Definition and Origin:
Sabbath-keeping refers to the practice of observing the Sabbath, a day set apart for rest and worship. The concept originates from the biblical account of creation, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. This is recorded in Genesis 2:2-3 : "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."

Biblical Commandment:
The observance of the Sabbath is enshrined in the Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:8-11 states: "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God; on it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

Purpose and Significance:
The Sabbath serves multiple purposes. It is a day of rest, reflecting God's rest after creation, and a sign of the covenant between God and His people. It is also a time for spiritual renewal and worship, allowing individuals to focus on their relationship with God. In Deuteronomy 5:15 , the Sabbath is also linked to the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt: "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day."

Sabbath in the New Testament:
In the New Testament, Jesus' approach to the Sabbath is significant. He emphasized the spirit of the law over the letter, challenging the Pharisaical interpretations that burdened the day with excessive regulations. In Mark 2:27-28 , Jesus declared, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." This highlights the intended benefit of the Sabbath for humanity and Christ's authority over it.

Christian Observance:
The early Christian church grappled with the observance of the Sabbath, especially as Gentile converts increased. While some early Christians continued to observe the traditional Jewish Sabbath, others began to gather on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This practice is noted in Acts 20:7 : "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread."

Theological Perspectives:
Theological perspectives on Sabbath-keeping vary among Christian denominations. Some, like Seventh-day Adventists, maintain Saturday as the Sabbath, emphasizing its perpetual moral obligation. Others view Sunday as the "Lord's Day," a day for Christian worship and rest, reflecting the new creation inaugurated by Christ's resurrection. Colossians 2:16-17 offers insight into the early church's view: "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ."

Practical Observance:
Practically, Sabbath-keeping involves setting aside regular work and dedicating time to rest, worship, and family. It is a time to reflect on God's provision and grace, fostering a rhythm of work and rest that honors God's design for human life.

Sabbath Observance
... their perishableness was the excuse for allowing their sale on the Sabbath, as is
sometimes the case in fishing-villages even in Sabbath-keeping Scotland. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sabbath observance.htm

Hebrews iii. 11-Jul
... For he said not rest but "Sabbath-keeping"; calling the kingdom "Sabbath-keeping,"
by the appropriate name, and that which they rejoiced in and were attracted ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily vi hebrews iii 11-jul.htm

The Limitations of Earth's Great Week.
... seventh day of Gen.2:3. Sixth; the Millennium is distinctly termed "a
Sabbath-keeping""Heb.4:9. Seventh, whatever may be thought ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/9 the limitations of earths.htm

Prayer and the Word of God (Continued)
... Right through His earthly life Jesus observed Sabbath-keeping, church-going and
the reading of the Word of God, and had prayer intermingled with them all: ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiii prayer and the word.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... The marginal rendering of the word "rest" is the "keeping of a Sabbath." "Hence
there is being left over a sabbath keeping for the people of God.""Rotherham. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

After the War.
... Early legislation had not steered clear of the error of attempting to enforce
Sabbath-keeping as a religious duty by civil penalties; and some relics of that ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xx after the war.htm

Hindrances to Revivals.
... A few years ago an attempt was made in the western part of this State, to establish
and sustain a Sabbath-keeping line of boats and stages. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xv hindrances to revivals.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... The first (xciii.) is called for by the song for the Sabbath (xcii.), which speaks
of the millennial Sabbath-keeping which is to come, and tells of the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

The Two Yokes
... Well, you have given up Christ's yoke; and Sabbath keeping seems to be too hard
a thing for you. Are you better off? Are you really better off? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the two yokes.htm

Give us Today Our Needful Bread
... When a man has had vision of these things and has given thought to a week of ages
with intent to contemplate a kind of holy sabbath"keeping and a month of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xvii give us today.htm

Sabbath-keeping (1 Occurrence)
Sabbath-keeping. Sabbatheus, Sabbath-keeping. Sabbath-produce .
Multi-Version Concordance Sabbath-keeping (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sabbath-keeping.htm - 6k

Sabbatheus

/s/sabbatheus.htm - 6k

Sabbath-produce (1 Occurrence)
Sabbath-produce. Sabbath-keeping, Sabbath-produce. Sabbath-rest . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See JPS). Sabbath-keeping, Sabbath-produce. Sabbath-rest . ...
/s/sabbath-produce.htm - 6k

Lord's (548 Occurrences)
... the observance of a given day as a matter of Divine obligation is denounced by Paul
as a forsaking of Christ (Galatians 4:10), and Sabbath-keeping is condemned ...
/l/lord's.htm - 88k

Day (17670 Occurrences)
... the observance of a given day as a matter of Divine obligation is denounced by Paul
as a forsaking of Christ (Galatians 4:10), and Sabbath-keeping is condemned ...
/d/day.htm - 70k

Does God require Sabbath-keeping of Christians? | GotQuestions.org

What day is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday? Do Christians have to observe the Sabbath day? | GotQuestions.org

How is Jesus our Sabbath Rest? | GotQuestions.org

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