Is Sabbath Observance Required For Salvation? Part 2
- Adam Stillman
- Jun 9
- 33 min read
For part 1 of this article click here.
To watch the video instead click here.
Continued...
Now what does that leave us with. You may be thinking “Well then why did Apostle Paul keep it after the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus?” Fair point, let’s analyze though now.
We are going to look at Acts 13, I recommend reading the whole thing but we are going to look at a few verses in it.
Acts 13:14-15, 38-45
From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Paul then talks about how Israel’s history relates Christ. Then verse 38 reads.
“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
“‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’[e]”
As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him."
Then is Paul worshipping on the Sabbath or is he using the Sabbath as an opportunity to share the Gospel? Well considering the whole city gathered to hear the words Paul was speaking, it is quite evident that Paul was using the synagogue as a tool to preach to many Jews all at once.
And with this platform what does Paul say in verse 38-41. Paul says to all the Jew’s gathered in the synagogue keeping the Sabbath “Through Jesus you receive justification from every sin that you couldn’t have received through keeping the law.”
As the Jew’s were gathering aka keeping the law of the Sabbath, Paul literally says there is justification apart from the law. Sounds to me like Paul is actually preaching against the Sabbath rather than upholding it or keeping it.
Also, what is the synagogue? It is a religious meeting place for all the Jews to fellowship and worship. Basically synagogue is and functions very similar to a church today. The synagogue is different from the temple where the priests would do the burnt offerings.
Now the WMSCOG says that instead of Old Covenant where their is animal sacrifice on Sabbath, now we just go to church and have fellowship on the Sabbath. The Jews were doing this already. Then it means that the Jews were already doing what the WMSCOG does on the Sabbath day.
The Jews were already worshipping on the Sabbath, meaning they were already keeping the New Covenant Sabbath according to WMSCOG standards of the Sabbath. Then if this Sabbath is so important and is essential for salvation then I have two questions.
First, why is Paul preaching to the Jews here since they are clearly keeping the Sabbath? Seems redundant and pointless. Secondly, why did Paul mention that there is justification from sin that can’t be obtained by the law, if the alleged gospel requires Sabbath or a law to be justified? It is contradictory. But let’s continue.
Acts 17:2-4
"As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women."
Here we need to understand what was Paul’s custom? Paul’s custom is to go to the synagogue and preach to Jews. The words “as his custom was” here is not applied to the Sabbath, but rather his going to the synagogue and preaching. Otherwise why does it say on three Sabbath days only? If the words “as his custom was” applies to Paul keeping the Sabbath it should have said every Sabbath was his custom he went to the synagogue.
But it says on three Sabbaths, which is proof that the Sabbath actually wasn’t his custom. In this passage. Paul's custom was to preach to Jews in the synagogue and he did so this particular time on 3 Sabbath days. That is the context of the passage. Now why did Paul go to the synagogue on Sabbath day? It was because he could preach to a large number of people all at once.
Now with this in mind let’s examine some other verses.
Acts 18:4
"Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks."
So again if you actually read the whole context of Acts 18 what is it about? It is about the preaching of Paul. This is the exact same context of Acts 17 that we just discussed. Paul went into the synagogue to preach to the Jews and those that were there. What is the gospel Paul preached? We just read it, Paul was proving that Christ was the Messiah. We don’t see Paul’s custom was to worship in the synagogue or keep the Sabbath day as in the sense of going to Church.
There is nowhere where the Apostles enforce the observance of Sabbath day. It merely mentions the Apostles preaching to large Jewish crowds in the synagogue on the Sabbath. That is all.
Acts 16:13-15
“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.”
Here, do we see the Apostles observing the Sabbath? Where is the regulation of going to the river to pray on the Sabbath? Doesn’t exist. What were the Apostles doing? Well if you read Acts 16 in its entirety the Apostles were traveling all over the place.
Meaning they were traveling on and then on this particular Sabbath they preached to Lydia and she was baptized. This does not prove the enforcement of Sabbath. Because many people believed the message and were baptized on all days of the week, not just the Sabbath. Lydia happened to hear the message and be saved on the Sabbath. That is all.
Now you might be thinking “Why do you work so hard to disprove Sabbath in the bible, why not put that effort into doing God’s will and just keep the Sabbath.” To that I would say “Why do you work so hard to enforce rules and regulations that don’t exist in scripture? Why not put that effort into reading what the text says and understand what the context is.”
