What did they do on the Sabbath day?
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Many people always ask me, “What are you supposed to do on the Sabbath day?”
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When looking in the Bible we notice in the book of Acts:
Acts 17 (v. 2) Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures.
1. We study God’s word on the Sabbath day (Saturday).
What else did they do on the Sabbath day?
Luke 4 (v. 16) So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. (v. 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.... (v. 20) ....And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. (v. 21) And He began to say to them.... continued preaching during the (verses 21-30).
2. We goto church for worship on the Sabbath day (Saturday).
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You are probably thinking, that you can worship God and have bible study on any day! But what did they do in the bible?
Acts 13 (v. 13) Now when Paul and his party set sail.... (v. 14) ....they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. (v. 15) And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets.... (v. 16) ....Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: ” Then he preached a long sermon (verses 17-41).
Now the sermon was to the Jews on Saturday, but (verse 42) tells us that the Gentiles wanted to hear the word of God as well. Did the Apostle Paul tell them, to come back tomorrow morning for Sunday worship?
Acts 13 (v. 44) And the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. (v. 42) And when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
They had to wait a whole week, until the next Sabbath, why?
Exod 20 (v. 8) Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (v. 9) Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
(v. 10) but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.
….in regard to which day the early church recognized and practiced as the christian Sabbath. Up until now, Paul had been addressing the Jews, so one might insist that it was in that light that he chose the Seventh-day Sabbath to preach to them. But now, the Gentiles approach Paul and invite him to preach to them….It seems only logical that if Paul had been keeping Sunday as the christian Sabbath, he would have taken this opportunity to inform those non-Jews….that Christians do not recognize the seventh-day Sabbath of the Jews to be holy, but rather honor Christ by assembling on Sunday….[1]
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What was the Apostle Paul probably doing on Sunday?
Ezek 46 (v. 1) Thus says the Lord God: "The gateway of the inner court that faces toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath it shall be opened.... (v. 3) Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the entrance to this gateway before the Lord on the Sabbaths....
Since the church was closed for worship on Sundays, the Apostle Paul was probably working on that day. Let’s read about his work ethic:
II Thes 3 (v. 7) For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; (v. 8) nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.
We just read earlier, that the bible says, “six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath” so that would mean the next day (Sunday) would be the first day of the week, a regular work day.
For those who are still confused, just a little review: What day of the week is the first day?
Mark 15 (v. 42) Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is the day before the Sabbath.
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So if Saturday is the Sabbath day, then the day before the Sabbath would be Friday, which is the Preparation Day.
Mark 16 (v. 1) Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene....and Salome brought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (v. 2) Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
So, if the Sabbath is the 7th day of the week, then the preparation day must be Friday the 6th day. And then,
the day after the 7th day is not Monday, but rather Sunday, the 1st day of the week. Monday is the 2nd day
of the week, not the 1st day. Look at the calendar!!
3. We are to use our “Spiritual Gifts” in service towards working for the Lord!
For more information about “Spiritual Gifts” click on this link: "Who gives us these Gifts?"
What does the Sabbath Law say about working?
Exod 20 (v. 10) ....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 manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle.... (v. 9) Six days you shall labor and do all your work.
God asks that one-seventh of our time be devoted to fellowship with Him, resting in His word, drawing refreshment from His promises, putting aside the weekly pressures of work and shopping and worldly pursuits.[2]
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Acts 18 (v. 1) After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth.
(v. 2) And he found a certain Jew named Aquila....and he came to them. (v. 3) So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.
What kind of work did he do on the Sabbath?
(verse 4) And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. (v. 11) And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
The disciples, in doing the work of Christ, were engaged in God’s service, and that which was necessary for the accomplishment of this work it was right to do on the Sabbath day. Christ would teach His disciples and His enemies that the service of God is first of all. The object of God’s work in this world is the redemption of man; therefore that which is necessary to be done on the Sabbath in the accomplishment of this work is in accord with the Sabbath law.[3]
Remember, Sabbath rest must be linked with faith & belief, that God is able to provide for all of your needs.
Phil 4 (v. 19) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
And that you are going to forget about the world for a (24 hr) period of time and delight in a relationship with the Lord. Watch the short video below about a woman who discovered the value of spending time with God every day!
Spending Time with God video ref.[4]
Relationships are built, by giving-up a portion of our time.
