Dd-4. What Does Ephesians 2:8-15 TRULY MEAN?

Dd-4. What Does Ephesians 2:8-15 TRULY MEAN?

The WORKS Jesus ABOLISHED Are in Verse 15!

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Jesus ABOLISHED the Commandments Contained in ORDINANCES!

Let us begin this study in God’s word by reading Ephesians 2:8,9 out of its context first and then we will read those two verses of Scripture again being left in their CONTEXT.

Ephesians 2:8,9 OUT of its CONTEXT.

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Ephesians 2:9.  Not of WORKS, lest any man should boast.” 

Now, the reason that I have my readers and seekers of the truth read verses OUT of their context first and then read it again being left IN its CONTEXT is to show you how false teachings get started. 

You see, all false teachings take verses of Scripture OUT of their CONTEXT. 

And then a preconceived belief is read INTO those verses to try to support an already existing man-made doctrine.

Let me explain what I mean by this. There are different groups of Christians where each group of Christians interprets the Scriptures differently. 

So, let me start by listing four of those different groups of Christians in no particular order.

Group #1. There are the Grace Alone Christians.

And in this group of Christians there are the Calvinist Christians, the Reformed Theology Christians, and other Christians who believe in the doctrine of Eternal Security also known as the teaching of OSAS or once saved always saved. 

In other words, this group of Christians I will refer to as the OSAS Christians throughout the remainder of this study in God’s word.

And OSAS Christians believe that once a person accepts Jesus as their Savior then they can never lose their salvation no matter what they do or what they do NOT do. 

Hence, the terms eternal security and once saved always saved WITHOUT ANY kind of WORKS EVER. 

They do NOT believe that Christians are BEING saved by OBEYING the commandments in the New Testament under the New Covenant. 

They do NOT believe that we will be JUDGE by our works of DISOBEYING the commandments of Jesus. 

They also go to the extreme to define WORKS as anything connected with being saved and receiving eternal life. So even faith is a work to some Christians here in group #1.

Group #2. There are the Sabbath-keeping Christians.

And in this group of Christians there are many church denominations that teach differently from each other but the one common doctrine that they all have is that Christians must keep the weekly Sabbath lest they DISPLEASE God. 

And this group of Christians interpret Ephesians 2:8,9 that we are saved for the very purpose of DOING good WORKS. 

They argue that if we truly love Jesus then we will OBEY his COMMANDMENTS. 

And to THEM, the commandments of Jesus are the TEN Commandments. 

And thus, they interpret the word “WORKS” as being the “works” of the Law of Moses and keeping the weekly Sabbath day being done in one’s OWN strength for the purpose of being SAVED. 

And some Christians here in this group #2 argue that the Law of God is different from the Law of Moses. 

In other words, to THEM, the TEN Commandments are a completely different LAW from the Law of Moses.

Group #3. There are the “Orthodox” Christians.

And in this group of Christians there are also many church denominations as well, but they seem to all agree that we are saved WITHOUT any kind of works of our OWN righteousness for the very purpose of getting saved. 

And most of the Christians here in group #3 believe that DOING good works after we are saved, is only to SHOW God and the world that we are truly saved. 

In other words, they believe that Christians should do good works, but the good works do not make Christians worthy to receive eternal life. 

So, while this group does believe that they should OBEY the commandments of Jesus they do not believe that receiving eternal life is based upon obeying the commandments of Jesus. 

Also, they REJECT the teaching of group #2 to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY and the dietary laws of Moses, and that we are to only keep the New Covenant written in the New Testament.

Group #4. Then there are Christians, like myself. 

In this group of Christians we believe that a person is initially saved WITHOUT any works or righteousness of their own, and that we are saved for the very PURPOSE of DOING good works. 

We agree somewhat with group #1 and group #3, in that, no person is saved by the “works” of the LAW including the works of keeping the MORAL commandments. 

To us God CONCLUDED ALL people to be under sin, so that salvation MUST be In His Son Jesus, the ONLY name given among men whereby we MUST be saved. 

But group #4 differs from groups #1 and #3 because we believe that we MUST OBEY all the MORAL commandments of God lest we sin. 

And what we mean by this is that if a Christian returns to living in a lifestyle of sin, and if they should happen to die while living in a lifestyle of sin, then they WILL lose their salvation. 

So we believe that obeying the “moral” laws of God are REQUIRED in order to receive eternal life in the world to come. 

However, we also believe that the “WORKS” of the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES was abolished and nailed to the cross, according to Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:13-17. 

So then, to us, the word “works” in Ephesians 2:8 is referring to the “works” of the Law of Moses contained in the handwriting of ordinances that Moses wrote as God told him what to write in those ordinances. 

For you see, ALL Scripture is INSPIRED by God.

Now you understand how different groups of Christians INTERPRET the word “WORKS” in Ephesians 2:8,9 differently.

So, let us now read these two verses again being left in their CONTEXT to learn their true sound Biblical meaning in the light of the whole word of Almighty God. 

In other words, what does the word “WORKS” in verse 9 TRULY mean, according to the Bible ITSELF.

Please read Ephesians 2:8-15.

“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Ephesians 2:9.  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  (To my knowledge, ALL Christians in every group of Christians AGREE that a person is saved by grace THROUGH faith in Jesus as their Savior. 

Now, we may use different terms to express what verses 8,9 mean but the core belief of all Christians is that God loved us while we were yet sinners living in sin and by His grace He chose to save us in His Son, Jesus, before God created the first Adam. 

So we all agree that salvation is a GIFT from God and that we did not EARN the right to be saved by any works of righteousness that caused God to think, “That person is a good person so I think I will save the good people who do good works.” 

No! That is NOT what the Bible itself teaches us. For you see, God even CONCLUDED ALL His chosen people of Israel including those who were keeping all His laws and commandments to be UNDER sin so that He could show forth His mercy, according to Romans 11:32 and Galatians 3:22. 

We will read those verses of Scripture in a moment. But what all Christians do not agree upon is what the word “WORKS” means when the Bible says we are not saved by works. 

And that is the purpose of the study in God’s word. What did the Apostle Paul INTEND his words to mean in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God? 

That is what every Christian should desire to know seeing that we are NOT saved by works and if we are doing the WRONG works, will those WRONG works that Jesus ABOLISHED on the cross cause those Christians to lose their salvation? 

So then, let us read the first part of verse 8 again, we are saved by grace through faith, and not of works lest any man should BOAST)

Ephesians 2:10.  FOR (Or BECAUSE) we are His workmanship, (Speaking of the workmanship of Almighty God) created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. (God ordained the moral laws written in the Law of Moses that are also called the Law of God in Nehemiah 8:8. 

Which teaches us that the Law of God and the Law of Moses are one and the selfsame thing. 

However, the NEW Covenant is NOT the same as the Old Covenant. 

It is ONLY all of the moral laws in the Old Testament under the Old Covenant that are REPEATED in the New Testament under the New Covenant. 

However, NONE of the ceremonial law of commandments contained in ordinances are REPEATED in the New Testament under the New Covenant. 

So to me, the WORKS in verse 9 is referring to the works of the LAW of commandments contained in ORDINANCES. 

And as you will see, verse 15 supports this interpretation that the “works” in verse 9 is referring to the works written in the handwriting of ordinances in the Law of Moses, also called the Law of God, that was nailed to the cross, according to Colossians 2:13-17. 

Again, NONE of the MORAL laws of God in the Law of Moses were abolished at the cross)

Ephesians 2:11. Wherefore, remember that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; (Paul is talking to both the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians where ONLY the Jews had a COVENANT with God under the Old Testament covenant. 

But NOW, under the New Covenant the Gentiles can ALSO have a covenant relation with Almighty God)

Ephesians 2:12. That at that time (Speaking about the time when there was not yet a New Covenant established in the shed blood of Jesus and also before the time that God turned the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles) YOU (Referring to the Gentiles) were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (This clearly teaches us that God did NOT give the weekly Sabbath to the Gentiles. 

For you see, here in these two verses of Scripture the Gentiles in times PAST were WITHOUT God in the world, they were strangers to the covenants of PROMISE. 

God promised Abraham a covenant and then God promised the children of Israel the New Covenant that would not be like the Old Covenant. 

But yet, the Gentiles were WITHOUT the Old Covenant and they did not know anything about a New Covenant at that time in the PAST. 

For you see, the gospel was preached ONLY to the Jews FIRST and then after around 3 1/2 years of preaching the gospel only to the Jews, God turned the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles in order to provoke the children of Israel to jealousy)

Ephesians 2:13. But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (And NOT by the works of the Law of Moses under the Old Covenant. 

Again, the Law of God and the Law of Moses are one and the selfsame thing. 

For you see, God TOLD Moses what to write down in the handwriting of ordinances in the BOOK of the Law. 

There is only ONE Law and that is God’s Law that happens to also be called the Law of Moses as well as the Law of God. 

But the first covenant was MADE OLD by Almighty God Himself, according to Hebrews 8:13. “In that He said, A new covenant, He has MADE the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.” 

The Old Covenant did not completely vanish away until the Roman army destroyed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. 

But in God’s eyes the Old Covenant ended at the cross when God established the New Covenant in the shed blood of His human Son, Jesus)

Ephesians 2:14. For he (Jesus) is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (Speaking of an enmity between the Jews and the Gentiles which was the Law of God written in the handwriting of Moses called the Law of Moses. 

