"The Sabbath is a part of the Decalogue—the Ten Commandments. This alone for ever settles the question as to the perpetuity of the institution.... Until, therefore, it can be shown that the whole Moral Law has been repealed, the Sabbath will stand.... The teachings of Christ confirm the perpetuity of the Sabbath."—T. C. Blacke, D.D., "Theology Condensed," pages 474, 475.
CHRIST is the Divine Example after whose life the Christian ought to pattern his own. 1 Peter 2:21; (Luke 4:16).
1. CHRIST HAS A SPECIAL DAY
• It is called "The Lord's Day"─Revelation 1:10.
• He is called "Lord of the Sabbath"─Matthew 12:8.
• Which day is the Sabbath?─Exodus 20:10.
Why is the seventh-day Sabbath the "Lord's Day"?
2. CHRIST WAS THE CREATOR OF THE SABBATH ─Genesis 2:1-3.
• Christ identified as Creator─Colossians 1:13-16; Hebrews 1:1, 2; Ephesians 3:9.
• "God" in Genesis is to be understood as a collective noun referring to the "Godhead"─Genesis 1:26: "let US".
3. CHRIST GAVE THE SABBATH TO MANKIND ─Mark 2:27, 28.
• It was not a national institution.
• It was not ceremonial—it was given to man before he sinned.
• Its observance pre-dated Sinai—Exodus 16:22-26.
4. CHRIST BLESSED THE SABBATH ─Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:11.
• His infinite blessing is associated with a "day," not a principle or an institution.
• The blessing to include:
Physical rest─Exodus 34:21.
Spiritual renewal─Hebrews 4:3, 4; (Matthew 11:28-30).
5. CHRIST SANCTIFIED THE SABBATH ─Genesis 2:3; Exodus 20:11.
• "It is a sign" of His sanctifying and redeeming power─Ezekiel 20:20; Exodus 31:13-17.
• The same power operative in creation to be manifested in transforming human lives─John 1:12; Romans 1:16.
6. CHRIST COMMANDED SABBATH OBSERVANCE─Exodus 20:8-11.
• Christ is creator, redeemer and Lawgiver─Isaiah 33:22; Nehemiah 9:6, 13, 14. ("Lord" = Christ, e.g., Isaiah 10:11 c.f.John 10:14; Isaiah 40:3 and Luke 1:76.)
• He taught true Sabbath observance─Matthew 12:8-14: Mark 6:2; John 5:16-18.
• His followers observed it after His death─Luke 23:56.
• He expected it to be respected after His resurrection─Matthew 24:20.
• The apostles observed it─Acts 13:14-16, 42-44; 16:12, 13; 17:1,2; 18:1-4, 11
7. CHRIST WILL KEEP IT WITH THE REDEEMED─Isaiah 66:23.
Through the Ages the SABBATH links the temporal with the Eternal.
Rex D. Edwards, D. Mm., is the director for continuing education of the General Conference Ministerial Association, Silver Spring, Maryland.
