The Sabbath and the Apostles – The Sabbath Part 5

Paul Preaching

Evidence can be seen in the New Testament to show that both the apostles and the Gentiles acknowledged and observed the Sabbath command:

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.” – Acts 1:12 KJV

Note: If the Sabbath command was nullified or changed upon the resurrection of Christ, then what sense would there have been in using it as a measure of time—“a sabbath day’s journey?”

“Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:” (Acts 13:13-16 NKJV)

Note: Paul and his party went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down, and were asked at some point if they had something to say. Thus they weren’t merely there to share a message, but to listen to the reading of the Law and the Prophets. In other words, they were there for worship.

“Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.” – Acts 13:13-16 KJV

Note: Interestingly, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. I find this to be interesting because: a. If Gentiles didn’t have to observe the Sabbath day but had another day to gather on, then why were they there in the first place? b. If the Sabbath day was changed from the seventh day to the first day of the week, then why didn’t Paul just simply say, “Why wait until next Sabbath when we can gather together to teach you these things tomorrow—the first day of the week, in honor of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?”

Don’t you find this to be a little peculiar? After all, the Scriptures make it very clear that it was on the next Sabbath that they fulfilled this request; and almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. Hence it doesn’t sound like the Sabbath command was thrown out or transferred to Sunday; rather, it sounds like the Sabbath command was still binding. Not only for the Jews, but also for the Apostles and the Gentiles.

“And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” – Acts 16:13 KJV

Note: Here the Sabbath day is still acknowledged. Surely if it was changed there would have been no sense in making mention of it in such a casual way.

“And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures” – Acts 17:2 KJV

Note: It is hardly customary to do something for only three days. For that which is customary is that which is done regularly. Incidentally, it was Jesus custom to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath too: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.” (Luke 4:16 KJV). Hence Paul was following in the steps of Jesus Christ by living in obedience to the Commandments of God, and we should too.

“And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” – Acts 18:4 KJV

Note: Again, we can see that Paul went into the synagogue every Sabbath where both Jews and Gentiles were present. Granted, he sought to persuade them to believe in Jesus Christ.  But if Paul was only there for this purpose then why didn’t he set an example before the Gentiles that they no longer had to observe the Sabbath command on the seventh day, and give them instruction to gather together to hear him speak on the first day?

In my opinion, it can’t be any clearer that the Sabbath day was not only acknowledged by the Apostles; it was also observed by them and the Gentiles.

Please click on the link below to read part 6 of this series.