Now at this point you might be thinking. “Well the sabbath day is important because it was put in place to show us the eternal Sabbath rest and only those who keep the Sabbath day can enter the Eternal Sabbath rest.” Fair point, let’s analyze this.
As we have studied until now there is no scriptural enforcement of the Sabbath, in fact all the other commandments are quoted and enforced in the New Testament other than the Sabbath day. Then why is that?
Well it is simple actually. Who was the sabbath for? I am going to borrow from GotQuestions.org - link to full article will be in the description. I think of the author of this article into simple and precise terms.
In Mark 2:27 Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” This statement was in response to the accusation that His disciples were breaking the law regarding resting on the Sabbath when they walked by some fields and plucked heads of grain.
In the Old Testament the Sabbath was intended to help people, not burden them. In contrast with the grueling daily work as slaves in Egypt, the Israelites were commanded to take a full day of rest each week under the Mosaic Law.
Pharisaical law had morphed the Sabbath into a burden, adding restrictions beyond what God’s law said. The act of picking a head of grain and munching on it as one walked along a field should not be considered “harvesting,” as the Pharisees tried to categorize it.
The disciples had not broken God’s law; they had only violated the Pharisees’ strict interpretation of the law. Jesus reminded the Pharisees of the original intent of the Sabbath rest.
Also, Jesus is Lord even of the Sabbath. What does this mean? Another way to express the idea is to say Jesus is in charge of the Sabbath. He is God in human form, and He created the Sabbath day. As the One who wrote the law, Jesus certainly has oversight over how the law is to be enforced. The Pharisees had lifted their own rules to the level of God’s, placing onerous burdens on people, and they ended up rebuking the Lawgiver Himself.
Then it means the law was made for the people not that the people were made for the law. Why?
Colossians 2:16-17
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."
So what is a shadow? The Sabbath day. Where is the reality? In Christ. Keep this in mind.
Hebrews 10:1
"The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship."
Again we see here the law is only a shadow and the law is not the realities. Not only that but the bible says that the law can never make you perfect. Now let me ask you.
Can the law be a shadow and reality at the same time? Can the law of Sabbath day be a shadow and reality at the same time? Does the bible say the law is the shadow of the law which is the reality?
No the law is a shadow, the reality is found in Christ, not some new version of the law. Meaning the Sabbath is simply a shadow, the reality is found in Christ not some new version of Sabbath. Then what does it mean Christ is the reality of the Sabbath?
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
What gives you rest in the New Testament? Sabbath day observance? No it’s coming to Jesus. That is what Paul said. The Sabbath was put into effect to lead us to Christ.
Why because in the New Covenant we come to Jesus to receive rest for our souls. Meaning you want to receive rest in the New Testament, you must come to Jesus. It has nothing to do with keeping the Sabbath because the reality, Jesus, came. The Sabbath is no longer needed.
In fact when you read Hebrews Chapter 3 & 4 you can see that Paul is likening Jesus to Moses and Paul also mentions the eternal Sabbath rest meaning kingdom of Heaven. How does Paul say we enter the rest? By faith in Jesus who is the great high priest.
Because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Through Jesus you are able to enter heaven or the eternal Sabbath rest. Then how does the bible say we are saved? Well I wrote a whole article on that in my blog so I will not go into that here. But please read it, I go into great depth.
So then what is left to examine at this point?
Well you might be thinking now after all this “Well Jesus said to pray that your flight doesn’t take place on the Sabbath.” Let’s examine this.
Matthew 24:19-21
"How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again."
Jesus says pray that your flight from disaster doesn’t happen on the Sabbath. But is this an enforcement of the Sabbath? Personally I think and evidence suggests that Jesus is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem in these verses and Jesus knows that the Jews would keep the Sabbath in extreme situations, so He is implying that it would it be for their benefit that when the destruction of Jerusalem comes it doesn’t happen on a Sabbath, because then according to their law they would not be able to flee.
I don’t think Jesus is implying that Sabbath is to be kept until the last day here, just because of the sheer lack of mention in the New Testament about the enforcement of the Sabbath. I think what Jesus is referring to is the Sabbath walk here.
Acts 1:12
"Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city."
- A Sabbath day's journey is a specific distance Jews were permitted to travel on the Sabbath, based on tradition. The apostles even as their custom still kept sabbath restriction of 2000 cubit travel. (Note: Why doesn’t the WMSCOG keep this as a part of their sabbath?)
