Law and Grace

This brief document mainly touches upon the issue of whether the New Testament church should observe annual Jewish days, and somewhat reiterates content in the section dealing more specially with the 7 day day Sabbath. Blessed be God.

As the born-again church progressively accommodates the world (instead of spiritually coming out of it in order to reach it), there is an increasing reactionary deception held by many who suppose that the problem is the dejudaizing of the Church, as regards the absence of Old Testament ceremonies and ritual observances. While we can thank God for their shared concern over the increasing disregard of God's absolute holiness and justice which the Law reveals – and in which light we better appreciate His sacrificial mercy and benevolent grace revealed so abundantly under the New Covenant – the solution is not to, as the apostles warned "tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear," (Acts 15:10) but rather it is to walk according to the exceeding riches of the grace bestowed upon us in Christ under the New Covenant.

The following is a relatively brief summary of this important issue.

Because of the Lord Jesus, the New Testament Church consists only of those those who have humbled themselves as sinners utterly destitute any means of their own whereby they may merit eternal life with God nor escape their just and eternal torment in Hell, and thus have cast their faith upon the Son of God who alone died for them and rose again, the sinless Lord Jesus Christ. As our sins were imputed onto the sinless Christ who fulfilled both the moral and ceremonial aspects of the Law1, so those who repent from sin to trust in Him are both forgiven on His blood-expense and justified by His imputed righteousness. (Rm. 3:9-5:1) Bless the Lord. They therefore need not and must not seek salvation on the basis of their lawkeeping, but while God justifies the unGodly by faith, (*Rm. 4:5) yet faith in anyone will effect obedience toward its object, and in so doing toward Christ they are called fulfill the righteousness intent of the Law through the Spirit of Christ. (Rm. 8:4) That is, rather than being under condemnation because they fail the lawkeeping necessary to be accepted by God, and thus need a yearly sacrifice for their repented sins to be purged, (Lv. 16) the N. T. believer is already “accepted in the Beloved,” “and made to sit together in Heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 1:6; 2:6) And therefore from a position of strength – not seeking salvation but responding in love to Him who graciously wrought such – the believer is both rightly motivated and empowered to fulfill the “righteousness of the Law” (Rm. 8:4) by yielding to His indwelling Holy Spirit in obeying His Word, (1Pt.1:22) in the light of the New Covenant (may I better do so.) Thus, while Paul excluded the law as a means of salvation, the Lord as well as Paul* and all the writers of the New Testament uphold fulfilling the righteous of the law, according to all its depth as one looks at Christ who did so, and which requires literally keeping the moral commands in all their fullness.

To either seek justification by the law, or to willfully, impenitently continue to walk in sin contrary to the Holy Spirit in disobeying the moral law, is to effectively deny the faith, sinning against God and what He wrought thru His dearly Beloved Son and His precious blood! (Gal. 5:1-4; Heb. 10:19-39; 1Tim. 5:8; Titus 1:16; Jude 1:4) And to religiously perpetuate under the New Covenant the animal sacrifices required under the Law, or other ceremonial signs which foreshadowed the person and work of Christ, as necessary to please God, is to denying that He fulfilled them. It is no more appropriate for us to seek life in those ceremonial shadows (since the Body that made them is come and gone), than it will be right to observe the Lord's supper after the Lord is come again. (1Cor. 11:25)

It is therefore that the apostle chastened the Galatians for religiously observing annual "days months, times and years" (4:10) in their spiritual declension back to Judaism, and reliance upon the lunar calendar for worship. He likewise warned the Colossians of those who would have them observe Jewish laws regarding “meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath, Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ," (Colossians 2:16,17) as such is a mark of going back under the Law (or external religion) and looking to the shadows rather than the substance which they prefigured. Once the body is come, we need not look at the shadow. Likewise the writer of Hebrews tell us in further revealing that temple ordinances, dietary and the liturgical calendar constituted the abrogated ceremonial law, that "carnal ordinances" regulating “meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation,” (Heb. 9:10) were part of the Old Testament order which was to cease, for “that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away” (likely written before the Temple destruction in AD 70).

