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God's Sabbath
Bible Study by Richard T. RitenbaughThe seventh-day Sabbath holds a central place in our relationship with God, serving as a weekly devotion to Him and a barometer of our spiritual connection. Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, demonstrated its true intent through His actions, as recorded in the gospels. He kept the Sabbath, as seen in Luke 4:16, where it was His custom to attend synagogue on that day. Similarly, the Apostle Paul observed the Sabbath, regularly teaching in synagogues on the Sabbath day, as noted in Acts 17:1-2. The early church also followed this practice, gathering on the Sabbath for worship and instruction, as evidenced in Acts 13:42-44 and 16:13. Thus, the Sabbath remains a vital sign of God's people, identifying their commitment to Him through faithful observance.
Did God Change the Sign From the Sabbath to the Holy Spirit?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeA common idea is that the Sabbath is the sign of the Old Covenant, but the Holy Spirit is the sign of the New. Yet the seventh day has been holy since creation.
The Fourth Commandment (Part Two): Christ's Attitude Toward the Sabbath
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughNowhere in the Bible is the Sabbath annulled by a command or example of Jesus Christ or the apostles. In the gospels, the controversy surrounding the Sabbath always centers on how, not whether, to keep it. Jesus never declares that it no longer matters or that we are exempt from observing it. He very obviously kept the Sabbath, as evidenced by the Jews' attacks, which focused on His manner of observance rather than accusing Him of neglecting it. He answers any notion that He kept it merely for tradition by stating that the Sabbath was made for man, not just for Jews, and that He is Lord of it. As our example, we are to walk as He walked, keeping the same days He did. Jesus' attitude toward the Sabbath shows that, far from annulling it, He magnified it. He restores the Sabbath to its original God-given intent, liberalizing it only in contrast to the Pharisees' perverted, bondage-producing approach. Through His actions, such as healing on the Sabbath, He demonstrates that it is a day for doing good, emphasizing that failing to do good when the opportunity arises implies evil. His redemptive mission ties directly to the Sabbath's concepts of blessing, deliverance, liberty, and redemption, as seen when He identifies His purpose as setting people free from bondage on a Sabbath day. In various encounters, Jesus reinforces the Sabbath as a day of mercy and loving service. When His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath to satisfy hunger, He justifies their actions by highlighting that the Sabbath is meant to ensure life, not deprive it, and that mercy overrides strict ritual in unusual circumstances. His healings on the Sabbath further reveal its liberating intent, showing that works of salvation are appropriate on this day. Through these examples, Jesus establishes clear patterns of attending services, fellowshipping, teaching truth, and performing acts of kindness that bring liberty, joy, and peace to others on the Sabbath.
Sabbathkeeping (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus clearly understood that He was to keep the Sabbath, and He did so diligently. The Sabbath was made for mankind, not just for a specific group, and He observed it as part of His obedience to God's purpose. His actions demonstrated that the Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, showing that He, the Creator, is their God. Jesus magnified the Sabbath's importance, correcting misunderstandings and emphasizing its intent to be a liberating delight rather than a burden. He taught that the focus of Sabbath observance is not on the amount of energy expended, but on the purpose and intent behind the actions performed on this holy day. In confronting superficial judgments, He urged a righteous approach to Sabbath-keeping, applying principles of justice, compassion, and faithfulness to ensure that the day serves God's will and fosters right relationships with Him and others.
Sabbathkeeping (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe biblical instructions for Sabbath keeping apply far more to the church than to the Israelites, who did not have the fullness of scriptural counsel.
The Fourth Commandment
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsThe Sabbath is foundational to a healthy relationship with God. It is special, holy day of rest and time to reconnect with our Creator.
Rome's Challenge (Part 1)
Article by StaffThe Catholic Church admits to changing the day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday. Protestants who keep Sunday are bowing to presumed Catholic authority.
Rome's Challenge (Part 2)
Article by StaffProtestantism recognizes no rule of faith except the Bible, yet the Bible nowhere gives Protestantism the authority to change the day of worship to Sunday.
