Since
there are sooooo many Bible passages about the Sabbath and I don’t want to miss
any of them, I am using BibleGateway.com at https://www.biblegateway.com/ to
make sure that I locate every occurrence of the word Sabbath or “day of rest”
to see if it applies to our topic of research. I will be using both the site
above and the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible to do further
research.
There
are times in the Bible where he and him are used within the same passage. I
will put who is speaking and who is being spoken to within brackets, as well as
any clarifications, I might add. Additionally, I will put the findings of my
research and analysis within brackets, as well.
Note:
For the most part, I’m not including mentions of Sabbath as a particular
day of the week to note in counting how many days from it to have offerings,
celebrations, fasts, etc. Additionally, I’m not going to include Sabbaths
of the land or Jubilee. I’m more focused on what God wants people to do or not
do on the Sabbath.
Additionally,
the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John will often write about the same
event, from their perspective. Sometimes, the stories vary, because of writing
style, some writing with more detail and some with less. Sometimes, it’s
because someone was an eyewitness to the event, and others wrote it after
talking to an eyewitness or witnesses. I have yet, to date, found any
inconsistency within the Bible significant enough to disprove that Jesus Christ
is our risen Savior! You will make your own decisions!
I will
read all the Bible Passages that have to do with the Sabbath one right
after the other, so you can get a deeper understanding of how the word Sabbath
was used in each of them. I recommend people always check what is written
before or after a particular Bible verse, because there are some who pull Bible
verses out of context to make it sound whichever way they want. After reading
all the Bible verses pertaining to this topic, I will sort them into topics to
better be able to analyze them to see if there are any significant
inconsistencies.
………………………………………………………………
Genesis
2:1-3 says: 1Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them were
finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He
rested on the seventh day from all His work which he had done. 3 Then God
blessed the seventh day [God called it the Sabbath]and sanctified it,
because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
……………………………..
Exodus 16:21-30 says: 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And
when the sun became hot, it melted.
22 And so
it was, on the sixth day, that they gathered twice as much bread, two
omers for each one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses.
23 Then he
said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath
rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today,
and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be
kept until morning.’ ” 24 So
they laid it up till morning, as Moses commanded; and it did not stink, nor
were there any worms in it. 25 Then Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath
to the Lord; today you will not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather
it, but on the seventh day, 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.
……………………………………
Exodus 20:8-10 says: 8 “Remember
the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six
days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In
it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your
male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is
within your gates.
………………………………..
Exodus
20:11 says: 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea,
and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
…………………………………
Exodus 23:12-13 says: 12 Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day [Sabbath]
you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your
female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.
13 “And
in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name
of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.
…………………………….…
Exodus 31:12-17 says: 12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also 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. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to
you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any
work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath
of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day,
he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore
the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath
throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in
six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He
rested and was refreshed.’ ”
…………………………..
Exodus 35:1-3 says: Then Moses gathered all the
congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, “These are
the words which the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day
for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it
shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on
the Sabbath day.”
…………………...………….
Leviticus 16:29-34 says: 29 “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month,
on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no
work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who
dwells among you. 30 For on that day the priest shall make [atonement for you, to
cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall
afflict [humble] your souls. It is a statute forever. 32 And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in
his father’s place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the
holy garments; 33 then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary, and he shall make
atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make
atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. 34 This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the
children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the Lord
commanded Moses.
……………………….....
Leviticus 19:3 says: 3 ‘Every
one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths:
I am the Lord your God.
………………………………
Leviticus 19:30 says: 30 ‘You
shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord.
……………………………..
Leviticus 23:3 says: 3 ‘Six
days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of
solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is
the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings
.………………………..
Leviticus 23:32 says: 32 It shall
be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict
[humble] your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from
evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.”
…………………………...
Leviticus 26:1-2 says: You shall not make idols for
yourselves;
neither a carved image nor a sacred pillar
shall you rear up for yourselves;
nor shall you set up an engraved stone in your land,
to bow down to it; for I am the Lord your God.
2 You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary:
I am the Lord.
…………………………………
Numbers
15:32-36 says: 32 Now
while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering
sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron,
and to all the congregation. 34 They put him under guard, because it had not been explained what should
be done to him.
35 Then
the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death; all the
congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” 36 So, as the Lord commanded
Moses, all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with
stones, and he died.
…………………………….
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 says: 12 ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded
you. 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it
you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male
servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your
cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male
servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord
your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched
arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
…………………………..
Nehemiah 9:14 says: 14 You
made known to them Your holy Sabbath,
And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws,
By the hand of Moses Your servant.
……………………………..
Nehemiah 10:31 says: 31 if the peoples of the land brought [a]wares [merchandise] or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we
would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we
would forego the seventh year’s produce and the exacting[b] of every debt.
……………………………………………….