- This distance is roughly 2,000 cubits (approximately 0.6 miles or 1 kilometer), derived from passages in the Old Testament (like Exodus 16:29** and Numbers 35:5) and rabbinic interpretations.
But let’s suggest this is indeed referring to the Sabbath and that this word is applying to us in these last days. Then it would mean this whole passage should apply to us directly in the last days as well correct? Then what other words should we apply to ourselves in these last days as well as the Sabbath?
Matthew 24:22-25
“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time."
Now if you are going to insist that Jesus' words regarding the Sabbath are for us in the last days. Then it means the words “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it.” Also apply to us in the last days as well.
It means we should not believe the WMSCOG who says that Christ came again a second time in secret right? You can’t say the words regarding the Sabbath apply to us today, but then say the words Jesus spoke right after “false Christ’s” are just for the believer’s at that time.
It doesn’t work like that. Either the words “pray that your flight doesn’t take place on the Sabbath” and the words “don’t believe anyone who says they are Christ” equally apply to us today. Or the words “pray that your flight doesn’t take place on the Sabbath” and the words “don’t believe anyone who says they are Christ” apply to the believers at that time. You cannot have both.
If you have been following me this far, just know that we are almost to the end and there will be a massive payoff. Thank you for sticking with me, I really appreciate it.
Now I know the General Pastor and the Head Office provide a lot of evidence to show that Sabbath was abolished and that Sunday was instituted instead. This is not real history.
The General Pastor loves to quote from Robert Leo Odom “Sunday in Roman Paganism”, Joseph Bingham “The Antiquities of the Christian Church”, Socrates Scholasticus “Church History, J.W.C. Wand “A history of Early Church”.
But do you know what is incredibly ironic? The people who wrote these works are Babylon. What is Babylon? False churches and false prophets. Not only that but who’s domain is Babylon? Satan’s and Satan is the father of lies and his children are liars.
So let me get this straight, are we going to trust this very important evidence that was written by people who are children of lies in Babylon built on falsehood who worship the Father of lies? Is that General Pastors logic here? Are false prophets always liars who follow the Father of lies or are false prophets only liars when it’s convenient for the WMSCOG. Just bringing this up.
Now was the Sabbath changed to Sunday? No, not it wasn’t. Any Christian who says that Sabbath was changed to Sunday is in error. History doesn't teach that nor does the bible.
Now I know you are thinking about 321 AD how Emperor Constantine “abolished Sabbath Day.” Let's examine. The WMSCOG claims Constantine established Sunday worship through his Edict of 321 A.D, connecting it to pagan sun worship. Let’s carefully examine this decree and its context.
Constantine’s Sunday Edict (A.D. 321)
Constantine issued a civil decree stating:
“On the venerable day of the Sun, let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.”
Key Points About the Decree
1. Civil, Not Ecclesiastical:
- The decree established Sunday as a day of rest for Roman citizens, not a day of Christian worship. Constantine had no authority to dictate church doctrine. He is not outlawing Sabbath or enforcing Sunday. If you actually read the history around Constantine you will see he left theological decisions up to the churches and never intervened in church matters. Christians were already worshiping on Sunday well before this edict as we will show here in a minute.
2. Not Originating Sunday Worship:
- Constantine’s decree simply recognized the existing Christian practice of gathering on Sunday and aligned it with civil laws for practical governance.
- Sunday rest applied to all citizens, including pagans, as a unifying policy for the empire.
3. The Sun Worship Connection Misrepresented:
- It is true that Constantine retained some cultural references to the “Sun” as part of Roman traditions. However, Constantine’s personal religious inclinations evolved toward Christianity over time.
- His decree was political, not religious, and reflects the blending of Christian and Roman practices during his reign.
Then is there any evidence that the early Church kept Sunday worship? Yes, there is.
First I would like to read an Epistle from Ignatius of Antioch. Ignatius was the bishop of Antioch in the Second Century. The Epistle is to the Magnesians and it was written around 110 AD. Ignatius of Antioch wrote this just before he was executed by the Romans. We are going to read Chapter 9 entitled “Let us live in Christ” it reads and I quote.
“If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death — whom some deny, by which mystery we have obtained faith, and therefore endure, that we may be found the disciples of Jesus Christ, our only Master — how shall we be able to live apart from Him, whose disciples the prophets themselves in the Spirit did wait for Him as their Teacher? And therefore He whom they rightly waited for, having come, raised them from the dead. Matthew 27:52”
So here we can see that the Lord’s Day was known as the day Jesus sprung up again or the Resurrection. Meaning the Lord’s Day is actually Sunday. So Sunday was observed by the early Church.