However, it true that it does appear that these practices will be reinstituted during the 1,000 year millennium of Christ, as He deals with the Jews once again as a covenanted people, (Ezek. 38-48) taking away their blindness of unbelief. (Rm. 11) And which would be a different dispensation in which, unlike ever before, the devil is bound, and the Lord Jesus personally rules with N.T. saints ruling under Him, (2Tim. 2:12; Rv. 20:4,6) and which age culminates with a final test when the devil is loosed for a short time to led the rebellious on earth in a final war against God and His saints, resulting in their destruction, and the final judgment. (Rv. 20:1-15)

However, under the New Covenant instituted in Christ's precious sinless shed blood, (Lk. 22:20; cf. Heb. 9:16) the Lord Jesus, having come in the flesh and risen to Heaven, we are to "walk by faith, and not by sight" (1Cor. 5:7), and sight is what the ceremonial elements provided. And thus it is distinctly stated that the prophesied New Covenant was "Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord." (Hebrews 8:9) The prophesied destruction of the previous temple being allowed to take place by the LORD in approx. 70 AD., that event terminated the sacerdotal priesthood, with it's Levitical genealogical records etc., thereby making it literally impossible to keep the whole Law as it was literally intended. This destruction puts an exclamation point as it were after such passages in Hebrews as, “In that he saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: " (Heb. 8:13; 9:11, 12; 10:4,5).

As the Temple was destroyed and replaced by the “holy temple in the Lord” of believers, so also the Old Covenant was replaced with the New. Therefore in no place is the N.T. church called to perpetuate the Old Testament shadows among the hundreds of commands given to the church of new creations, but rather we are expressly warned about those who would constrain us to keep such ordinances that Christ fulfilled. (2Cor. 3, Col. 2:14-17; Galatians 3-6; Phil. 3:1-3; etc.) This deletion of such ordinances includes the special observance of the 7th day Sabbath2 as nowhere is the NT church commanded to keep this, though the other 9 of the 10 commandments are reiterated under the New Covenant. (1Cor. 8:5,6; Rv. 22:9: 1Jn. 5:21; 1Cor. 6:9; 10:7,14; Eph. 5:5: 1Tim. 6:1: Eph. 6:2-3: Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:19-21; James 2:10-12: Rom. 13:9; 1 Cor. 6:9; 10:8; Eph. 5:5; Gal. 5:19-21; James 3:10-12: Rom. 13:9; Eph. 4:28: Rom. 13:9; Col. 3:9; Eph. 4:25: Rom. 7:7; 13:9; Eph. 5:3, 5. More here).

Neither do we see any real example of any established Christian assembly keeping the 7th day Sabbath as they grew in the grace and knowledge of God. Text such as Lk. 4:16; Acts 13:14, 42, 44; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4 do not show 7th day Sabbath–keeping commanded or the church perpetuating, but Paul, as a Jews, going to 7th day meetings to preach to the Jews and their proselytes. And as mentioned before, the only specific day only Christians are recorded as meeting was the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7; 1Cor.16:2)

The Christian who holds such a doctrine as Old Testament 7th day Sabbath–keeping in the absence of any command to do so under the New Covenant (which clear confirmation other major doctrines have) are not “rightly dividing the Word” (2Tim. 2:15) as I see it, as they are not Biblically recognizing the evident Covenantal distinctions of the New Covenant, and are promoting a doctrine without sufficient New Testament warrant from God who is its author.