Nehemiah 10:32-33 says: 32 Also we made ordinances for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly
one-third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God: 33 for the showbread, for the regular grain offering, for the regular burnt
offering of the Sabbaths, the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the
holy things, for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the
work of the house of our God.
…………………………
Nehemiah 13:15-22 says: 15 In
those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath,
and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds
of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.
And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of
goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and
in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil
thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this
disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by
profaning the Sabbath.”
19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath,
that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened
till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the
gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares [merchandise] lodged
outside Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night [around
the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time
on they came no more on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and
that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day.
Remember me, O my God, concerning this also,
and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!
……………………………………...….
Isaiah 56:2 says: 2 Blessed
is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
………………………….
Isaiah 56:6 says: 6 “Also
the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
…………………………
Isaiah 58:13-14 says: “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 day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
14
Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
………………………………………
Jeremiah
17:21-27 says: 21 Thus
says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath
day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 nor carry a burden out of
your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath
day, as I commanded your fathers. 23 But they did not obey nor incline their ear, but made their neck stiff,
that they might not hear nor receive instruction.
24 “And
it shall be, if you heed Me carefully,” says the Lord, “to bring no burden
through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath
day, to do no work in it, 25 then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the
throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes,
accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city
shall remain forever. 26 And
they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the places around Jerusalem,
from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland, from the mountains and from the
South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense,
bringing sacrifices of praise to the house of the Lord.
27 “But
if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying
a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I
will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem,
and it shall not be quenched.” ’ ”
……………………………………….
Ezekiel 20:12-13 says: 12 Moreover
I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that
they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. 13 Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did
not walk in My statutes; they despised My judgments, ‘which, if a man
does, he shall live by them’; and they greatly defiled My Sabbaths. Then
I said I would pour out My fury on them in the wilderness, to consume them.
…………………………………………..
Ezekiel 20:19-20 says: 19 I am
the Lord your God: Walk in My statutes, keep My judgments, and do them; 20 hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you,
that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’
Ezekiel
20:21-24 says:21 “Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in
My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments, ‘which, if a
man does, he shall live by them’; but they profaned My Sabbaths. Then I
said I would pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them in the
wilderness. 22 Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name’s sake, that it
should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose sight I had
brought them out. 23 Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the wilderness, that I
would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them throughout the
countries, 24 because they had not executed My judgments, but had despised My
statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their
fathers’ idols.
…………………………….
Ezekiel 22:6-8 says: 6 “Look,
the princes of Israel: each one has used his power to shed blood in you. 7 In you they have made light of father and mother; in your midst they
have oppressed the stranger; in you they have mistreated the fatherless and the
widow. 8 You have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths.
………………………………….
Ezekiel 22:26-31 says: 26 Her
priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not
distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the
difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their
eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to
shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false
visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ when the
Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions,
committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully
oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a
wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not
destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore
I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of
My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord
God.
…………………………………….
Ezekiel 44:23-24 says: 23 “And
they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the
unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. 24 In controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according
to My judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed
meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.
……………………………
Ezekiel 45:17 says: 17 Then it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, grain
offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths,
and at all the appointed seasons of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the
sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to
make atonement for the house of Israel.”
……………………………………….
Matthew
12:1-2 says: At that time Jesus went through the
grainfields on the Sabbath. And His disciples were hungry, and began to
pluck heads of grain and to eat. 2 And
when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are
doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”
…………………………………………….
Matthew 12:5-8 goes on to say: 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests
in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the
temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not
sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:9-14 says: 9 Now
when He [Jesus] had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him,
saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse
Him.
11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep,
and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and
lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?
Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it
out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might
destroy Him.
…………………………
Mark 2:23-28 says: 23 Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath;
and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. 24 And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful
on the Sabbath?”
25 But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in
need and hungry, he and those with him: 26 how he
went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and
ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also
gave some to those who were with him?”
27 And He [Jesus] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man
for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
…………………………….
Mark 3:1-6 says: And He
[Jesus] entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered
hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath,
so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He
said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or
to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the
hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he
stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians
against Him [Jesus], how they might destroy Him.
……………………………..
Mark 6:1-2 says: Then He went out from there and came
to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the
synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did
this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given
to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!
………………………
Luke 4:16-19 says: 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom
was, He [Jesus] went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up
to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened
the book, He found the place where it was written:
18 “The
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To
proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
…………………………………………..
Luke 4:31-37 says: 31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them
on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His
[Jesus’] word was with authority. 33 Now in
the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he
cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying,
“Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You
come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when
the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not
hurt him. 36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a
word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean
spirits, and they come out.” 37 And the
report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
…………………………
Luke 6:1-5 says: Now it happened on the second Sabbath
after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked
the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their
hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not
lawful to do on the Sabbath?”
3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David
did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also
gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to
eat?” 5 And He [Jesus] said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
…………………………………..
Luke 6:6-11 says: 6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He [Jesus] entered
the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal
on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered
hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the
Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch
out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they
might do to Jesus.
