Adams-Ross Debate

Adams-Ross Debate

May 23, 2013Kingston Springs, TN

htt p : / / w w w.Wo r d A n d S wo r d . c o m 2

Questions for Mr. Ross1. What do you do on the sabbath and what

passages authorize these activities?

2. Where does the New Testament (or Old Testament, for that matter) teach that parts of the Old Covenant were done away with while parts of it were not?


Questions for Mr. Ross3. How could the sabbath, according to Exodus

31.17, be a sign between God and Israel if all the other nations were included too?

4. Why do you insist on keeping the sabbath while not insisting on the penalty for not keeping the sabbath and what passages are used to justify this inconsistency?


Questions for Mr. Ross5. In light of Mark 7.18 and Acts 10.9–16, why

are those in the Church of God 7th Day for-bidden from eating pork, squirrel, rabbit, catfish, colas, chocolate, and coffee; what passages are used to justify these things; and who decides to choose these laws while leaving animal sacrifices alone?


PropositionThe Scriptures teach that the first day of

the week as a day of worship is enjoined on God’s people in this age of the worldAffirm: Stan Adams, New Testament Christian

Deny: Robert L. Ross, Church of God 7th Day


Proposition Defined‘Scriptures’: the Bible, the Old and New

Testaments, the word of God‘teach’: the word of God says or concludes

something, instruct‘first day of the week’: Sunday‘a day of worship’: certain worship has

been ordained for that day


Proposition Defined‘enjoined’: commanded, required, binding‘God’s People’: Christians‘this age of the world’: commonly called

Christian age, as opposed to the Patriarchal or Jewish age; the age that began with the reign of Christ on the 1st Pentecost after his resurrection


The Sabbath Under MosesExodus 20.8, Remember the sabbath day,

to keep it holy.Clearly this day, the seventh day of the

week, the sabbath day, was a special day to the Israelites under the Law of Moses

We are not debating thisBut, what became of this day in Christ?


Romans 7.1–71 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them

that know the law,) how that the law hath do-minion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.


Romans 7.1–74 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.


Romans 7.1–77 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God

forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.


Romans 7.1–71 … the law … the law … 2 … the law … 4 … the law … 5 … the law … 6 … the law … 7 … the law … the law … the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Q: What is ‘the law’ in this context?

A: It clearly includes the 10 Commandments, including the 4th Commandment—‘Remem-ber the sabbath day to keep it holy.’


Romans 7.1–7Q: What does Paul say about our relation-ship to ‘the law,’ that includes keeping the sabbath, in Christ?

2 … loosed from the law … 3 … free from that law … 4 … my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law … 6 … now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held ….


2 Corinthians 3.1–161 Do we begin again to commend our-

selves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of com-mendation from you? 2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.


2 Corinthians 3.1–164 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.


2 Corinthians 3.1–167 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.


2 Corinthians 3.1–1610 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. 12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:


2 Corinthians 3.1–1614 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.


2 Corinthians 3.1–163 … tables of stone … 7 … written and engraven in stones … the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance … 14 … the old testament ….

Q: What is Paul discussing in this context?


Exodus 34.29–3529 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. 30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. …


Deuteronomy 5.2222 These words [the 10 Commandments, vv6–21] the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.


2 Corinthians 3.1–163 … tables of stone … 7 … written and engraven in stones … the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance … 14 … the old testament ….

Q: What is Paul discussing in this context?

A: The 10 Commandments, including ‘Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy’


2 Corinthians 3.1–16Q: What does Paul say about the 10 Com-mandments, that includes keeping the sabbath, in Christ?

6 … the letter killeth … 7 … the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones … 8 … done away … 9 … ministration of condem-nation … 11 … done away … 13 … that which is abolished … 14 … done away in Christ ….


Colossians 2.13–1713 And you, being dead in your sins and the

uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespass-es; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross ….

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.


Colossians 2.13–17Q: What is ‘the handwriting of ordinances’?

16 … therefore … in meat, … drink, … holyday, ... new moon, … sabbath days ….

A: Law of Moses, including sabbath

cf. Ephesians 2.15, Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of command-ments contained in ordinances ….


Colossians 2.13–1716 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days ….

Q: Where these the weekly sabbaths or some special ‘sabbath feasts’?


1 Chronicles 23.29–31Col 2.16: … in meat, or in drink [daily], or … an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

1 Chr 23.29–31: … for meat offering …; And to stand every morning …, and likewise at even [daily]; And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths [weekly], in the new moons [monthly], and on the set feasts [yearly], … continually before the Lord ….


2 Chronicles 2.4Col 2.16: … in meat, or in drink [daily], or … an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

2 Chr 2.4: Behold, I build an house to … God, … for the burnt offerings morning and evening [daily], on the sabbaths [weekly], and on the new moons [monthly], and on the solemn feasts [yearly] …. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.


2 Chronicles 8.13Col 2.16: … in meat, or in drink [daily], or … an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

2 Chr 8.13: Even after a certain rate every day [daily], offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths [weekly], and on the new moons [monthly], and on the solemn feasts [yearly], three times in the year, ….


Daily Weekly Monthly Yearly

1 Chr 23 meat, morn. & evening sabbaths new

moons set feasts

2 Chr 2:4 morning & evening sabbaths new

moonssolemn feasts

2 Chr 8:13 every day sabbaths new moons

solemn feasts


moons set feasts

Hos 2:11 sabbaths new moons feast days

Col 2:16 meat & drink

sabbath days

new moon holyday


Colossians 2.13–1716 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [daily], or in respect of an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

Q: Where these the weekly sabbaths or some special ‘sabbath feasts’?

A: Clearly these are the weekly sabbaths!


Colossians 2.13–17Q: What does Paul say happened to these commandments, including weekly sabbaths, in Christ?

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, … and took it out of the way, nailing it to the cross ….


The Sabbath Under MosesExodus 20.8, was a special day to IsraelitesSo, what became of this day in Christ?Rom 7, loosed from, freed from, dead to,

delivered from2 Cor 3, done away, done away, abolished,

done away in ChristCol 2, blotted out, took out of the way,

nailed to the cross


Now What?Clearly the keeping of the sabbath as a

special day for God’s people was done away with in Christ

If the sabbath is no longer a special day to God’s people, what day is a special day?

First, let’s consider why the sabbath was special to God’s people of Moses’ age


Deuteronomy 5.12–1512 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, …. 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.


Deuteronomy 5.12–15Q: Why did Moses say the Lord commanded the

Israelites to keep the sabbath day?A: Because the Lord had brought them out of

Egypt and delivered them from bondageConsider this event in its context of Exodus 14–15


Exodus 14.13, 3013 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. …30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.


Exodus 15.13, 1613 Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people which thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. …16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone; … O Lord, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.


