This subject has confused bibical students from the time it was first written and many have their opinion about it,but if we allow the bible to explain itself it becomes so clear..
The first �key� to spiritual victory, breakthrough, and overcoming is simple, godly faith. But what kind of faith? Just what IS �faith�?
The apostle Paul explained, �Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. . . Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God . . . But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him� (Heb.11:1-6).
Abraham set us all an example of faith. We read of him: �[Abraham] being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He STAGGEERED NOT at the promise of God through unbelief; but was STRONG IN FAITH, giving glory to God; and being FULLY PERSUADED that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform� (Rom.4:19-21).
Faith ALONE Is Not Enough!
But faith alone, is dead and worthless. We must also do our own part!
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The apostle James said, �What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?� (James 2:14). James continues, �If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone� (James 2:15-17).
Now don't blame me -- I didn't say that. James did! And GOD inspired him to do it! Those who teach that there are �NO WORKS� required for salvation can eat their hat -- their words -- or eat straw! They are DEAD WRONG! In order for our faith to be effective, we must have good works -- that is, we must OBEY God's commandments, keep His laws, and follow the example set by Yeshua our High Priest and the Captain of our salvation!
James adds, �But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is DEAD?� (v.20). James mentions the example of Abraham, �Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?� (v.21-22). James concluded, �For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also� (James 2:26).
We need faith AND WORKS in order to become OVERCOMERS! What �kind� of works? The works of OBEDIENCE to the laws and commandments of GOD!
The apostle Peter declared, �And we are witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that OBEY him� Acts 5:32). Faith in God must be combined with obedience to the LAWS of God! The apostle Paul wrote, �Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! [God forbid!] On the contrary, we ESTABLISH the law� (Rom.3:31, NKJV).
The apostle Paul wrote: �Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have NO PLEASURE in him. But we are NOT of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul� (Hebrews 10:38-39).
This wonderful attribute of faith is not something we must work up ourselves, by our own human efforts. Not at all. But as Paul tells us, �For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it [the very FAITH itself!] is the GIFT OF GOD; not of works, lest any man should boast� (Eph.2:8-9).
This faith is the very faith of Christ put within us by the Spirit of God. It is the very same faith Jesus had.
1.Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."
2.Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,"
3.Rom. 5:1, "therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"
4.Rom. 9:30, "What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith."
5.Rom. 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
6.Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."
7.Gal. 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."
8.Gal. 2:21, I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.
9.Gal.3:5-6, "Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? 6Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
10.Gal. 3:24, "Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith."
11.Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. 9Not by works, lest any man should boast."
12.Phil. 3:9, "and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith."
Again, works/Law is contrasted with faith repeatedly and we are told that we are not justified by works in any way. Therefore, we are made right with God by faith, not by faith and our works; hence, faith alone.
James 2:24, not by faith alone
The scriptures clearly teach that we are saved (justified) by faith in Christ and what He has done on the cross. This faith alone saves us. However, we cannot stop here without addressing what James says in James 2:24, "You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone."
There is no contradiction. All you need to do is look at the context. James chapter 2 has 26 verses: Verses 1-7 instruct us not to show favoritism. Verses 8-13 are comments on the Law. Verses 14-26 are about the relationship between faith and works.
James begins this section by using the example of someone who says he has faith but has no works, "What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?" (James 2:14). In other words, James is addressing the issue of a dead faith, a faith that is nothing more than a verbal pronouncement, a public confession of the mind, and is not heart-felt. It is empty of life and action. He begins with the negative and demonstrates what an empty faith is (verses 15-17, words without actions). Then he shows that type of faith isn't any different from the faith of demons (verse 19). Finally, he gives examples of living faith that has words followed by actions. Works follow true faith and demonstrate that faith to our fellow man, but not to God. James writes of Abraham and Rahab as examples of people who demonstrated their faith by their deeds.
In brief, James is examining two kinds of faith: one that leads to godly works and one that does not. One is true, and the other is false. One is dead, the other alive; hence, "Faith without works is dead," (James 2:20). But, he is not contradicting the verses above that say salvation/justification is by faith alone.
Also, notice that James actually quotes the same verse that Paul quotes in Rom. 4:3 amongst a host of verses dealing with justification by faith. James 2:23 says, "and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'" If James was trying to teach a contradictory doctrine of faith and works than the other New Testament writers, then he would not have used Abraham as an example. Therefore, we can see that justification is by faith alone and that James was talking about false faith, not real faith when he said we are not justified by faith alone
Sabbatarians Falsely claim: "The pope changed the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday"
This false argument originated with the Adventist's inspired prophet E.G. White:
"The holy Sabbath looked glorious- a halo of glory was all around it. I saw that the Sabbath commandment was not nailed to the cross. If it was, the other nine commandments were; and we are at liberty to break them all as well as to break the fourth. I saw that God had not changed the Sabbath, for he never changes. But the pope had changed it from the seventh day to the first day of the week; for he was to change times and laws." (Early Writings of Ellen G. White, page 33, official Adventist publication) Again on page 65 of the same book Mrs. White says, "The pope has changed the day of rest from the seventy to the first day."