……………………………………..
Luke 13:10-17 says: 10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years,
and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to
her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus
had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days
on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on
the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of
you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it
away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has
bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame;
and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by
Him.
…………………………………..
Luke
14:1-6 says: Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of
the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him
closely. 2 And
behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke
to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
4 But
they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them,
saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit,
will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer
Him regarding these things.
………………………………..
John 5:5-19 says: 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying
there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time,
He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7 The
sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the
water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus
said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was
made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to
him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry
your bed.”
11 He
answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”
12 Then
they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed
did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that
place. 14 Afterward
Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well.
Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
15 The
man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16 For
this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had
done these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I
have been working.”
18 Therefore
the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath,
but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. 19 Then Jesus answered and
said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself,
but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like
manner.
……………………………………………….
John 7:21-24 says: 21 Jesus
answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22 Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but
from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23 If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of
Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man
completely well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not
judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
…………………….
John 9:1-16 says: Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the
works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must
work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming
when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world.”
6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with
the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is
translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
8 Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was
blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?”
9 Some said, “This is he.” Others said, “He is like him.”
He said, “I am he.”
10 Therefore they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
11 He answered and said, “A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and
I received sight.”
12 Then they said to him, “Where is He?”
He said, “I do not know.”
13 They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his
eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight.
He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”
16 Therefore some of the Pharisees said, “This Man is not from God, because
He does not keep the Sabbath.”
……………………………………….
Matthew
27:44-66 says: 45 Now from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was
darkness over all the land. 46 And
about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama
sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, “This
Man is calling for Elijah!” 48 Immediately
one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it
on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.
49 The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save
Him.”
50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom;
and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen
asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection,
they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw
the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying,
“Truly this was the Son of God!”
55 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were
there looking on from afar, 56 among
whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of
Zebedee’s sons.
57 Now when evening had come [prior to the Sabbath], there came a
rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple
of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate
commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When
Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he
rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the
tomb.
62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief
priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver
said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore
command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples
come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen
from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as
secure as you know how.” 66 So
they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
………………………………….
Mark 15:42-47 says: 42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is,
the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph
of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the
kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the
body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion,
he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.
And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a
stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses [Joseph] observed where He
[Jesus] was laid.
……………………………………
LUKE 23:44-56 says: 44 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the
earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then
the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into
Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
47 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying,
“Certainly this was a righteous Man!”
48 And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had
been done, beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee,
stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a
good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He
was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for
the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of
Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that
was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and
they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they
rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
………………………..
John 19:20-42 says: 28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that
the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a
sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth.
30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And
bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
31 Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies
should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath
was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that
they might be taken away. 32 Then
the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was
crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was
already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately
blood and water came out. 35 And he
who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is
telling the truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one
of His bones shall be broken.” 37 And
again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but
secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body
of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So, he came and took the body
of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing
a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with
the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the
garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day [the
day before the Sabbath], for the tomb was nearby.
……………………………………...
Matthew 28:1-8 says: Now after the Sabbath, as
the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And
behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from
heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I
know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where
the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead,
and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold,
I have told you.”
8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran
to bring His disciples word.
……………………….
Matthew 28:16-20 says: 16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which
Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When
they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I
am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
……………………………………...
Mark 16:1-7 says: Now
when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they
came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And
they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the
tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled
away—for it was very large. 5 And
entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on
the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who
was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into
Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
……………………..
Mark 16:14-20 says: 14 Later
He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their
unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen
Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature. 16 He who
believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast
out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will
by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into
heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them
and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
……………………………..
Luke 24:1-12 says: Now on the first day of the
week [Sunday, the day after the Sabbath], very early in the morning,
they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the
spices which they had prepared. 2 But
they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold,
two men stood by them in shining garments. 5 Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth,
they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was
still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men,
and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’ ”
8 And they remembered His words. 9 Then
they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all
the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the
other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe
them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen
cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had
happened.
………………………………….
Luke 24:32-53 says: 32 And they [Peter and John] said to one another, “Did not our heart burn
within us while He [Jesus] talked with us on the road [to Emmaus], and while He
[Jesus]opened the Scriptures to us?” 33 So
they [Peter and John] rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and
found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, 34 [Peter and John]] saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to
Simon!” 35 And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and
how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them,
and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But
they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in
your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for
a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40 When He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to
them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So
they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you
while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were
written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms
concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the
Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for
the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name
to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And
you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold,
I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem
until you are endued with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and
blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them
and carried up into heaven. 52 And
they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
……………………………
John 20:1-10 says: Now the first day of the
week [Sunday, the day after the Sabbath] Mary Magdalene went to the tomb
early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken
away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other
disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord
out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the
tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came
to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen
cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw
the linen cloths lying there, 7 and
the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen
cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and
he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He
must rise again from the dead. 10 Then
the disciples went away again to their own homes.
…………………….