Deuteronomy 5.12–15Q: Why did Moses say the Lord commanded the

Israelites to keep the sabbath day?A: Because the Lord had brought them out of

Egypt and delivered them from bondageConsider this event in its context of Exodus 14–15A: Because the Lord had saved, redeemed, and

purchased them from bondageSound familiar? It should


Corresponding Day in NT?Again, with the sabbath day being

removed, is there a corresponding day in the NT?

First, the gospel writers clearly and pains-takingly identify the first day of the week, the day after the sabbath day, our Sunday, as the day in which Jesus was raised from the dead


Matthew 28.1–101 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Mag-dalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. … 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which 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 ….


Mark 16.1–91 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magda-lene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, …. 2 …very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. … 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: …. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, .... 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. … 9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, ….


Luke 24.1–101 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen ….


John 20.1–181 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, … unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. … 11 … Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels … where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? … 14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? … 16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. …


Corresponding Day in NT?First, the gospel writers clearly and pains-

takingly identify the first day of the week, the day after the sabbath day, our Sunday, as the day in which Jesus was raised from the dead

After the gospels we then see many references to the resurrection of Jesus


Corresponding Day in NT?Why was the sabbath special to the Jews?• Deut 5, because the Lord had saved, redeemed,

and purchased them from Egyptian bondageWhy is the first day of the week special to

those in Christ under the NT?• Gospels, Acts 13; Romans 6; 10, because the

Lord was raised on the first day and thereby we can be saved, redeemed, and set free from the bondage of sin; not possible under Law of Moses


Special Days of OT and NTExod 20.8, sabbath special day under MosesRom 7; 2 Cor 3; Col 2, sabbath removed

from being a special day for God’s peopleGospels, Acts 13; Rom 6; 10, first day of the

week becomes special day for God’s peopleBut what about worship on this day?


Acts 20.77 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.


Sabbath and Sunday in ActsAfter the sabbath was removed as the

special day of God’s people, it is mentioned a few times in Acts

Many days are mentioned in Acts, but only the sabbath day and the first day of the week are specified

Why? What was Luke’s point?


Sabbath and Sunday in ActsThe sabbath day is specified in Acts 13, 17, 18:• It is specified as a day when Jews, not disciples

of Christ, assembled• These Jews, not disciples, met in synagogues• Paul did meet with them, but for the purpose of

reasoning with them in order to persuade them to become disciples of Christ• Many of these Jews, who met in synagogues on

the sabbath, rejected Paul, rejected Christ, and persecuted Christians


Sabbath and Sunday in Acts In other words, after the sabbath was nailed to the

cross, and no longer a special day, it is identified with Jews, not Christ’s disciples; the synagogue, not the assemblies of Christ’s disciples; rejection of Christ and persecution of his disciples!

Is this really the kind of people you want to be associated with, Mr. Ross?!

After Acts the only time the sabbath is mentioned is in Colossians 2, where Paul said it was blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross!


Sabbath and Sunday in ActsAfter the sabbath day is mentioned for the last

time and after Paul turns his attention away from the Jews and toward the Gentiles (18.6), Luke specifies the day in which the disciples of Christ assembled to worship him

Acts 20.7, upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread …


1 Corinthians 16.1–21 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.


Points from 1 Corinthians 16.1–2

‘[F]rom the very beginning, the Lord’s church has had regular meetings on the first day of the week. That this was the church’s general practice is evident from the fact that the churches of Galatia as well as the church of Corinth were commanded to prepare the collection on this day of the week.’

cf. 1 Cor 4.17, Paul taught the same thing in all of the churches


Points from 1 Corinthians 16.1–2

‘The command that the collection be taken on the first day of the week cannot be harmonized with the inter-pretation that this refers to every member setting aside some money at his own home. If this was to be done in the privacy of one’s own home, why was a special day mentioned for doing it? The only logical reason that can be given for specifying a particular day is that this was the regular day on which the congre-gation assembled for worship. Hence, Paul command-ed that a collection be taken at that assembly.’

Mike Willis, Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians (Fairmount: Cogdill Foundation, 1979), 599.


Revelation 1.1010 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, ….


Points from Revelation 1.10The first day of the week took on the

special meaning of belonging to the Lord• It was the day in which he was resurrected• The day in which he was declared to be the

Son of God—Ps 2.7; Acts 13.33; Rom 1.3–4• The day in which his churched was established

—Acts 2; cf. Lev 23.15–16


Points from Revelation 1.10Acts 20.7, the first day of the week was when

his disciples assembled to eat his SupperThe only 2x the word kyriakos is used in the

Greek OT (LXX) or the NT is in Rev 1.10, where it is speaks of ‘the Lord’s Day,’ and in 1 Cor 11.20, where it speaks of ‘the Lord’s Supper’

The Lord’s Supper and the Lord’s Day are both unique and belong to the Lord


Points from Revelation 1.10On the Lord’s Day (Sunday, the first day of the

week) the Lord’s people, who are in the Lord’s Kingdom, come together around the Lord’s Table to eat the Lord’s Supper to pro-claim the Lord’s death until the Lord’s return!

Rev 1.10; Acts 20.7; 1 Cor 10.21; 11.20, 26


Sunday, a Day of Worship in NT

Acts 20.7, Christ’s disciples assemble to eat the Lord’s Supper and to feast on his word

1 Cor 16.1–2, Christ’s disciples assemble to ‘lay by in store’ for the Lord’s work

Rev 1.10, the Lord’s Day is a special day that belongs to the Lord and his people

Sunday, first day of the week, is a day of wor-ship for God’s people in this age of the world!


Sunday, a Day of Worship in NT

Exod 20.8, sabbath special day under MosesRom 7; 2 Cor 3; Col 2, sabbath removed

from being a special day for God’s peopleGospels, Acts 13; Rom 6; 10, first day of the

week became a special day for God’s peopleActs 20.7; 1 Cor 16.1–2; Rev 1.10, first day

of the week is a day of worship for God’s people in this age of the world!


Answering Arguments


Mr. Ross’s ArgumentsThe sabbath was given to Adam and patriarchsThe sabbath in Law of Moses said to be perpetualThe sabbath observance by Gentiles prophesied ofThe sabbath was observed by JesusThe sabbath was observed by PaulThe sabbath, according to history, was observed

by disciples of Christ for the first few centuriesThe sabbath, according to history, was removed

and changed to Sunday by Constantine


Sabbath Given to Adam / Patriarchs ???

Gen 2.3, And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Where is the command to Adam to keep the sabbath day?!

Where is the penalty for Adam or the patriarchs not keeping the sabbath day?!

Where is there any example of Adam or any of the patriarchs keeping the sabbath?!



Patriarchal Age Jewish Age Gospel AgeNo sabbath command

The sabbath command

No sabbath command

No sabbath example

The sabbath example

No sabbath example

No sabbath penalty

The sabbath penalty

No sabbath penalty

2500+ years 1500 years 2000 yearsDeut 5.3 Exod 31.12–18 Col 2.14–17



Absolutely no reference, zero, from any source, sacred or secular, that mentions the keeping of the sabbath before Exodus 16!