John 17 (v. 3) And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
How can you possibly know anyone, without spending any time with them?
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We must spend time at the foot of Jesus and hear His words.
Luke 10 (v. 38) Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. (v. 39) And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus feet and heard His word.
(v. 40) But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” (v. 41) And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
(Verse 42) But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
The Sabbath, is God’s divine appointment every week, for us to spend the whole day, learning of Him; Without having to worry about working!!
Did Mary the mother of Jesus keep the Sabbath Day holy after His death?
Luke 23 (v. 54) That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near. (v. 55) And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. (v. 56) Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
Luke 24 (v. 1) Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. (v. 3) Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. (v. 9) Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. (v. 10) It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles.
Luke 1 (v. 9) Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (v. 12) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. (v. 13) And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying.... (v. 14) These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
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What else can we be doing on the Sabbath day?
Acts 16 (v. 13) And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. (v. 14) Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us....The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. (v. 15) And when she and her household were baptized....she begged us....come to my house and stay.
4. We can go out and visit people for witnessing and prayer on the Sabbath day.
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Matt 12 (v. 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?”.... (v. 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?”
(v. 12) Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.
What is doing “good” on the Sabbath day? Let’s continue with the next verse:
(v. 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.
When questioned, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath days?” Jesus answered, “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?....The spies dared not answer Christ in the presence of the multitude, for fear of involving themselves in difficulty.[5]
They knew that He had spoken the truth. Rather than violate their traditions, they would leave a man to suffer, while they would relieve a brute because of the loss to the owner if it were neglected. Thus greater care was shown for a dumb animal than for man, who is made in the image of God.[5]
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Well, that was helping a human being, what about the animals?
Luke 13 (v. 10) Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. (v. 11) And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity....and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. (v. 12) But when Jesus saw her.... (v. 13) ....He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
(v. 14) But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath.... (v. 15) The Lord then answered him and said....Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?
So, we should not neglect our animals, just because it is the Sabbath day!! Other acts of doing “good” on the Sabbath day!
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Acts 9 (v. 36) At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. (v. 39) Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
5. So, to do “good” is to help people, thinking of others before yourself. That’s what we should be doing on the Sabbath day!!
>>> Here is a list of more things to do on the Sabbath day! <<<
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References:
1. Dan Jarrard, (2008). Why I am a Sabbath-keeping Christian, p.39
2. Mark Finley, (1995). Beyond Orion's Gates, p.199, Hart Research Center.
3. E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.285, par.2
4. Terri Savelle Foy. "How to have an intimate relationship with God." Online video. YouTube, 4 Aug 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl3D3VFPLs0
5. E.G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.286, par.3
Image #1: Ucc-space, (n.d.). What did Jesus and the Apostle Paul do on the Sabbath? Retrieved from https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yn6wqV8OY5oCO91wVWyXpylqHmo3qjc2igVnR5khHeY7rpMH9jeHSRwMb1J4W-uwq8Jg=s85
Image #2: Goodsalt.com, (2012). Why did Paul go to the Synagogues? Retrieved from http://www.messianicjudaism.me/agenda/2012/02/05/why-did-paul-go-to-the-synagogues/
Image #3: Morgan's Law of One Commentary, (2016). The inner and outer court of the sanctuary. Retrieved from https://lawofonerewriteproject.com/welcome/session-52/
Image #4: Free Printable Calendar, (2017). January calendar. Retrieved from www.free-printable-calendar.com
Image #5: Yusriyah, (2017). Paul the tent maker. Retrieved from http://ceciliadeval.com/tent-maker/
Image #6: The Hem of His Garment, (2008). Martha sitting at the feet of Jesus. Retrieved from http://www.hem-of-his-garment-bible-study.org/women-in-the-Bible.html
Image #7: The Great Dance, (2009). Paul meets Lydia and the women at the river. Retrieved from https://thegreatdance.wordpress.com/page/1/
Image #8: Okruchy Stowa, (2015). Jesus heals the withered hand on the Sabbath. Retrieved from http://www.okruchyslowa.com/2015_09_01_archive.html
Image #9: JW.org, (2016). An Israelite man leads his bull out of the stall. Retrieved from https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/jesus/ministry-in-judea/why-destruction-ahead/
Image #10: Wikimedia Commons, (2015). Bible Illustrations by Sweet Media (1983). The women show Paul the good works of Dorcas. Retrieved from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Acts_of_the_Apostles
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