John 20:19-31 says: 19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week
[Sunday, the day after the Sabbath which was on Saturday], when the
doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus
came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I
also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you
forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins
of any, they are retained.”
24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when
Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the
print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my
hand into His side, I will not believe.”
26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with
them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said,
“Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands;
and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving,
but believing.”
28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples,
which are not written in this book; 31 but
these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
…………………………………………………..
Acts 13:26-35 says:26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among
you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not
know Him [Jesus], nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath,
have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked
Pilate that He [Jesus] should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they
took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him [Jesus] from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to
Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the
fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up
Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption,
He has spoken thus:
‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
…………………………………………….
Acts 13:44-52 says: 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear
the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and
contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the
word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’
”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word
of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the
region.
…………………………..
Acts 17:1-4 says: Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths
reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining
and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead,
and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout
Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
…………………………………
Acts 18:4-11 says: 4 And he [Apostle Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath,
and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by
the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments
and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am
clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man
named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the
synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all
his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were
baptized.
9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid,
but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 for I
am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in
this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word
of God among them.
………………………………
Romans
14:5-13 says: 5 One person esteems one
day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully
convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does
not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats,
eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord
he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to
the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die,
we are the Lord’s. 9 For to
this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both
the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your
brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:
“As I live, says the Lord,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall
give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this,
not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
…………………………………….
1
Corinthians 15:1-8 says: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which
I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are
saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed
in vain.
3 For I
delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for
our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according
to the Scriptures, 5 and
that He was seen by Cephas [a nickname for Simon Peter], then by the twelve
[this happened on Easter Sunday, the day after the Sabbath]. 6 After that He was seen by
over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the
present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was
seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
……………………………………..
Colossians
2:11-17 says: 11 In Him
you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting
off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism,
in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of
God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14 having
wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was
contrary to us. And He [Jesus] has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to
the cross. 15 Having
disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them in it.
16 So let
no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or
sabbaths, 17 which
are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
…………………………………………………………………..
[I
will now take portions of the above Sabbath Bible passages and group them
together under topics to make it easier to look for any inconsistencies there
might be. I will put my analysis of this research below each topic within
brackets to make it easier to identify.]
God Resting on the Seventh
Day
Genesis
2:2-3 says 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and
He rested on the seventh day from all His work which he had done. 3 Then God
blessed the seventh day [God called it the Sabbath]and sanctified it,
because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
…..
Exodus
20:11 says: 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea,
and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord
blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
….
Exodus 31:17 says: 17 It is
a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the
Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was
refreshed.’ ”
………………………………
[In evaluating the Bible passages that are focused on God resting on
Sabbath, the seventh day, after He created the world, there are no inconsistencies.
I will now examine the next Sabbath topic.]
Honor
the Sabbaths
Leviticus 19:3 says: 3 ‘Every
one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths:
I am the Lord your God.
…………
Leviticus 19:30 says: 30 ‘You
shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord.
……………………
Leviticus 26:2 says: 2 You
shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the Lord.
……….
Nehemiah 9:14 says: 14 You
made known to them Your holy Sabbath,
And commanded them precepts, statutes and laws,
By the hand of Moses Your servant.
…….
Isaiah 56:2 says: 2 Blessed
is the man who does this,
And the son of man who lays hold on it;
Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.”
……
Isaiah 56:6 says: 6 “Also
the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
……
Isaiah 58:13 says: “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 day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,
…..
Ezekiel 20:20 says: 20 hallow
My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may
know that I am the Lord your God.’
……
Ezekiel 22:8 says: 8 You
have despised My holy things and profaned My Sabbaths.
…..
Ezekiel 44:24 says: 24 In
controversy they shall stand as judges, and judge it according to My
judgments. They shall keep My laws and My statutes in all My appointed
meetings, and they shall hallow My Sabbaths.
…..
Exodus 16:23 says: 23 Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is
a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will
bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all
that remains, to be kept until morning.’ ”
….
Exodus
20:8 says: 8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
….
Exodus 31:14 says: 14 You
shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you.
….
Leviticus 23:3 says: 3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath
of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is
the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.
…..
Deuteronomy 5:12 says: 12 ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God
commanded you.
….
Deuteronomy 5:15 says: 15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord
your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched
arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
….
Jeremiah 17:21-22 says: 21 Thus says the Lord: “Take
heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, nor bring it
in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do
any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.
…..
Ezekiel 20:12 says: 12 Moreover
I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they
might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
…..
Nehemiah 13:22 says: 22 And I
commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should
go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day.
………………………………………………
[I was trying to be prayerful about how to analyze this portion and the
thought was to tally up the consistencies to see if there are any
inconsistencies within these passages. In the following, when it says My, it is
God referring to His Sabbaths. This is what I got:
4 verses say to Keep My Sabbaths
6 verses say My Holy Sabbaths
2 verses say to Keep from defiling the Sabbaths
3 verses say to Hallow the Sabbath/Hallow My Sabbath
2 verses say My Sabbath
1 verse referred to the Sabbath as a Holy Convocation
The last verse is best off shared rather than combining in the tally
total: Ezekiel 20:12 says: 12 Moreover
I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that
they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
[In my opinion, all of these verses where God is referring to the
Sabbath and keeping it holy is consistent.]
