The Messianic Movement

The Messianic Movement

Saturday or Sunday?

Colossians 2:16

The Law Defined

The first five books of the Bible are commonly referred to as "the Law" or "Torah," a Hebrew word (#8451), meaning "the Law" or "Teaching." Within the first five books of the Bible, we find three areas of law: the civil law (governing society in general); the moral law (primarily the commandments given to Moses on Mt. Sinai) and the ceremonial law (containing 613 ordinances). Included in these laws are the instructions concerning dress, sabbath-keeping, festival observances, dietary laws, new moons, circumcision, etc. - these are the substance of "the Law."

When the New Testament refers to "commandments" (ENTOLE, #1785), as opposed to the "Law" (NOMOS, #3551), it refers to something other than sabbath-keeping, festivals and new moon observances and the like. For instance, in Matthew 5:17-19: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law (NOMOS, #3551) or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, until heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall by no means pass from the law (NOMOS) until all be fulfilled. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments (ENTOLE), and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Since the Bible says that the Law does not apply to new testament believers (Matthew 11:13, John 1:17, Acts 15, Romans 6:14, Ephesians 2:15, Hebrews 8:13;10:9), Christ was obviously referring to something else when He referred to "commandments." He used a different word (ENTOLE) for the express purpose of showing us that He was not referring to the Law (NOMOS) when He said, "whoever breaks (or tells others to break) these commandments (ENTOLE) shall be least in the kingdom." He was in fact introducing His "new commandments," which He was about to enunciate in the subsequent passages (see Matthew 5:19ff). It is those "commandments," not the law of Moses, that He charges us to keep (and tell others to keep).

Although the question of whether or not we should keep the law was answered in the beginning stages of the Church (Acts 15), some continue to resist the clear teaching of Scripture:

"And certain men came down from Jude and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, 'It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ‘But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they. Therefore I urge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God ... Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law' - to whom we gave no such commandment. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well."

- Acts 15:1,5,10,11,19,24,27-29

Concerning Acts 15, the Wycliffe Bible Commentary states:

They [converted Pharisees] retained all of the practices and customs of the Law, simply adding the gospel of the death and the resurrection of Jesus as the promised Jewish Messiah. Pharisee converts insisted that Gentiles must also become Jews in order to become Christians. The 'right wing' party in Jerusalem saw something which was not evident to Peter: that the growth of the Gentile church must mean the inevitable end of the Jewish church. As intercourse increased between the two churches, Jewish Christians would have to follow Peter's example and lay aside their Jewish practices. Therefore, when certain men came from James to Antioch (Galatians 2:12), they accused Peter of forsaking the Law and pointed out to him that his course of action meant the end of Judaism. This caused such dissension that the church at Antioch found it necessary to have the issue decided in Jerusalem. Therefore a delegation was appointed to go to the apostles and elders and achieve a settlement of the question. This led to a formal conference of the apostles and elders with the delegation from Antioch. Verses 12 and 22 show that the church as a whole participated in the decision. Paul's rebuke of Peter in Antioch (Galatians 2:11) had been effective. So now Peter, as leader of the apostles, reverted to the position taken after his mission to Cornelius - that God had accepted the Gentiles as Gentiles by faith alone and not on Jewish terms (verses 10,11). A yoke in Jewish thought does not necessarily mean a burden but designates an obligation. Here Peter asserts that Jewish legalism was an obligation and a burden that the Jews were unable to bear. In contrast to the burdensomeness of the Law, salvation is through grace both for Gentiles and for Jews. The last and decisive word was spoken by James, the brother of the Lord, who had come to assume a position of leadership among the elders and apostles in Jerusalem. He referred to Peter's mission to Cornelius and showed that the Gentile mission was in God's plan ... James rendered the judgment that they should no longer trouble the Gentiles by demanding that they accept circumcision and the law of Moses.

Observing the Law (rather "trying" to observe the Law) in this dispensation is akin to spiritual adultery:

"For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another - to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter"

- Romans 7:1-4,6

And in Galatians, Paul writes: "O FOOLISH Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you; did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?" (Galatians 3:1,2). These are powerful, cutting words from Paul concerning the Law. Notice that in the first sentence, he capitalized "foolish," using an exclamation mark. That is how strongly Paul felt about people who try to keep and tell others that they should keep the Old Testament Law. He vilifies such practices by saying they are "bewitched." No wonder they eventually decapitated him. The remainder of the third chapter of Galatians (which I urge you to read) is perhaps the strongest injunction against observance of the Mosaic law in the whole of Scripture. For instance, verse 10: "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse...” and verse 13, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law..." It is a curse to submit yourself to ordinances, observances and the commandments of men: "But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain" (Galatians 4:9-11). "Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations - 'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' which all concern things which perish with the using - according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh" (Colossians 2:20-23). Paul says that keeping the Law is mere religion (an outward form with no substance), false humility and IS OF NO VALUE. How much clearer could God's Word be concerning whether or not we should observe the Law?

