The New Testament sabbath: Living in a state of rest in God as we cease from our own works

Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...

There is an Old Testament sabbath and there is a sabbath for the New Testament church.

 

In the following scripture, the sabbath for the New Testament church is described.

 

Hebrews 4

 

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into HIS rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as HE said, As I have sworn in MY wrath, if they shall enter into MY rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4 For HE spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all HIS works.

5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into MY rest.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

7 Again, HE limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear HIS voice, harden not your hearts.

8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would HE not afterward have spoken of another day.

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

10 For he that is entered into HIS rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from HIS.

 

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Here is an example of the New Testament sabbath:

 

One day, in 2021, I was bombarded with groupings of negative thoughts:  "What if you get to where you can't walk.  You'll have to go to assisted living.  You're 83.  What if this happens to you?  What if that happens to you?"

 

I was very disturbed and I cried out to God:  "God help me!"

 

Instantly the following came into my mind:  "God will supply all your needs."

 

"That's Right"!  I shouted!  and all the weight lifted and I was once again in a complete rest in God, in peace in God.

 

This is the New Testament sabbath ... a rest in God and what HE has told you.

 

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Here is an example of the sabbath in the days of the Old Testament:

 

Numbers 15

 

32 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.

33 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.

34 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.

35 And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.

36 And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses.

 

Exodus 31

 

14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among HIS people.

15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.

 

Jeremiah 17

 

But if ye will not hearken unto ME to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.

(They could not bear a burden on the sabbath. Neither shall we bear burdens, but rather we cast our burdens on the Lord by prayer.)

 

Isaiah 58:13

 

If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on MY holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour HIM, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

(If you want to live by Old Testament sabbath, you can't do any of your own pleasures such as watching TV.  You certainly couldn't "gather manna" on the sabbath.  You would have to buy your groceries on the day before the sabbath and cook your food on the day before the sabbath for you couldn't light any fire in your "tent" on the sabbath.  You could not read secular books nor do secular things nor even speak your own words on the sabbath.  And if you want to live by this law of the Old Testament then you have to live by every Old Testament law!)

 

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