| Author | Message | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 860 Registered: 7-2003  |
Ever since the Lincoln FAF has been posted on the main FAF website I have been receiving a steady trickle of inquiries from both SDA and non-SDAs. Some of the inquiries come from Lincoln and others come from around the country. Almost all have one thing in common, questions about the Sabbath. I have prepared a brief listing of resources that I have been sharing with these folks. This is not an exhaustive list, but just a few of the resources that I think will help them start their study. The resources list is proceeded by a brief preamble that summarizes what I personally believe the Bible teaches on the Sabbath. I thought I would share this list of resources with the the group here since there are several new members on the forum. I'm really excited about what the Holy Spirit is doing in Lincoln and here on this forum! I believe a lot of people are being helped and that God is at work. May the name of Jesus be lifted up in all that we do and say. The following comments and resources are presented in that spirit. In short, I believe that the Decalogue was a summary of the Old Covenant. In its very center was the ceremonial sign of the Old Covenant, the Sabbath. Christians live under the New Covenant with a new ceremonial sign, The Lordís Supper. New Covenant Christians are called to an even higher standard of morality than what was conveyed in the Old Covenant. Although there are some similarities between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant, there are also some marked dissimilarities. My view on the Sabbath is that some may think one day is more holy than another day, while others may think every day is alike. Each person can have their own personal conviction about this matter. Those who have a special day for worshiping the Lord are trying to honor him. But don't let anyone condemn you for not celebrating certain holy days or the Sabbath. These rituals were only shadows of the real thing, Christ himself. God's promise of entering his place of rest still stands and only we who believe can enter his place of rest. The time for entering his place of rest is today, right now. This new place of rest isnít a certain day of the week. This special Sabbath-like rest is only found through faith in Christ. Jesus is our true Sabbath rest. He is what the shadows could only point to. He is the complete fulfillment of all the shadows. The Sabbath rest for New Covenant Christians is not a day of the week, but a Person, Jesus Christ Himself. You may find it helpful to review the teaching given to the early Christians on this matter in Romans 14:1-8, Colossians 2:13-17, and Hebrews Chapters 3 & 4. Since the Sabbath issue truly deserves in-depth study, I would like to suggest a few more resources that may be of some help. The first is an audio study that my wife and I found to be very helpful during our transition. The study can be listened to in streaming audio, downloaded for free as mp3, or ordered on tape. It is by former SDA pastor, J. Mark Martin, now the head pastor of a large Calvary Chapel in Phoenix. The study is called "The Gospel and the Covenants" and you can access it here: Gospel & Covenants The next resource is a helpful article by former SDA pastor, Clay Peck, now the head pastor of Grace Place in Colorado. The article is called, "Is Sabbath Observance Required for New Covenant Christians" and it can be found here: New Covenant Christians Here is a very helpful step by step study you may wish to go through: Sabbath Finally, I would like to very heartily recommend what I believe to be the very best book on the subject ever written (and I've read several). It is called "Sabbath in Christ" by Dale Ratzlaff. This outstanding book may be ordered here: Sabbath in Christ Chris Lee Lincoln, NE | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 36 Registered: 4-2005 |
Dear Chris, I lost my message, so I'll begin again. Thanks for these references. I also found one you may wish to investigate. It holds a unique different perspective and some points I had never thought about, due to the fact that it is written by Jews who have accepted Christ as Messiah. http://www.ariel.org/mshabbat.html [Don't know why the link didn't work] Chris, I'd like to chat with you a bit. If interested drop me a line at JDixon1@bak.rr.com Jess | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2207 Registered: 12-2003  |
Chris, what an excellent reference you've prepared! Thank you for sharing it with us. It's so encouraging to see more and more people asking questions and beginning to study! Colleen | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 863 Registered: 7-2003 |
Jess, thanks for the link. I've read this article at Ariel Ministries in the past, but had lost the link. It is indeed an excellent article that I would recommend to anyone. In fact, I provided this article to my pastor about a year ago when he did a summer sermon series on the Ten Commandments. I don't think it changed his mind much though and he said something about "throwing the baby out with the bathwater". He truly doesn't have a legalistic bone in his body, but sees excellent "principles" in the Decalogue that people need to hear. I think there is some validity to this approach and readily admit that I am overly sensitive to Ten Commandment sermons after 30 years as and SDA. I'll shoot you a note this afternoon. Chris | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 799 Registered: 10-2004  |
I just found that the article that used to be on ariel.org's web site called "The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ," is no longer there. (It used to be located at http://www.ariel.org/ff00006c.html) But archive.org has a copy of the article at: http://web.archive.org/web/20041021012419/http://www.ariel.org/ff00006c.html It was an excerpt from Arnold Fruchtenbaum's radio program. It looks like you can order a PDF file of the radio transcript here, for $3. Fortunately, Jess's link above to Manuscript Study: Are Jewish Believers Obliged To Keep The Sabbath? is still (for now at least) on their website. Jeremy | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 865 Registered: 7-2003 |
My bad, I think I sent "The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ" to my pastor. I thought it was the same article. I've searched everywhere and can't find a cached version of "The Law of Moses and the Law of Christ". Too bad, it's a great article. I'll read the one you linked more thoroughly Jess. Chris | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 236 Registered: 5-2004 |
I had copied the article into a word document. Anyone who wants it just give me your email and I'll send it.  BTW: great post above Chris! | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 866 Registered: 7-2003 |
I would love to have it Esther: ambulater@neb.rr.com | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2214 Registered: 12-2003 |
Me too, Esther! proclamation@gmail.com Thanks. Colleen | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 947 Registered: 7-2003  |
me 3... melissasmail@everestkc.net Thanks! | ||
| Tisha Registered user Username: Tisha Post Number: 103 Registered: 3-2005 |
me 4! But I don't want to post my email address, so... Colleen, can you forward it to me please? No rush - thanks! -tisha | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 803 Registered: 10-2004 |
My link to a cached copy of the article seems to have gotten overlooked. The article is online at: http://web.archive.org/web/20041021012419/http://www.ariel.org/ff00006c.html Jeremy | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 867 Registered: 7-2003 |
Oh yeah......duh. Thanks Jeremy. Esther, I guess you cancenl my request. Thanks though. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2224 Registered: 12-2003 |
Uh--me too, Chris! Thanks for sending it, though, Esther!! Colleen | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 949 Registered: 7-2003 |
okay, cancel me too....I some how thought that was a different article.... | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 804 Registered: 10-2004 |
There are two articles, the other one is still on the ariel.org site itself: http://www.ariel.org/mshabbat.html Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on June 30, 2005) |