You may want to argue from silence, but I’m going to take my stand with the Bible!


Sabbath in LoM Perpetual ???

Exod 31.16, Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath through-out their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

The context of this passage does NOT teach what you claim it teaches

Even this verse clearly says it was to be observed by “the children of Israel” “throughout their generations”; nothing about Gentiles or Christians



Let’s examine the context of the paragraph, vv12–18 v13, speak … unto the children of Israel; not Gentiles v13, my sabbaths ye [Israel] shall keep; not Gentiles v13, it is a sign between me and you; not Gentiles• cf. example of the sign of engagement or wedding ring

v13, throughout your [Israel’s] generations; not Gentiles v13, the LORD … doth sanctify you [Israel]; not Gentiles And that’s just verse 13!



Let’s examine the context of the paragraph, vv12–18 v14, ye [Israel] shall keep the sabbath; not Gentiles v14, everyone [in Israel] that defileth it shall surely be

put to death; but not among Gentiles v14, that soul shall be cut off from among his people

[of Israel]; nothing about Gentiles Similar statements in v15



Let’s examine the context of the paragraph, vv12–18 v18, he gave unto Moses … two tables of testimony,

tables of stone, written with the finger of God 2 Cor 3, tables of stone … written and engraven in

stones … [given] Moses … which [were] … done away … done away … abolished … done away in Christ

What does Paul say about the perpetuality of the sabbath? It was ‘abolished … done away in Christ’!


Sabbath in LoM Perpetual ??? If perpetual means what you say it means, what about:

• The perpetuality of burnt offerings, Exod 29.42?• The perpetuality of incense, Exod 30.8?• The perpetuality of atonement, Exod 30.10?• The perpetuality of washing hands/feet, Exod 30.21?• The perpetuality of first fruits, Lev 23.13?• The perpetuality of meat offering, Lev 6.18?• The perpetuality of oil for lamps, Lev 24.3?• The perpetuality of fringes, Num 15.38?• The perpetuality of pentecost, Lev 23.21?• The perpetuality of feast of tabernacles, Lev 23.41?


Isaiah 56.6–76 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.


Gentile Sabbath Prophesied ???

Isa 56.6–7, Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the Lord, to serve him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath …

Context is not dealing with what the Gentiles will be doing in the future, but rather the strangers who would keep the covenant current at that time, which included burnt offerings and sacrifices

To bind sabbath here, must bind sacrifices!


Gentile Sabbath Prophesied ???

Isa 58.12–14, … and call the sabbath a delight … Where is there anything in the context that says this

is what Gentiles would do in the future? v14 clearly speaks of ‘the heritage of Jacob thy

father,’ obviously the context is dealing with Israel and their need to repent!

Nothing here about Gentiles keeping the sabbath


Gentile Sabbath in OT ???Can the Gentile observance of the sabbath

be found anywhere in the OT?It is not found in GenesisIt is not found in the Law of Moses (Exodus)It is not found in the prophets (Isaiah)

Gentile observance of the sabbath is not found anywhere in the Old Testament!


Jesus and the SabbathArgument: Jesus kept the sabbath, therefore his

disciples today must keep the sabbathGal 4.4, But when the fulness of time was come,

God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law …

Yes, Jesus kept the sabbath because he lived under the law of Moses!

Col 2.14–16, but he ended this law in the cross


Jesus and the SabbathYes, Jesus kept and commanded the sabbathHe also was circumcised on the 8th day, Luke 2.21

— do sabbatarians bind 8th day circumcision?He also commanded to offer gifts (animals) on the

altar, Matt 5.23–24 — do sabbatarians?He also commanded everything taught by Moses

to be observed, Matt 23.2 — do sabbatarians?


Jesus and the SabbathMark 2.27–28, The sabbath was made for man,

and not man for the sabbath; Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

In the context Jesus is addressing misapplications of the sabbath commandment under Moses

Nothing—zero, nada, zilch, in this context about disciples keeping the sabbath after the cross!


Paul and the SabbathYes, Paul and the sabbath are mentioned

together in Acts 13, 17, and 18; but why?Was this when the disciples of Christ

assembled together to worship him?Or does Luke mention the sabbath in con-

nection with Paul for some other reason?


Paul and the SabbathThe sabbath day is specified in Acts 13, 17, 18:• It is specified as a day when Jews, not disciples

of Christ, assembled• These Jews, not disciples, met in synagogues• Paul did meet with them, but for the purpose of

reasoning with them in order to persuade them to become disciples of Christ• Many of these Jews, who met in synagogues on

the sabbath, rejected Paul, rejected Christ, and persecuted Christians


Paul and the Sabbath In other words, after the sabbath was nailed to the

cross, and no longer a special day, it is identified with Jews, not Christ’s disciples; the synagogue, not the assemblies of Christ’s disciples; rejection of Christ and persecution of his disciples!

Is this really the kind of people you want to be associated with, Mr. Ross?!

After Acts the only time the sabbath is mentioned is in Colossians 2, where Paul said it was blotted out, taken out of the way, and nailed to the cross!


Paul and the SabbathAfter the sabbath day is mentioned for the last

time and after Paul turns his attention away from the Jews and toward the Gentiles (18.6), Luke specifies the day in which the disciples of Christ assembled to worship him

Acts 20.7, upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread …


Jesus, Paul, and the Sabbath Argument: since Jesus and Paul kept the sabbath,

then Christians should keep the sabbath Jesus kept the sabbath because he was born and

lived under the law, Gal 4.4! But he took the sabbath away and nailed it to his cross, Col 2.14

Paul’s connection with the sabbath in Acts does not teach that disciples of Christ assembled for worship on the sabbath; it teaches that Jews met in synagogues on the sabbath and rejected Christ

Neither the examples of Jesus or Paul teach that Christians are to keep the sabbath today


Sabbath and Early ChurchArgument: history shows that the early

church met on the sabbath, not SundayI challenge you to cite one example of any

local church in the first two centuries that rejected Sunday in favor of sabbath worship

What does history really say?


Sabbath and Early ChurchThe Didache is a collection of teachings for Christians and churches dated to 70–120 AD

14:1, And coming together on the Lord’s day [kuriakēn] of the Lord, break bread ….Translation: Rick Brannan, The Apostolic Fathers in English (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).

cf. Acts 20:7, Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread ….


Sabbath and Early ChurchIgnatius, an elder of the church in Antioch, wrote several letters dated to 98–110 AD

Magnesians 9:1, [I]f those who lived in ancient customs came to newness of hope, no longer keeping the Sabbath but living according to the Lord’s day [kuriakēn], on which our life also arose through him and his death, (which some deny) ….Translation: Rick Brannan, The Apostolic Fathers in English (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).


