Tag: Sabbath Studies

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Creation and the Sabbath – Mark 2:27

Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi’s first reason for believing in the validity of Sabbath observance for New Testament Christians is the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. We have discussed this in other posts on this blog.

His second reason is that the Bible alludes, in the New Testament, to the Sabbath as a “creational” ordinance. Those who believe that the Sabbath has been abrogated argue that the Sabbath was created solely for the Jews. In three passages, Bacchiocchi argues that there is no validity to that position. In this post we look at the first of these texts that allude to an edenic origin to the Sabbath.

Sabbath Made for Humanity

The first passage that argues for a creational origin is Mark 2:27. In this passage, Jesus argues against the charge of his breaking the Sabbath by saying that “the Sabbath was made for humanity and not humanity for the Sabbath.”

Bacchicchi notes that the Greek word for “made” (ginomai) refers back to the origin of the Sabbath. In addition, the Greek word for humanity (anthropos) demonstrates that the Lord desired that it would have a human value.

Marriage and Sabbath

In Matthew 18:8, Jesus goes back to the beginning for a reference to argue against corruptions to Marriage. This is shown in Jesus saying “from the beginning it was not so.” Thus both the Sabbath and Marriage can be traced back to Eden. They were both created for humanity’s well being.

Human Well Being Above the Sabbath

Does Jesus’ statement that the Sabbath was made for humanity mean that humanity’s well being is above the Sabbath? Bacchiocchi notes that this question is not a good one because the Sabbath itself was made for the good of humanity. If the Sabbath is turned into a problem then it is not the Sabbath per-se’ but something else that has turned it into a hardship or burden.

Bacchioccchi rightly notes: “The welfare of man is not restricted but guaranteed by the proper observance of the Sabbath” (pg 43). Instead of seeking to do away with the Sabbath because it has supposedly become a liability to Christians, perhaps we should do away with faulty ways of keeping the Sabbath that may be a hardship.

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Sabbath is for Healing

Ryan Bell of the Hollywood Seventh-day Adventist church looks at how Jesus’ example of healing on the Sabbath forces us to be a part of a “Gospel-driven healing ministry.” In addition, this sermon by Pastor Bell makes me think about the public policy implications of both Sabbath and healing. You will find this sermon, as well as a few others, at this link.

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Law and Sabbath Continuity and Discontinuity in Hebrews

The book of Hebrews demonstrates both continuity and discontinuity between the Old Testament and the New. The fact that the writer of Hebrews wrote the book demonstrates the power that the Old Testament sacrificial system held over many of the believers in the Jesus movement.

Discontinuity

There can be no doubt that the book of Hebrews pictures a break with parts of the Old Testament. Hebrews 7:11 states that there was a need to move away from the levitical priesthood if perfection is to happen in believers. In contrast, Christ had to come once and for all (Hebrews 9:26). In addition, Christ set aside the levitical sacrificial system. (Hebrews 7:18, Hebrews 8:13, Hebrews 10:9). Thus there is no question something was abolished by the death of Christ. However, was the law in general or the Sabbath specifically abolished? Hebrews answers this question with a strong no.

Continuity

Bacchocchi notes that the book of Hebrews does not just talk about discontinuities, but also continuities. There is continuity in the prophet’s words (Hebrews 1:1-2). There is continuity in that the sanctuary system has just changed from the earthly one to a heavenly one. Nevertheless, there is still a sanctuary system working for humanity.

But most relevant to our discussion is that Bacchiocchi notes a continuity in the “Sabbatismos” which bacchioccchi states is:

A term used in a technical way by Plutarch, Justin, Epiphanius, Apostolic Constitutions to designate Sabbath observance—which “remains” (apoleipetia), literally “is left behind for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:9).

Conclusion

There was a break between the Old Testament and the New. Hebrews notes that this break was the sacrificial system. That sacrificial system was replaced by Christ’s death on earth and Priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. While the earthly sanctuary system has been done away, the writer of Hebrews states that the Sabbath remains for the people of God. Praise God for God’s gift of the Sabbath. In the future we will discuss Hebrews 4 more deeply.