So Little Respect
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To human nature, following Christ or keeping the Sabbath is such a big obstacle that all kinds of twisted reasoning to avoid keeping God's commands.
Has Time Been Lost?
Herbert W. Armstrong BookletHow can we know which day is the true seventh day God blessed and made holy? Has time been lost? Were not ten days dropped out of it at one time?
The Signs of God (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeCorrect actions become a sign—a witness—even without any preaching, which is why God's words are symbolically bound to the hand rather than the tongue.
Did Christ's Resurrection Change the Day of Worship? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeProtestants will not concede Papal authority. Instead, they justify Sunday-worship by saying they are honoring the day on which Christ rose from the dead.
The Fourth Commandment (Part One) (1997)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughMost people think the fourth commandment is least important, but it may be one of the most important! It is a major facet of our relationship with God.
Disbelief
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeCan anything be more paradoxical than professing Christians not following the words of the One they claim as their Savior? In works they deny Him.
The Commandments (Part Five)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath is a period of time God purposefully sanctified and set apart for the benefit of mankind, a time dedicated to God's spiritual creation.
The Commandments (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe work required on the Sabbath is to prepare for the Kingdom of God, fellowshipping with our brethren, serving where possible, and relieving burdens.
Rome's Challenge (Part 3)
Article by StaffJesus never deviated from observing the 7th-day Sabbath, nor ever hinted at moving its holiness or sanctification to the first day of the week.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus magnified the Sabbath, giving principles by which to judge our activities. Each time Jesus taught about the Sabbath, He emphasized some form of redemption.
The Commandments (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod gave the Sabbath to His people so they can know Him intimately. Idolatry, scattering, and captivity are the natural consequences of Sabbath-breaking.
A Search For Christmas Truth?
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughRejecting the Sabbath or embracing Christmas requires rejecting fundamental biblical truths. If we do not do what Christ did, we cannot claim to follow Christ.
The Fourth Commandment (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Sabbath reminds us that God is Creator and that we were once in slavery to sin. The Sabbath is a time of blessing, deliverance, liberty, and redemption.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughUniversal in scope, the Edenic Covenant introduces God to mankind as his Creator and establishes the way human beings are to relate to Him and the creation.
Does Doctrine Really Matter? (Part Fourteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has sanctified no day other than the Sabbath. Sunday worship is a pagan deviation, perpetuated by Gnosticism, a movement that despises God's laws.
'After Three Days'
Booklet by Richard T. RitenbaughA scriptural explanation of the time of Christ's death, burial and resurrection, showing that He died on a Wednesday and rose from the dead on the Sabbath.
Acts (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul's insistence that a relationship with God could not be established by keeping the law did not lead to the conclusion that the law had been done away.
The Commandments (Part Eight)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughIn our hectic culture, we commit far too little time to God, depriving ourselves of the Holy Spirit and attenuating the faith required to draw close to God.
How Far Have We Fallen? (Part Five)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The current persecution of nominal Christians in the Middle East will crescendo until God's called-out ones will receive intense persecution as well.
Why Are We Here?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJesus Christ's and Paul's example in Sabbath observance (including the annual Sabbaths) provide a model as to how we keep the Sabbath and the holy days.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughA summary of the Covenants, Grace, and Law series, reiterating the differences in the Covenants and the respective places of grace and law in God's purpose.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe days, months, and times of Galatians 4:10 do not refer to God's Holy Days (which are not weak or beggarly), but to pagan rites the Galatians came out of.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Fifteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThings written in the Old Testament were written for us. The differences in the covenants focus on justification and access to God, not doing away with the law.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Gnostics criticized by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 were guilty of bringing in ritualistic ascetic discipline to propitiate demons.
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Sixteen)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughRighteousness consists of applying the Law's letter and/or intent. Sin constitutes a failure of living up to the standards of what God defines as right.