Sabbath and Early ChurchPhilip Schaff, eminent scholar of ‘church history’:

The celebration of the Lord’s Day [which he later identified as Sunday] in memory of the resurrection of Christ dates undoubtedly from the apostolic age. Nothing short of apostolic precedent can account for the universal religious observance in the churches of the second century. There is no dissenting voice.Philip Schaff and David Schley Schaff, History of the Christian Church, electronic ed. (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1910), 2.5.60.


Sabbath and Early ChurchArgument: history shows that the early

church met on the sabbath, not SundayWhat does history really say?Mr. Ross, history affirms my proposition; it

does nothing for yours!


Sabbath and ConstantineArgument: Constantine, a semi-pagan emperor,

changed the day of worship from the sabbath to Sunday in honor and worship of pagan gods

Mr. Ross, if you’re going to quote history, you really need to try to be a little more accurate

This is indeed a common argumentWhat did Constantine actually say?


Constantine’s Edict of AD 321

On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country, however, persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pur-suits; because it often happens that another day is not so suitable for grain-sowing or for vine-planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost. (Given the 7th day of March, Crispus and Constantine being consuls each of them for the second time.)Philip Schaff and David Schley Schaff, History of the Christian Church, electronic ed. (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1910), 3.7.75, n692.


Sabbath and ConstantineArgument: Constantine, a semi-pagan emperor,

changed the day of worship from the sabbath to Sunday in honor and worship of pagan gods

Mr. Ross, where did Constantine say that?Constantine’s edict actually does just the

opposite of what you claim—it affirms that Sunday, not the sabbath, was the day already held in high esteem by the early church!


Sabbath and HistoryArgument: history shows that the early church

worshiped on the sabbath and that the day of worship was changed to Sunday by Constantine

Just the opposite! History shows the early church worshiped on Sunday and not the sabbath

History shows that Constantine said nothing that changed the day of worship from sabbath to Sunday


What Else, Mr. Ross?Nothing in the Old Testament, either in Genesis,

the Law of Moses, or the prophets, says a word about Gentiles keeping the sabbath

Nothing in the Gospels, Acts, or the NT epistles says a word about Christians keeping the sabbath

History teaches the early church from the very beginning worshiped God on Sunday, the first day of the week, and not the sabbath

No argument, sacred or secular, proves your proposition that God’s people in this age of

the world are to keep the sabbath!


Additional Slides


The Issue Is NOTWere the Israelites / Jews commanded to

keep the Sabbath under the Law of MosesDid New Testament Christians or apostles

ever assemble or do any teaching on the Sabbath or any other day of the week


Sunday, a Special Day in NTSunday was when Jesus was resurrected!• Matt 28:1–10, end of the sabbath, … toward

the first day of the week … Jesus … is risen!• Mark 16:1–9, the sabbath was past, … the first

day of the week … Jesus … is risen; … Jesus was risen … the first day of the week


Sunday, a Special Day in NTSunday was when Jesus was resurrected!• Luke 24:1–10, the first day of the week … he …

is risen• John 20:1–18, the first day of the week … Jesus

standing


Sunday, a Special Day in NTSunday was when Jesus appeared to many

as the resurrected Lord• Mary Mag., Mark 16:8–11; John 20:11–18• The other women, Matt 28:9–10• 2 disciples, Mark 16:12–13; Luke 24:13–32• Peter, Luke 24:33–35• The 12 (-Thomas), Mark 16:14; Luke 24:36–43;

John 20:19–25• The 12 (the next Sunday), John 20:26–31


Sunday, a Special Day in NTSunday was when Christ was declared to be

the Son of God!• Psalm 2.7, I will declare …, Thou art my Son;

This day have I begotten thee• Acts 13.33, God … hath raised up Jesus …; as it

is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.• Paul said this prophecy was fulfilled when

Jesus was resurrected


Sunday, a Special Day in NTSunday was when Christ was declared to be

the Son of God!• Psalm 2.7, I will declare …, Thou art my Son;

This day have I begotten thee• Romans 1.4, And declared to be the Son of

God … by the resurrection from the dead• What day was Jesus resurrected? Sunday• He was declared the Son of God on Sunday!


Sunday, a Special Day in NTSunday was when all the events in Acts 2

occurred, being the day of Pentecost• Pentecost always fell on a Sunday• Lev 23:15–16, the morrow after the sabbath,

…. Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall he number fifty days ….• Always on the day after a sabbath = Sunday• ‘fifty’ in LXX is pentēkonta = Pentecost



occurred, being the day of Pentecost• Holy Spirit given fulfilling Joel’s prophecy on

Sunday, Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:1–4, 16–21• The church, mountain of the Lord’s house,

established on Sunday, Isa 2:2–3; Acts 2:17• Christ crowned as king on his throne on

Sunday, Zech 6:13; Acts 2:29–36



occurred, being the day of Pentecost• The New Law went into effect as the word

went forth from Jerusalem on Sunday, Isa 2:3; Luke 24:47–49; Acts 2 (cf. Jer 31:31–34)• First gospel sermon proclaiming Jesus as Son

of God preached on Sunday, Acts 2:22–36



occurred, being the day of Pentecost• 3,000 souls, the first fruits of gospel harvest,

added to the church on Sunday, Lev 23:17; Acts 2:41, 47• The ‘beginning’ of the church was on Sunday,

Acts 11:15; 2:1–4


Sunday, Day of Assembly& Special Worship in NT

1 Cor 11:17–34, Paul said the church was to come together to eat the Lord’s Supper

Esp. note vv17, 18, 20, 33, 34, all say ‘come together’ ‘in the church’ (v18)

cf. 1 Cor 14:23, 26But when was this assembly to occur?



Acts 20:6, Paul and his companions stayed in Troas for seven days, despite being in a hurry to get to Jerusalem (cf. 20:16; 21:4)

Why the delay?What did they do for the seven days?Only ONE thing is mentioned!



Acts 20:7, And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread ….

‘break bread’ = Lord’s Supper, cf. 1 Cor 10:16; 11.23–24; Matt 26.26 & parallels

This is NOT a common meal; didn’t stay for seven days to eat a common meal



1 Cor 11:17ff, church in Corinth to eat the Lord’s Supper when they came together

When was the church supposed to do this?Acts 20:7, church in Troas came together on

Sunday to eat the Lord’s Supper!



1 Cor 4:17; 7:17; 16:1, Paul taught the same things in all churches

Every church is to assemble to eat the Lord’s Supper on Sundays!

Does your church eat the Lord’s Supper, Mr. Ross? If so, on what day? And what passage do you use for authority?



1 Cor 16:1–2, concerning the collection … I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, … so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store ….• This collection was something to be done in all

the churches (cf. 1 Cor 4:17; 7:17), making it a religious service• This religious service for churches was to

conducted on Sundays!


