Sabbath day of our choosing

[alexanderjames]

The other Sabbath thread has sparked a question please.

My church has recently given serious consideration to the observation of the fourth commandment, and I am very thankful for it.
However, there is a common view I am encountering which is to say "any day of the week could be your Sabbath", particularly in those instances where people are working on Sunday, with examples being for the pastoral minister or a nurse who works on Sunday.

Obviously here we are convinced that the Sabbath day is not subject to a time of our own devising. That is not to say ministers and essential workers should not have another day for physical rest, but we believe such a day would not constitute a Sabbath day. I found Jonathan Edwards' two sermons on the Lord's day Sabbath beneficial on the subject.

What is the best argument(s) against this view of an individual choosing a "Sabbath" day for themselves?

 

[NaphtaliPress]

To change the day is of divine prerogative. So, the apostles having changed the Sabbath to the first day, it remains the first day of the week till the world's end. WCF 21.8. "As it is of the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in his Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which in Scripture is called the Lord's Day, and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath." See expositions of 21.8 or works on the perpetuity of the sabbath day, e.g., https://reformedbooksonline.com/top...s-day/change-of-the-sabbath-to-the-first-day/

 

[Ed Walsh]

What is the best argument(s) against this view of an individual choosing a "Sabbath" day for themselves?

Not much more needs to be said after Chris's response. Thank you Chris.

Did you know for a number of years, I don't remember how long, the new converts kept both days. Remember also many of of theese were slaves and had to work in the day so they often met at night.

Have you ever heard the Lord's Day called the 8th day? There was such a radical change in all of Creation at the resurrection of Christ that warranted a completely new Day. Not work six and rest one day pattern, but now we start from the place of rest and salvation and work 6 days toward the increase of the kingdom of God and the final victory of Christ over everything.

Here's the gist I found.
~~~~~~~

Resurrection and New Creation:
The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Sunday is seen as the inauguration of God's new creation. It marks the completion of the seven days of creation and the beginning of a new, eternal day.

Symbolism of Eight:
The number eight is associated with resurrection, new life, and the eschatological fulfillment of time. It's seen as a number that goes beyond the seven days of creation, representing something new and permanent.

Liturgical Significance:
The Christian week has been organized around Sunday since the early church, recognizing its significance as the first day of the week and the eighth day of creation. Sunday services and the Eucharist (communion) are often held to celebrate the resurrection and new life offered through Christ.

Biblical References:
The concept of the eighth day can be found in various parts of the Bible, including the Feast of Booths, circumcision on the eighth day, and the cleansing of priests and Nazarites.

Eucharist and Baptism:
The number eight is also reflected in the design of octagonal baptisteries and fonts, which symbolize the new life and redemption offered through symbolism.

 

[chuckd]

What is the best argument(s) against this view of an individual choosing a "Sabbath" day for themselves?

They would go to assemble and nobody would be there.

 

[TheBoringBaptist]

They would go to assemble and nobody would be there.

Post automatically merged: Apr 24, 2025

Post automatically merged: Apr 24, 2025

Post automatically merged: Apr 24, 2025

Sorry. First one didn't come out properly

 

[Jake]

I would start by looking at the 4th commandment itself. While the issue of the change of the day from the 7th to the 1st would have to be addressed elsewhere, it is notable that the Sabbath day is a communal day. It is not simply about the individual, but one that the whole family and community would participate in forever, even "sojourners" (also translated "foreigners").

"but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates" (Exodus 20:10 KJV).

Secondly, I would look at what the purpose of the Sabbath is. It is not merely rest from physical labor, but a day of worship.

It is described as a day of "holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:3)

Psalm 92 is titled "A Psalm or Song for the sabbath day" and it describes a day filled with worship, singing and praising God day and night.

 

[MW]

God is the Creator of all things. He is also the Sanctifier of specific things. Only He can take what is common and give it religious significance. The idea that man can change a holy day, a day set apart to God, would make man the Sanctifier. That is not a road true worshippers of God want to go down.

 

[EvanF]

Calvin concluded that the general equity requirement of the fourth commandment is satisfied by at least one day of rest from labor in seven, regardless of the day of the week, although it is desireable and convenient that it be on the same day appointed for gathering as a church, and this was the practice and law in Geneva.

As for the day of gathering and special work of the church, even if it is granted that the first day is not exclusively designated in the scriptures, it must still be the responsibility of elders to choose one, and it then must be encumbant on the flock to gather on that day, not a day of personal choice.

The WCF affirms that the day of gathering is to be the first day and that is also to be the day laborers are granted rest.

Of course in the 21st century, most of the west, if not the world, observes both Saturday and Sunday as days of rest from labor, so generally we don't have to worry that those who labor in service to the church on the day of worship have no general equity day of rest.

 

[MW]

Calvin concluded that the general equity requirement of the fourth commandment is satisfied by at least one day of rest from labor in seven, regardless of the day of the week, although it is desireable and convenient that it be on the same day appointed for gathering as a church, and this was the practice and law in Geneva.

There are differences of interpretation when it comes to Calvin. Among modern reformed scholars there is a school following Gaffin that is more harmonistic with Westminster. Calvin’s rejection of the ceremonial Sabbath does not preclude the first day of the week being the moral Sabbath. His view is seen as being consistent but incomplete. Westminster has filled the gaps which Calvin left open.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

See Lauer's https://www.cpjournal.com/articles-...of-two-key-sabbath-issues-by-stewart-e-lauer/

 

[Brownie]

Hi everyone,

I've read a lot on PB before joining and found it to be a great blessing. This is my first post, which I hope our Lord will use to honour Him and be a blessing to those that read it.

When the changing of the Sabbath from the 7th day to the 1st day is spoken of, I often read that the moral essence of the 4th Commandment is to set apart 1 day in 7 for God. Since Scripture cannot be broken and the apostles taught us to change the day, this must be true. Yet, nowhere do we read that others 'choose' a different Sabbath. Not even the Levites, who lawfully break the Sabbath, according to Christ (see Mat. 12:5).

The question is then why the day was changed. In Ezek. 20:12,20 God calls the Sabbath a sign between Him and His people, that they know who sanctifies them. In other words, the Sabbath is also a covenant sign! This fits beautifully with the changing of the day under the new covenant and calling it the Lord's Day, because we can only be sanctified through our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we choose another day, we loose our covenant sign, which seems to me a breach of the covenant with our God. But if we keep it, we reaffirm the covenant. Perhaps that's why the keeping of the Lord's Day is blessed so richly.