A Boomerang Argument

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jan 17, 1911

A Boomerang Argument

THE following is a sample argument of a man who tells us why he does not observe the Sabbath. After a deal of utter misrepresentation of those who do, and of the Bible, he gives this as one of his reasons; it is a fair sample of all:

Paul, who was an able minister of the Gospel of Christ, says that he had not shunned to declare all the counsel of God; that he kept back nothing that was profitable. But when does Paul preach seventh-day Sabbath-keeping?

When does Paul say this?—In Acts 20:27, 20. What else does he say?—Listen: "How I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but . . . have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Verses 20, 21.

What is "repentance"?—Godly sorrow for sin, turning away from sin. See 2 Cor. 7:10. What is sin?—"Sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. What law is here referred to?—The Decalogue, the law which declares, "Thou shalt not covet." "Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Rom. 7:7.

Again: Paul declared "all the counsel of God." Where is the counsel of God found? Where is that which "is profitable" found?—In the Holy Scriptures; for "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

Doubtless all know that the Scriptures here referred to are the Old Testament Scriptures, "which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Verse 15.

Once more: Paul taught faith in Jesus Christ; what effect does faith have upon the law in the heart of the believer?—"Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law."

This writer says that he rests "in the finished work of Christ." It is well. Only the righteousness of God in Christ will avail; but the righteousness of Christ was wrought out in perfect obedience to all the Decalogue, including the fourth precept. Christ's perfect Sabbath-keeping must cover our Sabbath-breaking; but it will not if we continue in sin. Shall we make "Christ a minister of sin"? Or shall we let Him save us from sin and sinning? Let the writer of the above argument seek his reason for Sabbath-transgression in Rom. 8:7. He may there find help.