Let’s also see the “Apostolic Traditions” written by Hippolytus in 215 AD. It reads and I quote.
“On the first day of the week the bishop, if possible, shall deliver the oblation to all the people with his own hand, while the deacons break the bread. When the deacon brings it to the elder, the deacon shall present his platter, and the elder shall take it himself and distribute it to the people by his own hand. Other days they will receive the oblation according to the command of the bishop”
Let’s also see the Didache which was written early at around 70-100 AD.
We will read Chapter 14 entitled “Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day”
"But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they are reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations."
Here we see that on the Lord’s Day the early Church came together to break bread and have fellowship. So the early church kept the observance of Sunday or the Lord’s Day. Now I know what you are thinking. “Well the bible has no evidence of Sunday worship and the bible should be the final authority.” Good point. The bible does point to Sunday worship as well. Let me show you.
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
Now I know what you are thinking “This is resurrection day, resurrection day!” Actually it is not. Let me explain.
Acts 20:5-6
These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.
Now if you read my last blog, I showed you that Unleavened Bread was Seven Days and that First Fruits happen during the 7 Days of Unleavened Bread, In fact First Fruits are part of Unleavened Bread. Think about it.
The Pentecost is 50 days after First Fruits. Not only that but when you read Exodus 23 and 34 and Deuteronomy 16 the Feast of Weeks is listed by itself.
Anyways the most important part is that First Fruits happens during the 7 days of Unleavened. Not only that but the first month 15th and 1st month 21st day of Unleavened Bread are regarded as sacred assemblies and God commanded them.
Now the WMSCOG is very crafty because they say that Unleavened Bread was changed from 7 days to 1 but there are no scriptural or historical claims to even hint at this. Then why does the WMSCOG say this?
Well think about the WMSCOG insist in Acts 20:7 of this first day of the week being first fruits or Resurrection day. Then why do they say this? WMSCOG regard the Unleavened Bread as one Day, since they regard it one day, First Fruits or Resurrection Day comes the Sunday after the conclusion of the one day of Unleavened Bread. There is absolutely no proof to this teaching or insistence. It is just a devious way of morphing scripture to keep the narrative going.
However the reality is Unleavened Bread is 7 Days and the Day of First Fruits happens during Unleavened Bread. Now reading Acts 20:5 you see that Unleavened Bread had concluded, which means that First Fruits or Resurrection Day also concluded. Which in turn means that this first day of the week coming and coming together to break bread has nothing to do with the Feasts and it is not Resurrection Day. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you biblical proof that the bible teaches that the early church came together on the first day of the week.
As you are aware if you read my articles on Passover, “breaking bread” is a common expression within the bible and in early church writings that corresponds to the Lord’s Supper.
Last thing I want to mention, let’s say WMSCOG is right and Unleavened Bread is one day and that Resurrection is the Sunday following the conclusion of Unleavened Bread. It still doesn’t work. Why?
How long were they traveling? The bible says “we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days.” Now let me ask you, how many days have passed since the Unleavened Bread concluded? Well 5+7 is 12. Meaning 12 days after Unleavened Bread the church came together to break bread. The most days that could pass for this Sunday to be considered First Fruits is 7 days, meaning if Unleavened Bread was on a Sunday, First Fruits would be the following Sunday or 7 days later. Since this first day of the week is 12 days later then it is impossible for the first day of the week here to be First Fruits or Resurrection Sunday.
Now with all this in mind let’s read Acts 20:7 again.
Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.
This is biblical proof that the early church came together on the first day of the week to keep the Lord’s supper. This is not Resurrection Day, because Resurrection Day concluded with Unleavened Bread days before this occurred. It matches history and matches scripture.
But there is more. Have you heard of the 8th day? If not, no worries. We are going to talk about it briefly. The concept of the eighth day as a symbol of new life and covenant renewal appears throughout Scripture.
1. Circumcision on the Eighth Day
In the Old Testament, circumcision was commanded to take place on the eighth day:
Genesis 17:12
“For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised.”
Circumcision represented entry into God’s covenant and a spiritual renewal of life. The eighth day foreshadowed the spiritual circumcision (new life) that comes through Christ (Colossians 2:11-12).
2. Jesus’ Resurrection on the Eighth Day
- Jesus rose on the first day of the week, which early Christians described as the “eighth day.”