Some say that although we are not "saved" by the law, we are nonetheless "perfected" by keeping it. However, there are numerous Scriptures that militate against that false premise:

"For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect" (Hebrews 10:1). And, "Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?"

- Hebrews 7:11 (cp 7:18,19; 9:9,10)

Rather than perfecting or maturing us in the Lord, the Law hinders our walk with God, creates "false humility" (which is really pride) and severs us from Christ (Galatians 5:4). It is not a light matter to entangle yourself in the bondage of the law and evermore worse to tell others to do likewise (Galatians 5:10-12; 6:13).

The Circumcision

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

- Galatians 5:1-5

Paul himself had consented to the death of Stephen who was guilty of not keeping the traditions of the elders. Jeffery L. Sheler, writing in U.S. News & World Report (April 20, 1992), comments,

Like many other Jews of the time, Stephen was an outspoken critic of the Temple hierarchy. As a leader among the Hellenist Christians, he argued that the Temple's authority had been superseded by the coming of Jesus. Even to Hebrew Christians that seemed a radical view, one certainly not shared by James and others who prayed daily in the Temple ... He was charged with blasphemy and stoned to death. Though his death is often depicted otherwise, says Helmut Koester, professor of New Testament at Harvard Divinity School, “Stephen was martyred not because he was a Christian, but because as a Christian he rejected the law and ritual of his Jewish past.”

In his letter to the Galatians (2:9-14), Paul told, in no uncertain terms, of the hypocrisy and error of Peter, James et. al., for attempting to judaize those who had put their faith in Christ. Judaizers replace grace with the law, the Holy Spirit with tradition and the living Word with the dead letter. This, unbeknownst to many seeking Christians, is bringing much of the Body of Christ into what Paul referred to as bondage, "But this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage). And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!" (Galatians 2:4;5:11,12) Some who were (and are) judaizing were "false brethren" and some were "pillars in the Church" (James and Peter). Paul strongly rebuked them all (Galatians 2:11), and so must we today. He showed us that they were stealing the liberty "wherewith Christ had made them free."

The Law of Liberty v. The Law of Sin and Death

"You are manifestly an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech - unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away ... Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

- 2 Corinthians 3:3-13,17

Here we see that the "liberty" that was being stolen was the person of the Holy Spirit. The moving and presence of the Holy Spirit was and is being replaced with liturgy and ritualistic practice. But worse yet, the replacement is being falsely labeled as the manifestation of the Spirit. This is a dangerous deception. False religion always results because the living presence of God is absent. Religion comes in many forms, including Catholicism, Hinduism, Protestantism and Messianism (the practice of "judaizing"). In all instances, the killing practice of replacing the Holy Spirit with form is present.

The "Law of Liberty" has replaced the "Law of Sin and Death (Moses)," "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (the Mosaic law). For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8:2-4). These scriptures explain the meaning of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:17; that He came to "fulfill the law." Notice, He did not say He came to "observe," but rather to "fulfill," meaning to complete. How does He do that? The answer is made clear in Romans 8:4 - He fulfills the law through us, as we walk in the Spirit. By abiding in Him (John 15:1-6), He, through us, spontaneously fulfills all the righteous requirements of God (which may or may not correspond to Moses' ten commandments or the 613 ordinances of the law). This is called the Law of Liberty (James 2:12) because it frees us from the "bondage" of the Law of Moses (Galatians 5:1). To continue to observe the Law of Moses is to entangle that for which Christ died to free: "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. They answered Him, ‘we are Abraham's descendants and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, you will be made free?' 'Most assuredly I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'" (John 8:32-36). Here, Christ explains that a slave will not abide in the house forever. This is in response to and directed toward those Jews who were challenging Him. They (the Jews), although they are Abraham's descendants, are considered to be slaves. Jesus explains why they are slaves - because THEY ARE UNDER THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. In Romans 7, we find that the purpose of the law is to show us that we are sold under sin (verses 7-13) and that all who remain under it are under the "Law of Sin and Death" (Romans 8:2). Therefore, we are to leave (be delivered from) the law of sin and death (Galatians 4:21-31) into the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25).