Don’t Work on the
Sabbath
Exodus 16:29-30 says: 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.
….
Exodus 20:9-10 says: 9 Six
days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In
it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your
male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is
within your gates.
…..
Exodus 31:15 says: 15 Work
shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of
rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day,
he shall surely be put to death.
….
Exodus 35:2-3 says: 2 Work
shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath
of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
….
Leviticus 23:3 says: 3 ‘Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath
of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work on it; it is
the Sabbath of the Lord in all your dwellings.
….
Deuteronomy 5:13-14 says: 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it
you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male
servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your
cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male
servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
….
Jeremiah
17:21-22 says: 21 Thus
says the Lord: “Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath
day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 nor carry a burden out of
your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath
day, as I commanded your fathers.
….
Nehemiah 13:15-17 says: 15 In
those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath,
and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds
of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.
And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of
goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and
in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil
thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?
………………………………
[These are partial verses that let me know that God
didn’t want people to work on 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.
- 9 Six days you shall
labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh
day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you
shall do no work
- Work shall be done
for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy
to the Lord
- Work shall be done
for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath
of rest to the Lord.
- kindle no fire
throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”
- You
shall do no work on it; it is the Sabbath of the Lord
in all your dwellings.
- Six
days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh
day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do
no work
- bear no burden on the Sabbath
day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; 22 nor carry a burden out of your houses on
the Sabbath day, nor do any work
- people
in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in
sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of
burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day and
those who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on
the Sabbath were warned by Nehemiah about this evil thing and
profaning the Sabbath.
[In that these Bible passages were all pretty consistent about God not
wanting us to work on the Sabbath, a person might wonder who that pertains to.
These two Bible passages reinforce that it pertains to everyone.]
- Exodus 20:9-10 says: 9 Six days you shall
labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no
work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor
your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is
within your gates.
- Deuteronomy
5:13-14 says: 13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is
the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you,
nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female
servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger
who is within your gates, that your male servant and your
female servant may rest as well as you. [All of this is further
corroborated by the extreme consequence in the portion below that God has
for those don’t Hallow the Sabbath by resting.]
Consequence
for Not Honoring the Sabbath
Exodus 31:14-15 says: 14 You
shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you.
Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any
work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh
is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any
work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
…….
Exodus 35:2 says: 2 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day
for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it
shall be put to death.
….
Numbers 15:32-36 says: 32 Now while the children of Israel were in the wilderness,
they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him
to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him under guard, because it had not been
explained what should be done to him.
35 Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must surely be
put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the
camp.” 36 So, as the Lord commanded Moses, all the congregation
brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died.
….
Jeremiah
17:27 says: 27 “But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath
day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath
day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the
palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.” ’ ”
…..
Ezekiel
20:13 says: 13 Yet the house of Israel rebelled against Me in
the wilderness; they did not walk in My statutes; they despised My judgments,
‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them’; and they greatly defiled
My Sabbaths. Then I said I would pour out My fury on them in the
wilderness, to consume them.
….
Ezekiel 20:21-24 says:21 “Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against
Me; they did not walk in My statutes, and were not careful to observe My judgments,
‘which, if a man does, he shall live by them’; but they profaned My Sabbaths.
Then I said I would pour out My fury on them and fulfill My anger against them
in the wilderness. 22
Nevertheless I withdrew My hand and acted for My name’s sake, that it
should not be profaned in the sight of the Gentiles, in whose sight I had
brought them out. 23 Also I raised My hand in an oath to those in the
wilderness, that I would scatter them among the Gentiles and disperse them
throughout the countries, 24 because they had not executed My judgments, but had despised My
statutes, profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were fixed on their
fathers’ idols.
….
Ezekiel
22:26-31 says: 26 Her priests have violated My law and profaned My
holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have
they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and
they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned
among them. 27 Her princes in her midst are like wolves
tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. 28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar,
seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord
God,’ when the Lord had not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and
mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. 30 So I sought for a man among them who would make
a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not
destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them
with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own
heads,” says the Lord God.
….
Nehemiah
13:18 says: 18 Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our
God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath
on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”
…………………………
[None of these Sabbath Bible passages in this section even come close to
letting me think in analyzing this, that God approves of anyone working on the
Sabbath. Additionally, it is very evident that He feels pretty strong about
those who defile His Sabbath by working!]
Don’t Buy or Sell Things on
the Sabbath
Nehemiah 10:31 says: 31 if the peoples of the land brought wares [merchandise] or any grain to
sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath,
or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year’s produce and the
exacting of every debt.
….
