches during Paul’s apostolic trips. They were not church meetings.
Note Paul’s words in 1 Cor. 9:19-21:
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law, but I am in law to Christ), so as to win those not having the law.
A Look at Church History
According to church history, the early Christians routinely assembled on the first day of the week. The early Christians also called Sunday “the eighth day.”
This testimony does not come from those believers living in Rome and Alexandria only (as some suggest), but from other parts of the world such as Antioch, Lyons, and Asia Minor.
Consider the following witnesses to this fact:
Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 30-107) states that Christians “no longer observe the Sabbath, but are living in the observance of the Lord’s day.”
The Didache (A.D. 80) says “But every Lord’s day do you gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving.” (7:381)
In the Epistle of Barnabas (2nd century), we read, “I will make a beginning of the eighth day, that is, a beginning of another world, Wherefore, also we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day that Jesus rose from the dead.” (Ch. 15)
In his first apology, Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-167) writes, “On the day which is called Sunday we have a common assembly of all who live in the cities or in the outlying districts, and the memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets are read …” (Ch. 67)
In the Teaching of the Apostles (A.D. 105), we read, “The apostles therefore appointed … on the first day of the week let there be service and reading of the holy scriptures, and the oblation [communion] because on the first day of the week our Lord arose upon the world, and ascended to heaven. (8:668)
In the Apostolic Constitutions (2nd-3rd centuries) we read, “Break your fast … the first day of the week, which is the Lord’s day … After eight days let there be another feast observed with honor, the eighth day itself.” (7:447)
Both Tertullian (A.D. 160-225) and Justin Martyr stated that the Sabbath was a shadow which was abolished under Christ just as circumcision was. (As far as I know, Tertullian was the first to declare the idea of resting on Sunday.)
In addition, Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 174) stated that “the old seventh day has become nothing more than a working day,” and Theophilus (A.D. 163) said that “we should honor the Lord’s day, seeing on that day it was that our Lord completed His resurrection from the dead.”
Finally, church historian Eusebius wrote, “From the beginning Christians assembled on the first day of the week, called by them the Lord’s day, for the purpose of religious worship, to read the Scriptures, to preach and to celebrate the Lord’s supper.”
Eusebius explained that Sunday has the preeminence over the seventh day because of Jesus’ resurrection.
This by no means suggests that Christians must gather on Sunday, for there is no such law in the New Testament. Paul also makes clear that there are no “sacred days” on God’s calendar (see Rom. 14).
It does demonstrate, however, that both the primitive church and the ancient church — before Constantine — did not observe the Sabbath for rest or for worship.
Tying All the Threads
In conclusion, the Sabbath day command was an ordinance that foreshadowed the coming rest in God’s kingdom that Jesus Christ would bring (Heb. 4). Christ, in essence, is our Sabbath rest.
God’s desire is that we enter into this spiritual rest now, rather than trying to keep the letter of the seventh day command. His aim is that we keep the substance of the Sabbath rather than its shadow. The Sabbath is about a Person, not a day.
For this reason, Christians who are convicted by their conscience that they are to observe the Sabbath as holy are never to judge those who do not share that conviction (see Col. 2).
As Paul said, concerning sacred days, let each person be persuaded in his own mind, and see that he or she does not judge another in these matters (Rom. 14).
You Are Free
All told, if a person is going to insist that Christians must observe the Sabbath as specified in the Old Testament Law, then they are also obligated to be circumcised (if they are male).
They are also obligated to offer blood sacrifices.
They are also obligated to follow the temple worship rituals.
They are also obligated to rid their homes of all forms of yeast (leaven) during the specified times of the year.
They are also obligated never to wear clothes that are made of mixed fabrics.
And they are also obligated to follow every other ceremonial ritual in the Law of Moses.
If that’s you, recall the words of Peter in Acts 15:10:
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?
I’d also encourage you to re-read the book of Hebrews as well as the book of Galatians. (Paul was angered that the Galatian believers were keeping sacred days out of obligation, Galatians 4:9-11.)
New Testament revelation is unmistakably clear that Jesus has circumcised our flesh with the knife of His Spirit. It is unmistakably clear that Christ is our blood sacrifice. It is unmistakably clear that Jesus is the Temple of God of which we are a part. It is unmistakably clear that Christ has empowered us to rid ourselves of the “old yeast” of sin, and to be separate and unmixed from the world.
