REVIEW OF ELD. STORR by A. Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 6, 1876

REVIEW OF ELD. STORR.

By A. Smith

We have received from Bro. A. Smith, of Ottawa Co., Mich., a review of one Eld. Storr, on the Sabbath question. It is too lengthy for one paper, and we conclude it will be of more interest to the reader to cut it up by subjects, and give a portion each week. The first division we will entitle

JUDAIZING TEACHERS.

Soon after Eld. Frisbie finished his labors at Hudsonville, Mich., Eld. Storr (Baptist) preached a sermon at that place against the Sabbath of the decalogue, and endeavored to show that it has been superseded by the so-called Christian Sabbath. I had the privilege of being present and taking notes.

He took, for his text, Gal. 4:9-11, and in the course of his remarks made the following points of interest, which I have endeavored to answer:—

Eld. Storr: “The disciples were taught by Judaizing teachers to observe times, and laws, and ceremonies; and those who now teach the observance of the Jewish Sabbath commit the same error; they detract from the glory of Christ in the redemption of man. The tenth verse doubtless refers to the weekly Sabbath.”

Ans. In the former dispensation there were two laws, one of which was written upon stone by the finger of God, and placed within the ark (see Ex. 31:18; 25:16, 21), a copy of which was afterward to be written in the hearts of believers when the earthly ministration should have ceased and the heavenly ministration begun. See Heb. 8:10; and chapter 9. The other was the law of types and shadows pertaining to the earthly ministration, and was binding only till Christ came, to whose cross it was nailed. See Eph. 2:14, 15; Col. 2:14.

This law of types and shadows was written by Moses in a book and placed in the side of the ark. Deut. 31:26. Some, in Paul’s time, taught that it was still binding upon Christians; see Acts 15:1, 5; Gal. 2:11-14; but against this error Paul bore a decided testimony. Of the moral law, however, he declared that we do not make it void through faith, but rather that we so establish it. Rom. 3:31.

Mr. S—— calls the Sabbath a Jewish institution, whereas, in the Bible it is called the “Sabbath of the Lord,” &c. Ex. 20:10; Lev. 23:3; Neh. 9:14; Isa. 58:13. Is it not an insult to the Author of the Sabbath thus to debase it? The term “Jewish Sabbath” is not in the Bible.

If the tenth verse in his text refers, as he says, to the weekly Sabbath, how can people keep Sunday as such without also observing days, and hence coming under the ban of the apostle? We think that the term “days” in that verse refers to the ceremonial Sabbaths of the first covenant. See Col. 2:16; Lev. 23:32; 25:8; also Clarke’s Commentary on Col. 2:16.

Mr. S—— next affirmed that the Sabbath was instituted in Eden; and that, though there is no positive mention of it afterward till after the exode, he believes it was faithfully kept as a memorial of creation till that time. To this we respond, Amen! We heartily indorse the statement.

Eld. S——: “At the giving of the law from Sinai, the Sabbath law was incorporated with the ten commandments for a specific purpose; it was thence to be observed as a memorial of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage.” Deut. 5:15.

Ans. For the same reason God commanded his people to be merciful to the stranger, the widow, and the bondman; and to be just in weights and measures. See Deut. 15:14, 15; 24:17, 18; Lev. 19:35–37.

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt, and as such could not keep the Sabbath properly, nor observe the laws of justice and mercy; but now they were free, and God held them responsible. He directed them to call to mind their former servitude by way of contrast with their present condition, as an incentive to virtue.