Posted by Steve (Billy Steven Crider) on February 9, 2008, 1:23 pm, in reply to "Re: A study on Sabbath...Dec 9, pt 4"
(continued...)Do you recall it, you know what, I will go ahead and address the issue of dispensationalism now, at least as far as it is usually used to address Sabbath, as addressing such seems proper in the moment.
That passage of scripture which preachers across this land use to build their church attendance is soooo taken out of context, and the very passage makes a reference to keeping more than the weekly Sabbath. You see the Hebrews have many Sabbaths. There is the weekly Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, even counted as Saturday by the Roman calendar--really go check it for yourself, I wouldn't lie to you about a thing like this, well, maybe, ok, no I wouldn't, just the same.
There is the monthly Sabbath, which coincides with the new moon as the Jews observe a Lunar calendar, consisting of twelve 28 day months. The Roman calendar, originally had 10 months of varying amounts of days. 2 months were added later to their calendar about 100 AD. September, Septa=seven, October, Octa=eight, December, Deca=Ten. Anyway...
And then there is the Festival Sabbaths, the Feast days, in which the Jews would come together in assembly, as well as their weekly jouneys to temple, for temple studies, but more so for the High Sabbaths which were like public festivals. (Which by the way is important and needs to be considered this year--Feast days)
For those of you whose email browsers don't support the color text I will be using for heiratic reference insertions, note that the same references I will make to the passages will also be enclosed with 3 *** marks at each end.
Hebrews Chapter 10
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
*** Keep in mind that the speaker here is Paul, a former Pharisee, and therefore an expert in such matters as Hebrew Law and canon. Note that the Law here by the Apostle Paul, whose words are most often quoted in the doctrine of dispensationalism, cites that the law is a good thing, "having a shodow of good things to come" ***
2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.
4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Psa 40:6
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Psa 40:6
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
Psa 40:7
8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Psa 40:6
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Psa 40:7
10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
*** OK, these first 14 verses are the premise of every preacher and lay preacher who tries to dispel the law with the doctrine of dispensationalism. Now I am not arguing that certain ceremonial aspect of the law were no longer necessary after Calvary, this is plain to see here as outlined by Paul, but I am arguing that the true doctrine of law and grace is greatly misunderstood, and the verses used to promote that misunderstood mantra are misquoted and misused. For the record, I dont keep Sabbath under the idea that it will get me to heaven, I do so because I am saved. I do so for the same reason many people forsake their former ways, I do so because it is right to do. Salvation, is a gift, it is not reward for merit I could never hope to achieve in the first place, it is certainly not a wage one fallen from grace by virtue of having been born a sinner could earn, it is a gift of love, and says more about the giver, than the recipient.
I will keep my promise and only address the issue of the doctrine as it pertains to Sabbath keeping, and in so doing, by illuminating that one point, that the fact that the doctrine of Dispensations common use in dispelling the observance of Sabbath is not only incorrect, but by seeing this for yourselves you will know that the doctrine itself, if not entirely shaky, is at best, greatly misunderstood. You see, it easy to quote this verse, or that verse and present a particular view of things. Easier still, when you only use part of this verse, and part of that verse and do the same. But take the same verse and read it in context, take the whole passage in which it was written into consideration and you often will find another story. This is the very reason why all doctrine is profittable for "reproof, for instruction in righteousness."
If you have ever heard the argument of dispensationalism you have no doubt heard these same verses in 1-14 of Hebrews chapter 10 cited as
reference, or even quoted literally, but the problem I have in people using the same logic, and doctrine to dispel keeping Sabbath is a scriptural issue. Read on and you will see why I have issue with these verses being used in this fashion. ***
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Jer 31:33 Heb 8:10
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Jer 31:34 Heb 8:12
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
*** Now wait a second, first of all this passage which is used to get people in church on Sundays, was referenced in the same 1st 25 verses of chapter 10 which dealt with the Law of Moses, not only is this passage talking about Sabbath, as kept by the Jews, but the very same passage of Hebrews which is used to promote the doctrine of dispensationalism, addresses Sabbath in verse 25 and tells us not to forsake it. This includes more than just the weekly observances,For the record, I know of only two denominations who strive to maintain the feast days as well as the weekly Sabbaths amongst "Christian" sects, The Nazarenes, and the Branch Davidians.
But for the sake of this lesson, which is focused on the weekly Sabbath, it emphatically includes the weekly gatherings and Taken into context here, the references in this chapter are addressing the law as a whole, and subsequently, the Sabbaths (feast days) and Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, not Sunday, the first day of the week.
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