To be consistent, those who teach we must keep the 7th day Sabbath also must literally require keeping another pre-Mosaic everlasting covenant, that of circumcision, (Gn. 17:13) of which Scripture expressly states, “neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” (Gal. 6:15) And if they will invoke the law of Moses as their authority to keep ceremonial law, then they have a practical dilemma as well, as God has taken away the means by which they can observe them all the other for ever type statues2 (without the Temple there can be no Levitical priesthood, or “patented” incense, etc.). Rather, the Lord has commanded us to be obey Him under the New covenant, which we are to able minsters of, “not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” (Col. 3:6)

In contrast to the absence of the any mention of an established N.T church specifically meeting on the 7th day , the Holy Spirit clearly records that the disciples came together specifically on the first day, (Acts 20:7; 1Cor.16:2) a practice that has historical support3 beginning as early as approx. 100 AD. (before the establishment of Roman Catholicism - which is charged by the Sabbathtarians with instituting Sunday worship - came to formally be).

Having said all this, while religious sentimentality may be part of the reason for some seeking the ritualistic observance of "days, months, times and years", it is also true that many who are zealous for God's honor may find more kinship of Spirit with many of those who seek to restore such Biblical holiness and agape love by mistakenly reinstituting such Old Testament ceremonies, rather than with those who seem to use grace as if it were a common Christmas present (which annual Christianized pagan festival we likewise should not perpetuate) — not exactly earned, but expected, and not something that constrains loss of self and of the world in responsive surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ (and i still have far to go here).

But as stated before, the remedy for such spiritual deception and declension is not to seek to reinstitute the observance of the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament but rather it is to "stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." (Jer.6:16) The "old paths" being that which was manifested by men who obeyed God according to His Word and by His Holy Spirit, such as the primitive church with its evident growth in grace, (Acts 2-5; Rev. 2:8-10; 3:1-13) as they manifested the righteousness of the law in the light of the New Covenant (the full realization of such is progressive).

The Lord said that "the truth shall make you [true disciples] free." (Jn.8:32) For whereas the apostles warned against requiring the observance of the entire mosaic law, (Acts 15) and an ill-advised attempt to placate such as would mix the two covenants revealed what manner of spirit the Judaizers were of, (Acts 21:12-22:23; cf. Gal. 4:29) the promise to those who will receive and respond fully to the grace found in Christ under the New Covenant, is that as new creatures in Christ (for whom old things have passed away, and behold, all things are become new) they may "walk in newness of life." (2Cor. 5:17; Rm. 6:4)

That this newness does not include perpetuating shadows but living by faith in the Body (Christ) that made them should be obvious to the true seeker of truth and obedient follower of the Lord Jesus. The failure of the modern church as a whole to manifest the expected fruit of righteousness cannot be attributed to the New Covenant, but rather in our failure to respond to the "great salvation," procured at so great a cost, by “the Great God and our Savior,” in instituting the New Covenant. And yet as “every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old,” (Mt. 13:52) then the only way we can be more fully understand God and His ways, and His justice as well as His mercy and grace, is as we study and understand the Bible as a whole, and obey the Old Testament in the light of the New. And it is the Law that reveals our desperate need for that great salvation (Heb.2:3) by a "better"-than-Moses Saviour, under a "better" Covenant (as the book of Hebrews articulates).

And it is to the great a God and our Savior Jesus Christ and because of His great salvation i need to much better and more continually respond myself.

To God be the glory, great things He hath done. Alleluia, Amen



1 Partial summary of distinctions between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant (O.C.+ N.C.).

  • Under the O.C., circumcision was necessary to be part of God's "holy nation" (Gn.17:14; Ex.4:24-26; 12:48) while under the new.. "neither circumcision nor uncircumcision availeth anything, but faith which worketh by love;" "... but a new creature" (Gal.5:6; 6:15).

  • Under the O.C. sacrificial system, the blood of select animals without physical spot of blemish were ritually and reverently slain before the LORD as offerings for sin, and other offerings were practiced, in order for sinful man to be reconciled and maintain a right relationship with a holy God (Lv.1-7): While under the New, which was instituted in the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without (moral) blemish and without spot" (1Pt.1:19), we which believe on Christ "have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins;" Being "sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Col.1:14; Heb.10:10,14). Praise ye the Lord.

