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Shabbat Tov! A Sabbath Primer for Gentile BelieversThe following are excerpts from Shabbat Tov! A Sabbath Primer for Gentile BelieversGod's Sabbath, Genesis 2:2-3

As expected, strong in the Old Testament, weak in the new. There are countless scriptures that talk about our freedom from the bondage of the old covenant Law. To suggest to Gentile believers reading this primer that Col 2:17is the only prooftext on the Sabbath is grossly misleading.The real problem arises when people feel like they gain favor, standing, blessing or anything from God engaging in shadow-worship when the reality has come. The super-Jews I deal with who advocate Law/feast/Sabbath-keeping as a healthy part of the Christian life get angry at anyone who points out the countless scriptures that speak of our freedom from the Law and spent a lot of energy undermining Pauls writings. The Law is not of faith.As insidious as this leaven is, I'm going to join Paul and say Cast out the bond woman and her son and agree with him that the tutor has nothing more to teach the believer. While Paul clearly taught that we should allow those weak in faith to grow in faith and freedom from the Law and all of its observances without judgment, he did not advocate their practice and neither did the Acts 15council.If relying on the Law severs us from Christ and causes us to fall from grace, why even risk it and say I'll practice these feasts and keep Sabbath and I'll guard my heart against relying on them and won't feel at all guilty if I break a Sabbath or miss a feast. The trap is just too easy to fall into. Shoot, we already find it too easy to rely on our religious rule-keeping as the basis for confidence toward God - we feel like bad stuff is going to happen or God is hurt or disappointed when we miss a Sunday service or we feel like money is tight because we haven't tithed I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!My website: www.bradfreeman.comMy blog: bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/

show me one place where the post expects, requires any believer, Jew or Gentile, to observe the Sabbath as a means of salvation or continuing in our relationship with God. There's not one!As for the OT references, they simply revealed the Sabbath as it evolved from pre-law, to law to 1st-century Pharisee observation.You have judged the post on your on prejudices.And you have not given any evidence based upon the context of 2 Colossians 17that the position presented is not a viable application.No on should be judged in how they honor God within the context of worshipping the one and true God, the God of Israel, the God of the Saints, whether they choose to honor God, not by requirement, but in a tradition that honors Him in spirit and truth.So, don't expect me to lock-horns with your anti, defaming The Law of God which is holy and the foundation for faith in our Lord and Savior and Salvation The HammerMi kamocah ba'elim AdonaiWho is like you, Adonai, among the mighty? (Exodus 15:11

Thanks Maq,Let's be clear: I do not defame the Law. Paul, not me, said the Law was weak, useless, obsolete, contrary to faith, increased, empowered and brought the imputation of sin. The Law (the message of our sin, guilt and condemnation) is simply not the Truth.I haven't argued against your application of Col 2:17, but have made it clear that there are MANY MORE scriptures that make it clear that it is God's plan that the Law, the ministry of condemnation and death, vanish.Faith has come and replaced the Law as our means of dominion over sin, righteousness, peace and joy.The law is NOT our foundation for faith. Jesus is.I'm simply presenting, for the inquiring mind, the Truth I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!My website: www.bradfreeman.comMy blog: bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/

although I find your post prejudicial and do not present Paul's balanced presentation of The Law, and in this case an intrusion because what I posted had no intent to suggest anyone is bound by the Law to observe the Sabbath, I will let you have the last word on the issue The HammerMi kamocah ba'elim AdonaiWho is like you, Adonai, among the mighty? (Exodus 15:11

If Friday night/Saturday day are the God-ordained time for worship, then it stands to reason that worship on any other day is not God-ordained. The issues to me is the synagogue system. Where in scripture (perhaps there is a passage I am overlooking) that establishes going to synagogue on the Sabbath as the ordained expression of worshiping God?Did Jesus say, upon this synagogue system I will establish my church?What happen to Christians, like Paul, when they were throw out of the synagogue (and the Temple for that matter) for their Confession of Christ? Was their worship diminished in comparison to that which took place in the synagogue?What about the gentile believer that did not have full access to the synagogue or the temple? Did the Christians have to sit at the feet of the Jewish leaders of the synagogue and be taught the scripture even if the leader had not confess Jesus as the Christ? Does this invalidate the home churches of the New Testament that were established in place of the synagogue or when there was no Jewish presence in the town?Do we get credit for all the revivals, camps, conventions, conferences, retreats, men's & women's gathering, youth group and regular church services that we have attended on a Friday night or Saturday day as keeping the Sabbath? Over my life time in church I believe I have spent more time in church on a Friday night or Saturday day than most Jews I know have been in synagogue or Seventh Day Adventist have been at Sabbath Worship. Do I get Sabbath Credit for that?

Sabbath was initially a family, in the home event on Friday evenings and the Synagogue as a gathering on Saturday morning for prayer and Scripture reading/study developed during the Babylonian Exile.The home, as you pointed out, became central for gatherings, or assemblings.It is interesting that the post seems to draw fire firsts from Brad because he suggests the post requires Jews and Gentiles to observe Sabbath, when it doesn't. It suggests if you choose to observe Sabbath you shouldn't be judged, nor should those who don't observe be judged.And now you seem to be bothered and wonder if all your observations count. I guess it depends on whose counting.A final thought: Where would the Church be today if it wasn't for Jews observing Sabbath in a Synagogue? Proved to be a great evangelistic tool for Paul The HammerMi kamocah ba'elim AdonaiWho is like you, Adonai, among the mighty? (Exodus 15:11

There was a season in which the early church was nursed by its Jewish mother, and yes the Gospel was preached to and spread by the Jewish communities that comprised the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, at first. However, as God planned, the Temple and the Temple system was demolished so that the church could move beyond the confines of restrictive Jewish practice. If a rabbi does not believe in Jesus as the Messiah, then he does not understand Old Testament scripture. Why would I sit under his teaching on a Saturday when he can't tell me how to be saved any day of week?

Re: Brad.

That Maq,Neither Jesus nor Paul presented a balance of Law and grace, old wine and new, Hagar and Sarah or Zion and Sinai. It's Law or grace, life or death, Truth or lie, light or darkness, sonship or slavery, freedom or bondage, condemnation or righteousness...not both in balance.We don't get to pick a handful of our favorite old testament practices and engage in them...Sabbath, tithing, feast, 10 commandments. When we derive ANY of our confidence toward God from these practices, we are cursed unless we keep the whole law.Gal. 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in