Understanding Peculiar Texts 

Memory Verse: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:5).

Scripture Reading: Acts 20:7-12.

Introduction: There are mistakes made both by Sabbath-keepers and people who oppose Sabbath-keeping in their dealing with John 5, where he healed a lame man on the Sabbath and told him to carry his bed. It is common for Sabbath-keepers to deny, outright, that Jesus broke the Sabbath and claim rather that it was merely alleged by the Jews that He broke the Sabbath. Those who oppose Sabbath-keeping point to this Scripture as evidence that Jesus had no regard for the Sabbath, and therefore we should not.
  John was not troubled, either by the charge that Jesus broke the Sabbath, or that Jesus made Himself equal with God. Paul said of the latter: ". . . Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God" (Phil. 2:5,6). It is no secret that the Bible did teach not to bear burdens on the Sabbath, and that Jesus did tell the man to take up his bed and walk. It is no secret that the Bible did teach men to remain in their places on the Sabbath. It is no secret that Israel was forbidden to gather food on the Sabbath from the field, yet Christ and His disciples walked through the field where they plucked and ate.
  His defense was not that these were technically alright (in view of Mosaic manner), but that first of all, He was Lord of the Sabbath. Therefore, being Lord of it, and having made the regulations regarding it, He could alter the manner of observance and no man had a right to judge. Further, He pointed to the fact that He and His disciples, being in a position comparable to the mission fulfilled by David--or that of a priest who profaned the temple doing the service of the temple--were therefore exempt from any incrimination. The examples had nothing to do with common practice for everyday circumstances, nor are they a license to ignore the Sabbath.

Lesson Questions:

1. Did Jesus break the Sabbath? Matthew 12:1,2; John 5:5-10. How was His example of Sabbath observance different? Matthew 12:9-13.

2. What right did Jesus have to change the manner of Sabbath observance? Mark 2:27,28.

3. Discuss Paul's statements in Romans 14:6. Why couldn't it be reasonable, from a Biblical basis, that all days be considered and regarded alike? Exodus 20:8-11; Mark 2:27.

4. What is meant by, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind?" Romans 14:6; Isaiah 8:19,20; 55:6-9; Matthew 7:7-11; 2 Timothy 2:15; Persuaded by what?

5. What was Paul's fear regarding the Galatians? Galatians 4:10,11. To what "days" did he refer?

6. Why can the Ten Commandments not be included in "the handwriting of ordinances that was against us?" Colossians 2:14. Are the Ten Commandments "against" Christians ("contrary" to them)?

7. Consider the meaning of Acts 15:10, which some apply to Sabbath observance. What really is referred to in this text? Verses 1 and 5.

8. What was the purpose of the instructions given in 1 Corinthians 16:1,2? Is there any indication that a group met for any purpose at all?

9. Pentecost was "the morrow after the seventh sabbath" (Leviticus 23:10-15), and it had its fulfillment in the experience recorded in Acts 2. Would it be proper to perpetuate a shadow which had completed its purpose? Galatians 3:21-29.