- The resurrection marked the beginning of a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”*
3. Noah and the Flood – The Eighth Person
- Noah, described as the “eighth person” in 2 Peter 2:5, was saved through the flood, symbolizing a new beginning for humanity.
4. The Transfiguration and the Eighth Day
Luke’s Gospel links the transfiguration of Christ to the eighth day:
Luke 9:28
“About eight days after Jesus said this, He took Peter, John, and James with Him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
- The transfiguration revealed Christ’s glory and prefigured His resurrection and the new life to come.
5. Baptism and the Eighth Day
- Baptism, which represents new life in Christ, is spiritually linked to the eighth day:
Colossians 2:12
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through your faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
- Baptism is an outward action showing they belong to the new covenant, baptism is a sign of the covenant reflecting the resurrection hope symbolized by the eighth day.
The “Eighth Day” was also known as the Day of New Creation. The “eighth day” holds profound theological significance in Christianity:
1.Jesus’ Resurrection on the First Day (Sunday):
- Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). The first day, Sunday, is also referred to as the “eighth day” because it comes after the seventh day, symbolizing a new beginning beyond the old creation.
2. The Eighth Day as a Day of Resurrection and New Life: In early Christian theology, the “eighth day” represents New Creation: Just as God began creation on the first day, Christ’s resurrection on the first day signifies the dawn of new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). 8th day is also symbolic of Victory Over Sin and Death: The resurrection brought victory over sin and the restlessness of the old creation (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). It also symbolizes Eternal Hope: The eighth day points to eternal rest and resurrection life in Christ, surpassing the temporal Sabbath rest.
3. Quotes from Early Church Fathers on the Sabbath in the New Covenant:
- Barnabas (c. A.D. 100):
“We keep the eighth day [Sunday] with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead. And when He had manifested Himself, He ascended into the heavens.”
Barnabas highlights Sunday as a joyful celebration of the resurrection and the new covenant fulfillment.
- Justin Martyr (c. A.D. 150) (*First Apology*, Chapter 67):
“The first day after the Sabbath, remaining the first of all the days, is called the Lord’s Day. On it, we all assemble because it is the day on which Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead.”
Justin emphasizes Sunday as the day of gathering and worship, replacing the seventh-day Sabbath as a mark of the new creation inaugurated by Christ.
- Ignatius of Antioch (c. A.D. 110) (*Epistle to the Magnesians*, Chapter 9):
“Let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection day, the queen and chief of all the days.”
Ignatius describes the Lord’s Day (Sunday) as a day of celebration, central to Christian worship and distinct from the old Sabbath.
- Irenaeus of Lyons (c. A.D. 180) (*Against Heresies*, Book 4, Chapter 16):
“The mystery of the Lord’s resurrection cannot be understood without the eighth day, which signifies the new creation of the world.”
Irenaeus ties the resurrection to the theological symbolism of the eighth day as the beginning of the new creation.
- Clement of Alexandria (c. A.D. 190):
“The old Sabbath day has become nothing more than a working day. The Lord's Day has become a day of thanksgiving and joy.”*
Clement contrasts the old Sabbath rest with the new joy and thanksgiving found in the Lord’s Day.
- Tertullian (c. A.D. 200):
“The resurrection of the Lord is celebrated on Sunday, and we gather on that day for worship.”
Tertullian affirms the practice of Sunday worship as a commemoration of the resurrection.
So again early church history affirms worship on the Eight Day that we know as First Day, Sunday or the Lord's Day. Also it is important to know that most of these early church writers who kept Sunday worship were martyred by the Roman Empire.
The WMSCOG paints the Roman empire as head hunting for Sabbath and Passover keeping Christians. Meaning the Christians who forsook Passover and Sabbath day and kept the pagan Sunday instead survived and those that refused to give up Passover and Sabbath Day were put to death.
But if that is the case then why did the early church leaders who worshipped on Sunday kept Eucharist on Sunday and who never kept Sabbath or Passover get martyred also? It doesn't make any sense.
Now you are probably still thinking, well isn't Sunday still pagan though?