That enmity was like a wall between the Jews who had the Old Covenant and the Gentiles who had no covenant. 

The WEEKLY Sabbath DAY was given ONLY to the children of Israel for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations as a SIGN for a PERPETUAL COVENANT and NOT for a perpetual COMMANDMENT. 

God did NOT give any of the TEN Commandments to the Gentiles. 

The Gentiles had no covenant with God of any kind at that time in the PAST. 

The Gentiles were without God and without hope UNTIL that ENMITY was abolished at the cross. So what was the enmity? Keep reading)

Ephesians 2:15. Having ABOLISHED in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for (Or in order) to make in himself of two, one new man, so making peace;” 

Please notice that it was ONLY the ORDINANCES that were abolished at the cross and NOT the commandment themselves. 

Let me explain a little further. 

Every Christian knows and understands that the ONE sacrifice of Jesus offering himself up on the cross as the spotless Lamb REPLACED all of the sacrifices in the Old Testament under the Old Covenant written in ORDINANCES. 

In other words, God ONLY accepts the sacrifice of His Son. 

So, the COMMANDMENT of sacrifice itself was not abolished/

But rather, all the handwriting of ordinances pertaining what and HOW to sacrifice was abolished.

In other words, the INSTRUCTIONS written in the OLD Testament on HOW to keep the ceremonial commandments were ABOLISHED by Jesus at the cross. 

And once a person knows and understands that Jesus is the sacrifice, then there is no REQUIREMENT to keep the OLD sacrifices, some of which were offered to God daily. 

So then, the WORKS in verse 9 are referring to the WORKS of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES was that ENMITY. 

In other words, we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not by the works of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. 

This is what the immediate context clearly teaches us. 

So now let us compare Scripture with Scripture to see if this interpretation of the word “works”, in verse 9, is referring to the works of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES, agrees with the WHOLE word of Almighty God.

We find the word “ordinances” again in Colossians 2:14. 

So, let us read that verse of Scripture in its context as well to see if it is teaching us that the works in Ephesians 2:9 is referring to the works of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. 

Please read Colossians 2:14-17 which is the immediate context of verse 14. 

I cover the whole context in the study called Dd-3. What Does Colossians 2:14-17 TRULY MEAN? 

But for now, we will only read the immediate context which should be more than enough for most Christians to see the TRUTH that the ordinances nailed to the cross INCLUDE the weekly Sabbath days.

Colossians 2:14-17.

“Blotting out (Or ABOLISHING) 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; (Now, seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians will argue that the Law of Moses is not against God’s people. 

And they will say, how is the Law of Moses contrary to us? 

Well, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul teach us that the Law of Moses was a YOKE, a BONDAGE, and a YOKE of BONDAGE that the Jews in their day could NOT bear and that neither their fathers before them could bear. 

Please read Acts 15:15 

Peter is doing the speaking. 

“Now, therefore, why tempt you God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” 

You see, some of the Jewish Christians were TROUBLING the Gentile Christians COMPELLING them to keep the Law of Moses, which the church at Jerusalem gave no such commandment, according to Acts 15:24. 

So, Peter ALSO says that the Law of Moses is a YOKE that neither the Apostles of Jesus nor their fathers were able to bear. 

And the WHOLE church at Jerusalem came into agreement by the Holy Spirit and decreed that no Christian is ever to teach Christians to keep the Law of Moses because that would be TEMPTING Almighty God and putting a YOKE upon Christians. 

And the Apostle Paul teaches us that the Law of Moses is BONDAGE. 

So, to me, that makes it perfectly clear that the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was nailed to the cross and taken out of the way is speaking of the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that were against us and contrary to us. 

If you doubt this. then keep reading the CONTEXT)

Colossians 2:15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (This means that Jesus kept all the Law of God that his God and Father required to reconcile mankind back to God)

Colossians 2:16. Let no man, THEREFORE, JUDGE you in meat, or in drink, (The dietary laws in the Law of Moses contained in ordinances) or in respect of an holyday, (Speaking of the yearly feast days in the law of Moses contained in ordinances) or of the new moon, (Also written in the Law of Moses written in the handwriting of Moses contained in ordinances) or of the sabbath days: (Again, written in the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES)

Colossians 2:17. Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

A SHADOW is a figure of the REAL. So the body of the shadow is Jesus Christ. 

If you look at the DETAILS of the shadow of a person close enough then you can see the resemblance of that person in their shadow. 

That is why the law, referring to the law of commandments contained in ordinances, is called a SCHOOLMASTER that leads the children of Israel to the Messiah, Jesus. 

You see, we sometimes do not always write out in detail everything to explain exactly what we mean. 

We shorten what we assume others should already know. 

And to me, that is what Paul did, he assumed that his readers would know that the word “law” is referring to the law of commandments contained in the handwriting of Moses in ORDINANCES that God told Moses to write.

In other words, Moses wrote down the INSTRUCTIONS on HOW to keep the WEEKLY Sabbath DAY.

And it is those INSTRUCTIONS that Jesus ABOLISHED!

Thus, under the NEW COVENANT we have NEW ordinances on HOW to keep the FOURTH commandment.

Come and take my YOKE Jesus said, because it is LIGHT and NOT hard to bear!

Jesus is our TRUE Sabbath REST! 

So, when you read Paul’s teaching concerning not being saved by the LAW, then know and understand that Paul is speaking about the law contained in “ordinances”. 

And if you OBSERVE the law, as in, the ordinances of the law to look close enough at how the ordinances are worded, then you can see that the law points to Jesus as being the Messiah. 

So then, all of the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES point to Jesus but none of the MORAL laws point to Jesus. 

For example, the yearly feast of Passover is called a SIGN in Exodus 13:9. 

And the SIGN of the Passover lamb points to Jesus as the TRUE Lamb. 

So, the reason for why the feast of Passover was given in the first place was to lead the children of Israel to RECOGNIZE their Messiah to be Jesus when he came. 

It was only ADDED until Christ came. 

The Jews heard John the Baptist preaching that Jesus is the Lamb of God, but they did not DISCERN the SHADOW that the feast of the Passover lamb was casting. 

In other words, they did not connect the dots so to speak to understand that Jesus is the Passover Lamb that the ceremonial feast day of Passover pointed to. 

Now, once a person receives Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then they ARE KEEPING the TRUE Passover feast by their FAITH in Jesus as their TRUE Passover Lamb which the feast of the Passover lamb was a SHADOW pointing to the TRUE Lamb of God. 

So, as Christians, we do NOT keep the DAY of Passover because we know that Jesus fulfilled all the spring feast and that he will fulfill all the fall feasts at his second coming. 

So then, to us as Christians, there is no need to keep any of the yearly feast DAY ceremonial services to God. 

They all were SHADOWS pointing to Jesus. They were all a SCHOOLMASTER teaching the children of Israel that Jesus is the Messiah.  

And after you graduate from school, then you no longer need to learn what you already know. 

In other words, the law did its job and there is no more need to serve the law that Jesus fulfilled. 

Keep in mind that Jesus KEPT the moral Law of God but Jesus did NOT fulfill the MORAL Law of God for us like some Christians claim. 

Jesus only fulfilled the ceremonial commandments and the Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. 

Please read the study Dd-5. What Does CONTAINED in ORDINANCES TRULY MEAN?

And the same is true with the weekly Sabbath DAY. The weekly Sabbath was given ONLY to the children of Israel for THEM to keep throughout their generations as a SIGN, or as a SCHOOLMASTER, according to Exodus 31:13 and Galatians 3:21-26. 

Now, to me, since the SIGN of Jonah and the SIGN of the feast of Passover point to Jesus, then it is obvious that the SIGN of the weekly Sabbath points to Jesus as well. 

A sign is a FLAG or a BEACON saying RED FLAG, pay attention, open your eyes and look closely at what the sign MEANS. 

Sabbath means REST, Jesus said, you who are heavy laden come unto me and I will give you REST, my burden is LIGHT. 

So, to me, the weekly Sabbath points to Jesus as our TRUE REST. 

But if you disagree, then what does the SIGN of the weekly Sabbath point to? 

It has to point to something because God gave the weekly Sabbath as a SIGN for a PERPETUAL COVENANT and NOT for a perpetual Old Testament COMMANDMENT as the Sabbath-keeping Christians claim.

Think hard and long about what the SIGN of the weekly Sabbath means in the LIGHT of the WHOLE, before you go and twist the Scriptures to try and support your man-made doctrine that Christians MUST keep the weekly Sabbath day every week lest they sin. 

Think about the ordinances or the INSTRUCTIONS written in the handwriting of Moses concerning the weekly Sabbath day.

Why would God command those of the children of Israel who simply picked up sticks on the Sabbath day to be stoned to death and that the SOUL of that person be utterly cut off? 

Why such a HARSH punishment for simply picking up sticks on the seventh day? 

Please read Numbers 15:32-36.

“And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 

Numbers 15:33. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 

Numbers 15:34. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 

Numbers 15:35. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 

Numbers 15:36. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.”

Now, when we compare all these SHADOWS of the weekly Sabbath day contained in ordinance with the Scriptures in the New Testament under the New Covenant we can see that every person who is NOT in Jesus will utterly be CUT OFF from God and be put to DEATH, speaking of the second death, in the lake of fire. 

So then, the SIGN of the harsh punishment for breaking the weekly Sabbath day points to what happens for not accepting God’s New Covenant established in the shed blood of Jesus. 