It is also unmistakably clear, as we’ve seen in this post, that Jesus is our Sabbath rest.
For a scholarly examination of the biblical teaching on the Sabbath, see N.T. Wright’s Scripture and the Authority of God, Chapter 9.
Wright comes to the same basic conclusions that I have, but he arrives at them using a different line of argument.
Consequently, both this article and Wright’s chapter form a thorough response to the oft-asked question, “Should Christians keep the Sabbath day?”
See also Jesus vs. Moses for more details on this subject including answers to objections.
You Are Not Alone – Moving Beyond Evangelical
Hi,Frank. What are we to say to those folks who firmly believe that the seventh-day Sabbath is past with regard to Christian believers, but often apply Sabbath Day-like restrictions to Sunday. I sincerely believe that when we spend the Lord’s Day in a way that honors the Lord (fellowship or a meal together after the service.. that meal being shared either at someone’s house or at the church, itself; an evening service….). Spending the day in this way can be a real blessing. My difficulty is when bretheren are criticized for going out to get something to eat on a Sunday after the service, or stopping in a store to pick up something.
I do believe that we can attribute the idea of a “rest” to the Lord’s Day; but the true substance of that rest is in Christ, Himself, and that overthinking the Lord’s day in Sabbatarian terms may be a bit too much. Does this become almost pharisaical? Please let me know your feelings.
Thanks. 🙂
-John A.
How does this article fail to answer your questions? I wrote it as a respond to those very questions. Romans 14 and Colossians 2 are the key texts to look to as the article argues.
And what about Isaiah 66?
What about it? If understood in context, it doesn’t overturn any of the points made in the New Testament texts referenced in this article. Not at all.
That’s the Scripture that came to mind as well Chase. Many comments on the thread and part of Frank’s post seeks to equate God’s Law with bondage. I’m from a culture that practices male circumcision (albeit for different reasons) and it’s not something that even raises an eyebrow. I believe the Torah is still in full effect and interestingly, Pagan Christianity was one of the books that played a part in my journey to Torah. I think it comes down to whether one believes the Law is bondage or liberty and life as David, James and God say so.
To say that this article is arguing that “God’s Law is bondage” is building a straw man. Do you also practice animal sacrifices? That’s in the Law. How about wearing clothes with mixed fabrics? That’s condemned in God’s Law. How about a woman being defiled when she’s menstruating and those who touch her must suffer consequences. That’s in the Law.
I would guess you don’t follow any of the above laws. The problem here is to fail to distinguish those laws which are shadows fulfilled in Christ.
It’s problematic to ignore the NT texts in this article.
Regarding Pagan Christianity, the whole message there is that some ecclesiastical practices are not rooted in the NT. But did you go on to read the constructive sequels to that book, since PC is not a stand alone work? They are here if you wish to hear the entire argument that PC started: http://ReimaginingChurch.org
I said part of the post alludes to the law being bondage, the heading of the last bit proclaims “You are Free”, as opposed to bound? I cannot practise animal sacrifice because there’s no temple nor Levitical priesthood. I do check whether clothing I buy is a mixture of wool and linen (the two fabrics mentioned). I am learning about the law regarding cleanness and uncleanness due to menstruation and so far there is a remedy to the uncleanness. I am still learning though.
There have been instances where people of God were not able to fully obey all commandments, say Daniel or Ezra or Nehemiah. But they kept the ones they could.
One of the things PC taught me was the importance of context. In Colossians 2 Paul keeps mentioning “traditions of men” and “rudiments of the world” and “vanity” as part of the issue he is addressing, which I do not fully know as I was not at Colossae at the time and haven’t done sufficient study on the culture of the city at the time of the letter’s writing. I do know though that what God delivered on Sinai for 40 days cannot be equated to traditions of men or philosophies or vain deceit. The Sabbath isn’t mentioned anywhere in Romans 14 nor in the chapters in the vicinity so I do not believe he is talking about it.
The Father talks an awful lot about circumcised hearts in the OT which means it’s not a new NT idea. He has always wanted circumcised hearts.
Hebrews 4 talks about the possibility of coming short of entering into his rest due to unbelief and likens it to the disobedience (caused by unbelief) in the Wilderness. I don’t believe the passage is putting aside the Sabbath day.
