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Is the Seventh Day the Sabbath?

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 18, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 11.

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Is the Seventh Day the Sabbath?

By CHAS. P. WHITFORD

CHAS. P. WHITFORD
It is better to know what the Bible teaches concerning the Sabbath than to know what men say about it: therefore do not allow any man, no matter how great or good or learned he be, to answer this question for you.
The thoughts of God are conveyed to us in words; therefore, if we are instructed by the Lord, it will be necessary to do what he tells us to do in 2 Tim. 2:7: “Consider what I say.” In Titus 1:2, we are told that God can not lie. Since God can not lie, he will, therefore, tell the truth. “Thy Word is truth.” John 17:17.
In the study of the question, “Is the seventh day the Sabbath?” let us consider the following points:—
1. Was the Sabbath made? Mark 2:27.
2. By whom was it made? John 1:1-3, 10, 14; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:1, 2.
3. When was it made? Gen. 2:1-3.
4. How was it made? Gen. 2:1-3.
5. Out of what was it made? Gen. 2:1-3.
6. For whom was it made? Mark 2:27.
7. For what purpose was it made? Ps. 111:2-4.
“He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered.”
The Lord would have his wonderful work in creation remembered.
The fourth day of July commemorates the birthday of our national independence. It is a memorial.
The Sabbath commemorates the birthday of the world. It is a memorial also. God's memorial will endure throughout all generations. Ps. 135:13.
God's memorial directs the mind to the Creator. It is, therefore, a safeguard against idolatry. Ex. 20:8-11.
God's memorial is a “sign” by which we may know the true God in contradistinction to all false gods. Eze. 20:12-20.
God's memorial will never cease to be a sign. Ex. 31:17.
It will always be a fact that “in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” The reasons for the institution of the Sabbath are based upon these facts, and so long as the reasons for the institution of the Sabbath exist, the institution itself must exist.
Consider also the following facts:—
1. The New Testament requires us to keep the fourth commandment. Matt. 5:19; James 2:10.
2. In the time of Moses the fourth commandment could not be kept without keeping the seventh day. Ex. 20:10.
3. No one can keep the fourth commandment in our time who does not keep the seventh day. Matt. 5:18.
4. The Sabbath of the New Testament is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. Luke 23:56; Ex. 20:10.
5. The first day of the week is not the Sabbath of the New Testament. Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1, 2.
6. The disciples kept the seventh day. Luke 23:56.
7. They did not keep the first day. Luke 24:1.
8. It was the custom of Christ to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath day to instruct the people. Luke 4:16, 31.
9. Christ is our example. 1 Peter 2:21, 22.
10. If we take him for our example in all things, it will be our custom to attend church on the Sabbath day.
I believe you will agree with me that what Jesus said and did about the Sabbath should have more weight with us in deciding which day is the Sabbath, than what man may say and do.
His authority as teacher, interpreter, and guide ought to settle this question in the minds of those who are seeking to walk in his footsteps.
Not only ought we to be willing to follow Christ, who is “Lord of the Sabbath,” and “Head of the church,” but we should rejoice in the privilege.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Eccl. 12:13.
Orlando, Fla.