In other words, for NOT obeying the SIGN of the weekly Sabbath to KEEP Jesus as their REST, by CEASING from doing the works that Jesus abolished on the cross, they will be CUT OFF from God, fallen from grace, and Christ will no longer profit them unless they repent and CEASE from keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY. 

It was only under the Old Covenant God required daily things, weekly things, monthly things, and yearly things. Break any one of these things and you break them all. And all those things were a HEAVY BURDEN to bear. 

But under the New Covenant, the NEW commandments of Jesus are NOT grievous. 

The burden required in the New Covenant is LIGHT. However, the keeping of the Law of Moses is very GRIEVOUS, according to the Apostle Peter in Acts 15:10.

Acts 15:10.

“Now, therefore, why TEMPT you God, to put a YOKE upon the neck of the disciples, which NEITHER our fathers NOR we were able to BEAR?”

Let us look at one more ordinance pertaining to HOW the weekly Sabbath day as well as all the yearly feast day Sabbaths were to be kept under the Old Covenant. 

God commanded the children of Israel that on the Sabbath day they were to walk so FAR, and then CEASE from walking to REST and walk no further that day. 

And keep in mind that Jesus ascended into heaven on a THURSDAY and NOT on the weekly Sabbath day.

Please read Acts 1:12.

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey.”

Now read Exodus 18:20.  

“And you (Moses) shall TEACH them (The children of Israel) ordinances and laws, and shall SHOW them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.”

Now, for Luke to record that there is a Sabbath day’s journey that teaches us that under the OLD Covenant a journey on a Sabbath day is DIFFERENT than a journey on the days that are not a Sabbath Day of REST. 

And according to the commentary on John 11:18 a Sabbath day’s journey is about two miles in our measurement that we use today. 

So, the SIGN of a Sabbath day’s journey points to the children walking in the Old Testament law so far in TIME and then they had to REST to no longer walk any more under the Old Testament law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES. 

And the Apostle Paul teaches us what this means in his letters to the churches. 

Please read the study Dd-5. What Does the LAW CONTAINED in ORDINANCES TRULY MEAN? 

But for now, think of ordinances as the INSTRUCTIONS showing HOW the commandments were to be kept under the Old Covenant and those Old Testament ordinances or INSTRUCTIONS on HOW to keep the ceremonial commandments unto God that Jesus abolished at the cross. 

And under the New Covenant, NEW instructions are given as to HOW we keep the TWO commandments of God that are written in the NEW Testament.

So again, according to the immediate context of Ephesians 2:8,9, the Apostle Paul is referring to the “WORKS” in Ephesians 2:9 as being the “WORKS” of the Law of God contained of ORDINANCES in verse 15 of that same chapter. 

Now let us compare Scripture with Scripture to see if this interpretation is the CORRECT interpretation by seeing what Paul means by “WORKS” in other verses of Scripture.

Please read Romans 9:30-33.

“What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the RIGHTEOUSNESS which is of faith. 

Romans 9:31. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, has NOT attained to the law of righteousness. (And that is because they did not OBSERVE or DISCERN the SIGN of the weekly Sabbath day as to WHY God gave the weekly Sabbath in the first place)

Romans 9:32. Wherefore? (Or WHY did the children of Israel NOT attain righteousness, when they kept the law of righteousness under the Old Covenant?) BECAUSE they sought it not by faith, (Or because they did not seek RIGHTEOUSNESS by faith) but as it were by the works of the law, they stumbled at that stumbling stone; (Or but the law as it were, pointed to Jesus as the cornerstone which they did not discern as they sought for righteousness by the WORKS of the law contained in ordinances, the Old Testament instructions, as to how the ceremonial commandments UNTO God were to be kept under the Old Covenant)

Romans 9:33. As it is written, (See Psalm 118:19-27, Isaiah 8:14,15, Isaiah 28:15-18, Matthew 21:42-44, and 1 Peter 2:7,8) Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believes on him shall not be ashamed.” 

The Greek word translated as ashamed here also carries the meaning of CONFOUND which means CONFUSED. 

In other words, whosoever believes in Jesus as their Lord and Savior shall NOT be CONFOUNDED. 

Again, the word confound means to cause surprise or confusion in someone, especially by acting against their expectations. 

To say this another way, the Jewish Christians at the first WERE confounded by the teachings of the Apostle Paul. What Paul teaches acts against what the Jewish Christians expected. 

The Jewish Christians at the first were expecting to continue following the Law of Moses contained in ordinances. 

But after they LEARNED of Christ and the TRUE gospel they CEASED keeping the Law of Moses contained in ordinances. 

They still kept the MORAL commandments because neither Paul nor Jesus taught that the moral commandments were abolished at the cross. 

So then, to all the OSAS Reformed Theology grace alone eternal security Christians, we MUST OBEY all the moral commandments to be found worthy to receive eternal life in the world to come.

So again, in Romans 3:27 and Romans 9:32 the Apostle Paul refers to “WORKS” and being the “WORKS” of the “LAW”. 

And according to Ephesians 2:15, the word “LAW” is referring to the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES. 

In other words, Paul is not referring to the law of the commandments of the MORAL law of God toward our fellow man. 

But rather, Paul is referring to the ceremonial services directed to God that were written in detailed INSTRUCTIONS on HOW and when to keep them. 

Let us keep comparing Scripture with Scripture to see if the word “works” is constantly used by Paul to mean the works of the “law”.

Please read Galatians 2:14-21.

“But when I saw that they walked NOT uprightly according to the TRUTH of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If you, being a Jew, live after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compel you the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? (Peter and some of the other disciples believed the teachings of the Apostle Paul and obeyed the TRUE gospel to no longer keep the Law of Moses the same as the Gentiles did obeying the teachings of Paul under the New Covenant. 

But when some of the Jewish Christians began to intimidate Peter along with intimidating some of the other disciples then they were DECEIVED by a sect of the Jewish Christians to go back to keeping the Law of Moses contained in ordinances as the unsaved Jews did. 

And when Paul saw that they were no longer walking uprightly according to the TRUTH of the gospel like they were doing earlier, then Paul rebuked Peter to his face saying)

Galatians 2:15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 

Galatians 2:16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we (Speaking of Paul, Peter and the other JEWISH Christians) have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and NOT by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Again, before this time, the gospel was preached ONLY to the Jews. So the very early church during the first 3 1/2 years was an ALL Jewish Christian church)

Galatians 2:17. But if, WHILE we SEEK to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. (In other words, Paul is saying that if any Christians, Jewish Christians, or Gentile Christians, seek to be justified by the works of the law, then does that mean that Jesus is a minister of sin? 

To say this another way, Paul is saying that seeking to be justified by the works of the law is a SIN, but Jesus did NOT minister or teach the church to KEEP the WORKS of the law contained in ORDINANCES. 

So then, if Christians seek to be justified by Jesus as their Savior AND they turn right around to be justified by the works of the law then they are living in sin WHILE they are KEEPING the works of the law contained in ORDINANCES. 

So Paul is saying that Jesus is NOT a minister of sin because Jesus did not teach us to keep the WORKS of the law contained in ordinances that he ABOLISHED in his flesh on the cross, according to Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14-17. 

And in Romans 3:10, Paul clearly teaches us that Jesus is the END of the law for RIGHTEOUSNESS. So Paul is saying)

Galatians 2:18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. (So any Christian teaching Christians that they should keep the law contained in ordinances is a TRANSGRESSOR or the New Covenant. 

Now I have heard seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians argue that they are not keeping the works of the law to be saved.

But rather, they are keeping the works of the law to PLEASE God. 

Now, clearly, seeing that Jesus ABOLISHED the works of the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES, then how is it PLEASING to God to keep the works of the law that Jesus ABOLISHED at the cross. 

To me, it would be very DISPLEASING to God to keep the works of the law that His dear beloved Son, Jesus, NAILED to the cross and taken out of the way, according to Colossians 2:14-17. 

Please read the study Dd-3 What Does Colossians 2:14-17 TRULY MEAN?)

Galatians 2:19. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 

Galatians 2:20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (And our faith in the Son of God includes our OBEDIENCE to keep all the MORAL commandments which are NOT grievous, according to 1 John 5;3. 

The problem is that seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians wrongly interpret the word “commandments” found in the New Testament to ALWAYS mean ALL the Laws of Moses including the ceremonial commandment contained in ordinances. 

But that is not what the NEW commandments of Jesus teach us under the New Covenant. 

You can NOT be under TWO covenants at the same time, so pick ONE. 

If you pick the Old Covenant there is no MORE sacrifice for sins so you had better not break one single ORDINANCE or you will be found guilty of breaking all the commandments. 

Paul and all the other Apostles of Jesus chose to obey the New Covenant so that is the covenant that I have chosen to OBEY. 

And you will not find one teaching in the New Testament to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY. But you will find that Paul teaches us NOT to esteem any day above another day)

Galatians 2:21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in VAIN.” 

Clearly, Paul is teaching us that keeping the WORKS of the law of commandments contained in ordinances that were nailed to the cross and taken out of the way is SINNING and DISPLEASING to God. 

It is TEMPTING God and it FRUSTRATES the grace of God. 

And Paul warns those who are keeping the works of the law for righteousness, then for THEM, Jesus died in VAIN and that Christ shall profit them nothing unless they REPENT and return to obey the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ.