  • Under the O.C. salvation is basically “do and live” (Dt. 6:5; 27:26; Lv.18:5; Ezk.20:11; Rm.10:5; Gal.3:12), while under the New, it is believe and live, and thus do (Rm. 3:25-4; Eph.2:8,9; Titus 3:5; Rm.3:19-5:1; 1Jn. all).

  • The Law could not redeem, while faith under the N.C. does (Acts 13:38,39; Gal.2:16; Rm.3:19-31; Heb.10:4; 9:25).

  • The Law is termed "a yoke,”......“which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear" (Acts 15:10); while under the New it can be declared, "this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and his commandments are not grievous" (1Jn.5:3).

  • The Law provoked our sinful Adamic nature to transgress, revealing our sinfulness and rebellion, as "the law is holy, just and good" and we are sinners by nature, and by choice (Rm.7:5-25; 8:7); While under the New: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Rm.8:1,20.

  • The Law was called a ministry of death, and of condemnation, while under the New, the Spirit gives life, and righteousness (2Cor.3:7,9a x 2Cor.3:6,8,9b).

  • The O.C. had no glory, relative to the excelling glory of the New (2Cor.3:10)

  • The O.C. was done away with, while the New remaineth (2Cor.3:10).

  • Under the O.C. the people of God were called to go to a physical temple, with it's levitical priesthood, and "ordinances of divine service," and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation" Heb.9:1,10; Ex.25-31). While under the New, all true believers are a "holy temple in the Lord," (Eph2:21). Making up "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people" (1Pt.2:4-9). With no mention of the need to either maintain the physical temple, nor it's special rituals and ordinances, and Levitical priesthood. Nor the liturgical feasts of the O.C.

  • Under the O.C. the 10 Commandments of the Law of Moses were written on tablets of stone (Ex.31:18), while under the New, the righteousness of the Law of God is written by the Holy Spirit upon believers hearts (2Cor.3:3).

2 Seventh day Sabbath keeping and everlasting, forever, perpetual type commands

Under the O.C., the glory of God was veiled from those who sought justification by the Law, while under the New, the veil is taken away (2Cor.3:14- 4:7).

Some contend that we ought to keep the seventh day Sabbath, as it is an everlasting covenant, yet as the table below shows it is not alone in that category. Neither does it's sanctification prior to the codification of the 10 commandments establish it as an ordinance to be obeyed (as under the Old Covenant) under the New Covenant, as it, like circumcision (likewise an everlasting covenant), is also part of the ceremonial prefigurements that the Lord Jesus would and has, fulfilled. As God rested from the work of creation the 7th day, the Lord Jesus rested from His work of atonement on the first day. The Lord then met the disciples on the first day of the week, and sent the Gift of the Holy Ghost on that day. (Jn. 20:1,19; Acts 2:1ff) Further evidence that the 1st day of the week became the primary day of Christian assembly is that the 1st day is the only day specifically mentioned as a meeting day for a community of New Testament believers. (Acts 20:7; 1Cor.16:2) Meanwhile, 9 of the 10 commandments are reiterated in the New Testament, but the 4th commandment is conspicuously absent, and now where is there amy command ever given under the New Covenant to the church to keep the 7th day Sabbath. Nor is there any mention of an established church specifically meeting on the 7th day, unlike on the 1st.

Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation enter into the antitype of the Old Testament Sabbath, the spiritual rest of Christ in His spiritual kingdom, (Heb.4; Col.1:13,14) as they walk by faith and not by sight. “For we which have believed do enter into rest,...” “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” (Heb. 4:3a, 10) That chapter shows that even under the Old covenant there remained a type of rest to be obtained that went beyond physically keeping the Sabbath, which soul-rest (Mt. 11:28) is found by faith and surrender to the Lord Jesus. And yet this rest is to to be fully realized by them which continue in faith: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Rv. 14:13b)

True believers are to be led by God's Holy Spirit in accordance with the Bible and in obedience to the covenant He has enjoined us to be under. The New Covenant was distinctly declared by God to be “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD” (Jer. 31:32), and part of that distinction is not only the lack precisely prescribed ritualistic worship (as in static liturgies) but the replacement of annually observed “days, and months, and times, and years” (Gal. 4:10) such as the Galatians were chastised for observing, as such is consistent with legalism [this does not mean that some manner of ritual or liturgy is evil, as structure is necessary, (1Cor. 14:26-33) but structure is to facilitate the moving of the Holy Spirit, and not hinder Him, and the tendency is for ritual to become mechanical, fossilized and lifeless.]. And as said before, the only precedent we have for a weekly observance is that of the 1st day of the week.