Lastly, I agree that judging/condemning people for not keeping the Sabbath is wrong. I myself have never kept it before God led me to the Torah. The one outcome of Torah “awakening” is humility. Disagreeing need not mean hostility of any kind nor be deemed as condemnation. We’re all on our journeys of faith and like Paul says in Romans our own consciences either accuse or excuse us.
I am super humbled that you even responded. I have told everyone I know to buy PC and borrowed my own copy to a few who could not. Great job on that! I refer people to your blog as well. As you said in your 60’s music piece, we can commend each other even if there are (wide) doctrinal differences. Umm I am by no stretch of the imagination in the league of people you address on that post but I liked the underlying principle 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to reply. I’m glad you don’t put your observance of the Sabbath on others. I think this is the core issue. I also believe that there’s a whole universe related to understanding how the Temple, the sacrificial system, and the other rituals in the Law were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. (The OT actually tells the Jesus Story quote beautifully – see https://www.frankviola.org/jesuschrist).
Anyways, it would be nice to catch up a year from now and see how all of these things look then.
Your brother,
fv
Psalm 115:1
Frank,
I would welcome your comments on two issues:
1. A few reputable evangelical scholars have reservations about the tripartite division of the Law into civil, ceremonial, and moral. Do you view this division as sound/unassailable?
2. Many discussions like the current one rarely delve into the issue of what standard Christians should use for defining personal ethics. Since we’re no longer under Law, what standard is there? Is the standard universal and specific?
1. The 613 laws can be divided up into many different parts depending on how one views it. But clearly ritual ceremonial laws were all shadows. Hebrews makes this plain and so does Colossians 2.
2. Jesus Christ is the answer to that question. See my book “Jesus: A Theography” for commentary. https://www.frankviola.org/jesuschrist
Good stuff Frank!
I really appreciate your insight and encouragement. As the Holy Spirit has been leading me deeper into Christ, I’ve also learned that He is my rest! And as I choose to rest in Him I have been learning that everyday is a Sabbath day. Everyday is a day of rest and worship. Everyday is holy! It’s all about Jesus and what He’s already accomplished on the cross. We do go through a struggling process to find our place of rest in Him, but once we find it, there we are! It’s like that beautiful caterpillar struggling to break free from the confines of it’s cocoon, once it breaks loose and it’s wings have been properly developed, it flies out into the freedom it was created for. We too must go through our own path of struggling, striving and suffering in order for our wings to develop (coming to that place of brokenness and dependence upon the Father) and find our place of rest in Him. Once we are there we can learn to fly above the storms like the eagles do and, with no effort, soar into victory in His strength.
Now, every day, moment by moment, we need to rest in His love and grace. We need to live out Romans 12:1-2 and appropriate Galatians 2:20. As we do this, we choose to walk by faith and abide in Him. Then, allow Him to live His life through us! He doesn’t need nor want our “help” in living the abundant life which only happens through this place of resting in Him. This, I’m learning, is the meaning of the “rest” Hebrews 4 is referring to. And it’s an everyday rest we are to enter into because everyday is a Sabbath day of rest! We also need to rest from our physical labor as is only wise and needful, but the Sabbath rest (as you said) is a spiritual rest. It’s a rest of the soul that we only find in Christ.
Frank, good point about needing to keep the whole law if you feel bound to keep a part of it.
In addition to the Sabbath and circumcision, one also needs to keep the clean/unclean food laws, and that doesn’t just mean not eating pork.
If a person touches unclean meat, they’re unclean, and everything they touch is unclean. So you can’t eat at restaurants (the cooks are ceremonially unclean). You can’t buy anything at the grocery deli counter. Who knows what has been touched by people who have touched unclean meats? And how about touching your wife or anything she touches when menstruating?
It is truly impossible to keep these laws. I think that’s the point. It is in this way that the Law, both moral and ceremonial, lead us as a school master to Christ, by showing us our inability to keep it. I know from experience.
Great points, Ross! I’ve yet to meet a single person who insists on keeping the Sabbath also keep the other ceremonial laws. They are inconsistent at best. The Sabbath was a shadow; Paul clearly said so in Colossians 2 as well as the author of Hebrews. Thx. for your insightful comment!
Frank, your re-imaging series is great from what I’ve read so far, I have a question the on feasts and Sabbath, Please remember I pretty much agree with you.
