The secret sabbath? If we took away all the pagan names of the days of the week and disregarded them and then thought about our culture’s treatment of the week, things would be a lot different. Recently, in a new cycle of unearthing old things that were put to rest by the previous generation. A trend of new generation bible believers is recycling an age-old debate. The question of sabbath days, festivals, and foods, and a resurgence of cults that not only observe them but have used these observances to divide the Body of Christ over worship on Saturday verses Sunday. A growing trend of mostly young believers constantly in discussion on the internet defending their belief in observing Jewish tradition, rather than resting in the fellowship of the diverse family of God, who have made Jesus Christ lord of their lives. When the New Testament clearly warns us not to exert the law on others, regarding the sabbaths, feasts, circumcision, and food laws; having divided many over the years.

Colossians 2:10-16

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Col In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Let No One Disqualify You

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath!

Pretty straight forward, isn’t it? The handwriting of ordinances written against us was nailed to the cross!

Let us reason together a little beyond all of that and look at the habits of our American culture that shows a little irony in all of this. For example, without naming the day. What is our first workday in practice in America, that just about everyone and their work acknowledges? The first workday of the week, of course, is Monday. Counting from the first day we go to work each week to the seventh day, what day does that fall on? Everyone knows the first day of creation was the beginning of God’s work week, and the seventh day was the day he rested. Certainly, Genesis did not name the day, he didn’t start the work of creation calling that day Sunday. He started working on creation on the first day. The evening and morning were the first day. His workday for creation was called day one. The seventh day was the day of rest. Culturally, our first day of work is Monday, not Sunday. According to genesis’s own work week, beginning with the first day that God begins to create, the seventh day following is the day of rest after six consecutive days of work. Ironically, if we do the same and count seven days from our first real go to workday in America, the seventh day lands on Sunday. A sabbath surely being kept by a majority of Christians, not a minority sect.

What’s more mind blowing is that the rage against pagan influence from the 7th day camp, (that many in the sect I’m speaking of) divides itself from fellowship with non-Saturday observers. Yet, they observe the pagan assigned titles of each day of the week, not considering the Genesis paradigm. They observe Saturn Day, by acknowledging it as their sabbath day! When according to our own practice in the states our work week for the majority of businesses, and offices, and the trades, starts Monday. Counting that day and six consecutive days later we land on the seventh day. What is called in these parts Sunday. What are we dividing the church over, really? An illusion.

It’s amazing to me how our blind devotion to the law always drifts us away from the reality of grace love and fellowship, kicking us into error every time. That Sunday church goers persecuted by the Saturday bunch, for doing so, may actually be following the genesis model, and meeting on the sabbath anyway. Inadvertently, ignoring the pagan assigned week. While a minority strictly observes Saturday; yet if they counted their Sabbath from the first workday of the week, (which falls on a Monday in the states) Sunday would be the seventh day by the genesis model. In ignoring the assigned pagan names of days, they would find their true seventh day is not the pagan titled Saturday. It seems rather that their debate for observing their sabbath on Saturday, is spreading like wildfire into another generation of believers, unaware that the origins of this sect started out erroneously dating the Lord would come in 1844. Leading many astray and shipwrecked in their faith. The one who revamped the devastated people in 1844 to keep their faith, installed the food restrictions along with their Saturday observance. The new influencer of the Saturday observance established the food restrictions along with their so called sabbath. These are things we are told is not necessary to be concerned over as gentiles, in the Jerusalem council written of in Acts. All are free in Christ to eat as they may. But it should not divide believers or stumble the weak.

Even though from their camp they preach an anti-Christ type changed times and seasons with pagan calendars, why are they acknowledging the pagan week then? And not the genesis model that we actually do, culturally? If we took away all the celestial names of the days of the week and disregarded them and based our days solely on what is already our western society’s first workday, then the seventh day is truly being observed, by our western church goers. For fun you can say that you go to work for five days, on the 6th day you work at home, and on the 7th day you go to church. You know it doesn’t matter, but it is food for thought. Maybe a thought shared when pressure or condemnation is placed on you for not observing Saturday sabbath. For me every day is my rest for Jesus Christ is our sabbath, whom I choose to enter into, daily.

Next: The Lord’s Day, and the day of the Lord. Is there a difference?  Subscribe to NeWinePouring!

More to study:

The New Testament redefines the concept of the Sabbath, emphasizing rest in Jesus Christ rather than strict observance of specific days or rituals. Several passages highlight this shift:

1. Freedom from the Law: Colossians 2:16-17 explains that believers should not be judged regarding sabbaths, holy days, or dietary laws. These were shadows of things to come, fulfilled in Christ. The focus shifts from external observance to internal faith and grace.
2. Jesus as the Fulfillment: In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus invites all who are weary to find rest in Him, presenting Himself as the true Sabbath. The idea is that rest is not confined to a day but found daily in a relationship with Him.
3. Jerusalem Council Guidance: Acts 15 outlines the instructions given to Gentile believers, focusing on avoiding practices tied to idol worship rather than enforcing Jewish sabbath laws. This reinforces the idea that salvation and unity in Christ are paramount over adherence to Old Testament rituals.
4. The Principle of Love and Unity: Paul encourages believers in Romans 14:5-6 to respect individual convictions regarding days of worship. Some may consider one day sacred, while others treat every day alike. The key is honoring God and maintaining unity among believers.

Overall, the New Testament shifts the emphasis from legalistic observance to spiritual rest and freedom in Christ, promoting grace, love, and community over division. If you’d like me to explore specific verses further, just let me know!