We need no more keep the 7th day Sabbath than the other ordinances which foreshadowed the coming and work of Christ. “Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.” (Heb. 9:10) “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Col. 2:13-17) We may be in great anticipation when we see the shadow of someone we yearn to see, but once the reality comes we look at the body which made the shadow. Praise ye the Lord.

Christ having come in the flesh, He has fulfilled Old Testament figures. and presently “we walk by faith and no by sight” (2Cor. 5:7), as seeing Him who is invisible.” (Heb. 11:27) It may be possible however, that when the Lord Jesus establishes His physical kingdom – and our faith becomes sight – then the O.T.. ceremonies will once again find their place in a dispensation in which the restored Jewish nation will be proved, in a physical kingdom in which sacrifices would be possible, perhaps in a memorial sense (Ezk.37, 40:48)

See more on this issue here.


EVERLASTING, FOREVER, PERPETUAL COMMANDS

Below is a list of everlasting, forever, perpetual (synonymous terms) covenants (binding agreements) or perpetual, forever type statutes and ordinances (laws).

Note: While it is possible that “for ever” (#5769; also often translated as “everlasting” or “perpetual”) can mean less than eternal (Dt. 15:17) , that is rarely the case, but as in “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:”or “The righteousness of Thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live” (Ps. 119:144 – a good prayer), it usually denotes eternity!

1

Gn. 9:16; Rainbow in clouds a sign of everlasting covenant

2

Gn. 17:2-13; Circumcision an everlasting covenant.

3

.Ex.31:14-17; 7th day Sabbath a sign for a perpetual covenant throughout all Israel's generations.

4

Lv.24:5-8; Offering of shewbread-everlasting covenant-perpetual statute.

5

Num.18:19; Heave offering: a statute forever-covenant of salt forever.

6

.Num.25:12,13; Righteous Phineas given a covenant of peace..a covenant of everlasting priesthood.

7

Ex.12:14,24; Passover an ordinance forever.7

8

Ex.12:17; Feast of unleavened bread an ordinance forever.

9

Ex.27:20,21; Lv.24:3; light burning in Tabernacle: a statute forever.

10

Ex. 28:43; Nakedness of priests to be covered by a statute forever.

11

Ex.29:9; 40:15; Holy garments for the Aaronic Priesthood for a perpetual statute.

12

Ex.29:28; Lv.10:15; Num.18:8,11,18; Heave offering eaten by a statute forever

13

Ex.29:42; Animal sacrifices to be offered continually throughout all Israel's generations

14

Ex.30:8; Incense to be burned in Tab. perpetually throughout all generations.

15

Ex.30:10: Atonement on altar throughout all your generations.

16

Ex.30:21: Ceremonial washing by a statute forever.

17

Ex.30:31: Anointing with Holy Oil unto YHWH for sons of Aaron throughout all their generations.

18

Lv.3:17: Eating of fat + blood prohibited a perpetual statute.

19

Lv.6:13: Fire ever to be burning on the altar, to never go out.

20

Lv.6:18-20: Law of the meat offering: a statute forever.

21

Lv.6:22: Meat offering of priests: a statute forever.

22

Lv,7:34-36: Peace offerings a statute forever.

23

Lv.10:9: Drinking of wine, strong drink forbidden to priests going into Tab.: statute forever.

24

Lv.16:29-34: Day of atonement a everlasting statute, a statute forever.

25

Lv.17:7: Bringing in of sacrifices into Tab., not worshipping devils, a statute forever.