Every MORAL commandment is REPEATED in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

HOWEVER, not even one single keeping of a DAY is taught in the New Testament under the NEW Covenant. 

Please read Galatians 5:1-14.

“Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the YOKE of bondage. (Again, the yoke of bondage is the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that were nailed to the cross and taken out of the way. 

Peter said to those Christians who compelling the Gentile Christians to keep the Law of Moses, why TEMPT you God to place on the Gentile a YOKE which neither we nor our fathers are able to bear)

Galatians 5:2. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if you be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. (In Paul’s day, there was a big push by some of the Jewish Christians to compel the uncircumcised Gentile Christians to be circumcised. 

And in our day, Christians are once again being subverted and compelled to keep the weekly Sabbath day. The truth is that ONE point of the Old Covenant law IS all of the law! 

In other words, if you keep the weekly Sabbath DAY you are keeping what Jesus NAILED to the cross, and, therefore, you are transgressing the NEW Covenant. 

Can you not see that the weekly Sabbath day was given ONLY to the children of Israel for THEM to keep throughout THEIR generations as a SIGN for a PERPETUAL COVENANT? 

And Jesus is that PERPETUAL COVENANT! 

God commanded THEM to keep the Sabbath for THEM TO OBSERVE the Sabbath. 

Observe means to DISCERN. In other words, DISCERN the SIGN of the Sabbath. What does the SIGN of the Sabbath point to? 

The weekly Sabbath points to Jesus who established the PERPETUAL COVENANT, a NEW and better covenant in his shed blood on the cross. And thereby, Jesus nailed the weekly Sabbath DAYS to the cross. 

Paul teaches us in Romans chapter 14 that we are NOT to esteem ANY day above other days

But rather, we are to treat every day of the week the SAME)

Galatians 5:3. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. (Why? Because WHILE they were seeking to be justified by FAITH in Jesus they SINNED by keeping the WORKS of the law contained in ordinances that Jesus nailed to the cross and took out of the way. 

And WHILE they are keeping the works of the law they are FALLEN from grace)

Galatians 5:4. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are fallen from grace. (Paul is NOT referring to the MORAL law but the law contained in ORDINANCES, the ceremonial laws that are SHADOWS pointing to Jesus. 

NONE of the MORAL laws are a schoolmaster but ALL of the ceremonial laws UNTO God are a schoolmaster pointing to Jesus. 

And when Jesus came, there was no more need to be SCHOOLED to know WHO the Messiah is. 

The weekly Sabbath is NOT a moral law toward our fellow man. 

The weekly Sabbath is UNTO the LORD, according to Exodus 16:22,25 just like all the feast day Sabbaths are UNTO the LORD)

Galatians 5:5. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

Galatians 5:6. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love. 

Galatians 5:7. You did run well; who did HINDER you that you should NOT obey the TRUTH? (Sabbath-keeping Christians sincerely believe that they alone are the only Christians obeying the TRUTH.

But they have been deceived and HINDERED their followers and other by their false teachers that have TWISTED the Scriptures to their own destruction. 

They TWIST the words of Paul in Colossians 2:14-17 to wrongly teach that the Sabbaths in verse 16 are not the WEEKLY Sabbaths

But rather, they CLAIM that the Sabbaths are ONLY the yearly feast day Sabbaths and ONLY the yearly feast day Sabbaths have been nailed to the cross. 

And then, some Sabbath-keeping Christians turn right around and KEEP the yearly feast day Sabbaths. 

So they had to go back to the drawing board, so to speak, and twist Paul’s words even more to wrongly teach that Paul “really” means is to not allow others to judge you for KEEPING the law. 

Then they argue that the handwriting of ordinances that were nailed to the cross are actually all of our sins that God had written in a handwriting of ordinances. 

REALLY! That would be funny if it were not true that some Christians are so deceived that they can not see how ridiculous some of their arguments are for WHY they keep the weekly Sabbath day, the dietary laws, and the yearly feast days)

Galatians 5:8. This PERSUASION comes not of him that calls you. (Or the perverted gospel of seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians compelling weak Christians to serve the law and to keep the weekly Sabbath day does NOT come from Almighty God who calls you to GRACE. 

For by grace are you saved THROUGH faith, it is a GIFT of God and NOT of WORKS of the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES lest any man boast. 

And almost all Sabbath-keeping Christians BOAST that they are better than other Christians who are NOT keeping the weekly Sabbath day)

Galatians 5:9.  A little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Or a little false teaching can deceive a whole bunch of Christians. 

And Sabbath-keeping Christians use a LITTLE truth to pervert the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ. 

They start out their PERSUASION to keep the weekly Sabbath by asking the question, “Why do Christians NOT keep the FOURTH COMMANDMENT?” 

Them they ask another question like, “Did not God give TEN commandments on the same day that the finger of God engraved ALL TEN Commandments on two stone tablets? 

And that little leaven or that little bit of truth will leaven the whole lump.

That is to say if Christians do NOT answer that one question CORRECTLY based on the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God, as in, ALL the Scriptures KEPT in their CONTEXT. 

Please read the study D–8. Why do Christians NOT KEEP the WEEKLY Sabbath DAY?)

Galatians 5:10. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that you will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubles you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 

Galatians 5:11. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offense of the cross ceased. (In other words, if Paul built again what he destroyed then the Jews would cease persecuting him. 

The very FACT that Paul was persecuted by the Jews and some Jewish Christians proves to me that Paul did NOT teach us to keep ANY WORKS of the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES. 

Paul DID teach us to keep all the MORAL laws of God that are REPEATED throughout the New Testament. 

And again, nowhere in the New Testament are we taught to keep the weekly Sabbath day or any other DAY for that matter. So Sunday is NOT a Sabbath day of rest EITHER as some Christians claim)

Galatians 5:12. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (LISTEN closely to what the Apostle Paul is saying here! 

Paul is saying that it would be better if those who are compelling you to keep the weekly Sabbath day and the dietary laws of Moses, the yearly Sabbaths, and the new moon festivals were blotted out of the Lamb’s book of life! 

That is how SERIOUS this seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Hebrew Roots Movement cult is! 

YES! All seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping churches are cults. 

For you see, they all teach doctrines of DEVILS, according to 1 Timothy 4:1-6)

Galatians 5:13. For, brethren, you have been called unto liberty; (And set free from the YOKE of BONDAGE of the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us and contrary to us. 

So then, do not allow any other Christian to JUDGE you for NOT keeping the dietary laws, the yearly feast day Sabbaths, the new moon festivals, and the weekly Sabbath days) only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (When we walk in love, we FULFILL ALL the Law of God that our heavenly Father REQUIRES us to obey under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. 

So STAY in the New Testament because ALL of what we are REQUIRED to OBEY to receive eternal life in the world to come is written in the NEW Testament)

Galatians 5:14. For ALL the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Again, I have heard the Seventh Day Adventist Church argument and all the other seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians argue as well that they are not keeping the weekly Sabbath to be saved, justified, or to be made righteous. 

They argue that they only keep the weekly Sabbath day because it is one of the TEN Commandments and Jesus said that if we love him then we will OBEY him to keep HIS COMMANDMENTS which are TWO commandments

And on the surface the word commandments sounds logical to think of the TEN Commandments.

 But when you truly understand that Jesus gave NEW commandments under the New Covenant and those NEW commandments are written in the New Testament, then you will not be deceived by doctrines of devils to keep the WORKS of the law contained in ORDINANCES under the OLD Covenant commandments. 

Almighty God Himself MADE the first covenant OLD, according to Hebrews 8:13.

Hebrews 8:13.

“In that He said, (Or Almighty God Himself said) A new covenant, He has MADE the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.”

Now, again, some Sabbath-keeping Christians TWIST this Scripture to mean the Old Covenant is still in force and it will not vanish away until the END of the Millennial reign of Jesus. 

The truth is that the phrase “READY to vanish away” means that the Old Covenant did not COMPLETELY vanish away until 70 AD when the Roman army destroyed the Jewish temple and the daily sacrifices ENDED forever. 

But in God’s eyes the daily sacrifices and oblations ended AT the cross. 

For you see, it says He MADE the first old and it was Yahweh the Father who devised His plan of salvation for His Lamb to be slain from the foundation of the world. 

Now let us read Galatians 2:16.

Galatians 2:16.

“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, (Again, the meaning of the word “WORKS” and not being saved by WORKS is the WORKS of the “LAW”.

But what law is Paul talking about? Is Paul talking about the MORAL law of God? 

No! Paul tells us exactly what law he is talking about in Ephesians 2:15 and in Colossians 2:14. 

Paul is talking about the WORKS of the law of commandments contained in the HANDWRITING of ORDINANCES.

 In other words, we are not saved or justified by the WORKS of the law of commandments contained in the handwriting of Moses. 

For you see, Moses wrote down the ORDINANCES given to him by Almighty God to write in the Book of the Law that is also called the Law of God in Nehemiah 8:8. 

And ALL those ordinances were NAILED to the cross and taken out of the way. 

So, KNOWING that no man is justified by the WORKS of the law) but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, (Or even we who are natural born JEWS that have kept the works of the law our whole life have believed in Jesus) that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and NOT by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Over and over the Apostle Paul CONSISTENTLY teaches us that the WORKS in Ephesians 2:8,9 are the WORKS of the “LAW”, as in, the law of commandments contained in ORDINANCES written by the HANDWRITING of Moses as Yahweh told Moses what to write. 