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayRev 1:10, I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s

day, and heard behind me a great voice ….What does this mean, ‘the Lord’s day’?The word (kuriakós) is not a regular

possessive word, as in day of the Lord, but rather an adjective describing something that belongs to the Lord


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayIt is a completely different expression than

the phrase “day of the Lord” in 2 Peter 3:10; 1 Thess 5:2 (2 Thess 2:2 ASV) and the similar OT expressions

Only used one other time in the NT, in 1 Cor 11:20, where it refers to the Lord’s Supper


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayHowever, there is a special day that John

refers to as ‘the Lord’s Day,’ so what day was especially connected with the Lord?

The first day of the week, Sunday!All of our previous points have emphasized

this fact, Sunday was special to the Lord


Sunday Is the Lord’s DaySunday was the day the Lord was raised

from the dead, Matthew 28:1 & parallelsSunday was the day the Lord was declared

to be the Son of God, Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4 w/ Matthew 28:1, etc.

Sunday was the day the Lord was first preached as being the Savior, Acts 2


Sunday Is the Lord’s DaySunday was the day the Lord’s church was

established, Acts 2; 11:15Sunday was the day the Lord’s people re-

membered his death in the eating of the Lord’s Supper, Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 11:17ff• The Lord’s Day is the day the Lord’s Supper is

to be eaten!


Sunday Is the Lord’s DaySunday was the day the Lord’s people col-

lected funds for his work, 1 Cor 16:1–2No other day of the week held the same

significance for the Lord and his peopleThe Bible shows the Lord’s Day is SundayBut let’s consider the meaning and usage of

this word John used in Revelation 1:10


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayBDAG: [kuriakós, ē, on] pertaining to belonging to the Lord, the Lord’s … the Lord’s Supper 1 Cor 11:20. … the Lord’s day … i.e. certainly Sunday (so in Modern Greek …) Rv 1:10. … For this … Didache 14:1. … Gospel of Peter 9:35; 12:50. … observe the Lord’s day (opposed [to the sabbaths]) Ignatius to the Magnesians 9:1 ….[BDAG] A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Early Christian Literature. 3rd ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayTDNT: It [kuriakós] occurs twice in the NT: 1 C. 11:20 …, and Rev. 1:10. … The Lord’s Day takes its significance from the resurrection of Christ. The [kuriakós] … became the day when the congregations assembled, Ac. 20:7; Did. 14.1 …. John’s Gospel emphasises that Jesus rose on the first day of the week, Jn 20:1, 19, 26 ….Gerhard Kittel, et al., eds. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 1964–).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayLittle Kittel: kyriakós. This adjective, meaning “of the lord or owner,” occurs in the NT in 1 Cor 11:20 and Rev. 1:10 for the Lord’s Supper and the Lord’s Day. … As regards the latter, the day of Christ’s resurrection takes on special significance (cf. Jn. 20:1; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). [cont.]


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayLittle Kittel: kyriakós. … Already the first day is important to Judaism as the day when creation began, and it becomes a special day of Christian assembly as the beginning of a new aeon.Geoffrey W. Bromiley, ed. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume (Grand Rapids, MI: W. B. Eerdmans, 1985).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayRobertson: Rev. 1:10. … On the Lord’s Day …. the Christians … take this term, already in use, and apply it to the first day of the week in honour of the Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection on that day (Didache 14, Ignatius Magn. 9). … It has no reference to hēmera kurio (the day of judgment, II Pet. 3:10).A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayVincent: Rev. 1:10. … On the Lord’s day (en kuriakē hēméra). … The first day of the week, the festival of the Lord’s resurrection. Not … the day of judgment … (2 Thess 2:2); … (2 Pet. 3:10); or … (Philip. 2:16) ….Marvin Richardson Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1887).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayZodhiates: kuriakós; fem. kuriakē, …. Belonging to a lord or ruler. Only in 1 Cor. 11:20; Rev. 1:10 as belonging to Christ, to the Lord, having special reference to Him. Hence, Kuriakē, which came to mean Kuriakē Hēméra, the “Day of the Lord,” what we call Sunday. It was kept in commemora-tion of Christ’s resurrection (John 20:19–23; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2 [see Rev. 1:10]).Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayThe next few charts contain quotes from non-

biblical ancient documents that were contem-porary with John’s writing of Revelation

These are the documents referred to in the definitions from the lexicons in previous charts

These quotations are simply used to show that the word John used in Rev 1:10 (kuriakē) was in common use and clearly meant Sunday


Sunday Is the Lord’s Day“The Gospel of Peter” in the Akhmîm papyrus

“was a narrative gospel of the synoptic type which circulated in the mid-1st century under the authority of the name Peter.”Paul Allan Mirecki, “Peter, Gospel of” in vol. 5, The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary, ed. David Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 278.

Other scholars date it to 70–150 ADThe Gospel of Peter describes the crucifixion and

resurrection of Jesus from the dead


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayGos. Pet. 9:35, Now on the night when the Lord’s Day [hē kuriakē] was drawing on, as the soldiers kept guard by two and two ….

Gos. Pet. 12:50, Now at dawn on the Lord’s Day [tēs kuriakēs] Mary Magdalene, a female disciple of the Lord … took with her her female friends, and came to the sepulchre where He was laid.Translation: H. B. Swete, The Akhmîm Fragment of the Apocryphal Gospel of St. Peter (London: MacMillan and Co., 1893).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayThe Didache is a collection of teachings for Christians and churches dated to 70–120 AD

14:1, And coming together on the Lord’s day [kuriakēn] of the Lord, break bread ….Translation: Rick Brannan, The Apostolic Fathers in English (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).

cf. Acts 20:7, Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread ….


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayIgnatius, an elder of the church in Antioch, wrote several letters dated to 98–110 AD

Magnesians 9:1, [I]f those who lived in ancient customs came to newness of hope, no longer keeping the Sabbath but living according to the Lord’s day [kuriakēn], on which our life also arose through him and his death, (which some deny) ….Translation: Rick Brannan, The Apostolic Fathers in English (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).


Sunday Is the Lord’s DayPhilip Schaff, eminent scholar of ‘church history’:

The celebration of the Lord’s Day [which he later identified as Sunday] in memory of the resurrection of Christ dates undoubtedly from the apostolic age. Nothing short of apostolic precedent can account for the universal religious observance in the churches of the second century. There is no dissenting voice.Philip Schaff and David Schley Schaff, History of the Christian Church, electronic ed. (New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1910), 2.5.60.


Sunday Is the Lord’s DaySunday in modern Greece

Eastern Europe phrasebook. 4th ed. (Footscray, Victoria, Australia: Lonely Planet Publications, 2007), 175.

