– 13 Min Read
There are three texts that my dear brothers, who would say that the Lord’s Day is not the Christian Sabbath, are probably thinking of since the start of this essay. I want to take us to Romans, Galatians, and Colossians in this section. There we will find some great help in understanding this topic and addressing some concerns.
I remember listening to John MacArthur’s case for Credobaptism against R.C. Sproul, who would give the affirming view for Pedobaptism. This is in my opinion one of the greatest sermons on the matter in the time that was allotted to MacArthur (listen to it here). It was recorded live at the 1997 Ligonier Regional Conference, and during that sermon, he took time to go to all the passages that Pedobaptists use to help make their case. As MacArthur was properly explaining the text and what it actually means he would say, “Here, we have another dry verse.”
What he was saying is that the text they wanted to use to help support their case for infants being baptized, had no infants getting wet in it or anyone getting wet for that matter. The text was not talking about baptism. I recall him saying it often throughout his sermon, thinking to myself; “I bet the Pedobaptists just ‘love’ hearing him say that.” But it was refreshing to hear that. The very text people will sometimes use to help support their argument may have the familiar spiritual language of the topic at hand, but the text itself is not addressing that topic in the way they want it to. Context is king.
Romans 14: Matter of Conscience Concerning Days
“One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God.”
– Romans 14:5-6
First, let’s note that Sabbath is not mentioned here. The point of this text is to address the conscience of believers in the church on the matter of ‘gray areas’ or matters that do not pertain to sanctification and godliness, but can certainly hinder them. Paul, I think, is speaking with the same motive as James is; “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (James 4:17) This is a matter of causing your weaker brother to violate his conscience, which is sin. Romans 14 therefore cannot be talking about law and commandments whatsoever. I appreciate Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ blunt take on this in his famous commentary on Romans.
“It is important we should be clear in our minds as to just what the Apostle is referring to when he says: ‘One man esteemeth one day above another: another man esteemeth every day alike.’ The first question that arises is this: Is he writing about the question of Sabbath observance? Many have assumed that he is, and that some were not as punctilious as others in this matter. Now I think we must say at once that here Paul is not referring to the question of observing the Sabbath. And I say this because this subject is not a matter of indifference but a matter of law. Sabbath observance is part of the moral law, the Ten Commandments in particular, has been laid down for all time. But the ceremonial law was given only for the time being and applied only to the Jews in the Old Testament era.”
– D. Martyn Lloyd Jones [1]
Note that Jones identifies the Fourth Commandment as having a moral component to it, not merely a ceremonial one. He, unlike some, affirms that all Ten Commandments are binding. Jones goes on to say;
“…So we must never discuss the keeping of the moral law. It is not to be discussed: it is to be kept; it is to be obeyed; it is to be observed. So I say again that as Sabbath observance is a part of the moral law; it cannot be the matter that the Apostle is dealing with here.”
– D. Martyn Lloyd Jones [2]
Also, there was a hypothetical gentleman in Rome who wanted to abstain from wine; “It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles” (Romans 14:21). Does that mean that he could abstain from participating in the Lord’s Supper? Absolutely not! Even though that is his conviction, to abstain from alcohol, it does not grant his conscience right to override the requirement of him obeying Christ’s ordinances. To make Romans 14:5-6 a text to address Sabbath is quite bizarre. Now, I definitely would use this text to get out of celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. (Husbands, you can thank me later.)
Galatians 4: The Galatian Heresy
“But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”
– Galatians 4:9-11
This text is a very serious one. The Galatian church has almost pushed Paul over the edge by making him say that he almost considers his labor over them in vain. All because the Galatian church was allowing a lot of legalism and Judaism to seep into their church and doctrine. One of the things Paul is upset over is that they are turning back to a yoke of slavery, to worthless things like observance of days, months, and seasons for their salvation. Now, once again I do not think Paul is talking about the Sabbath here, but let’s say the Sabbath is included. That still does not present a problem with the view of Sunday being the Christian Sabbath. Because we all would agree with what Paul is saying, these observances will not save you. There are no salvific results in keeping them. Just like circumcision, observing special days cannot justify you from your sins.
Paul asks them this question; “Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law?” (Galatians 4:21). In other words Paul is saying something like; “You there in Galatia who want to keep the law, do you even listen to it? For the law was never intended to save you from your sins, it was there to reveal to you your sins.“
“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”
– Romans 5:20
The main point Paul is addressing with the Galatian church is their newfound heresy of ‘justification by works’, not New Testament Sabbath. To make this text be an attack against the Christian Sabbath is inappropriate.
