There is a rule of
debate which has surfaced time and again as I have read the Seventh Day Adventist’s
(SDA) valiant attempt to raise the sabbath from the dead. If their argument proves
anything it proves too much, even for their liking.
The sabbath law was first announced in Exodus 16.23-30. In answer to
their cries of starvation the Lord promised to sustain them with manna. On the sixth day
they were to gather enough for two days supply for the Lord forbade them to gather any on
the seventh day, that being a day of rest (sabbath). This command was obviously not given
to Egypt or any other nation at that time. This sabbath law differs slightly from the one
given at Mt. Sinai for there was no death penalty annexed to the sabbath command for some
did go out the seventh day to gather, yet they were not met with death.
A sabbath law was codified in the giving of the ten commandments, it
being the fourth commandment. The giving of this law is commonly referred to as
Moses’ law, or the First (old) covenant (testament). It is recorded in Deuteronomy 5.
From this passage we note that it was given to "all Israel," or was made
"with us (Israel) in Horeb." The SDA wants to argue that the sabbath law was
given to man at his creation. However, God says otherwise in Dt 5.3: "The LORD made
NOT this covenant with our fathers, but with US, EVEN US who are all of US HERE alive this
day." There is no record of a sabbath commandment given to their fathers as well as
many other commandments found in Moses’ law.
The very nature of the sabbath law argues against it being a universal
law for it served as a sign between them and God (Ex 31.12-17). This sign was given to no
other nation. This sign was given that they might know that it was the Lord that
sanctified them. Their observance of the sabbath day signified that God had set them apart
from all other nations as His people. Had the sabbath day been given to all other nations,
it would not have had this special significance.
It behooves the SDA to supply one evidence of of another nation ever
being commanded to keep the sabbath. Do we ever find God judging another nation for not
keeping the Sabbath? NO! The law itself shows that some parts of the law pertained to the
Jew ALONE (Dt 14.21 — YE [Israel] shall NOT eat of any thing that dieth of itself...
the stranger MAY eat it). The sabbath day was a distinctive feature of the law of Moses
which was never given to any other nation (Ps 147.19-20; Rom 9.4).
Christians are not under the law of Moses, called the First (Old) Covenant (Testament),
but they are under the Second (New) Covenant (Testament). The Scriptures cannot be any
plainer — the old covenant waxed and vanished away (Heb 8.7-13). Thus the SDA is
trying to bring people under something that is not there. The book of Hebrews also tells
us that the first covenant was taken away (Heb 10.9). Paul instructed the Corinthian
Church that the Old Testament ended and was abolished (2 Cor 3.13-14). How else could Paul
be just in telling the uncircumcised to remain in such a state (1 Cor 7.18)? Circumcision
was part of Moses’ law. |
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This brings us to the text which the SDA continues to pervert — Mt
5.17-20. The SDA interprets this text to mean that Moses’ law is to be observed for
all time. The Pharisees were also strong advocates of the law, but like the SDA they had
laws which they favoured above others, even to the neglect of the weightier matters of the
law (Mt 23.23). James said that "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend
in one point, he is guilty of all (Jm 2.10). How then do the SDA’s justify not
bringing over the death penalty which was annexed to the sabbath law at Mt. Sinai? Do they
preach circumcision unlike Paul?
The SDA must try to divide the law into two parts — ceremonial and
moral — which would justify their not bringing over the animal sacrifices, but you
can’t call the punishment for a moral law ceremonial! Seems to me that the Adventist
is pretending to be something that he isn’t. Hmmm, the word hypocrite comes to mind!
How do they justify omitting this part of the law in light of their stance concerning
Matthew 5.17? Nine of the ten commandments are promulgated (restated) in the New
Testament, the lone exception being the SABBATH LAW. It is only mentioned twice in the
Pauline epistles. Paul was the apostle unto the Gentiles, and he only spoke of the Sabbath
NEGATIVELY! I am being judged for something that Paul said, "Let no man therefore
judge you in meat (so much for the SDA pork law), 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 2.16-17)."
However, this being said, it must be stated that the law cannot be
divided as they would like to assume. The New Testament never refers to Moses law in
anything but a singular unit. Be it moral, ceremonial, or prophetic for that matter. The
law is a single unit. Heralding that which Christ said He abolished is to deny that He
ever came which is the confession of antichrist (1 Jn 4.3). Self righteous men who mix
grace with law are called troublers, and are attempting to subvert souls (Acts 15.24).
Moses law was ever a TEMPORARY law (Gal 3.19, 23). It was a
schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ (Gal 3.24-25). The SDA by his insistence of the law
shows him to be without Christ. I told you it would prove too much. Come down from Mt.
Sinai and let me introduce you to a Saviour — Jesus Christ, for He accomplished
Matthew 5.17. He FULFILLED all of the LAW! |
