David and Marlin:
> You answered me about circumcision, that a Gentile does not
> have to undergo physical circumcision in order to inherit eternal
> life. Thank you for that clear answer. I consider your answer
> true and Biblical, according to the sound doctrine found in Jesus
> Christ.
>
> What about the Sabbath? Do you have the same position in regard
> to the Sabbath?
No.
Izzy said it best when she pointed out that it matters not as much where we are on the continuum of right and wrong,
as much as which direction we are headed.
If God has revealed this truth to you and you reject it,
you are responsible for it.
> Perhaps we can just address the whole law. I agree with you that the
> law is holy, and just, and good. But let me ask the following questions
> for the sake of clarity.
>
> 1. Must a Gentile obey all of the Mosaic law in order to inherit
> eternal life? (yes or no?)
No. HEB 7:12 For the priesthood
being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the
law.
> 2. Must a Gentile observe the Mosaic teachings about the Sabbath
> in order to inherit eternal life? (yes or no?)
Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath which was made for man,
said, "...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments." MAT 19:17
The Sabbath command pre-dates
Moses. See Genesis.
We do not have to observe the things that the Pharasees
added to the Mosaic Law. Yes, I believe Jesus who showed what was indeed
lawful to do on the Sabbath.
> 3. Worded another way, must a Gentile meet in a holy assembly with
> other believers on Saturday in order to inherit eternal life? (yes or no?)
>
> 3. Worded another way, must a Gentile meet in a holy assembly with
> other believers on Saturday in order to inherit eternal life? (yes or no?)
>
No. Although ideal, this is not always possible to
receive the benefits of observing the rest. Some fellowships may actually
detract from keeping it holy. One such instance is where leaders of a
group want to be idolized, lording it over the "laity," a practice which
Jesus holds against them.
Some Sabbath observers actually deny Jesus, Judaism falls
in this category. Observance of the law
without Jesus will not save them.
It may actually be best to keep the Sabbath with the
Lord, Jesus and His Father, by means of the Holy Spirit in private in order
to keep the day holy.
> 4. Worded yet another way, must a Gentile recognize and keep Saturday
> as a holy day, as the Jews do, in order to inherit eternal life? (yes or
> no?)
>
Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath which was made
for man, said, "...if thou wilt enter into life, keep
the commandments." MAT 19:17
Yes, I believe Jesus, "Who gave himself for
us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity [lawlessness], and purify
unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." TIT
2:14
The Gentiles are not required to keep those laws pertaining to the temple because the veil had been rent and the priesthood changed to the Melchisedek priesthood of Abraham that pre-dated it. Sabbath observance pre-dates the Mosaic covenant.
The Sabbath rest remains for the people of God.
HEB 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into
rest, as he said, As
I
have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although
the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
HEB 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise,
And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although
the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
HEB 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise,
And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
The Sabbath rest is limited to a particular day.
HEB 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in
David, To day, after
so
long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
HEB 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then
would he not afterward
have
spoken of another day.
HEB 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest [sabbatismos, Sabbath keeping] to the people of God.
HEB 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his
own works, as God [did] from his.
HEB 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief.
HEB 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.
spoken of another day.
HEB 4:9 There remaineth therefore a rest [sabbatismos, Sabbath keeping] to the people of God.
HEB 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his
own works, as God [did] from his.
HEB 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief.
HEB 4:12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any
twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.