26

Lv23:14: Offering of first fruits unto YHWH a statute forever.

27

Lv.23:21: Feast of Pentecost: a statute forever.

28

Lv.23:41: Feast of Tabernacles: a statute forever.

29

Lv.25:34: Law of land reserved for Levites: a perpetual possession.

30

Num.10:8: Feast of Trumpets: an ordinance forever.

31

Num.10:15: One law for both Israelites and for the stranger in the land: an ordinance 4ever.

32

Num.18:23; Dt.18:5: Service of the Tab. reserved for Levites by a statute forever.

33

Num19:10: Law of washing garments after slaying red heifer: a statute forever.

34

Num.19:21:Water of separation a perpetual statute.

35

Dt.7:9 YHWH keeps covenant+mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments, as revealed in His rightly divided Word.



3 See below for abundant historical support which shows that from early on, and before the “church of Rome” had power to change the day from the 1st day of the week to the 7th, which change she is erroneously credited with doing, though Rome does incorporate elements of Judaism as well as unBiblical practices. These quotes are only for historical purposes, and any doctrinal views must be subject to examination by the Bible.

  • 100 AD BARNABAS: Moreover God says to the Jews, 'Your new moons and Sabbaths 1 cannot endure.' You see how he says, 'The present Sabbaths are not acceptable to me, but the Sabbath which I have made in which, when I have rested [heaven: Heb 4] from all things, I will make the beginning of the eighth day which is the beginning of another world.' Wherefore we Christians keep the eighth day for joy, on which also Jesus arose from the dead and when he appeared ascended into heaven. (15:8f, The Epistle of Barnabas, 100 AD, Ante-Nicene Fathers , vol. 1, pg. 147)

  • 150AD EPISTLE OF THE APOSTLES.- I [Christ] have come into being on the eighth day which is the day of the Lord. (18)

  • 150AD JUSTIN: The command of circumcision, again, bidding [them] always circumcise the children on the eighth day, was a type of the true circumcision, by which we are circumcised from deceit and iniquity through Him who rose from the dead on the first day after the Sabbath, [namely through] our Lord Jesus Christ. For the first day after the Sabbath, remaining the first of all the days, is called, however, the eighth, according to the number of all the days of the cycle, and [yet] remains the first.". (Justin, Dialogue 41:4)

  • 150AD JUSTIN: ...those who have persecuted and do persecute Christ, if they do not repent, shall not inherit anything on the holy mountain. But the Gentiles, who have believed on Him, and have repented of the sins which they have committed, they shall receive the inheritance along with the patriarchs and the prophets, and the just men who are descended from Jacob, even although they neither keep the Sabbath, nor are circumcised, nor observe the feasts. Assuredly they shall receive the holy inheritance of God. (Dialogue With Trypho the Jew, 150-165 AD, Ante-Nicene Fathers , vol. 1, page 207)

  • 150AD JUSTIN: But if we do not admit this, we shall be liable to fall into foolish opinion, as if it were not the same God who existed in the times of Enoch and all the rest, who neither were circumcised after the flesh, nor observed Sabbaths, nor any other rites, seeing that Moses enjoined such observances... For if there was no need of circumcision before Abraham, or of the observance of Sabbaths, of feasts and sacrifices, before Moses; no more need is there of them now, after that, according to the will of God, Jesus Christ the Son of God has been born without sin, of a virgin sprung from the stock of Abraham. (Dialogue With Trypho the Jew, 150-165 AD, Ante-Nicene Fathers , vol. 1, page 206)

  • 150AD JUSTIN: And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration." (First apology of Justin, Weekly Worship of the Christians, Ch 68)

  • 150AD JUSTIN: Moreover, all those righteous men already mentioned [after mentioning Adam. Abel, Enoch, Lot, Noah, Melchizedek, and Abraham], though they kept no Sabbaths, were pleasing to God; and after them Abraham with all his descendants until Moses... And you [fleshly Jews] were commanded to keep Sabbaths, that you might retain the memorial of God. For His word makes this announcement, saying, "That you may know that I am God who redeemed you." (Dialogue With Trypho the Jew, 150-165 AD, Ante-Nicene Fathers , vol. 1, page 204)

  • 150AD JUSTIN: There is no other thing for which you blame us, my friends, is there than this? That we do not live according to the Law, nor, are we circumcised in the flesh as your forefathers, nor do we observe the Sabbath as you do. (Dialogue with Trypho 10:1. In verse 3 the Jew Trypho acknowledges that Christians 'do not keep the Sabbath.')