Well Sunday worship is only Pagan if you worship a Pagan God on that Day. For instance the WMSCOG insists that if you go to church on Sunday regardless of what your intention is, meaning if you are a believer of Jesus, Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you believe He raised from the dead, but you step foot into a Church on Sunday it automatically makes a pagan sun god worshiper, and if you are worshipping the son God and that you are basically worshipping Satan. The WMSCOG says
But hang on, don’t you go to Church on Sunday for your Resurrection Day and Pentecost service? Then since you go to Church on Sunday it means you are worshipping the Son God. You might now say “No we don’t worship the Sun God, we are keeping Resurrection and Pentecost, we are worshipping God on those days.” But isn’t that your insistence? No matter what your intention is Resurrection Day or not, Pentecost or not, if you go to church on Sunday it is pagan and you are a sun God worshiper?
Because according to the WMSCOG the act of going to Church on Sunday is considered pagan and son god worship, regardless of what you believe or your intentions. Then if this is indeed the case then it means the WMSCOG participates in the very son god worship they condemn.
But if it is the intention that really counts, if someone is going to church on Sunday but they do it for God and to worship Jesus. Will God accept it?
Romans 14:5-6
"One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God."
Here Paul says one considers one day more sacred than another, one person considers all days alike. What is the point here? Whatever day you worship, do it for the Lord. Are you more comfortable keeping Saturday? Awesome, as long as you do it for the Lord. You want to keep Sunday? Perfect, as long you do it for the Lord. You want to worship on Wednesday, Thursday, Monday or Everyday. Go for it, as long as you do it for the Lord. That is the whole point.
I mean who is this letter addressed to? It is the Romans. Then why would Paul say “it doesn’t matter the day, just do it for the lord” if Sunday is of the Devil and needed to be avoided at all costs and if they worshiped on Sunday they would go to Hell?
The WMSCOG claims that the Church in Rome abandoned Sabbath for Sunday in the Apostolic Age and that the custom of the Romans was to worship the Son God on Sunday. But I find it extremely odd that Paul doesn’t mention or enforce the Sabbath or any of the Feasts on the Romans. There is not a hint of warning for forsaking the Sabbath or a warning for keeping a day other than the Sabbath. I mean Paul’s attitude towards the day of worship here is indifferent at best.
Paul is not promoting Sabbath in these verses nor is he condemning Sunday or any day for that matter. However, what is something we shouldn’t do in regards to the day of worship?
Colossians 2:16
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."
Now let’s break this down a little bit. It is very simple. Don’t let anyone judge you. If you want to keep the Sabbath and worship Jesus on that day, awesome! Don’t let anyone judge you. Keeping the Sabbath in the name of Jesus is great and is good! But this verse also has another application. If someone wants to keep a different day than the Sabbath, like Sunday and they do it for Jesus. You have no right to judge them either.
What was the religious festival Paul is referring to? Well let’s examine. This letter addressed Colossians who were gentiles who worshipped Greek and Romans Gods and had no idea what the Law of Moses was nor did they care because there is no evidence Paul taught it to them or enforced it upon them.
Most likely their custom was to worship on Sunday, and odd’s are the religious festivals where not in line with the Jewish customs, they probably got a lot of pushback from the Jews who commanded the Sabbath and the Law. In fact that is the context here. Paul said don’t let anyone judge you. What does “anyone” mean? It means all people right? Paul said don’t let anyone judge you in regard to religious festivals.
You might be asking yourselves, aren’t you judging the WMSCOG by writing this article? Yes and no. I am not opposed to the WMSCOG keeping Sabbath, never have been and never will be.
I am opposed to the contention and condemnation that the WMSCOG heaps upon other Churches who observed Sunday saying that they are the devils church, liars, false prophets and are condemned to hell. There is no grounds for this and these claims are not biblical.
They are doing what Apostle Paul told us not to do. Paul is more concerned about judging one another and creating contention within the Church than he is about what day of worship you adhere to.
Now the WMSCOG might use the following phrases against me, that I am the bad guy Paul is talking about when he says “I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments” or “taking you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.”
Or that I am fulfilling “Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.” and the list goes on and on. If you think that someone who does research on the facts, tries to understand the context for what it is not what I want it to be and calls out the contradictions and faults of the WMSCOG doctrine fulfills those words, then I guess you're right. I will let you decide who fulfills what.
I find it fascinating. If you read any of GP’s books and the Staff of Moses you will see a countless number of references to “Sun God Worship.” To you the viewer I want to ask you, how many times have you said the phrase “Sun God Worship” whether it be teaching, preaching, education etc.?
Odd’s are probably countless. The WMSCOG stance is if you go to Church on Sunday that is considered sun god worship. I find it odd that no one ever really describes what ancient pre-Christian sun god worship is.
