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by _Paidion » Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:56 pm
Justin Martyr, of the second century, had a discussion of several days with Trypho and other Jews. They discussed many matters, including whether or not Jesus was divine, and yes, the Sabbath. His comments may be helpful in understanding how to keep the true Sabbath.
JUSTIN MARTYR ANSWERS THE SABBATIZERS
This translation is taken from volume 1 of The Ante-Nicene Fathers.
Justin Martyr was a Christian who lived in the first half of the second century. In a discussion with Trypho and a number of other Jews, he had the following to say (titles mine):
Why God Commanded the Jews to Observe the Sabbath
God enjoined you to keep the Sabbath, and imposed on you other precepts for a sign, on account of your unrighteousness, and that of your fathers... Ch.21
For we too would observe the fleshly circumcision and the Sabbaths, and in short all the feasts, if we did not know the reason they were enjoined to you — namely on account of your transgressions and the hardness of your hearts Ch.18
God Is Ever the Same
But if we do not admit this, we shall be liable to fall into foolish opinions, as if it were not the same God who existed in the times of Enoch and all the rest, who neither were circumcised after the flesh, nor observed Sabbaths, nor any other rites... or that God has not wished each race of mankind to perform the same righteous actions, to admit which, seems ridiculous and and absurd. Ch.24
Before Moses the Righteous Did Not Sabbatize
Moreover, all those righteous men already mentioned [Abel, Enoch, Noah], though they kept no sabbaths were pleasing to God. Ch.19
Surely Such Observances Are Unnecessary Now
Remain as you were born. For if there was no need of circumcision before Abraham, or of the observances of Sabbaths, of feasts and sacrifices before Moses, no more need is there of them now. Ch.23
Nature Does Not Keep the Sabbath
Do you not see that the elements are not idle, and keep no Sabbaths? Ch. 23
God Does Not Keep the Sabbath
Be not offended at, or reproach us with, the bodily circumcision with which God created us; and think it not strange that we drink hot water on the Sabbaths, since God directs the government of the universe on this day equally as on all others. Ch. 29
Fire would have been necessary to heat the water. This was expressly forbidden on the Sabbath day.
How to Keep the Sabbath Under the New Covenant
The new law requires you to keep perpetual Sabbath, and you, because you are idle for one day, suppose you are pious! ... The Lord our God does not take pleasure in such observances. If there is any perjured person or a thief among you, let him cease to be so, if any adulterer, let him repent. Then he has kept the sweet and true Sabbaths of God!
Justin doubtless got this teaching about the true Sabbath from Hebrews chapters 3 and 4.
So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God; for whoever enters God’s rest also ceases from his own labours as God did from His. Hebrews 4:9,10 RSV
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"Not one soul will ever be redeemed from hell but by being saved from his sins, from the evil in him." --- George MacDonald