2nd [Day]3rd [Day]4th [Day]5th [Day]Preparation [Day], Mk 15.42Sabbath, Mk 15.42; 16.1–2Lord’s [Day], Mk 16.2; Rev 1:10


Sunday PropositionSunday is a special day to NT Christians• Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20 | Ps 2:7; Acts 13:33;

Rom 1:4 | Joel 2; Isa 2; Zech 6; Acts 2Sunday is a day of worship for NT Christians• 1 Cor 11:17–34; 14:23, 26; Acts 20:6–7 |

1 Cor 16:1–2; 4:17; 7:17Sunday is the Lord’s Day for NT Christians• Rev 1:10; Mt 28; Mk 16; Lk 24; Jn 20; Acts 20:7

137htt p : / / w w w.Wo r d A n d S wo r d . c o m

Laws NOT Repeated, NOT Binding

Great Britain• Murder is illegal• Theft is illegal• Perjury is illegal• Must pay taxes• Subject of the Queen

United States of America• Murder is illegal• Theft is illegal• Perjury is illegal• Must pay taxes• ???


Laws NOT Repeated, NOT BindingEzekiel 20:10–12, Wherefore I caused them [house of Jacob/Israel, v5; cf. v13] to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.


Laws NOT Repeated, NOT BindingNehemiah 9:13–14, Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them [our fathers, v9] from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant ….


Laws NOT Repeated, NOT Binding

Old Covenant• Adultery is sin• Murder is sin• Theft is sin• Lying is sin• Keep the Sabbath

New Covenant• Adultery is sin• Murder is sin• Theft is sin• Lying is sin• ???


Smite v. Speak / Saturday v. Sunday

Exodus 17• No water to drink, v1• Take thy rod, v5• Smite the rock, v5• Moses did so, he

smote the rock, v6• Moses is faithful

Numbers 20• No water, v2• Take the rod, v7• Speak to the rock, v8• Instead, Moses

smote the rock, v11• Moses failed to

believe / sanctify God, punished, v12



Old Covenant / Israel• Remember the sab-

bath day, Exod 20:8• Keep my sabbaths,

Lev 19:3, 30; 26:2• Keep the sabbath day,

Deut 5:12• Sabbath given to

Israel, Neh 9:13–14

New Covenant / Christians

• Lord raised onSunday, John 20:1

• Disciples met on Sunday, Acts 20:7

• Churches met on Sunday, 1 Cor 16:1–2

• Lord’s Day, special day, Sunday, Rev 1:10



Old Covenant / Israel• When Israel kept the

sabbath, faithful

• When Israel failed to keep the sabbath, punished, Num 15:36

New Covenant / Christians

• When God’s people worship him on the Lord’s Day, faithful

• When God’s people fail to worship him on the Lord’s Day, pun-ished, Heb 10:24–31


Acts 20:7–10, Resurrection Themev7, 1st day of the week, when Jesus was

resurrected (cf. John 20:1)v7, to eat the Lord’s Supper (lit. ‘break

bread’), memorial of Jesus’ death and resurrection (cf. 1 Cor 11:23–27)

vv9–10, Eutychus raised from the dead


Israel NEW to the SabbathSabbath NOT mentioned before Exodus 16Sabbath was only made known at Mt. Sinai

after leaving Egypt, Nehemiah 9:13–14, meaning it was NOT known prior to then

In Exodus 16:4–5, 22–30, God tested whether or not they would keep his laws with the first mention of the sabbath


Israel NEW to the SabbathThe sabbath of Exodus 16 was not the same

as the sabbath of Exodus 20 and following because the penalty of violating the latter was death (Exod 31:13–17) and the violators in Exodus 16 were not put to death (v27ff)

Again the sabbath of Exodus 16 was given as a test; it was something new!


Israel NEW to the SabbathThe people of Israel were NOT familiar with

the sabbath before Exodus 16• Exod 16:22–23, the rulers of Israel didn’t know

what the Sabbath was about, had to be told• Exod 16:27, others in Israel didn’t yet realize

they weren’t supposed to work on the sabbath


Israel NEW to the SabbathEvents of Numbers 15:32–36 show that

Israel was not familiar with the sabbath and that it was something NEW for them• A man violated the sabbath, picked up sticks• They recently learned it was wrong, but were

confused about what to do with the man• God had to tell them what to do, because the

sabbath was NEW, they were learning about it


Not Known/Made Known to FathersIn Deut 5:3 Moses said the covenant with

the Sabbath (vv12–15) was not made known to ‘our fathers,’ meaning Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (1:8)

In Nehemiah 9:9–14, the Levites (v5) said God made known the covenant with the Sabbath to ‘our fathers,’ meaning those God brought out of Egypt to Mt. Sinai


Deut 5.3: Who Are ‘Our Fathers’?1:8, your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob6:10, thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to

Jacob9:5, thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob29:13, thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and

to Jacob30:20, thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and

to Jacob


Deuteronomy 5:1–22vv2–3, 10–15, God made a covenant that

included the sabbathv2, God made this covenant with ‘us’• Us = ‘all Israel … O Israel’ (v1)• This covenant was not made with any other

nations past, present, or future• This covenant was not made with Gentiles



included the sabbathv2, God made this covenant in Horeb• cf. Exod 3:1, 12; 19:1–2; Num 10:33• God did not make this covenant in Eden with

all people, but at Horeb with Israel alone• God did not make this covenant before Horeb,

but with Israel who alone was at Horeb



included the sabbathv3, God did NOT make this covenant with

‘our fathers’• ‘our fathers’ = Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (1.8)• God did NOT make this covenant with Abraham,

Isaac, Jacob, Adam and Eve, nor with anyone else prior to Israel!



included the sabbathv6, ‘brought thee out … of Egypt’ =

covenant made with Israel, NOT Gentiles and NOT ALL people

vv12–15, covenant incl. 10 Commandments



included the sabbathv15b, ‘therefore the Lord they God com-

manded thee to keep the Sabbath’• Why is the ‘therefore’ ‘there for’?• v15a, BECAUSE they (Israel) were a servant in

Egypt & God brought them (Israel) out of Egypt• Keeping the sabbath was NOT given to others

who were not delivered by God from Egypt!


Deut 5:1–22 SummaryGod made a covenant that included ‘keep the

sabbath day to sanctify it’He made this covenant only with Israel,

NOT with any other nation or peopleHe made this covenant at Mt. Horeb,

NOT before and NOT in the Garden of EdenHe did NOT make this covenant with the fathers:

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, or AdamHe made this covenant with those he brought out

of Egypt, NOT with any other nation or people


Argument: God Never ChangesNo one denies this fundamental truth!This is NOT the issue!The issue IS has God made different

covenants with and given different commandments to different people in different ages?


Argument: God Never ChangesGen 2:15, God commanded Adam to ‘dress’

and ‘keep’ the Garden of Eden• Using my opponents reasoning: Adam is the

father of all people, therefore this is a universal commandment—ALL people are required to ‘dress’ and ‘keep’ the Garden• Does my opponent practice or teach this?• Notice how Adam was NOT commanded to

‘keep’ the sabbath


Argument: God Never ChangesGen 6:14, God commanded Noah to build

an ark of gopher wood, etc.• Using my opponents reasoning: Noah is the

father all people today (Gen 9:1), therefore this is a universal commandment—ALL people are required to build an ark• Is my opponent currently engaged in such a

building project and teaching others to do so?


