Christians and the Sabbath 

Memory Verse: "And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time" (Daniel 7:25).

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55.

Introduction: In regard to a day of worship, modern Christians ask two basic questions: Does the Bible teach us to observe the "Sabbath?" Does the Bible teach us to observe the first day of the week, "Sunday?" In search of an answer, they go first to the New Scriptures for information. After a thorough search, it is discovered that no simple injunction, "Thou shalt observe the Sabbath," is given. Neither is there any such command given for the keeping of the "first day" of the week (Sunday).
  Consequently, a new question arises: what then is the basis for a decision? Two approaches are worthy of consideration: one, a general search of the Old Scriptures for information to clarify the problem; the other, a search of the New Scriptures and secular history to determine what was practiced by the apostles and the early Christian churches.
  If then we can discover what early Christians practiced this would be valid evidence as to what we should practice. Consequently, both Sabbath-keepers and Sunday-keepers seek to establish the validity of their positions in this manner. Both draw on evidence from the Bible and extra-Biblical history of Christianity to support their positions.
  Those who observe Sunday explain that Apostles resorting to the synagogues on the Sabbath (Acts 20:7-12), merely indicates that they wished to work with the Jews, and therefore of necessity they had to go to the synagogue where the Jews were assembled. They further point out that Acts 20:6-12 describes a meeting of the disciples on the "first day" of the week, during which, bread was broken and preaching services were held. The Greek manuscript for Acts 20:7 does not state "the first day of the week" but rather, "the first of the week" (the word "day" being absent). It is just as logical to assume that this was after sundown Saturday, since it was a night meeting and the "first of the week" was from sundown at the end of the Sabbath.

Lesson Questions:

1. In Isaiah's prophecy of Christ's work as Savior, what is important about the "son of man," the "sons of the stranger," and "Yet will I gather others to him," as mentioned in Isaiah 56:2,3,6,8? (See also Isaiah 55:5-7; John 10:16; 17:20,21.)

2. What covenant is referred to in Isaiah 56:4,6?

3. What are the implications and importance of the fact that the Sabbath was one of the commandments written in STONE, whereas the temporary statutes were written in a book; that the Ten Commandments were written with the finger of God, not man's hand? Ex. 31:18; 32:15,16; 34:1-4; Deut. 10:4; 31:24-26.

4. Should God's Law be established and heeded? Why? Matt. 5:17-20; Rom. 3:31; Ps. 19:7-11; Rom. 7:6-14; 1 Tim. 1:8-11.

5. Why should Christians meticulously observe all the Law of God? Jas. 2:8-12.

6. Does the statement, "And after eight days," indicate a repetition of "Sunday signficance?" John 20:19,26. Is John 20:26 relevant to Sunday-keeping? Would the eighth day after the first day of the week fall on the first day of the week (Sunday)? Count and see.

7. Paul mentioned that Christians who enter into the promise of rest--in the kingdom of God--have ceased from their works as God did from His. How did God cease from His work? Heb. 4:4-10.

8. What was the example of unbelief referred to in Hebrews 4:11? See also Hebrews 3:8-19 and Ezekiel 20:12-24.

9. Were any of the Gentiles accepting of the Sabbath? Acts 13:42-44.