All Scripture is INSPIRED by God. 

Let us read one more passage of Scripture where Paul again teaches us that we are not saved by WORKS to mean the works of the LAW.

Please read Galatians 3:1-5,10,11.

“O foolish Galatians, who has BEWITCHED you, (Or who has DECEIVED you to keep the works of the law) that you should NOT obey the TRUTH, (In other words, OBEYING the WORKS of the LAW is NOT the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ, but rather, those who teach Christians to keep the law that was NAILED to the cross are teaching a PERVERTED gospel that is NOT the TRUTH) before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 

Galatians 3:2. This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (And every Sabbath-keeping Christian will tell you that they are saved by FAITH and that they received the Holy Spirit by FAITH and NOT by the keeping of the works of the law. 

In fact, most Christians never even knew about the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that was nailed to the cross until AFTER they were saved to receive the Holy Spirit. 

But the Jewish Christians did know and before they were saved they kept the WORKS of the law FOR righteousness)

Galatians 3:3. Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? (Speaking of keeping the works of the law. 

In other words, are you so foolish having begun in FAITH to now seek to be made perfect by keeping the WORKS of the law contained in the ordinances of the handwriting of Moses?)

Galatians 3:4. Have you suffered so many things in vain? (Or have you suffered so many persecutions by the Jews for nothing) If it be yet in vain. (Meaning that you can REPENT and CEASE from being a seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christian and a keeper of the works of the law such as the dietary laws and OBEY the TRUE gospel of Jesus Christ)

Galatians 3:5. He, therefore, that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?... 

Galatians 3:10. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Curserd is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. (The works of the law are written in the book of the law also called the Law of God. 

In other words, if one keeps the works of the law to be made perfect, justified, or even to be a better Christian to please God, then they are under the CURSE. 

And, therefore, they must keep ALL the law for if they disobey ONE point of the law they are found guilty of all the law written in the book of the law)

Galatians 3:11. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

Again, the Apostle Paul is NOT talking about the MORAL laws of God toward our fellow man. 

In fact, Paul probably talks more about keeping the MORAL Law of God more than he does about warning Christians to NOT keep the WORKS of the law contained in the handwriting of ordinances that were abolished and nailed to the cross. 

Paul clearly teaches us that we MUST keep the moral Law of God lest we SIN. 

And Jesus said that we must keep the six moral commandments that he listed in Matthew 19:15-19 in order to receive eternal life in the world to come. 

Read the following verses of Scripture that clearly teach us that we must obey all the moral commandments or we will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

And if we do sin we must confess our sins and he is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness.

Please read 1 Corinthians 6:9,10.  

“Know you not that the unrighteous shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.

1 Corinthians 6:10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Galatians 5:21.  

“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Ephesians 5:5.  

“For this you know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”

1 Thessalonians 2:12.  

“That you would walk WORTHY of God, who has called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

2 Thessalonians 1:5.  

“Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you ALSO suffer:?” 

1 Corinthians 5:11.  

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 

Romans 14:17.  

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

There are far too many Scriptures to write them all out for you, so here is a list of Scripture references for you to look up and read that clearly teach us that we MUST OBEY the moral commandments of God which are NOT GRIEVOUS to bear. 

However, the law contained in the handwriting of ordinances are a YOKE, they are a BONDAGE, they are a YOKE of BONDAGE that none of the Apostles of Jesus were able to bear or their fathers that came before them were able to bear, according to Acts 15:10. 

fornicator: 1Co_5:1-9, 1Co_5:10; Psa_50:16-21; 2Co_12:20-21; Gal_5:19-21; 1Th_4:3-8; Rev_2:14; Rev_2:20, Rev_21:8, Rev_22:15

covetous: Psa_10:3; Mar_7:21-23; Luk_12:15-31; Eph_5:5; Col_3:5; 1Ti_3:3, 1Ti_6:9-10; 2Pe_2:14-15

an idolater: 1Co_10:7-8, 1Co_10:14, 1Co_10:18-22

a railer: 1Co_6:10; Psa_101:5

a drunkard: 1Co_11:21; Luk_12:45-46, Luk_21:34; Rom_13:13; Gal_2:12; Eph_5:18; 1Th_5:7-8

an extortioner: Eze_22:12; Mat_23:25; Luk_18:11

ALL LIARS: Rev_21:8  

Revelation 21:8.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

So Paul is NOT saying that ALL the Law of God was nailed to the cross and taken out of the way, but rather, it was ONLY the law of commandments in the handwriting of Moses contained in ORDINANCES. 

And the weekly Sabbath day is one of those commandments that contain ORDINANCES that were NAILED to the cross. 

For further study on WHY most Christians do NOT keep the weekly Sabbath please read the studies under the heading **Dd-0. WHAT IS THE TRUE SABBATH?** 

In this one link I have links to ALL the studies I have written on the subject of the weekly Sabbath day to show WHY Christians are not taught in the New Testament under the New Covenant to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY. And to see what the early church taught for the first five hundred years please read the quotes from the early church writers Dd-20. Did the EARLY CHURCH KEEP the WEEKLY Sabbath DAY?

Download the Study to read OFFLINE!

The 4th Commandment is a SIGN Pointing to Jesus!

YES! I myself find ONLY NINE of the TEN COMMANDMENTS repeated in the NEW Testament. But that does NOT mean that the fourth commandment ITSELF was abolished and nailed to the cross. 

But rather, it was only the ORDINANCES contained IN the fourth commandment that Jesus abolished and nailed to the cross, according to Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14-17. Please read the studies Dd-5.WHAT DOES CONTAINED IN ORDINANCES MEAN? and Dd-2. IS THE WEEKLY SABBATH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT? 

But for now, in this study we will take a close look at the passages of Scripture where all the moral commandments are repeated and we are taught to keep them in the New Testament under the New Covenant. 

And as you will see, they are all MORAL laws or moral commandments of God and no CEREMONIAL commandments of keeping of DAYS of the week, month, or year. 

You will NOT find any teaching in the New Testament to keep ANY of the CEREMONIAL commandments of keeping of DAYS, including the “ceremonial” fourth commandment of keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY. 

But rather, under the New Covenant written in the New Testament we are to keep the SPIRIT of the law and NOT the LETTER of the law.

Please read Romans 7:6.

“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.”   

And that means that under the New Covenant we are to keep the TRUE meaning of the FOURTH commandment which points to Jesus as our TRUE Sabbath REST to enter into the New PERPETUAL COVENANT established in his shed blood. 

Please read the study Dd-15. The WEEKLY SABBATH DAY is a SIGN! 

Also read the study Dd-13. Jesus is OUR TRUE SABBATH REST!

So then, we are, indeed, commanded in the New Testament under the New Covenant to keep ALL of the SIX MORAL commandments found in the TEN Commandments. 

However, concerning the keeping of the FOURTH commandment to keep the weekly Sabbath day, you will NOT find it repeated or taught anywhere in the NEW Testament. 

YES, obviously, Jesus who was born UNDER the LAW kept ALL the law at that time BEFORE Jesus actually died for their sins and ours. 

But during the FORTY days of Jesus showing himself alive there is no evidence of Jesus keeping the weekly Sabbath day. 

And then, AFTER the church began at the day of Pentecost you do NOT find the early church keeping the Sabbath day. 

YES, the Apostles went into the synagogues on the Sabbath day, but the REASON they did go into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day was to PREACH the GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

We can read over and over where Paul DISPUTED and PERSUADED the JEWS in the Synagogue on the Sabbath day and in the market, and daily in the temple. 

But in none of the verses are we clearly and plainly told that Paul was OBSERVING the SABBATH of the JEWS when he went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day to PREACH the gospel. 

Now, some may argue and say, what about Acts 1:12?

Acts 1:12.

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey.”

This is simply saying that the place that Jesus ascended into heaven at Mount Olivet is about 2 miles, a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem. 

Keep in mind that Jesus ascended into heaven on a THURSDAY and NOT on the Sabbath day. 

Jesus showed himself alive for 40 DAYS beginning of a SUNDAY, the FIRST day of the week. 

Simply count FORTY days including the Sunday that Jesus began to show himself alive and that brings you to a Thursday on which Jesus ascended into heaven and the disciples returned to Jerusalem that was simply a Sabbath day’s JOURNEY.

We will talk more on the KEEPING of the weekly Sabbath DAY not being found anywhere in the New Testament later on in this study of God's word. 

But for now, let us take a look at the passages of Scripture that do, indeed, REPEAT the other NINE commandments of God.

Please keep in mind that there are sometimes many more verses that may teach a particular commandment. 

However, it is only needful to show two or three for us to understand that ONLY NINE commandments are repeated in the New Testament. 

Also, we as Christians, are taught under the NEW Covenant to KEEP these the SIX MORAL commandments according to Jesus in Matthew 19:16-19. 

Again, we will look more closely at the FOURTH commandment a little later in this study.

Commandment # 1 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 & Acts 14:15)

Exodus 20:1-3.

“And God spoke all these words, saying,

Exodus 20:2. I am the LORD your God, which have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 20:3. You shall have no other gods before me.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? Is commandment #1 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #1 under the NEW covenant.

1 Corinthians 8:4-6.

“As concerning, therefore, the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

1 Corinthians 8:5. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

1 Corinthians 8:6. But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

Acts 14:15.

“And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:”

Commandment # 2 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Galatians. 5:18-21, Romans. 1:22,23, & 1 John 5:21)

Exodus 20:4-6.