Particular practices of Messianism (or "the circumcision" as Paul referred to it) is the mandate to keep the sabbath (Saturday) and observe the Feasts, in the ancient Jewish tradition. These are unnecessary "yokes" that do not apply to the New Testament Church. Paul made this clear in Colossians 2:16,17 where he wrote, "Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath. Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ." Paul says, "let no one sit in judgment on you," or "impose upon you" the practices and outward observances of the Mosaic law (see Galatians 4:9,10). The Hebrew Sabbath and Feasts were merely "shadows" with only symbolic meaning to the New Testament Church! Yes, Israel was required to rest on Saturday and strictly observe the Levitical Feasts. BUT THAT APPLIED ONLY TO NATIONAL, ETHNIC ISRAEL. The foregoing scripture unequivocally tells us that the substance and reality is in Christ. As we by grace enter into Christ, we enter into the reality of what is represented in these feasts and sabbaths. Continuing to observe them in the Mosaic tradition is to make their fulfillment in Christ superfluous. It is the same as the Roman Catholic Mass in which the priest continues to repeat the death and resurrection of Christ over and over. This practice is clearly refuted in Hebrews 9. We should study the Feasts of Israel to understand the anti-type (what they pre-figure), but we are by no means under obligation to "keep" them in the Old Testament fashion.

Jesus said that He came to "fulfill" the law. "Fulfill" (PIEROO) means, "to complete, to fill up." In other words, the Lord Himself is the fulfillment, the reality, the embodiment, the capstone, the goal of the Law. This is why Paul said in Galatians 3:24,25: "The Law was our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." He came not to "observe and practice" but to "fulfill." There is a big difference between "fulfilling," "completing" the law and "observing" it. Rather than "observing" or "keeping" the law, Jesus purposely broke it to show that He abolished its outward observance (Ephesians 2:15). Jesus broke the Sabbath (John 5:16-18; 9:16); He did not keep the feasts (John 6:4; 7:8,9; 13:1,2); He violated the Dietary laws (Mark 7:15-19) and overturned the laws of Divorcement and Remarriage (John 8:3-11, Matthew 5:31,32). Jesus was not subservient to the Law - it was subservient to Him. That is why He is called the "Lord of the Sabbath." If Jesus Christ Himself did not keep the Law, why should we!?

1 Corinthians 5:7,8 are often used to sanction rabbinical observance of the Feasts. Note, however, that only Passover (the first feast of Israel) is mentioned, and that, again, in the context of its New Testament fulfillment in Christ. The Passover observance (Seder) is very ritualistic and actually defies Christ's fulfillment of Passover. The Seder meal does not recognize "Christ our Passover;" yet most messianic Jews lead their congregations (Jews and non-Jews) through this rote practice every Passover season! 1 Corinthians 5:7,8 does not tell us to keep this traditional observance. Its mention of "unleavened bread" is obviously referring to the spiritual reality of being "without leaven," i.e., "without sin, in sincerity and truth" (verse 8). To imply that actual unleavened bread (and other implements of the Seder) is in view here, is to wrench the scripture from its context. Moreover, the word "keeping" [the feast] is in the continuous present tense, meaning that we are to perpetually abide in Christ - not observe particular days! Christ has been sacrificed once for all and that reality is to be observed always and no longer on 14 NISAN only, which was the ancient "shadow."

There is, however, merit in "studying" (as opposed to "observing") the Feasts of Israel, for they do foreshadow the reality of things to come. By so studying, we can learn and prepare for the future. The first three feasts have already been fulfilled in Christ, the fourth was partially fulfilled and the last three will be fulfilled in the future through national Israel. Understanding the symbolism of the Levitical Feasts helps us to understand Biblical prophecy. But observing the feasts in the ancient Hebrew tradition has no value and is actually an affront to Christ, who has already fulfilled most of them (Galatians 5:1-4).

But does that mean that observance of the feasts (including the Sabbath) is forever in the past? The answer to this question is no. The real, pressing question is who should keep these feasts? The answer is - the nation of Israel. Israel was given the feasts in the Old Testament in Leviticus 23 and told that they were to be an everlasting observance. National Israel (DNA Jews) is distinct and different from the new covenant body of believers (1 Corinthians 10:32, Romans 11:26), which consists of both Jew and Greek (Galatians 3:28). The latter group, the "Church," does not fall under the old covenant of the law (Romans 7:6) because Jesus declared a new covenant to all who would "eat His flesh and drink His blood." Because Israel refuses to do this, they are not part of this new "mystery" entity (Ephesians 5:32), known as the Church. Israel is still "broken off," "blinded" and "hardened" (Romans 11). As a result, all of God's mandates concerning Israel are temporarily suspended.