Nehemiah 13:15-17 says: 15 In
those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath,
and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds
of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.
And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of
goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and
in Jerusalem.
17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, “What evil
thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day?
…..
Nehemiah 13:19-21 says: 19 So it
was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath,
that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened
till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the
gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day.
20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside
Jerusalem once or twice.
21 Then I warned them, and said to them, “Why do you spend the night around
the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time
on they came no more on the Sabbath.
………………….
[Again, by Nehemiah’s reactions, none of these Bible
verses look like God looks kindly on people buying and selling things on the
Sabbath. So, what should we do on the Sabbath?]
What to Do on the Sabbath
Exodus
23:12 says: 12 Six
days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day [Sabbath] you shall
rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant
and the stranger may be refreshed.
…..
Leviticus 23:32 says: 32 It shall
be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict
[humble] your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from
evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath.”
………………………………………………
[I want to give you an overview of what my analysis says about what God
expects on the Sabbath. I found 16 Bible verses that said that God wants the
Sabbath to be a day of rest. This not only applies to us, but to our families,
employees and animals, so that we can all be refreshed. Two Bible verses
mentioned preparing food prior to the Sabbath.The implication is that we
shouldn’t be cooking or preparing food on the Sabbath.]
……………………………………….
Jesus and the Sabbath
Matthew 12:5-8 says: 5 Or
have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the
temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless? 6 Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the
temple. 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not
sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”
….
Matthew 12:9-14 says: 9 Now
when He [Jesus] had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him,
saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—that they might accuse
Him.
11 Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep,
and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and
lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep?
Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it
out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might
destroy Him.
….
Mark 2:27 says:27 And He
[Jesus] said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
28 Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
….
Mark 3:1-5 says: And He
[Jesus] entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered
hand. 2 So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath,
so that they might accuse Him. 3 And He
said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.” 4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or
to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the
hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he
stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
....
Mark 6:2 says: 2 And
when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many
hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get
these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such
mighty works are performed by His hands!
….
Luke 4:16-19 says: 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom
was, He [Jesus] went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up
to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened
the book, He found the place where it was written:
18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
….
Luke 4:31-36 says: 31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them
on the Sabbaths. 32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His
[Jesus’] word was with authority. 33 Now in
the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he
cried out with a loud voice, 34 saying,
“Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You
come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when
the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not
hurt him. 36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a
word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean
spirits, and they come out.”
….
Luke 6:5 says: 5 And He [Jesus] said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
….
Luke 6:6-10 says: 6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He [Jesus] entered
the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal
on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered
hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath
to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch
out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
….
Luke 13:10-16 says: 10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen
years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to
her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made
straight, and glorified God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus
had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days
on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on
the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of
you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it
away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has
bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
….
Luke
14:1-6 says: Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of
the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him
closely. 2 And
behold, there was a certain man before Him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus, answering, spoke
to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
4 But
they kept silent. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. 5 Then He answered them,
saying, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into a pit,
will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they could not answer
Him regarding these things.
….
John 5:5-14 says: 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying
there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time,
He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7 The
sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the
water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus
said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was
made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to
him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry
your bed.”
11 He
answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”
12 Then
they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed
did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that
place. 14 Afterward
Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well.
Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
….
John 5:18-19 says: 18 Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only
broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself
equal with God. 19 Then
Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do
nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the
Son also does in like manner.
….
John 7:23-24 says: 23 If a
man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses
should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely
well on the Sabbath? 24 Do not
judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”
….
John 9:1-7 says: Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his
parents, that he was born blind?”
3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the
works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I must
work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming
when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the
world.”
6 When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with
the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7 And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is
translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing.
John 9:13-15 goes on to say: 13 They brought him who formerly was blind to the Pharisees. 14 Now it was a Sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his
eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also asked him again how he had received his sight.
He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and I see.”
……………………………………….
[So, are Jesus’ actions in the New Testament
inconsistent with the Old Testament? People were amazed at His knowledge
and ability to teach in the synagogue [church] on the Sabbath. Additionally,
Jesus was frequently challenged regarding the miracles He did by healing on the
Sabbath: the man with the withered hand, removing an evil spirit, healing a
woman with an infirmity for 18 years, a man with dropsy, a man with an
infirmity for 38 years made able to walk, and a man healed who was blind since
birth.]
[In response, Jesus said, “I will ask you one thing:
Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to
destroy?” You will note that several of the Bible passages in this section say
similar things. This serves as additional proof that Jesus is the Son of God,
because these witnesses saw and recorded these miracles that He did. The Gospels
writers each wrote about events from their own perspective, some using more
details, some fewer, some are eye witnesses and some interviewed eye witnesses
and witnesses. Due to this, the passages won’t be identical, but most often
similar. Some consider these as inconsistencies and label them as lies and
wrongly use them to try to disprove that Jesus Christ is our Savior.]
