"Is it necessary to keep the Sabbath?"

"Is it necessary to keep the Sabbath?" (Alleged Contradiction #E2000)

Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.

Isaiah 1:13

But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.

Matthew 12:2

And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

John 5:16

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Romans 14:5

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 …

Colossians 2:16

However, we read that God required man to keep the sabbath in the Old Testament: Exodus 16:29; 20:8; 31:13-15; 34:21; 35:2; Leviticus 19:3, 30; 23:3; Numbers 15:32, 36; Deuteronomy 5:12; Isaiah 56:2.

Response

In the New Testament, we are no longer obligated to keep the sabbath as it was kept in the Old Testament. Resting on the Lord’s day (Sunday) is still a great idea and provides a time for us to worship God, relax, and enjoy time with family and Christian friends. However, the sabbath is not a requirement as it was under the Law.

Regarding specific verses: In Isaiah 1:13, God was angry that the Israelites were keeping the sabbath but had evil hearts. God hates hypocrisy and would rather us be either clearly for Him or against Him, not “in between” as these Israelites were trying to be. In Matthew 12:2 and John 5:16, Jesus healed people who needed help, which was in the spirit of the sabbath day. Romans 14:5 and Colossians 2:16 establish that the sabbath is no longer a requirement in the New Testament.

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E2000

Is it necessary to keep the Sabbath?