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Paul Kept the True Sabbath

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 25.

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Paul Kept the True Sabbath

By A. C. Ames

A. C. AMES, M. D.
WHEN the Jews in their argument with Stephen “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” (Acts 6: 10), and when they arrested him and brought him before the council for trial, and hired false witnesses to testify against him, who said, “This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law” (verse 13), it is worthy of note that nothing was said about his teaching the observance of Sunday in place of the Sabbath. If he had taught or practised such a thing, they would surely have brought it up against him; nor would they have needed “false” witnesses in order to do so, for the charge would have been a true one.
The same is true of Paul, nearly thirty years after the crucifixion, when he was brought before Festus for preaching that Jesus was the Messiah foretold by the prophets, and that he was risen from the dead. In his own defense he said, “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended anything at all.” Acts 25: 8. If he had taught the observance of Sunday, instead of the Sabbath, they would surely have mentioned it, and he would not have denied that he had taught “against the law of the Jews.” He would have attempted to justify himself in so doing.
These two incidents are sufficient to justify us in believing that the early disciples kept the Sabbath, and not Sunday, as is claimed. We find nothing to the contrary recorded in the Scriptures; for, eager as the Jews were to find charges against the Christians, they would not have passed by the opportunity to accuse them of Sabbath-breaking if they had kept another day instead of the seventh.
The same was true in regard to the charges they made against Jesus himself; but that argument is met by the claim that Jesus did not make the change till after his resurrection. This claim will not answer in the cases of Stephen and Paul. We must conclude, rather, that such a change was never made, and that the Sabbath command is still as binding as when given on Sinai.
Mountain Grove, Mo.