  • 150AD JUSTIN: We are always together with one another. And for all the things with which we are supplied we bless the Maker of all through his Son Jesus Christ and through his Holy Spirit. And on the day called Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a city or a rural district.... We all make our assembly in common on the day of the Sun, since it is the first day, on which God changed the darkness and matter and made the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior arose from the dead on the same day. For they crucified him on the day before Saturn's day, and on the day after (which is the day of the Sun the appeared to his apostles and taught his disciples these things. (Apology, 1, 67:1-3, 7; First Apology, 145 AD, Ante-Nicene Fathers , Vol. 1, pg. 186)

  • 155 AD Justin Martyr [W]e too would observe the fleshly circumcision, and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts, if we did not know for what reason they were enjoined [on] you--namely, on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your heart. . . . [H]ow is it, Trypho, that we would not observe those rites which do not harm us--I speak of fleshly circumcision and Sabbaths and feasts? . . . God enjoined you [Jews] to keep the Sabbath, and impose on you other precepts for a sign, as I have already said, on account of your unrighteousness and that of your fathers" (Dialogue with Trypho the Jew 18, 21).

  • 180AD ACTS OF PETER.- Paul had often contended with the Jewish teachers and had confuted them, saying 'it is Christ on whom your fathers laid hands. He abolished their Sabbath and fasts and festivals and circumcision.' (1: I)-2

  • 200AD BARDESANES: Wherever we are, we are all called after the one name of Christ Christians. On one day, the first of the week, we assemble ourselves together. (On Fate)

  • 200AD TERTULLIAN: We solemnize the day after Saturday in contradistinction to those who call this day their Sabbath. (Tertullian's Apology, Ch 16)

  • 200AD TERTULLIAN: It follows, accordingly, that, in so far as the abolition of carnal circumcision and of the old law is demonstrated as having been consummated at its specific times, so also the observance of the Sabbath is demonstrated to have been temporary. (An Answer to the Jews 4:1, Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 3, page 155)

  • 200AD TERTULLIAN: ...God originated Adam uncircumcised, and inobservant of the Sabbath, consequently his offspring also, Abel, offering Him sacrifices, uncircumcised and inobservant of the Sabbath, was by Him commended... Noah also, uncircumcised - yes, and inobservant of the Sabbath - God freed from the deluge. For Enoch, too, most righteous man, uncircumcised and inobservant of the Sabbath, He translated from this world... Melchizedek also, "the priest of most high God," uncircumcised and inobservant of the Sabbath, was chosen to the priesthood of God. (An Answer to the Jews 2:10; 4:1, Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 3, page 153)

  • 200AD TERTULLIAN: Others . . . suppose that the sun is the god of the Christians, because it is well-known that we regard Sunday as a day of joy. (To the Nations 1: 133)

  • 200AD TERTULLIAN: To us Sabbaths are foreign. (On Idolatry, 14:6)4

  • 220AD ORIGEN: On Sunday none of the actions of the world should be done. If then, you abstain from all the works of this world and keep yourselves free for spiritual things, go to church, listen to the readings and divine homilies, meditate on heavenly things. (Homil. 23 in Numeros 4, PG 12:749)

  • 225 AD The Didascalia: The apostles further appointed: On the first day of the week let there be service, and the reading of the Holy Scriptures, and the oblation, because on the first day of the week our Lord rose from the place of the dead, and on the first day of the week he arose upon the world, and on the first day of the week he ascended up to heaven, and on the first day of the week he will appear at last with the angels of heaven" (Didascalia 2).