Colossians 2: Christ is the Fulfillment
“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”
– Colossians 2:16-17
The word used here for Sabbath could mean, and given the context most likely means, sabbaths. It is plural, which is not uncommon for its use, but this very well may be the best rendering of it. The New English Translation (NET) for example renders it Sabbaths. This is a very interesting text. In v.17, Paul says that these things were merely shadows of what was to come but the substance is already found in Christ. All of these sabbatical days, weeks, and festivals were fuzzy images of what Christ would bring in the New Covenant and fully in the new heavens and new earth.
Remember in our earlier section that the kingdom of God is directly connected to the Church of God. This is a great example of what I think Paul is teaching. The kingdom of God has arrived.
“But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
– Luke 11:20
“Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
– Luke 17:20-21
But it has not fully arrived.
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
– John 18:36
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
– Revelation 20:1-4
So yes, Christ has fulfilled the law and therefore He has the right to establish the New Covenant with the church. But that does not mean everything is abolished, especially not commandments that are morally binding for all time, like the Ten Commandments.
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
– Matthew 5:17-18
What Paul is saying here in Colossians 2:17 is that the substance belongs to Christ and it is realized in “the body of Christ.” Give credit where credit is due, the King James Version renders this one correctly.
“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
– Colossians 2:16-17 (KJV)
What Paul is saying and implying is that the shadow, or ghostly image, of what was to come in the New Covenant is seen fully by the appearance of the Son of Man who took on flesh and fulfilled the law. Matthew Henry says;
“The body, of which they were shadows, has come; and to continue the ceremonial observances, which were only types and shadows of Christ and the gospel, carries an intimation that Christ has not yet come and the gospel state has not yet commenced. Observe the advantages we have under the gospel, above what they had under the law: they had the shadows, we have the substance.”
– Matthew Henry [3]
It is the same language used in Hebrews; “For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form[image] of things…” – Hebrews 10:1 (parentheses added)
Commenting on v.17, G.K. Beale says; “Some conclude from this that the “Sabbaths” mentioned in Col. 1:16 mean that the Christian Sunday is not a continuation of the OT Sabbath-day observance. This is a possible view, though we think not the best.” [4]. Beal explains that the food, drink, days, and festivals have in mind the Israelite ceremonial tradition, rather than a single day of rest in seven. He would go on to explain;
The Sabbath commemoration of the exodus redemption also points forward to the greater end-time exodus redemption through Christ, which has been fulfilled in his death and resurrection as the Passover Lamb (r.g., see John 19:34-37; 1 Cor. 5:7-8). Thus in various ways the Sabbath pointed to and was fulfilled in Christ, but the aspect of Israel’s Sabbath that is based on and reflects the creational mandate of Gen. 2 continues on into the church age… Consequently Col. 2:16 appears to be referring to Israel’s system of sabbatical holidays (not merely the weekly Sabbath) and not to the creation mandate in Gen. 2:2-3.”
G. K. Beale [5]
The fulfillment of all sabbatical ceremonial observances has been fulfilled in Christ and His perfect work. This should not be taken to mean the Fourth Commandment has been done away with. I think deep down we all would have serious problems with the implications of that thought. Thinking that we ourselves will be the arbiter of what principles of the law are no longer binding and relevant. This is in fact the old antinomian heresy that got its first start in the ancient church concerning the moral law of the Old Testament.
So, will we allow for all Ten Commandments to be principally transferred into the New Covenant or just nine? I do not think we have the authority to remove any. Especially doing away with one that is seen before all others. One that is grounded in creation. Back in the Edenic state, God declared it good for work on six days and resting on one. Sabbath is a creation ordinance.
Read Next: The Christian Sabbath Part 5: Sabbath is a Creation Ordinance
Works Cited
[1-2] D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Romans, Exposition of Chapter 14:1-17 Liberty and Conscience, vol. 14, (The Banner of Truth Trust, 2003. 14 vols.), 81
[3] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary. vol. 6, (New York, Fleming H. Revell Company. 6 vols.), 760
[4-5] G. K. Beale, Colossians and Philemon: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the Nest Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI, Baker Academic, 2019), 223, 253.