New Living Translation
Lev 23:14 “Do not eat any bread or roasted grain or fresh kernels on that day until you bring this offering to your God. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live”
Question. the Lord says, ….Permanent…., is there a time expiration on permanent? I’m having a little challenge with this one. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Be Blessed in Truth,
Michael
Christian Truth or Deception
Circumcision is an “eternal” law as well. In fact, all the 613 laws are said to be “permanent.” They are. But the ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ and observed in Christ. Here’s an excerpt from the article that makes this point.
“New Testament revelation is unmistakably clear that Jesus has circumcised our flesh with the knife of His Spirit. It is unmistakably clear that Christ is our blood sacrifice. It is unmistakably clear that Jesus is the Temple of God of which we are a part. It is unmistakably clear that Christ has empowered us to rid ourselves of the “old yeast” of sin, and to be separate and unmixed from the world.”
I’d encourage you to get and read “Jesus: A Theography.” I had no idea how much this book is needed when I wrote it with Sweet. But after reading some of the questions to this article, I’m so glad it’s available. I just wish every believer would take the time to read it. It opens up the Old Testament and what it’s all really about and how it’s to be applied today. https://www.frankviola.org/jesuschrist
It is also unmistakably clear, as we’ve seen in this post, that Jesus is our Sabbath rest.
Much of the Old Covenant was to be kept as a “perpetual” ordinance, or “forever,” and “for all your generations.” These words in the Hebrew do not necessarily mean for all of eternity. The question is, how does a person keep a law “forever,” if that person does not live forever?
The answer is, these were types and shadows of something eternal, meant for those who inherit eternal life in Christ. Not only that, but because One died, ALL died. Jesus’ death on the cross was a circumcision of Adam’s race. The entire old creation was put to death in Him, and in His resurrection, He became the Firstborn of a NEW creation (Noah’s Flood was a type of baptism, of being baptized into the death of Christ. God told Noah, the “end of all flesh has come before me.”) The “generations” of Adam end with Christ (Luke 3:23-38), and now those in Christ are a NEW creation, a chosen generation, a holy people declaring the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His life.
The things that are seen are temporary. The things that are unseen are eternal. All of the old creation is a temporary shadow which pictures God eternal qualities, invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature (Romans 1:20). All of the details in the law were pictures of something eternal. It is the things that are unseen and eternal that are real, while the things we see and feel and touch and taste are a mist and a shadow that passes away when the morning sun rises.
Correct. I’d just nuance the first point but stating that the Old Covenant rituals are eternal as fulfilments in and of Christ. Jesus will always been the real Sabbath, the real Sun, the real Moon, etc.
Hi Frank,
I was born in a Seventh-Day Adventist hospital, raised in a Seventh-day Adventist neighborhood. However, our family was “Sunday go to meetin’ folks”. We were garden variety pentecostal. I had many friends and associates who were ferevntly SDA and I have no disparaging remarks about keeping the Sabbath. When we would have discussions about this issue I leaned on the Romans/Hebrews passages you mentioned and I largely agree with everything you’ve written. BTW I liked the point you made about shadows and “the rest of God” is in Christ. I would add that Jesus referred to himself as Lord of the Sabbath
Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Mar 2:28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Luk 6:5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
Clearly we agree that Sabbath keeping does not “save” a soul. Our rest is in Christ’s completed work.
However I’d like to point out that the Hebrews were observing the sabbath before the Law was given.
Exo_16:23 And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
In the collecting of Manna they were already observing the sabbath
In the Ten Commandments The one regarding the sabbath has the most interpretive information accompanying the command to Remember the Sabbath day. It also is one that is stated positevely. In that it is not a “Thou shalt not”, it was not to be limiter or a curbing of behavior but an directive to obey and do. It also suggests that the Sabbath was instituted by God in the week of creation.
[Blog Manager – this comment was too long as it was quoting texts. here are the references]
(Exo 20:8-11 KJV)
Exo 31:13
What does God mean when He says, “throughout your generations”? Is God clearly able to communicate his message to his Creation?
Exo 31:16
What does God who is the Creator of time mean when He says “perpetual covenant”?
Lev_16:31
How long is for ever?
Lev_24:8
How long is an everlasting covenant?
Perhaps we would do well to enter into the rest of God by remebering the Sabbath.
In my weekly living I work on Sundays holding service and serving in a church that serves the homeless. And on Saturdays I often am preparing/finishing a message and attending ballgames with my kids or otherwise enjoying my family. Monday thru Friday I have a full-time job and own a business so I am working more than many people. I like it. However I also like to stop and enjoy the rest of God that Jesus has provided each morning and any time as often as I can.