“You shall not make unto you any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Exodus 20:5. You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 

Exodus 20:6. And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #2 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #2 under the NEW covenant.

Galatians 5:18-21.

“But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

Galatians 5:20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies,

Galatians 5:21. Envying, murders, drunkenness, revelings (Or partying with drunkenness and or partying with sexual intentions), and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Romans 1:21-23.

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 1:23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.”

1 John 5:21.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.”

Commandment # 3 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in James 5:12)

Exodus 20:7.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #3 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #3 under the NEW covenant.

James 5:12.

“But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest you fall into condemnation”

Commandment # 4 under the Old Covenant.

(NOT FOUND repeated or taught in anywhere in the NEW TESTAMENT under the New Covenant)

Exodus 20:8-11.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:9. Six days shall you labor, and do all your work.

Exodus 20:10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD your God: in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates:

Exodus 20:11. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and RESTED the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #4 repeated in the New Testament? No!

Now, WHY would God place the FOURTH commandment in the CENTER of the TEN Commandments and then NOT give any teaching or instruction the keep the weekly Sabbath DAY as a day of REST like He taught the children of Israel to REST on the seventh day in Exodus chapter 16 for the first time? 

It is because the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is a SIGN pointing to the New PERPETUAL COVENANT. 

Again, please read the study Dd-15. The WEEKLY SABBATH DAY is a SIGN! 

Also read the study Dd-13. Jesus is OUR TRUE SABBATH REST!

But for now, let us continue taking a close look at the rest of the TEN Commandment that ARE repeated in CLARITY in the New Testament under the New Covenant.

Commandment # 5 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Ephesians 6:1-3)

Exodus 20:12.

“Honor your father and your mother: that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God gives you.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #5 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #5 under the NEW covenant.

Ephesians 6:1-3.

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Ephesians 6:2. Honor your father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Ephesians 6:3. That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.”

Commandment # 6 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Romans 13:8-10)

Exodus 20:13.

“ You shall not kill.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #6 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #6 under the NEW covenant.

Romans 13:8-10.

“Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVES another has FULFILLED the law.

Romans 13:9. For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be ANY OTHER commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 13:10. LOVE works no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE is the FULFILLING OF the law.”

Commandment # 7 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Romans 13:8-10 and 1 Corinthians 6:9,10)

Exodus 20:14.

“You shall not commit adultery.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #7 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #7 under the NEW covenant.

Romans 13:8-10.

“Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVES another has FULFILLED the law.

Romans 13:9. For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be ANY OTHER commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 13:10. LOVE works no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE is the FULFILLING of the law.”

1 Corinthians 6:9,10.

“Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1 Corinthians 6:10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Commandment # 8 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Romans 13:8-10 and Ephesians 4:28)

Exodus 20:15.

“You shall not steal.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #8 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #8 under the NEW covenant.

Romans 13:8-10.

“Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVES another has FULFILLED the law.

Romans 13:9. For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be ANY OTHER commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 13:10. LOVE works no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE is the FULFILLING OF the law.”

Ephesians 4:28.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needs.”

Commandment # 9 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Revelation 21:7,8, 22:15 and Colossians 3:9)

Exodus 20:16.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #9 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #9 under the NEW covenant.

Revelation 21:7,8.

“He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Revelation 21:8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Now, it is one thing to NOT know that what a Christians is teaching is LIE, but it is a different thing to KNOW that a church doctrine is FALSE teaching and STILL keep on teaching it.

Revelation 22:14,15.

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:15. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.”

Now, this can be interpreted as whosoever LOVES making a LIE. Or this can be interpreted as whosoever LOVES, as in, Christians who walk in  LOVE to FULFILL ALL the law and who make a LIE that the as Christians MUST ALSO keep the weekly Sabbath DAY lest a Christian SINS. 

Did not Paul say that if there is ANY OTHER commandment that it is FULFILLED by our LOVING one another? 

Let us read what the New Testament teaches us is SIMPLICITY under the New Covenant again.

Romans 13:8-10.

“Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVES another has FULFILLED the law.

Romans 13:9. For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be ANY OTHER commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 13:10. LOVE works no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE is the FULFILLING OF the law.”

Commandment # 10 under the Old Covenant.

(Repeated in Romans 13:8-10 and Ephesians 5:3)

Exodus 20:17.

“You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is your neighbor's.”

Now WHAT commandments are REPEATED for us as Christians in the NEW Testament under the NEW COVENANT? 

Is commandment #10 repeated in the New Testament? YES!

Commandment #10 under the NEW covenant.

Romans 13:8-10.

“Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVES another has FULFILLED the law.

Romans 13:9. For this, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, You shall not covet; and if there be ANY OTHER commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, You shall LOVE your neighbor as yourself.

Romans 13:10. LOVE works no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE is the FULFILLING OF the law.”

Ephesians 5:1-7.

“Be you, therefore, followers of God, as dear children;

Ephesians 5:2. And walk in LOVE, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor.

Ephesians 5:3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;

Ephesians 5:4. Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Ephesians 5:5. For this you know, that no whore monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Ephesians 5:6. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Ephesians 5:7. Be not you therefore partakers with them.”

So then, ALL SIX MORAL commandments in the TEN Commandment are REPEATED several times in the New Testament with the CLEAR teaching. 

And the first three commandments are also repeated in the New Testament. 

So you have to ask yourself WHY the FOURTH commandment is NOT repeated anywhere in the New Testament under the New Covenant? 

Why is there not one single HINT of a teaching that we are to keep ANY DAYS under the New Covenant?

Let us take a CLOSER look at the FOURTH commandment to see WHY Christians are NOT to keep ANY DAYS of the week, month, or year under the new Covenant. But first, let us look at why the seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians INTERPRET as the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY as being TAUGHT in the New Testament.

The English word “SABBATH” is found 60 times in the King James Version of the Bible in the NEW Testament. Of these 60 times, 50 of those times the word Sabbath is found in the four Gospels and the remaining 10 times are found 9 times in the book of Acts and 1 time in Colossians 2:16.

There is no point in looking at the times that Jesus kept the weekly Sabbath day because Jesus was BORN UNDER the law and the New Covenant had not yet been established in his shed blood on the cross. 

So then, we will only be looking at the 9 times that the word “Sabbath” is found in the book of Acts and the 1 time that the word “Sabbaths” is found in Colossians 2:16. 

Here is a list of the nine times the “WORD” Sabbath is found in the book of the ACTS of the Apostles. 

Please read them checking the CONTEXT as well and judge for yourself as to whether or not these passages of Scripture CLEARLY and PLAINLY can be interpreted in such a way as to DOGMATICALLY teach that we as Christians are to KEEP this fourth commandment in the same manner as God's peoples Israel were commanded to OBSERVE it under the OLD Testament law of Moses. 

We already covered Acts 1:12 and found that it was on a THURSDAY that Jesus ascended into heaven and the disciples returned to Jerusalem that was a Sabbath day’s JOURNEY back to the city of Jerusalem from Mount Olivet. 

And thus, that mere MENTIONING of the word Sabbath is simply stating how FAR it is from Mount Olivet to the city of Jerusalem. 

The disciples were traveling on a THURSDAY which has nothing to do with the weekly Sabbath Day’s restriction to only walk 2 miles on the Sabbath day and no further. 

So then, that leaves 8 more times that the word Sabbath is found in the New Testament. And YES, once again, I fully understand that you will obviously see Paul going into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

But you will also see that the REASON that he went INTO the synagogue on the Sabbath day was to PREACH the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. 

There is no teaching in the New Testament that states Paul RESTED on the Sabbath day. In fact, Paul taught AGAINST the keep of DAYS which we will look at shortly.

But for now, consider A NON Saturday seventh day of the week Sabbath keeping Christians going INTO a Saturday Sabbath keeping church to visit or to witness the true gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Now, that does NOT mean that they are KEEPING Saturday, seventh day of the week as the Sabbath-keeping Christians. 

Consider a Christian that may be seen going into a bar to share the gospel, or just to have a bite to eat with some non Christians friends. 

But again, that does NOT PROVE beyond any shadow of a doubt to dogmatically say that they were going into that bar as others were to drink alcohol and get drunk. 

And thus, the Apostle Paul going INTO the synagogue on the Sabbath day does not prove that Paul was keeping the weekly Sabbath DAY. 

In fact, Paul taught AGAINST the keeping of ANY DAYS and the Judaizing Christians all through his letters and epistles. And again, we will cover those passages of Scripture further on in this study in God’s word. 

But for now, I want you to read the 9 verses of Scripture in the book of Acts with the word Sabbath in them. 

And as you read through these following passages of Scripture I ask that you keep an open mind and heart laying aside any preconceived teachings that you may have been taught and allow the Holy Spirit lead and guide you into all truth.

Acts 1:12.

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day's journey.”

Again, to me, this is just a reference to the distance from Jerusalem to the mount of Olives. 

Obviously, the Jews of that day understood what this meant because they had been taught the Law of Moses from a young age. 

The question is does this passage of Scripture PROVE beyond any shadow of a doubt that Christians are to KEEP the Sabbath day? 

You be the judge keeping in mind that it was on a THURSDAY that they traveled back to the city of Jerusalem from Mount Olivet.

Acts 13:14.

“But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.”

Be sure to read the CONTEXT some of which are in the verses that follow. 