Argument: God Never ChangesExod 31:16, the children of Israel shall keep

the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations ….• cf. Deut 5:3; Nehemiah 9:13–14• This commandment was given to ‘the children

of Israel’ and NOT to Gentile peoples• Just like the command to ‘keep’ the Garden

was given to Adam and the command to build an ark was given to Noah; NOT to us today


Colossians 2:16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath daysQuestion: what are the ‘sabbath days’?Are they the weekly sabbath or special

annual festival sabbaths?


Colossians 2:16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath daysSome contend the plural ‘sabbath days’

means Paul only referred to special annual sabbaths, and not to the weekly sabbath

What saith the Scripture?


Colossians 2:16Exodus 31:12–18• v13, my sabbaths ye shall keep• v14, ye shall keep the sabbath therefore• v15, the seventh [day] is the sabbath / day• v16, the sabbath (2x)

sabbaths = the sabbath dayCol 2:16, sabbath days = weekly sabbath


Colossians 2:16Matthew 12:1–13• vv5, 10, 12, sabbath days• vv1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 12, sabbath day

sabbath days = sabbath dayCol 2:16, sabbath days = weekly sabbath


Col 2:16 / 1 Chron 23:29–31Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [daily], or in respect of an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

And to stand every morning …, and likewise at even [daily]; And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths [weekly], in the new moons [monthly], and on the set feasts [yearly], … continually before the Lord ….


Col 2:16 / 2 Chron 2:4Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [daily], or in respect of an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

Behold, I build an house to … God, … for the burnt offerings morning and evening [daily], on the sabbaths [weekly], and on the new moons [monthly], and on the solemn feasts [yearly] …. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.



Even after a certain rate every day [daily], offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths [weekly], and on the new moons [monthly], and on the solemn feasts [yearly], three times in the year, ….



[A]lso … for the burnt offerings, … for the morning and evening [daily] burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths [weekly], and for the new moons [monthly], and for the set feasts [yearly], as it is written ….


Col 2:16 / Hosea 2:11Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink [daily], or in respect of an holyday [yearly], or of the new moon [monthly], or of the sabbath days [weekly] ….

I will also cause all her mirth to cease,Her feast days [yearly], her new moons [monthly], and her sabbaths [weekly],and all her solemn feasts.


Daily Weekly Monthly Yearly

1 Chr 23 meat, morn. & evening sabbaths new

moons set feasts


moonssolemn feasts

2 Chr 8:13 every day sabbaths new moons

solemn feasts


moons set feasts

Hos 2:11 sabbaths new moons feast days

Col 2:16 meat & drink

sabbath days

new moon holyday


Colossians 2:14–17Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross ….

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shad-ow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.


Colossians 2:14–17What was in the handwriting of ordinances?• [daily] meat and drink, [yearly] holydays,

[monthly] new moons, [weekly] sabbaths

What happened to these things?• Weekly sabbaths were blotted out• Weekly sabbaths were taken away• Weekly sabbaths were nailed to the cross


Colossians 2:14–17 SummaryJesus, ‘blotting out the handwriting of

ordinances, … took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross’; this included the weekly ‘sabbath days’ (v16)

So what happened to the weekly sabbath?• Weekly sabbaths were blotted out• Weekly sabbaths were taken away• Weekly sabbaths were nailed to the cross


Deut 5:1–22 & Col 2:14–17Deut 5: God gave the sabbath to Israel, who

he brought out of Egypt, at Mt. Horeb, NOT to their fathers, NOT to the Gentiles, NOT in the Garden of Eden

Col 2: when Jesus died on the cross weekly sabbaths were blotted out, taken away, and nailed to his cross; they are no more


Jesus Kept the SabbathNo one denies this; this is NOT the issueGal 4:4, Jesus lived under the Old LawHeb 9:17, the Law of Christ only went to

effect AFTER he diedCol 2:14–17, when he died sabbaths were

blotted out, taken away, nailed to his cross


Jesus Did Not End Old Law ???Matt 5:17, Jesus came not to destroy, but

to fulfill the Old LawArgument: Jesus did not end the Old LawCol 2:14, Jesus took Old Law out of the wayEph 2:15, Jesus abolished the Old LawRom 10:4, Jesus fulfilled the Old Law in that

he ‘is the end of the law’


Jesus Gave ALL NT in GospelsArgument: Jesus had to reveal everything in

his will before his deathJohn 16:12–16, Jesus still had ‘many things

to say unto’ the apostles that the Holy Spirit would ‘speak of’ after his death

1 Cor 14:37, Paul wrote ‘commandments of the Lord,’ including 11:17–34; 16:1–2


Paul Kept the SabbathArgument: Paul, as an apostle, kept the Sabbath

in worshiping GodNo one denies Paul visited synagogues on some

sabbaths; this it not the issueWhere did Paul eat Lord’s Supper on the sabbath?Acts 9:20, 22; 17:1–4, Paul taught on the sabbath

and ‘confounded the Jews … proving that this is very Christ’; some believed and left synagogue!


Sabbath & Acts 15Discussion not only about circumcision, also

about keeping ‘the law of Moses,’ vv5, 21, 24Paul dissented and disputed the need to keep the

Law of Moses, v2Peter said they should not ‘put a yoke upon the

neck of the [Gentile] disciples’ by teaching them to keep the Law of Moses, v10


Sabbath & Acts 15James said ‘that we trouble not them … Gentiles’

by teaching them to keep the Law of Moses, v19The apostles and elders at Jerusalem never

commanded anyone to teach that the Gentiles keep the Law of Moses, v24; 16:4

It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, apostles, elders at Jerusalem not to burden the Gentiles with keeping the law of Moses, v28


Sabbath & GalatiansThe Law of Moses, including the sabbath, is

the topic of Galatians, 3:17, 19; 4:25How does Paul describe you who want to

keep the Law of Moses today?• Christ shall profit you nothing, 5:2• You are a debtor to do the whole law, 5:3• Christ is of no effect unto you, 5:4a• Ye are fallen from grace, 5:4b• Paul wishes you were ‘cut off,’ 5:12


Sabbath, Acts 15, GalatiansOpponent

• Circumcision• Sabbath• Law of Moses

Who’s Right???