[ Jesus also told them that
He is the Lord of the Sabbath and also
responded with comments like, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath
loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has
bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”
Also, “Which of you, having a donkey or an ox that has fallen into
a pit, will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?”]
[Jesus also shared this passage in the synagogue [church] from Isaiah
61:1-2 that predicted that He, our Savior would do the following:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”]
[When people challenged Jesus, He said to them, “Most assuredly, I say
to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for
whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.”]
[After sharing these related Bible passages, I can only say that Jesus’
actions were not inconsistent with rule in the Old Testament for the Sabbath to
be a day of rest and not to work. Jesus just added a new dimension to this,
that it is alright to do good to others on the Sabbath, according to His
example as the Lord of the Sabbath!]
Sabbath of Atonement
Leviticus 16:30-31 says: 30 For on that day the
priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be
clean from all your sins before the Lord. 31 It is a sabbath
of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict [humble] your souls. It is
a statute forever.
Leviticus 16:34 says: 34 This shall be an
everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for
all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.
…...
Nehemiah 10:32-33 says: 32 Also we made ordinances
for ourselves, to exact from ourselves yearly one-third of a shekel for the
service of the house of our God: 33 for the showbread, for
the regular grain offering, for the regular burnt offering of the Sabbaths,
the New Moons, and the set feasts; for the holy things, for the sin offerings
to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the house of our God.
…..
Ezekiel 45:17 says: 17 Then it shall be the
prince’s part to give burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink
offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the
appointed seasons of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering,
the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to make
atonement for the house of Israel.”
…..
[It is clear through these Old Testament Bible
passages that God wants us sinners to have an atonement for our sins. The thing
is, what does the New Testament say about this?]
Jesus’ Atonement for Us Through His Crucifixion and Preparation of Jesus
Body on Eve of Sabbath after His Crucifixion
Matthew 27:44 says: 50 And Jesus cried out
again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.
Matthew 27:54-61 goes on to say: 54 So when the centurion
and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things
that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of
God!”
55 And
many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there
looking on from afar, 56 among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
57 Now
when evening had come [prior to the Sabbath], there came a rich man from
Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate
and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to
him. 59 When
Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new
tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the
door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was
there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
….
Mark 15:42-47 says: 42 Now when evening had
come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
43 Joseph
of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the
kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the
body of Jesus. 44 Pilate
marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if
He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out
from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Then he bought fine
linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb
which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the
tomb. 47 And
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses [Joseph] observed where He
[Jesus] was laid.
….
LUKE 23:44-55 says: 44 Now it was about the
sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45 Then the sun was
darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 46 And when Jesus had
cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My
spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
47 So
when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, “Certainly
this was a righteous Man!”
48 And
the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done,
beat their breasts and returned. 49 But all His
acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a
distance, watching these things.
50 Now
behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just
man. 51 He
had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a
city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate
and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down,
wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the
rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the
Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
….
John
19:30-42 says: 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It
is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
31 Therefore,
because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on
the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the
Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might
be taken away. 32 Then
the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was
crucified with Him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was
already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers
pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has
testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the
truth, so that you may believe. 36 For these things were
done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall
be broken.” 37 And
again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
38 After
this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of
the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate
gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at
first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in
strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where
He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no
one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’
Preparation Day [the day before the Sabbath], for the tomb was
nearby.
Jesus’ Has Arisen on Easter the Day After the Sabbath
Matthew 28:1-8 says: Now after the Sabbath, as
the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other
Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a
great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and
rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was
like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook
for fear of him, and became like dead men.
5 But
the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that
you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He
is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell
His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you
into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
8 So
they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring
His disciples word.
…
Matthew 28:16-20 says: 16 Then the eleven
disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for
them. 17 When
they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And
Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in
heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching
them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
…
Mark
16:1-7 says: Now
when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of
James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. 2 Very early in the
morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the
sun had risen. 3 And
they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the
tomb for us?” 4 But
when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was
very large. 5 And
entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on
the right side; and they were alarmed.
6 But
he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was
crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. 7 But go, tell His
disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will
see Him, as He said to you.”
…
Mark
16:14-20 says: 14 Later
He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their
unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen
Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will
follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak
with new tongues; 18 they
will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means
hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
19 So
then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and
sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and
preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word
through the accompanying signs. Amen.
…
Luke 24:1-12 says: Now on the first day of the
week [Sunday, the day after the Sabbath], very early in the morning,
they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the
spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the
stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 Then they went in and
did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it happened, as they
were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in
shining garments. 5 Then,
as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to
them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is
risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man
must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third
day rise again.’ ”
8 And
they remembered His words. 9 Then they returned from
the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene,
Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them,
who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed
to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran
to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves;
and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.
….
Luke 24:32-53 says: 32 And they [Peter and
John] said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He [Jesus]
talked with us on the road [to Emmaus], and while He [Jesus]opened the
Scriptures to us?” 33 So they [Peter and John] rose up that very hour and
returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were with them
gathered together, 34 [Peter and John]] saying, “The Lord is risen indeed,
and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they told about the
things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in
the breaking of bread.