All I ask is that you lay aside any previous teaching that you may have been taught and read these verses with your spiritual eyes open and judge for yourself with the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

Ask yourself the question of WHY Paul and those with Paul went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down?

Acts 13:27.

“For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, (Or BECAUSE the Jews at Jerusalem did not know that the Scriptures testify of Jesus as being their Messiah is WHY the disciples of Jesus went INTO the synagogues) nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.”

Here in this passage of Scripture you can see Paul standing up AFTER the rulers of the synagogue read the Scriptures and asked Paul and his company if they had anything to say. 

Paul then began to open up the eyes of their understanding explaining the Scriptures were pointing to Jesus the promised MESSIAH. 

To me, this is the REASON WHY Paul and the believers that were with him went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down to wait for their opportunity to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. 

If you wanted to talk to a lot of baseball fans where would you go? Obviously, you would go to a baseball game where baseball fans GATHER. 

And in the same way, Paul's best audience of a lot of Jews gathered together was in the synagogue.

And thus, Paul and the other disciples were simply waiting for the Scriptures to be read as they knew was the custom so that they could EXPLAIN to the Jews that the Scriptures POINTED to Jesus. 

In other words, the REASON they went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day was NOT to OBSERVE the Sabbath say as a day of REST as the Jews. 

But rather, they went into a place where they knew that the JEWS would be assembled together so that they could PREACH the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ to the Jews first as the Lord had taught them. 

Acts 13:42.

“And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.”

Here we see that the Gentiles who obviously overheard Paul preaching about a MESSIAH or a SAVIOR caused them to sit up and LISTEN. 

To me, it is obvious that these Gentiles wanted to hear MORE about this Jesus, and they obviously knew that the Jews met every Saturday to talk about God. 

So the Gentiles made an APPOINTMENT with Paul to meet back here at the same time and the same place to tell them MORE about Jesus. 

It was NOT the custom of the GENTILES to keep the Sabbath day, but from other verses in the Bible, the women and the children as well as the GENTILES were outside the synagogue itself. 

And, obviously, they could HEAR what was being said on the inside of the Synagogue. 

This verse says that when the Jews had gone OUT of the synagogue, meaning that their custom of reading the Scriptures was over or had ended and the Jews were leaving because they were REJECTING what Paul was PREACHING inside of the Synagogue. 

But the GENTILES having overheard Paul's PREACHING wanted to hear more so they asked Paul if they could hear more on the next DAY that he was going to PREACH, which happened to be on the Sabbath day because that was the DAY that the Jews gathered together in ONE PLACE.

Acts 13:44.

“And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.”

They did NOT come to keep the Sabbath DAY, But rather, it was the WORD of God that they came to HEAR speaking about Jesus being the Messiah, the LAW of Moses to KEEP the Law of Moses? 

They came to hear the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. 

So WHAT was this GOSPEL all about that caused nearly the WHOLE city to come out to HEAR on this Sabbath day? 

Was this PREACHING of Paul about the KEEPING of the LAW of Moses? 

Or was Paul EXPLAINING that Moses and the Old Testament prophets are POINTING to Jesus as being the Savior?

Acts 15:21.

“For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”

The Apostle James is speaking here in regard to settling a DISPUTE between believers over whether or not they should continue in the Law of Moses to CIRCUMCISE the Gentile believers in the FLESH as the Law of God taught. 

The Judaizing Christians were saying yes while the Christians taught by the Apostle Paul were saying no! 

Please keep in mind that there was much heavy persecution against the church by the unsaved Jews. 

And in most every city the unsaved Jews preached Moses by reading in the synagogues every Sabbath day. 

It was Moses who they revered and followed and not the TRUE meaning FORESHADOWED in the Law of Moses that would lead them to Jesus. 

Also, please keep in mind that the church was still yet receiving REVELATION KNOWLEDGE from the Holy Spirit. 

Just a few chapters before it was yet UNKNOWN or not completely UNDERSTOOD that God has also cleansed the GENTILES by the blood of Jesus as well on the cross as he did for the JEWS. 

But then God gave Peter a VISION in Acts chapter 10 REVEALING to Peter that some CHANGES in the OLD COVENANT were made at the cross of Jesus and now the TIME had come to take the GOSPEL to the GENTILES and obey the CHANGES made under the New Covenant. 

Please read all the studies that I have written on this subject of whether or not we as Christians are to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY as a day of REST under the heading **Dd-0. WHAT is the TRUE SABBATH?** 

But for now, let us finish taking a close look at the rest of the Scriptures in the book of Acts with the word Sabbath in them.

Acts 16:13.

“And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont (Or accustomed, or as was the custom of the women where prayer was) to be made; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women which resorted there.”

This verse makes it clear that the early church did not ALWAYS preach the gospel in the synagogue on the Sabbath day. 

It may be that earlier that Sabbath day they went into the synagogue to preach the gospel as well. The Bible simply does not say. 

But my point is that the NEW Testament does NOT teach us as Christians to keep the Sabbath day as a DAY of REST as the Jews were taught to keep the Sabbath day. 

Again, please keep in mind that the early Church is still learning from the Holy Spirit as what to do, what not to do and what to teach. 

The only thing that is obvious is that Peter still kept the dietary Law of Moses up to Acts chapter 10 and then after being TAUGHT by the Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 10. 

Peter no longer kept the dietary Law of Moses except for one other time when he was INTIMIDATED by his peers to not eat with the Gentiles. 

And Paul rebuked Peter to his face for he was WRONG to keep the dietary Law of Moses. 

Please read the study Dd-40. Acts 10 Peter’s VISION of God CLEANSING ALL Manners of MEAT!

But for now, we just have a few more verses in Acts with the word Sabbath in them.

Acts 17:2.

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures,”

Now, obviously, seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians INTERPRET the words of Paul, “as was his MANNER” as being it was the CUSTOM of Paul to OBSERVE the Sabbath day. 

But, to me, it is blatantly clear that these words “as his manner was”  is DEFINITELY speaking of Paul's manner AFTER Paul became a Christian to go UNTO THEM, the Jews wherever they were to REASON with them the Scriptures pointing to Jesus as being the Messiah. 

You see, the manner of Paul was to go into the synagogue UNTO THEM on the Sabbath to PREACH the GOSPEL of Jesus to the Jews. 

And in the CONTEXT of this verse, we can clearly see that Paul is REASONING with the JEWS out of the Old Testament Scriptures about Jesus. 

And thus to me, this is the ONLY REASON of WHY the early church went into the synagogues on the Sabbath day. 

The calling of the church is to PREACH the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ. 

CLEARLY, to me, this is what the church was doing when they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. You must judge for YOURSELF.

Acts 18:4.

“And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.”

Again, over and over we see that the REASON that Paul and the early church went into the synagogues on the Sabbath day was to PREACH the GOSPEL and PERSUADE the Jews and the Gentiles to BELIEVE in JESUS as the MESSIAH.

So then, in NONE of these passages of Scripture in the book of Acts do we find where we as Christians are SPECIFICALLY commanded, or even a HINT of teaching to keep the Sabbath DAY as a day of REST. 

Again, yes the Apostles went into synagogue on the Sabbath day, but the REASON that they went into the synagogues was to PREACH the gospel to the Jews.

In Acts 16:13, we see the disciples going OUT of the city down by a river on the Sabbath day to preach the gospel to a group of women that were gathered together there, as was the custom of the women, to pray. 

For a deeper understanding on whether or not we as Christians should keep the Sabbath, as in, worshiping God on SATURDAY as opposed to worshiping God on Sunday please read the studies called Dd-21. Saturday, Sunday, or NEITHER? 

Also read Dd-40. Acts 10 Peter’s VISION of God CLEANSING ALL Manners of MEAT!

But for now, let us take a look at Colossians 2:16,17, which is that LAST time that the word “Sabbath” is found in the Bible. 

And Colossians 2:16,17 CLEARLY teaches us that we are NOT to let others judge or condemn us for NOT keeping the Sabbath day, because all the ORDINANCES contained in the FOURTH commandment were abolished and nailed to the cross. 

Again, it was NOT the fourth commandment ITSELF that was abolished and nailed to the cross by Jesus. 

But rather, it was the ORDINANCES contained in the fourth commandment that Jesus abolished and nailed to the cross. 

And Jesus did this so THAT we can NOW keep the fourth commandment is NEWNESS of SPIRIT and NOT on OLDNESS of the LETTER of the law CONTAINED in ORDINANCES.

Please read Colossians 2:14-17.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it (The ORDINANCES) to his cross; ( And NOT the CEREMONIAL commandments themselves which Jesus FULFILLED the SHADOW or all the ceremonial commandments, INCLUDING the ceremonial FOURTH commandment)

Colossians 2:15. And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Colossians 2:16. Let no man, THEREFORE, (Or for this very reason that Jesus BLOTTED out the handwriting of ORDINANCES and nailed them to the cross do NOT allow any man to) judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days:

Colossians 2:17. Which are a SHADOW of things to come; BUT the BODY is of Christ.”

In other words, if you shine a flashlight at a small tree at night and look at the SHADOW then what does the SHADOW point to as the BODY of that SHADOW? Does that SHADOW of the tree look like the BODY of a FISH? No! 

The SHADOW of a tree looks like the BODY of a TREE. 

And in the SAME way, the SHADOW of the weekly Sabbath DAY of REST points to the REST we have in Jesus for HOLINESS or for RIGHTEOUSNESS. 