But let me ask you. What is son god worship? You say going to church on Sunday is pagan and is son god worship. You even say son god worship predates Christianity and even Judaism.
Are you implying that ancient sun god worshipers or pagans, I mean like before Jesus time, were people who’s customs were on the first day of the week would go to a chapel, sing songs about Jesus, pray to Jesus and give sermons about Jesus? Have you ever thought about or looked into what it actually meant to worship the sun god?
If I was to ask you, what is sun god worship before the time of Jesus, what would you say? If I was to ask you, if I wanted to be a sun god worshiper before Jesus time, what would I be required to do?
In the WMSCOG they have a formula. You want to be true children of God you need to do A+B+C+D = Worship God. Then what is the A+B+C+D= Sun God Worship? We will go into paganism and sun god worship among other things in another blog post.
But I would highly recommend researching actual ancient sun god worship practices so at least you know what it really is before you condemn or judge people for sun god worship.
Now it appears that the only reason going to church on Sunday is pagan in GP’s eyes is because it is not biblical, according to him at least, we proved that it is. The second reason GP says going to church on Sunday is pagan is because Sunday was named after the sun god.
So the pagans or sun god worshipers own the days of the week? So you can’t worship at all on those days or you are pagan right? Regardless of intention, or who you worship, the mere fact that you worship on Sunday, automatically pagan.
Then with that logic what is Saturday. Saturday comes from the Latin phrase “Sāturnī diēs” “Saturn's Day” which was the day designated to worship the Roman god Saturn the god of agriculture and harvest. The Roman god Saturn was better known by his Greek counterpart Cronus.
Now that being said, if you go to church on Saturday are you worshipping Saturn or Cronus? Well you are going to church on the 7th day of the week, Saturday. That day was made for a pagan God and was even named after a pagan god just like Sunday. Therefore you are pagan. That is the logic here.
Now of course I don’t really think you are pagan, I am just using your logic to help you understand how silly this insistence is. You might be thinking “Well we worship the 7th Day because God set it apart that day.” Ok, but didn’t God set apart the first day of the week as well?
If God didn’t set apart the first day of the week then why do you celebrate Resurrection Day and Pentecost on Sunday? You will probably resort to the defense of “Well God made it a sign between Him and His people.” Ok, but circumcision was also a sign between God and God’s people, but God changed that drastically in the new Testament into baptism.
So things can change right?
Or what about this. Is the fact that you go to church on Saturday the only thing that matters to God? For instance if someone goes to church on Saturday at 9am & 3pm but they are praying and worshipping a false God. Is that ok then? You went to church on Saturday 7th day of the week, then you should be good in God’s sight right?
That is the logic. What do you think is the most important? Who you worship or the day of the week you worship. Think about it seriously.
Now I want to go over a couple things about GP’s countermeasures in regard to Sunday worship. I am not going to quote from the book because I don’t really want to get sued or have my articles taken down.
But I will say first that the General Pastor is right in some cases. The Sabbath was never changed to Sunday, that is not biblical or historical. The Christians that enforce Sunday for salvation or the Church that says Sabbath was changed to the Lord's Day is in error.
Sabbath has always been the 7th Day and Lord's Day or Sunday has always been the first day or eighth day depending on context. Sabbath and 7th day have always existed separately from the first day or Lord’s Day, they are not the same.
But as we have seen, the day of the week is not the important part. Salvation in the New Testament is not based on observance of the Sabbath nor is it based on Sunday observance.
What is important is coming together in unity with believers to worship God. Not because you will go to hell if you don't, but because we can build each other's faith in Jesus, as that is what saves us. I am not saying don't worship God or go to church. I am making the point that the day itself that you do it on is irrelevant and not a salvation issue.
The church that says if you don't keep Sunday you are going to hell is in error, just like the WMSCOG who says if you don't keep Sabbath you are going to hell. Both claims are not biblical or historical.
But let's look at the countermeasures now.
Staff of Moses chapter 15 about the Collection of Jerusalem quoting 1 Cor 16:2. GP’s argument is 1. This collection is not an offering in the sense of WMSCOG offering or how they give offerings. 2. The insistence that they had to work on the first day of the week to get money to set aside.
About part 1 of this insistence to the insistence. Honestly, I did the research and I agree with GP on this one. This passage itself doesn’t prove Sunday worship. To be honest I personally have never heard this insistence in the 10 years of preaching I did. Paul tells the Corinthians to do what Paul told the Galatians to do.