  • 250AD CYPRIAN: The eight day, that is, the first day after the Sabbath, and the Lord's Day." (Epistle 58, Sec 4)

  • 250 AD IGNATIUS: ...those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death...And after the observance of the Sabbath, let every friend of Christ keep the Lord's Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief of all the days [of the week]. Looking forward to this, the prophet declared, "To the end, for the eighth day," on which our life both sprang up again, and the victory over death was obtained in Christ...(Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter IX)

  • 250AD IGNATIUS: On the day of the preparation, then, at the third hour, He received the sentence from Pilate, the Father permitting that to happen; at the sixth hour He was crucified; at the ninth hour He gave up the ghost; and before sunset He was buried. During the Sabbath He continued under the earth in the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathaea had laid Him. At the dawning of the Lord's day He arose from the dead, according to what was spoken by Himself, "As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man also be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." The day of the preparation, then, comprises the passion; the Sabbath embraces the burial; the Lord's Day contains the resurrection. (The Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians, chapter 9)

  • 250AD IGNATIUS: This [custom], of not bending the knee upon Sunday, is a symbol of the resurrection, through which we have been set free, by the grace of Christ, from sins, and from death, which has been put to death under Him..." (Ignatius, Fragments)

  • 300 AD Victorinus: The sixth day [Friday] is called parasceve, that is to say, the preparation of the kingdom. . . And let the parasceve become a rigorous fast, lest we should appear to observe any Sabbath with the Jews . . . which Sabbath he [Christ] in his body abolished. (The Creation of the World).

  • 300AD EUSEBIUS: They did not, therefore, regard circumcision, nor observe the Sabbath neither do we; … because such things as these do not belong to Christians." (Ecc. Hist., Book 1, Ch. 4)

  • 300AD EUSEBIUS: [The Ebionites] were accustomed to observe the Sabbath and other Jewish customs but on the Lord's days to celebrate the same practices as we in remembrance of the resurrection of the Savior. (Church History Ill.xxvii.5)

  • 300 AD Eusebius of Caesarea: They [the pre- Mosaic saints of the Old Testament] did not care about circumcision of the body, neither do we [Christians]. They did not care about observing Sabbaths, nor do we. They did not avoid certain kinds of food, neither did they regard the other distinctions which Moses first delivered to their posterity to be observed as symbols; nor do Christians of the present day do such things" (Church History 1:4:8).

  • 300 AD Eusebius of Caesarea: The day of his [Christ's] light . . . was the day of his resurrection from the dead, which they say, as being the one and only truly holy day and the Lord's day, is better than any number of days as we ordinarily understand them, and better than the days set apart by the Mosaic Law for feasts, new moons, and Sabbaths, which the Apostle [Paul] teaches are the shadow of days and not days in reality. (Proof of the Gospel 4:16:186)

Source of historical quotes (abridged): http://www.bible.ca/H-sunday.htm: Note that references to outside links does not infer sanction of all that a site may offer, and this one erroneously holds that baptism is necessary for salvation, and that “sign gifts” have ceased.

*Some texts in which the apostle Paul upholds obedience to the law, in living out saving faith:

*"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law." Romans3:31

* "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Romans 8:7–8

* "While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all." Acts 25:8

Included in this support is that the apostle preached obedience to laws of the Ten Commandments Ten Commandment as binding upon Christians, and condemning those who broke them and remained impenitent:

* "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." 1Corinthians 5:11

* "Know ye 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, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1Corinthians 6:9-10:26

* "Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 1Corinthians 10:7

* "The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord." 1Corinthians 7:39

* "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry." 1Corinthians 10:14

* "Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? " 1Corinthians 9:8-9

* "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law." 1 Corinthians 14:34

* "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 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." Galatians 5:19–21

* "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. " Ephesians 5:5-6

* "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5 KJV

* "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." 1Timothy 5:8

* "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise." Ephesians6:1-2