And the weekly sabbath rest being on the seventh day points to the Seventh 1000-year long day of Yahweh’s Sabbath REST in the world to come. 

And ONLY those who ENTER INTO the TRUE Sabbath REST in Jesus will be counted worthy to receive eternal life to ENTER INTO The Seventh 1000-year long day of Yahweh’s Sabbath REST in the world to come. 

That is what Paul teaches us in Hebrew 4:8,9 about their REMAINING a REST on ANOTHER DAY for the people of God, the unsaved Jews. 

Please read the study Dd-37b. Hebrews 4:1-11 PROVES the TRUE Sabbath is FUTURE!

But for now, here is a list of things Paul is teaching us as Christians to not let any man JUDGE us because Jesus blotted out and nailed to the cross the ORDINANCES contained the the law of commandments. 

#1. Let no man judge you in MEAT referring to food as in what you eat.

#2. Let no man judge you in DRINK.

#3. Let no man judge you in respect of an HOLY DAY referring to a YEARLY high holy Sabbath day.

#4. Let no man judge you in respect of the NEW MOON speaking of the MONTHLY Sabbath days.

#5. Let no man judge you in respect of the SABBATH DAYS speaking of the WEEKLY SABBATH days.

I want you to read Colossians 2:16,17 from several other translations, which make it blatantly clear that we as Christians are NOT to let any man CONDEMN them for NOT observing the ANNUAL YEARLY feast days, for NOT keeping the MONTHLY new moon festivals and for NOT keeping the WEEKLY Sabbath DAYS.

Here is Col. 2:1,17 from the New International Version.

“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.

Colossians 2:17. These are a SHADOW of the things that were to come; the reality, (Or the TRUE) however, is found in Christ.”

Col. 2:16,17 from the Complete Jerusalem Bible.

“So don't let anyone PASS judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Hodesh or Shabbat.

Colossians 2:17. These are a SHADOW of things that are coming, but the body is of the MESSIAH.”

Col. 2:16,17,18 from the New Living Translation.

“So don't let anyone CONDEMN you for what you eat or drink, or for NOT celebrating certain holy days or new-moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.

Colossians 2:17. For these rules were only shadows of the REAL thing, Christ himself.

Colossians 2:18. Don't let anyone condemn you by INSISTING on self-denial. And don't let anyone say you must worship angels, even though they say they have had visions about this. (Such as Ellen G. White the revered prophetess of the Seventh Day Adventist Church) These people claim to be so humble, but their sinful minds have made them PROUD.”

Col.2:16,17 from the Message Bible.

“So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in DETAILS of DIET, worship services, or holy days.

Colossians 2:17. All those things are mere shadows cast before what was to come; the substance is Christ.”

Col.2:16-23 from the New Century Version.

“So do NOT let anyone make RULES for you about eating and drinking or about a religious feast, (Referring to NOT keeping of the annual feast days) a New Moon Festival, (The MONTHLY celebrations) or a Sabbath day. (Speaking of NOT keeping the WEEKLY Sabbath day)

Colossians 2:17. These things were like a SHADOW of what was to come. But what is TRUE and real HAS COME and is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:18. Do not let anyone disqualify you by making you humiliate yourself and worship angels (Speaking of keeping the DOCTRINES of Devils) Such people enter into visions, which fill them with foolish pride because of their human way of thinking. (To me this sounds almost exactly like a PROPHECY of the FOUNDING of the Seventh Day Advent Church where the founder and leader had visions. 

But those visions were NOT for God’s angels. But rather, the visions that Ellen G. White received were from Satan manifesting himself as an angel oof light. 

How do we know this? Because the SDA Church doctrines CONTRADICT the Scriptures.

Thus, the SDA Church falsely teaches doctrines of devils by making rules for SDA Christians to abstain from eating meat. 

Simply read 1 Timothy 4:1-6 which ALL seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians do by their doctrine of devils teaching Christians NOT to eat pork, shrimp and other meats that God CLEANSED. 

And this passage of Scripture here in Colossians 2:14-16 is WARNING the church of false teachers that would come into the church to try and Judanize believers to keep all the Law of Moses as the Jews. 

And they ALL begin their deception with subverting weak Christians to keep the weekly Sabbath DAY)

Colossians 2:19. They do not hold tightly to Christ, the head. It is from him that all the parts of the body are cared for and held together. So it grows in the way God wants it to grow.

Colossians 2:20. Since you died with Christ and were made free from the ruling spirits of the world, WHY do you act as if you still belong to this world by following rules like these:

Colossians 2:21. “Don't eat this,” “Don't taste that,” “Don't even touch that thing”?

Colossians 2:22. These rules refer to earthly things that are gone as soon as they are used. They are only man-made commands and teachings.

Colossians 2:23. They seem to be wise, but they are only part of a man-made religion. They make people pretend not to be proud and make them punish their bodies, but they do not really control the evil desires of the sinful self.”

Col. 2:16,17 from God's Word Translation.

“Therefore, let no one judge you because of what you EAT or drink or about the observance of ANNUAL holy days, New Moon Festivals, (MONTHLY feasts) or WEEKLY worship days.

Colossians 2:17. These are a SHADOW of the things to come, but the body [that casts the shadow] belongs to Christ.”

You can continue to read from many more multiple translations and they all speak the SAME thing which is to now allow the Judaizing seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians to JUDGE you for NOT keeping the DIETARY Law of Moses, for not keeping the YEARLY feast day Sabbaths, for NOT keeping the MONTHLY new moon festivals, AND for NOT keeping the WEEKLY Sabbath days. 

Again. I encourage you to read the study called Dd-21. Saturday KEEPING, Sunday Keeping, or NEITHER?

That study will give you a deeper understanding that the early church assembled themselves together on SUNDAY, the LORD'S DAY to worship God. 

And it is an OPTION, whether or not you choose to rest on Sunday or NOT to rest on Sunday. 

In other words, a Christ is free to rest on ANY day of the rest or NOT to rest on ANY day of the week to work seven days a week if they so choose. 

So, if your job requires you to work on Saturday and or on Sunday and you FEEL that you must rest one day a week, the rest on the day that you are not required to work. 

The TRUTH of the matter is that Christians are NOT required by God to rest on ANY day of the week, month, or year. 

So, you are FREE to work seven days a week 365 days a year.

Sorry, but I decided to cut this study short and cover WHY Christians are NOT required by God under the New Covenant to rest on ANY day and cover that question in the study called Dd-15. The WEEKLY SABBATH is a SIGN! 

Also read the study called Dd-13. Jesus is OUR TRUE SABBATH REST!

If you would like to dig deeper into the Scriptures on this subject of whether or not the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians please read all the studies under heading **Dd-0. WHAT IS THE TRUE SABBATH?** 

In that subject heading I have links to all the studies related to the weekly Sabbath DAY, the FOURTH commandment, the Law of Moses, and EVERY verse of Scripture used to try and prove that the keeping of the weekly Sabbath DAY is binding on Christians under the New Covenant. 

Also, you can read many quotes of the early Church writers who wrote AGAINST the keeping of the seventh day of the week as the Jews by clicking on this link Dd-20. Did the EARLY CHURCH KEEP the WEEKLY Sabbath DAY?

This study was just the TIP of the iceberg of exposing the ERRORS of interpretation made by the Saturday seventh day of the week Sabbath-keeping churches, and the Sunday first day of the week Sabbath-keeping Christians. 

All of the studies listed below can be sent to a brother or sister caught up in the Hebrew Roots Movement or a Sabbath-keeping church by sending them this one link **Dd-0. What Is the TRUE SABBATH?**

Also read Dd-20. Did the EARLY Church KEEP the WEEKLY Sabbath DAY?

Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. 

And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. 

Once Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists understand the REASON that Yahweh CREATED the Son of MAN, Jesus, was to have DOMINION over the work of Yahweh’s hands. 

And after you understand that the REASON that Yahweh did that is to STILL His ENEMIES, Satan and the fallen angels. 

Then you can understand that God made His human Son to become “a” Lord, “a” King, and “a” God, under and subject to his God and Father in order to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels. 

For a deeper understanding of this WAR that Lucifer and one third of the angels waged against the throne of Almighty God, please read the studies under the subject category called ** Q-0 Why Are We Here?  Is God at WAR? **.

More studies are coming in this SHORTER Biblical Unitarian view of who Jesus is according to the WHOLE word of God. 

If you have a PARTICULAR verse of Scripture that you would like to know the sound Biblical Unitarian meaning, then please email me at MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail.com and let me know.

For further and more in-depth studies on this subject of Jesus being created to STILL the enemies of Yahweh, please read the studies called D-25. A NEW LOOK at JOHN 1:1-In the BEGINNING, and D-28. The PRE-ADAMIC LUCIFERIAN FLOOD! 

At the top of my homepage, there are subjects or categories which contain compiled lists of ** ALL Studies! ** I have written on that particular subject. So, if a link within a study is broken, then click on ** ALL Studies! ** to find the suggested study.

Or you can scroll down to the MORE dropdown menu list to find those studies as well. 

Thanks again for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. 

And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. 

And again, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading ** D-0 The BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of Jesus! **

And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading ** C-0 The TRUE FOUNDATION of the Church! ** 

This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.

Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Brother Mark.

My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. 

So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament. 

To learn more TRUTH, then please return to:

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Always be faithful to share, to preach, and to teach the whole gospel of Jesus Christ!