The problem is we don’t know what Paul said to the Galatians as it is not in scripture or in early church writings. Also, GP then quotes 2 Cor 9:5 which I think is a reasonable explanation. But I think you should read all of 2 Cor 9 for context purposes. This gift is for the people of God.
Those who are poor and in need within the church. So, I think that GP is accurate here. We would call this in the WMSCOG a special offering or white envelope offering. But when do you give the white envelope or special offering? On the Sabbath with your regular offering, right? Is it crazy to assume the early church did the same thing but just on Sunday? I am not saying that this proves worship on Sunday. Just giving you food for thought.
Part 2 of the insistence to the insistence. Does not make sense though. I think part 1 was sufficient but the part GP says about how they had to work on the first day to save money to set aside proving that they weren’t worshipping on the first day of the week because they were working to get money, is a very long stretch.
Now let me ask you. You set aside money for Sabbath tithe, offering and special offering, correct? But did you work that day on the Sabbath to receive it? Of course, you didn’t. You got paid earlier that week from your past work and put some money aside to give on the Sabbath.
Actually, odds are you do this every single Sabbath. So, this insistence makes absolutely no sense. This is a really forced interpretation not based in reality. The Corinthians worked during the week, got paid and then set aside a sum of money every Sunday to give to the Church. That is what it is saying.
Now let’s look at the insistence in Staff of Moses Chapter 16 about the Lord’s Day.
Here I see something incredibly ironic. The General Pastor says the following to protestants who say the Lord’s Day is Sunday “Is there any verse in the Bible, which says that Sunday is the Lord’s Day? If there is a verse which says that, state the verse. There is no such record in the Bible.”
As I have proven earlier in the article, we see clear concrete evidence of the early church coming together on the first day of the week. So regardless of whether the Lord’s Day is Sabbath or Sunday. Honestly in the scope of things it is not important, what is important is the vision John received.
A lot of the Staff of Moses information is just picking fights for no reason and splicing together little bits and pieces of scripture and little pieces of history.. Now the reason I find this countermeasure extremely interesting is because I have yet to find any verse enforcing the Sabbath in the New Testament.
In fact, I haven’t found any verse that condemns people to hell for not keeping the Sabbath. I would love to see those verses. If we are going to take this approach, we can’t enforce the Sabbath or condemn others for not keeping because like General Pastor so delicately said “There is no such record in the Bible.”
I find it interesting how at the very end of this countermeasure General Pastor quotes Exodus 31:12-13 about “God commanding the Israelites to observe the Sabbaths.” Why doesn't the General Pastor show a verse in the New Testament with the same type of words?
I mean this is literally a matter of heaven and hell right? Again why doesn't the General Pastor quote a first in the New Testament? Where is the passage of the enforcement of Sabbath and the condemnation of neglecting Sabbath in the New Testament? To quote General Pastor again “There is no such record in the Bible.”
Now at this point the WMSCOG will probably use Matthew 4:1-11 where Jesus was tempted by Satan with God’s words and that I am doing the same thing as there is nothing new under the sun, what has been will be again, history is repeating itself etc.
But do you really think I am Satan? You are probably thinking “That is something Satan would say!”. I have gotten a lot of comments saying I am just like Judas Iscariot and that Satan entered me and that I left because I didn’t get a title etc. This was news to me. I had no idea I was even in line to get a title.
But seriously just think about it for a second. If you have read multiple of my blogs at this point what do you think I am trying to do? I am trying to lead you to do your research, to ask questions, to read the entirety of the scriptures in context, to address loopholes in WMSCOG doctrine, to expose lies that have been laced with truth, to lead you to Jesus Christ the only one who can save you.
Personally I have nothing to gain from you leaving or joining the WMSCOG. At the end of the day it is up to you and you alone. If you are going to join the WMSCOG, at least you will have both sides and know what you are getting into.
This website costs money to maintain and I have made nothing off of this and I have done countless hours of research on at this point fully expecting my findings to get lost in the Google algorithm and never to be seen by anyone.
Thankfully that is not the case since you are reading this.
My conclusion is very simple: Sabbath or Sunday or whatever day of the week. Just do it for Jesus, that is what the bible says. The bible doesn’t command a day for worship or forbid a day for worship.
As long as you worship Jesus, acknowledge that He is Lord and Savior, believe with all your heart that He paid for your sins and rose from the dead, that is what counts, regardless of the day of the week.
That is it for this article. I will see you on the next one. God bless.
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