Christians who want to observe the Sabbath are fine, excepting when it becomes a self-righteous point of view. An attitiude that may be like, “Since I keep the Sabbath I am a better Christian than those who don’t.” Let’s also be careful not to make the same mistake in reverse. Let’s allow each follower of Christ to serve and honor God according to Scripture and according to their conscience. We are free. Free to Remeber the Sabbath everyday and to especially set it aside unto God.
None of what you wrote overturns the argument of the article, or N.T. Wright’s treatment of it in his book.
The point of the argument (as you know if you read it all) is that the Sabbath is a shadow fulfilled in Christ. Paul condemns judging any person who doesn’t wish to keep the “shadow” OR ANY OTHER ceremonial law in the Old Testament. Because they are mere “shadows,” the reality is Jesus Christ.
Here’s what I wrote to another person who asked the same question:
Circumcision is an “eternal” law as well. In fact, all the 613 laws are said to be “permanent.” They are. But the ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ and observed in Christ. Here’s an excerpt from the article that makes this point.
I’d encourage you to get and read “Jesus: A Theography.” I had no idea how much this book is needed when I wrote it with Sweet. But after reading some of the questions to this article, I’m so glad it’s available. I just wish every believer would take the time to read it. It opens up the Old Testament and what it’s all really about and how it’s to be applied today. https://www.frankviola.org/jesuschrist
I find it interesting how many Seventh-Day Adventists have written me personally saying that the article convinced them that they had imbibed an error in teaching, and they are just now finding freedom in Jesus Christ, the kind that Paul talks about in Galatians. I’m honored and thankful.
Hi Frank,
I wasn’t arguing against your post I was agreeing with you as I said in my previous post. No polemic just an addendum….
What I wanted to add was that we are free to observe the sabbath or not. Don’t you agree? By your reply I am not sure if you do or not.
As you said, “Paul says that every person should be “fully convinced in their own mind.”” At the personal level if someone prefers this practice as part of their realtionship and fellowship with the Lord that is between them and the Savior. To make it mandatory or necessary in order to be a “good christian” is clearly not scriptural.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
In scripture I find nothing wrong with a person wanting to take one day per week totally devoted to God. Have you? If so please show me. Obviously it has nothing to do with salvation as Christ is the present reality of all those shadows, as you mentioned.
BTW I have read “Theography” and others too. I liked it best of all your books that I’ve read. I did read the entire post you originally made as well.
Thanks,
David
Thanks David. Yes, I make that very point in the article itself. People are free to observe any day they wish in whatever way, but it’s wrong to judge others who disagree. Thx. for the comment.
Hi Frank,
I’m wondering if you could share your findings from study on the Matt 5:17-19 text and how Jesus’ words fit into the matter of Sabbath keeping:
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Thanks,
Jared
Jared: I believe the article explains that. There are 613 Laws in the Mosaic Covenant. Re-read the last part of the article to get an idea of some of them (circumcision, wearing clothes with mixed fabrics, animal sacrifices, etc.). The entire article explains how those ceremonial laws – including the Sabbath – are fulfilled in Christ. The Old Testament law for Israel about the Sabbath was a SHADOW. Christ is the SUBSTANCE. He is our Sabbath. Colossians 2 makes that as plain as day.
My book “Jesus: A Theography” explains how the ceremonial and ritual laws of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. I highly recommend you read the book so you can be clear on this point: https://www.frankviola.org/jesuschrist
Thankyou Frank. It is of no wonder The Apostle Paul would teach all night until people fell asleep on window ledges. Seriously just cannot get enough of this teaching. And in working face to face practicality as a former youth leader we would have amazing contact and interaction with 7th Day Adventists. 20, 30 years ago l would wrestle in my mind the day they chose to attend church even though l rate them some of the healthiest christians on the globe. Glad that type of thinking has expanded now. Again thankyou for all the research you put in. Holy Ghost inspired.
Frank
Thank you for this insightful teaching on the Sabbath. You filled in a number of holes for me. I was wondering if you have previously presented (in blog or book) a teaching on tithing and giving as expressed in the New Testament and early church. I wrestle with what is commonly understood and taught in Christendom today.