36 Now
as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said
to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified
and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them,
“Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My
feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh
and bones as you see I have.”
40 When
He [Jesus] had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 But while they still
did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food
here?” 42 So
they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. 43 And He took it
and ate in their presence.
44 Then
He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was
still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law
of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their
understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then
He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ
to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and
remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at
Jerusalem. 48 And
you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the
Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are
endued with power from on high.”
50 And
He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 Now
it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and
carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with
great joy, 53 and
were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.
…
John 20:1-10 says: Now the first day of the
week [Sunday, the day after the Sabbath] Mary Magdalene went to the tomb
early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken
away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other
disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord
out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
3 Peter
therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran
together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down
and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came,
following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there,
7 and
the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen
cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other
disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not
know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went
away again to their own homes.
…
John 20:19-31 says: 19 Then, the same day at
evening, being the first day of the week [Sunday, the day after the Sabbath
which was on Saturday], when the doors were shut where the disciples were [assembled,
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them,
“Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this,
He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when
they saw the Lord.
21 So
Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send
you.” 22 And
when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive
the Holy Spirit. 23 If
you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins
of any, they are retained.”
24 Now
Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples
therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”
So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the
print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my
hand into His side, I will not believe.”
26 And
after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus
came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas,
“Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here,
and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28 And
Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Jesus
said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 And
truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are
not written in this book; 31 but these are written
that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
believing you may have life in His name.
[Jesus’ Death and Resurrection is consistent with
God’s request for an atonement in the Old Testament. Who else but God’s Son,
Jesus, would be able to give the perfect atonement for our sins. The atonement
that only He could do, by giving His life for us on the cross and rising again
to conquer sin and death for those who believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior.]
Other New Testament Verses About the Sabbath
Acts 13:26-35 says:26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among
you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not
know Him [Jesus], nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath,
have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked
Pilate that He [Jesus] should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they
took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him [Jesus] from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to
Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the
fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up
Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption,
He has spoken thus:
‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
…………………………………………….
Acts 13:44-52 says: 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear
the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and
contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the
word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the
earth.’ ”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word
of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the
region.
…………………………..
Acts 17:2-4 says: 2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths
reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining
and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead,
and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout
Greeks, and not a few [means: lots] of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
…………………………………
Acts 18:4-8 says: 4 And he [Apostle Paul] reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath,
and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by
the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook his garments
and said to them, “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am
clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man
named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the
synagogue. 8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all
his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were
baptized.
………………………………
Romans
14:5-10 says: 5 One person esteems one
day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully
convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does
not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who
eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to
the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to
himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.
Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died
[b]and
rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your
brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of Christ.
…………………………………….
1
Corinthians 15:1-8 says: Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which
I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are
saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed
in vain.
3 For I
delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for
our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day
according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas [a nickname for Simon Peter], then by the
twelve [this happened on Easter Sunday, the day after the Sabbath]. 6 After that He was seen by
over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the
present, but some have fallen asleep [died]. 7 After that He was seen by
James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born
out of due time.
[This Bible passage is significant, because it tells how many witnesses
there were of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. This serves as additional proof
that Jesus is the Son of God!]
……………………………………..
Colossians
2:11-17 says: 11 In Him
you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting
off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 buried with Him in baptism,
in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of
God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14 having
wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was
contrary to us. And He [Jesus] has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to
the cross. 15 Having
disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing
over them in it.
16 So let
no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or
sabbaths, 17 which
are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
[I want to further address the Sabbath from a personal perspective
after finalizing all of this Biblical research.This research reinforced that
God wants us to rest on the Sabbath, not just us, but our family, employees and
any animals we might have. He wants us to prepare our food ahead, so that we
don’t cook on the Sabbath. We are to honor Him through the day of rest
He provided for us to spend time with our family, refresh and to focus on God
and not profane His holy day by working.]
[When I have done my daily Bible reading over the years, I realized that
the Sabbath was initially on Saturday. I never felt bad about
worshipping God on Sunday, because I was told that some churches used that day
in respect of Jesus Christ, our Savior who arose that day. It wasn’t until I
did this research and separated all these Sabbath passages to analyze
together, that I realized that the Apostle Paul didn’t start using Sunday as
the day of worship. He continued to teach in the churches on the Sabbath.]
[I started to analyze my actions to see if they are aligned with God’s
will. Then I remembered this Bible passage Romans 14:5- ½ of 6 that lets us
know that it isn’t so much which day we honor God, as long as we are doing it
to honor God. One person esteems one day above another; another
esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day,
observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the
Lord he does not observe it. ]
[In conclusion, after analyzing these Sabbath Bible
verses repeated times, I find no inconsistencies that are significant. In
addition, they reinforce what it says in John 3:16-18: 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but
that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is
condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten
Son of God.]