Daniel 9:24-27 sheds light on the who, when and where of keeping the feasts and the Sabbath. It tells us that "seventy weeks" were appropriated for God's people, the Jews. The first 69 weeks ended when Christ was crucified and the seventieth week will occur when an internationally known, world leader signs a treaty with the nation of Israel for seven years (Daniel 9:27). This tells us when God will be dealing with national Israel (as opposed to the Church) and therefore, when the feasts and sacrifices will be in effect. When is that? It was during the first 69 weeks which culminated with the death of Jesus Christ, and it will be re-instituted at the start of the seventieth week in our future - but in both cases, it applied only to the nation of Israel! During the seventieth week (or seven-year Tribulation), the Temple sacrifices, feasts and observances will be allowed by God. At the end of the Tribulation, when Israel is saved (Romans 11:25,26), they will continue to observe the feasts throughout the millennium and beyond (Zechariah 14, Ezekiel 40-45); but they will do so as an entity that is eternally distinct and separate from the new creation, the Church. God has never called the Church to keep the feasts of Israel and He never will. The Church is the bride of Christ, Israel is His people (the friend of the bridegroom - Mark 2:19). The former will dwell with Him in the bridal chambers of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9,10), the latter as His kings over the earth (Revelation 21:24) - both for eternity. Understanding these distinctions is foundational to knowing who should observe the feasts (including the Sabbath) and who is exempt. I submit to you, that if you are a New Testament believer, washed in the blood of the Lamb (whether Jew or Gentile), that you are not under mandate to keep the Saturday sabbath, feasts of Israel or any of the 613 points of the Law. Whoever would require you to do so is of the circumcision and in defiance of the Law of Christ, who said that all of the laws and commandments are now fulfilled in loving God and loving one another (Matthew 22:34-40). The trouble is that some of us are in an "identity crisis" - we don't know if we want to be Jewish or be "Christ-like."

"Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely 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 who sanctifies you. You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whosever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 'Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever ...'" - Exodus 31:13-17

The Sabbath (Saturday) was to be kept and observed, forever. The scripture is clear in this regard. It is also clear (for God repeats Himself three times) to whom this perpetual mandate applies. In verses 13,16 and 17 of Exodus 31 we learn that the ordinance to keep the seventh day (Sabbath) is given to a specifically identified group - the nation of Israel.

As noted in 1 Corinthians 10:32, there is, in the mind of God, a clear distinction between ISRAEL and the CHURCH. Are you an unbelieving Jew (and outside of the new covenant) or are you a member of His body (Jew or Gentile) and, therefore, in the Church (as described in Ephesians 5:29-32)? It can't be both. Whether this passage in Exodus and other Old Testament passages concerning the Sabbath, pertain to you is dependent upon which group you are in. If you've been washed in His blood and filled with the Holy Spirit, then you are not under obligation to "keep the Sabbath," because you are a part of the second group, the Church.

Paul wrote in Philippians 3:3 that we are the circumcision that worships God in the spirit and have no confidence in the flesh. When the woman at the well tried to place old covenant observances on Jesus, He did not hesitate to advise her of the transition that was taking place. His comments set aside Mosaic practices, including Sabbath-keeping: "A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24).

Apart from maintaining the continued burnt offering (Numbers 28:9), and its connection with the annual feasts (Exodus 12:16, Leviticus 23:3,8, Numbers 28:25), the seventh-day Sabbath was never made a day of sacrifice, worship, or any manner of religious service. The Sabbath will again be observed during the Tribulation period (Matthew 24:20,21) and the Kingdom Age (Isaiah 66:23). The Christian first-day-rest perpetuates in the dispensation of the Church the principle that one-seventh of the time is especially sacred, but in all other respects is in contrast with the Sabbath. One is the seventh day; the other the first. The Sabbath commemorates God's creation-rest; the first day, Christ's resurrection. On the seventh day God rested; on the first day Christ was ceaselessly active. The Sabbath commemorates a finished creation; the first day, a finished redemption. The Sabbath was a day of legal obligation; the first day, one of voluntary worship and service. The Sabbath is mentioned in Acts only in connection with the Jews, and in the balance of the N.T. but twice (Colossians 2:16, Hebrews 4:4). In these passages the seventh-day Sabbath is explained to be, not a day to be observed by the Christian, but a type of the present rest into which the believer will enter when he 'has himself ceased from his works and trusts Christ.'

"Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight." - Acts 20:7

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so must you do also: on the first day of the week, let every one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come."

These passages indicate a practice established by Paul in the early church - a practice which we may not have the liberty to deviate from. The early church was "breaking bread" and "taking collections" when they gathered together, on Sunday. Notice that Paul, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, did not observe Saturday. The reason for this is that Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday (Matthew 28:2). This is why it is called the "Lord's Day" (Revelation 1:10).

If we may consider the "day after the Sabbath (seventh)" as the "eighth day," then the writings of the Apostle Barnabas provide additional insight: "It is not the present sabbaths that are acceptable ... but the sabbath which I have made, in which, when I have set all things at rest, I will make the beginning of the eighth day ... the beginning of another world. Wherefore we keep the eighth day for rejoicing in which Jesus rose from the dead ..." (Apostolic Fathers, pg. 152). Here, Barnabas identifies the eighth day as the day "in which Jesus rose from the dead." We know from Luke 24:1 that this was the day Jesus arose. It was also the day that the Lord appeared to the disciples: "Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled ... Jesus came and stood in the midst ..."(John 20:19). Again, Sunday is seen as the day "the disciples were assembled" and the Lord sanctioned this time to gather by appearing to them on Sunday.

"The early churches were specifically warned against submitting themselves to the bondage of any legalistic observance of Sabbath days (Colossians 2:16, Galatians 4:9-11). On the other hand, in the exercise of their Christian liberty (Romans 14:5,6), these same churches voluntarily chose the first day of the week as an appropriate time for fellowship and worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2), the day on which the Lord arose and repeatedly appeared to His disciples (John 20:19-24, 25-29). It was a new day for a new people belonging to a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), a day of commemoration and joy, service (Matthew 28:10), and spiritual rest (Hebrews 4:9,10). This observance of the first day of the week is corroborated by the early Fathers; in the writings of Barnabas (A.D. 100), Ignatius (A.D. 107), Justin Martyr (A.D. 145-150), and Irenaeus (A.D. 155-202).

Even the Christian Church came into existence on a Sunday, on the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Leviticus 23:15, 16 mandate that the Feast of Pentecost (Weeks) can occur ONLY on the first day of the week. The resurrection of our Lord, the birth of the Church and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit all occurred on Sunday - the Lord's Day. Jesus Himself clarified in Matthew 19:16-19 which commandments should be kept in the New Testament era: “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and your mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He purposely deleted the O.T. commandment regarding the Sabbath (the first three of the Ten Commandments are reaffirmed sequentially in Matthew 4:10, Ephesians 5:5 and 1 Timothy 6:1). Keeping a Saturday Sabbath is nowhere affirmed in the post resurrection N.T. writings. Why? Because it does not apply to new covenant Christians! Dare we revert to the works of the law by continuing to observe the Saturday Sabbath? Unbelieving, observant Jews today keep the Sabbath. This reflects their non-recognition of Messiah Jesus. Should we keep their day, or the Lord's day (Revelation 1:10)?

These observations are made to avert God's people from falling victim to a yoke of bondage and a burden of guilt. This yoke is hard, while Jesus' is easy (Matthew 11:30). Paul was so incensed by the Hebraic constituency of his day that he said in Galatians 5:12, "Would that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. For you were called to freedom, brethren ..." Ordinances concerning festivals and Sabbath-keeping are unnecessary weights that corral the Holy Spirit and seek to bring new testament believers into the bondage of Jewish traditions - a bondage that Jesus died to deliver us from (Luke 4:18,19). Dare we "trample underfoot" the work of the Son of God? God showed Peter, when He lowered the sheet of Judaic customs, that the traditional practices, including sabbath-keeping, are annulled in the new covenant (Acts 10:9-16).

Unfortunately, the deadness of the present Laodicean church causes many seeking Christians to gravitate to messianism in hopes that becoming Jewish will also make them more like Jesus. This deception causes one to become “puffed up" and unjustifiably "lifted up" over their "non-observant" brethren. We are called to become conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29), not through conformity to ancient Jewish custom, but through the inworking of the Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:23,24, 2 Corinthians 3:18). In the words of Paul:

"Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made you free!"