Jay: Thanks. Barna and I took an entire chapter to cover tithing in “Pagan Christianity.” http://www.paganchristianity.org
Thanks for a sane and comprehensive treatment of this issue, Frank. It’s much needed over here as we are seeing quite a resurgence of Seventh-day Sabbatarianism amongst South African believers (many of them mainstream evangelicals). Unfortunately, most of it is not the freedom-of-conscience variety referred to in Romans 14, but a rather rigid and legalistic interpretation of the issue. Btw, I was wondering why you made no mention of Galatians 4:9-11. Do you think it is too ambiguous to be included in the argument?
There are many other arguments that can be added. Another one is that of all the 10 commandments, every one is repeated in the New Testament except the Sabbath command. This makes sense seeing that it was a shadow of Christ, just as circumcision and animal sacrifices were.
hey Steve, this is dee. I am so glad you saw the truth. When you say the ‘unbalanced reverence’, I agree so much. I used to be catholic and as a child when I saw a church with a cross without Jesus on it, I thought “wow, dont they love Jesus? They couldn’t be very religious at all. We catholics are so much more into God. We have so much more of Him than other religions”
I really thought that; but of course now I know catholicism IS a religion and that is the bad part and also, if you take away all that the catholic church is, you don’t find Jesus anywhere. We, and I especially, had an unbalanced reverence for saints and kneeling and novenas. I went to bed with my mary statue every night. lol Thank you Jesus> He gave me light.
Thank you Dee. By grace I was also able to lead others to become former Sabbatarians who now understand that Jesus is our New Covenant Sabbath rest. Speaking of “religiosity” and unbalanced reverence for Old Covenant law, I love how The Message renders Matthew 11:28-30…
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
frank, doesnt it say in revelations that “I hope you are not running away to the mountains on the sabbath’? Something like that anyway. I think that is the passage my brother is referring to. I told him I think it means that I hope you are not under the law. Meaning that you are saved. Think that is it?
The entire book of Revelation is symbolic. Jesus doesn’t walk around with a sword coming out of His mouth. That’s a symbol of His Word. Christ is our Sabbath, now and in the future.
What a great summary to the question: “should we keep the Sabbath?” The Law was given to reveal our inability to gain righteousness through our own efforts. But glory be to God that Christ is our righteousness. Just thinking about my inability of keeping every letter of the Law makes the perfection of Christ even more glorious – I am complete in Him, He is my Rest, He is my righteousness!
As a former Sabbatarian having waded through these same Scriptures 20+ years ago, I’d say you pretty much nailed it Frank. There is a certain kind of delusion that comes with an unbalanced reverence for Law above all else and this can be difficult to overcome.
hi frank, that was great!!!! My brother is a Seventh Day adventist. He and his family have been converting others to it also.
I have been feeling guilty for the last 30 yrs because I led him out of Catholicism when I saw the truth but I failed to teach him where to go. So the first time someone knocked on his door, they were adventists. He went with them and I cannot get him to see the truth.
So, he always says that it doesnt save you but that since God wrote the commandments with ‘His own finger’ the 10 are special and are to be kept forever. He said sabbath is mentioned in revelations and therefore even in the next life we will be having a sabbath!!! I tell him yes, but it is the rest of faith and explain things you have said, but he insists I am the one that probably wont be in eternity.
Thanks. It’s very difficult to explain Colossians 2 away. The only way to do that is to invoke special pleading for the word “Sabbath” and argue that it’s not talking about the weekly Sabbath, but something else. The Old Testament texts in this article discredit that line of reasoning. I suppose there will always be people who will ignore what this article presents and probably won’t even look at what N.T. Wright has said on the matter (see my final paragraph). It’s perfectly fine if a Christian wants to observe all the Old Testament rituals if they feel so led, but to put “Sabbath keeping, circumcision, new moons, festivals, etc.” on all of God’s people is something both Paul and Peter had major issues with. Thus Paul’s words in Colossians 2 … “let no one judge you [in such matters].” I’m the glad the article is helping so many people. I’ve been asked this question many times, but never had time to publish a response until now.
Christ is ALL, everything else is commentary!
Thanks for this detailed post Frank.
What struck me in your post was that prior to Christ Israel had to work to please God. Each of those days (the feasts, the new moons, and the Sabbaths) involved elaborate sacrificial rituals. But, the writer of Hebrews says that I have rest from my works in and through Christ. (In fact, Jesus says that work of God is to believe.) I no longer need to perform or strive for perfection in the law to be in right relationship with God. Christ completed all of that work so that I can rest in Him.