Acts 15• Paul• Peter• James• Apostles• Elders• Holy Ghost

__ N __ Y?__ N __ Y__ N __ Y?

__ N __ Y__ N __ Y__ N __ Y__ N __ Y__ N __ Y__ N __ Y

‘Let God be true, but every man a liar,’ Rom 3:4


Lord’s Supper = Annual ???Argument: the Lord’s Supper may be eaten on

Sunday, Acts 20:7, but this was only once a year on the 14th day of the 1st month

The annual event in Law of Moses that occurred the 14th day of the 1st month was the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread, Exod 12

According to Acts 20:6 this had already occurred when the disciples in Troas came together on the first day of the week to eat the Lord’s Supper


Between Cross & PentecostOld President/New

Pres.• Election Day, Nov–Old President voted out–New President voted in• Inauguration Day, Jan

20–Old President no longer–New President in office

Old Law / New Law• Cross of Jesus–Old Law nailed to cross–New Law commissioned• Pentecost–Old Law no longer–New Law proclaimed


Between Cross & PentecostLast Will and Testament• Death of person• Some days pass• Reading and execution

of their last will and testament

New Testament• Death of Jesus• Some days pass• Reading and execution

of his testament


Sabbath: 60x in 55vv (KJV)Argument: sabbath mentioned more than the first

day of the week / Sunday / Lord’s Day50x in Gospels, people still under Law of Moses9x in Acts; 1x length of journey; 8x Paul

persuading Jews to accept Christ and his day!1x in Romans–Revelation! in Col 2:16 Paul teaches

weekly sabbaths were blotted out, taken out, and nailed to the cross


Sabbath: 60x in 55vv (KJV)Argument: sabbath mentioned more than the first

day of the week / Sunday / Lord’s DaySin: 220x in 185vv (KJV NT)Godly/Godliness: 52x in 26vv (KJV NT)Does this make sin more important than godli-

ness or mean we should sin instead of practice godliness? If not, why not?


Law of Moses from Angels?Acts 7:53; Gal 3:19; Heb 2:2 all allude that the

Law of Moses was delivered by angels• Why is this? Is this stated in the OT???

Deut 33:2 (LXX), And he said: ‘The Lord came from Sinai / and displayed himself to us from Seir / and made haste from Mount Paran together with myriads of Kadesh, / from his right, angels with him.’

The Lexham English Septuagint, ed. Rick Brannan, Ken M. Penner, Israel Loken et al. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012).


First Day of WeekFeast of Pentecost, Lev 23.15–16Resurrection of Jesus, Luke 24.1, 13, 21, 46Holy Spirit Baptism on Pentecost, Acts 2.1–4Beginning of the church, Acts 2.41–42, 47Lord’s Supper observance in Troas, Acts 20.7Collection of the saints, 1 Cor 16.1–2John’s vision of the Lord, Rev 1.10–20


PropositionThe Scriptures teach that the seventh day of

the week as a Christian Sabbath is enjoined on God’s people in this age of the worldAffirm: Robert L. Ross, Church of God 7th Day

Deny: Stan Adams, New Testament Christian


Sabbath Given ONLY in Jewish Age

Patriarchal Age Jewish Age Gospel AgeNo sabbath command

The sabbath command

No sabbath command

No sabbath example

The sabbath example

No sabbath example

No sabbath penalty

The sabbath penalty

No sabbath penalty

2500+ years 1500 years 2000 yearsDeut 5.3 Exod 31.12–18 Col 2.14–17


Do You Believe the OT, Mr. Ross?

In the Old Testament God said he would one day do away with the Old Covenant and replace it with a New

Jeremiah 31.31–34


Jeremiah 31.31–3431 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord: 33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.



Jeremiah 31.31–34, new covenant, not like the covenant that God made with the Jews when he brought them out of Egypt

Q: what covenant did God make with the Jews when he brought them out of Egypt?

A: the covenant that included the 10 Com-mandments, Exodus 20; Deuteronomy 5


Exodus 20.2, 82 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. … 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.


Deuteronomy 5.2, 12–152 The Lord our God made a covenant with us …. 12 Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee. … 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.




Exod 20; Deut 5, clearly this covenant included the sabbath

Q: when was the Old Covenant replaced with a New Covenant?


Hebrews 8.7–137 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; …. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.




Exod 20; Deut 5, clearly this covenant included the sabbath

Hebrews 8.7–13, the Old Covenant was done away with and replaced with the New Covenant of Jesus Christ (context of chaps. 7–10)

I believe the Old Testament, Mr. Ross. It looks like you don’t believe the Old Testament or the New!


‘Dawn’ Does NOT Mean ‘Evening’

Mr. Ross makes the argument that ‘dawn’ in Matthew 28.1 means ‘evening,’ and that it was actually Saturday evening when the first day of the week began, according to Jewish time

No one in this audience believes ‘dawn’ = ‘evening’; everyone knows ‘dawn’ = morning

But let’s compare the parallel accounts in the other gospels, Mark 16.1ff; Luke 24.1ff


Mark 16.1–91 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magda-lene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, …. 2 …very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. … 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: …. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, .... 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. … 9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, ….


Luke 24.1–101 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen ….


‘Dawn’ Does NOT Mean ‘Evening’

Mr. Ross does ‘the rising of the sun’ (Mark 16.2) mean evening or morning?

Mr. Ross does ‘early in the morning’ (Luke 24.1) mean evening or morning?

I challenge you to find one example in all of human history, sacred or secular, where anyone ever used the word ‘dawn’ to talk about the evening

Or else give up this foolish argument!


Additional QuestionsDo you eat the Lord’s Supper?If so, when do you eat it and what passages

authorize this day to eat the Lord’s Supper?How often do you eat the Lord’s Supper and

what passages authorize this frequency?Why do you eat the Lord’s Supper and what

passages give this reason?


What Does Remember Mean?

Argument: the Lord told the Jews to ‘Remember the sabbath …’ in Exodus 20.8; this clearly points back to Genesis 2 and clearly states the sabbath is for all people, Jew and Gentile!

cf. ‘remember’ in Exodus 13.3


Exodus 13.33 And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten.

[Clearly this remembering was to be done in the future as they reflected on this day.]




Exodus 13.3, remember in the futureEven if it meant looking back, which it doesn’t,

where is the sabbath mentioned prior? It is only mentioned one time prior to Exodus 20


Exodus 16.22–3023 And he said unto them, This is that which the Lord hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. … 25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the Lord: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, …. 29 See, for that the Lord hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.



Again, if ‘remember’ in Exodus 20.8 means to look back, which it doesn’t, then must refer to Exodus 16, but this passage shows that the sabbath was something brand new to the Jews!

See charts 145–147Therefore, we still don’t have Gentiles included in

the sabbath keeping!And there is absolutely no reference to the

sabbath prior to Exodus 16!



Regarding Genesis 2, see charts 69–71The sabbath is not mentioned in GenesisThere is no command to keep the sabbathThere is no penalty for not keeping the sabbathThere is no example of keeping the sabbath!




Exodus 13.3, remember in the futureExodus 16, first and only mention of sabbath

prior to Exodus 20Genesis 2, zero mention of the sabbath or its

penalty and no examples!

Documents

Adams-Ross Debate