New Testament Basis for Sabbatarianism
Keeping the Seventh Day Sabbath
(from Friday's sunset to Saturday's sunset)

In the very early history of the Church, the first Christians observed the seventh day Sabbath on the weight of Biblical evidence such as Acts 3:1; 5:27-42; 21:18-26; 24:5; 24:14; 28:22), and practiced the Jewish custom of observation of the Sabbath from Friday's sunset to Saturday's sunset.

Some Christians today continue to keep the seventh day as the Sabbath day of rest. Some of the New Testament reasons for this are as follows. From Mark 2:28 and Matthew 12:8, the statement made by Jesus, "the Son of Man is the lord of the Sabbath," indicates for some, that Sabbath keeping is central to following in the Way of Christ.

It is apparent that Jesus kept the seventh day Sabbath and this day should therefore be recognized as the true Sabbath. Further, in reference to the future destruction of Jerusalem, Christ states in Matthew 24:20, "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath" indicates that Christ expected the Sabbath to be kept subsequent after His death.

On the weight of Hebrews 4:8-11, the Sabbath remains a Christian Holy Day, and Sabbath-keeping is an abiding duty as prescribed in the fourth commandment. The gospel of Luke states in Luke 23:56 that when the body of Christ was being prepared by His followers, they rested on the Sabbath before finishing their work.

Another consideration can be given to Biblical Typology. This is taking into consideration stories told in the Bible that have happened, and how that same story might show relevance at a much later time such as "creation week" and the seventh day of rest.

While a clear mandate is given for the Sabbath in Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15, the closest passage to a command for Sabbath-keeping in the New Testament is found in Hebrews 4:9. In that passage is found the word "sabbatismos."

The Authorized Version (King James Version of 1611) and New King James Version and several others render that word as "rest." The American Standard Version of 1901, New American Standard Bible 1995 Updated Edition and several other translations somewhat more correctly render that word as "Sabbath rest."

But a few, such as the Darby translation, transliterate the word as "Sabbatism". Its literal translation is "Sabbath observance", and the Scriptures, translated by The Institute For Scripture Research,
render it as such, while The Bible in Basic English gives the equally literal "Sabbath keeping".

In regard to taking Sabbatismos literally, Professor Andrew T. Lincoln, in his symposium From Sabbath To The Lord's Day, states "The use of sabbatismos elsewhere in extant Greek literature gives an indication of its more exact shade of meaning. It is used in Plutarch, De Superstitione 3 (Moralia166A) as Sabbath observance.

There are also four occurrences in post canonical literature that are independent of Hebrews 4:9. They are Justin, Dialogue with Trypho 23:3; Epiphanius, Adversus Haereses 30:2:2; Martyrium Petri et Pauli 1; Apostolic Constitutions 2:36:2. In each of these places the term denotes the observance or celebration of the Sabbath.

This usage corresponds to the Septuagint usage of the cognate verb sabbatizo (cf. Ex. 16:30; Lev. 23:32; 26:34; 2 Chron. 36:21). Thus the writer to the Hebrews is saying that since the time of Joshua an "observance of the Sabbath rest has been outstanding."

The literal translation then of Hebrews 4:9 is "Therefore a Sabbath observance has been left behind for the people of God." Further, the internal evidence of the preceding verses would indicate that the
Sabbath observance mentioned in this verse is indeed the seventh day Sabbath.

In verse 8, the Hebrew writer states, "For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have afterward spoken of another day." On first glance in our English translations, that word "another" would give the appearance of a different day.

However, in the Greek, there are two words that mean "another". "Heteros" means "another of a different kind", while "allos" means "another of the same kind". The word used in Hebrews 4:8 is "allos", indicating a Sabbath day of the same kind as referred to in Hebrews 4:8-5, that is, the seventh-day Sabbath.

In verse 7, the Hebrews writer uses the term "certain day". The Greek word for "certain" is "tis". It is clearly referencing a specific day, and not the general thought of an eternal rest. The force of
Hebrews 3:11-4:11 then seems to be saying that because Christians look toward the eternal rest of heaven, the type or shadow of the earthly Sabbath rest still remains, or is "left behind", literally, for Christians to observe.

This is significant, in light of the greater context of the book of Hebrews, which deals with the entire Aaronic priesthood and its methods of worship as found in the Old Covenant being supplanted by
the Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus.

As the Hebrews writer states in Hebrews 12:27, "And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things which have been made, that those things which are not shaken may remain."

While it is true that several times the apostles also met on the first day of the week, there is disagreement as to whether they were continuing into the first day (Saturday evening) after having already been gathered for the Sabbath.

That would have been the beginning of the first day (Saturday evening, or any day of the week after a High Sabbath) when some activities would have begun that had not been allowed on the Sabbaths
such as preparing a meal, collecting money, and planning for travel.

In addition, in the book of Acts, also believed to be written by Luke, meeting on the Sabbath is referred to eight times. Generally the religious festivals, new moons, and accompanying high sabbaths of Leviticus 23, Numbers 28-29, Isaiah 1:13-14, Hosea 2:11, Ezekiel 45:17 and Colossians 2:16-17 were continued to be observed, as can be seen in such passages as Acts 18:21, 1 Corinthians 5:8, 2 Peter 2:13, Jude 1:12, and Acts 27:9.

Sabbatarians believe the seventh day Sabbaths are to be fulfilled and to misuse this practice is condemned by Isaiah and Hosea. There is other evidence in the New Testament that the seventh day Sabbath is to be observed and it practice is relevant even to the present time.
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Peace be with you.
The Nazarene Way