Post by mystic on Dec 22, 2018 13:34:05 GMT -8
Yeah I think I got a decent handle on Sabbath protocols for Gentiles now, appreciate the help! This is the Sabbath manual I have put together from all of my readings:
Sabbath commandment is unique, for it contains the seal of God's law. Human beings have the freedom to enter into a relationship with the Creator of the universe as with a personal friend.
Sabbath observance testifies to the fact that we have chosen to obey God's commandment. We thus recognize that our life is now lived in obedience to God's Word. The Sabbath will be a special test in the end time. The believer will have to make a choice either to give allegiance to God's Word or to human authority (Rev 14:7, 12).
But more than sleep and doing nothing, the Sabbath is a day for doing something different: refocusing on God, worshipping and fellowshipping with Christians of like mind (Hebrews 10:24-25), praying, studying the Bible and meditating.
The Sabbath is a day to bond with family, appreciate the creation and do good, perhaps visiting the widows and orphans (James 1:27). The Sabbath should be a delight, not by doing our own hobbies, interests and pleasures, but by honoring God and seeking to please Him and do His will (Isaiah 58:13-14).
When the Sabbath is kept, it is a witness to the rest that comes from trusting God alone as our sustainer, as the basis of our salvation, and as the ground of our hope in the future. As such, the Sabbath is a delight because we have entered God's rest and have accepted the invitation to fellowship with Him.
"The law forbids secular labor on the rest day of the Lord; the toil that gains a livelihood must cease; no labor for worldly pleasure or profit is lawful upon that day; but as God ceased His labor of creating, and rested upon the Sabbath and blessed it, so man is to leave the occupations of his daily life, and devote those sacred hours to healthful rest, to worship, and to holy deeds."
This concept, however, is not supportive of total inactivity. Both the Old and New Testaments invite us to care for the needs and alleviate the sufferings of others, for the Sabbath is a good day for all, particularly the lowly and the oppressed (Ex 23:12; Matt 12:10-13; Mark 2:27; Luke 13:11-17; John 9:1-21).
Yet even good works on the Sabbath must not obscure the chief Biblical characteristic of Sabbath observance, namely, rest (Gen 2:1-3). This includes both physical (Ex 23:12) and spiritual rest in God (Matt 11:28). The latter leads the Sabbath observer to seek the presence of, and communion with God in worship (Isa 48:13), both in quiet meditation (Matt 12:1-8) and in public worship
When Friday night approaches and sundown is near, adults and children will be able to greet the Sabbath with tranquility of mind, with all preparation finished, and with the home in readiness to spend the next 24 hours with God and with one another.
Friday night is spent will set the stage for receiving the blessings that the Lord has in store for the entire day which follows.
Sabbath afternoons, as far as possible, will be spent in family activities--exploring nature; making missionary visits to shut-ins, the sick, or others in need of encouragement; and attending meetings in the church.
Sabbath observance includes both worship and fellowship
It is an opportunity for believers to recognize and reach their God-given potential. Thus, to the believer the Sabbath is a delight.
The sense of Sabbath holiness is threatened particularly by the wrong kinds of fellowship and activities. By contrast, the sacredness of the Sabbath is upheld when the Creator remains the center of that holy day.
By appealing to culture we may be guilty of giving ourselves license or excuse to indulge in sports and recreational activities that are incompatible with Sabbath holiness. For example, intensive physical exertion and various forms of tourism are out of harmony with true Sabbath observance.
Any attempt to regulate Sabbath observance beyond Biblical principles by developing lists of Sabbath prohibitions will be counterproductive to a sound spiritual experience. The Christian will test his Sabbath experience by principle. He knows that it is the main purpose of the Sabbath to strengthen the bond of union between himself and God. Thus one's activities guided by Biblical principles and contributing toward such a strengthening are acceptable.
Respecting the sacredness of the seventh day, avoid using the day for a holiday set aside for sightseeing and secular activity.
Sabbath commandment is unique, for it contains the seal of God's law. Human beings have the freedom to enter into a relationship with the Creator of the universe as with a personal friend.
Sabbath observance testifies to the fact that we have chosen to obey God's commandment. We thus recognize that our life is now lived in obedience to God's Word. The Sabbath will be a special test in the end time. The believer will have to make a choice either to give allegiance to God's Word or to human authority (Rev 14:7, 12).
But more than sleep and doing nothing, the Sabbath is a day for doing something different: refocusing on God, worshipping and fellowshipping with Christians of like mind (Hebrews 10:24-25), praying, studying the Bible and meditating.
The Sabbath is a day to bond with family, appreciate the creation and do good, perhaps visiting the widows and orphans (James 1:27). The Sabbath should be a delight, not by doing our own hobbies, interests and pleasures, but by honoring God and seeking to please Him and do His will (Isaiah 58:13-14).
When the Sabbath is kept, it is a witness to the rest that comes from trusting God alone as our sustainer, as the basis of our salvation, and as the ground of our hope in the future. As such, the Sabbath is a delight because we have entered God's rest and have accepted the invitation to fellowship with Him.
"The law forbids secular labor on the rest day of the Lord; the toil that gains a livelihood must cease; no labor for worldly pleasure or profit is lawful upon that day; but as God ceased His labor of creating, and rested upon the Sabbath and blessed it, so man is to leave the occupations of his daily life, and devote those sacred hours to healthful rest, to worship, and to holy deeds."
This concept, however, is not supportive of total inactivity. Both the Old and New Testaments invite us to care for the needs and alleviate the sufferings of others, for the Sabbath is a good day for all, particularly the lowly and the oppressed (Ex 23:12; Matt 12:10-13; Mark 2:27; Luke 13:11-17; John 9:1-21).
Yet even good works on the Sabbath must not obscure the chief Biblical characteristic of Sabbath observance, namely, rest (Gen 2:1-3). This includes both physical (Ex 23:12) and spiritual rest in God (Matt 11:28). The latter leads the Sabbath observer to seek the presence of, and communion with God in worship (Isa 48:13), both in quiet meditation (Matt 12:1-8) and in public worship
When Friday night approaches and sundown is near, adults and children will be able to greet the Sabbath with tranquility of mind, with all preparation finished, and with the home in readiness to spend the next 24 hours with God and with one another.
Friday night is spent will set the stage for receiving the blessings that the Lord has in store for the entire day which follows.
Sabbath afternoons, as far as possible, will be spent in family activities--exploring nature; making missionary visits to shut-ins, the sick, or others in need of encouragement; and attending meetings in the church.
Sabbath observance includes both worship and fellowship
It is an opportunity for believers to recognize and reach their God-given potential. Thus, to the believer the Sabbath is a delight.
The sense of Sabbath holiness is threatened particularly by the wrong kinds of fellowship and activities. By contrast, the sacredness of the Sabbath is upheld when the Creator remains the center of that holy day.
By appealing to culture we may be guilty of giving ourselves license or excuse to indulge in sports and recreational activities that are incompatible with Sabbath holiness. For example, intensive physical exertion and various forms of tourism are out of harmony with true Sabbath observance.
Any attempt to regulate Sabbath observance beyond Biblical principles by developing lists of Sabbath prohibitions will be counterproductive to a sound spiritual experience. The Christian will test his Sabbath experience by principle. He knows that it is the main purpose of the Sabbath to strengthen the bond of union between himself and God. Thus one's activities guided by Biblical principles and contributing toward such a strengthening are acceptable.
Respecting the sacredness of the seventh day, avoid using the day for a holiday set aside for sightseeing and secular activity.
- there are 70 faces to 