Ellen G. White was a false prophet: Colossians 2:18 "Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by... taking his (her) stand on visions he (she) has seen, inflated without cause by his (Ellen White's) fleshly mind" (NASB)
We can PROVE that Ellen White was a false prophet by proving that the Pope (Catholic church) DID NOT change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday! You be the judge!
Answer:
A. The first Pope did not exist until 606 AD! (over 500 years too late) This is far too late because Christians were meeting on Sundays from the earliest record of history. So Ellen G. White is a false prophet!
B. But Adventist's have modified White's argument (corrected the inspired prophet) Listen to what Seventh-day Adventists now teach in their public "Revelation Seminars":
"Sundaykeeping was introduced into the Christian Church rather innocently, and its first advocates never dreamed that it would take the place of the seventh-day Sabbath of God. Sundaykeeping had its origin in Rome during the reign of the Emperor Hadrian in the second century. Hadrian persecuted the Jews in Rome incessantly. In an attempt to separate themselves from the Jews and avoid being persecuted with them, these early Roman Christians began keeping Sunday in addition to the Sabbath." "Now That's Clear, Schreven, p97, 1994)
Hadrian was Emperor of Rome (117-138 A.D.) THIS IS LONG BEFORE the first Pope.
Seventh-day Adventists in the 1990's are refuting what their founding "prophet" Ellen G. White was "told by God in a vision"
Seventh-day Adventists claim that "Christians in Rome", changed the Sabbath, not the Pope.
Seventh-day Adventists OFFER ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF that Christians in the church in Rome changed the Sabbath!
Samuele Bacchiocchi, the Seventh-day Adventist's top scholar wrote in an E-mail message to the "Free Catholic Mailing List" on 8 Feb 1997 and said:
I differ from Ellen White, for example, on the origin of Sunday. She teaches that in the first centuries all Christians observed the Sabbath and it was largely through the efforts of Constantine that Sundaykeeping was adopted by many Christians in the fourth century. My research shows otherwise. If you read my essay HOW DID SUNDAYKEEPING BEGIN? which summarizes my dissertation, you will notice that I place the origin of Sundaykeeping by the time of the Emperor Hadrian, in A. D. 135.
This proves once and for all time that Ellen G. White was a false prophet!
Seventh-day Adventists also publicly teach:
The Catholics themselves claim they changed the Sabbath!
Quote out of Adventist Revelation seminar book: Catholic Catechism, Peter Geierman, The Convert's Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, p. 50.
Q. What is the Third Commandment?
A. The Third Commandment is: Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.
Q. Which is the Sabbath day?
A. Saturday is the Sabbath day.
Q. Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday?
A. We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday."
Answer:
A. Catholics make all kinds of false claims!
There are lots of things the Catholics claim that Sabbatarians don't accept.
Do Adventist believe the Catholic churches claim that Peter was the first Pope? Of course not!
Catholics make all kinds of claims that are neither true or supported by history!
Just because the Catholics claim they changed the Sabbath doesn't mean they actually did.
We strongly dispute both the Catholic and Adventist claim that the pope changed the Sabbath day as the "inspired" Ellen White (Adventist prophet) claims!
B. The Catholic Pope could not have changed the Sabbath:
The first universal Pope did not exist until 606 AD! (over 500 years too late)
History records that Christians were meeting Sundays from the first century AD!
C. Sabbatarians have absolutely no actual proof of ANYONE changing anything!!!
If Sabbatarians had any actual historical proof the Pope "changed the Sabbath" LET THEM SUPPLY IT TO US AND THE WORLD.
D. IF YOU HAVE PROOF ANYONE CHANGED THE SABBATH: click here
We already know about Colossians 2:16-17 which say God abolished the Sabbath, so please don't send us that.
E. We have effectively proven Ellen G. White to be a false prophet by
the facts of history
the mouths of her present day disciples!
Sabbatarians have also said that Constantine changed the Sabbath to Sunday:
Constantine's decree: "On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed." (Constantine, March 7, 321. Codex Justinianus lib. 3, titus 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 380, note 1)
Answer: Constantine did not change the Sabbath to Sunday, he merely created the first "Sunday closure law" because Christians had been worshipping on the first day of the week since apostolic times.
Sabbatarians can't get their story straight! Who changed the Sabbath? Is it the pope, Constantine or some Christians in Rome?
First they say the Pope changed the Sabbath. Then, when that proves false, they claim Constantine changed it! Then when that is proven wrong they now say that "Christians in Rome" changed the Sabbath to Sunday
There is nothing here to say that Constantine changed anything. Constantine is making a civil decree that because Christians were already meeting on Sunday, as they were doing since the time of the Apostles, that Christians should not work on Sunday. Read it again!
Today, it is not a sin to work on any day of the week! But it is a sin to not partake of the communion and give every first day of the week! Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:1-2; Heb 10:24-25
Three wrong guesses, you�re out!
The so called "inspired prophet" Ellen White originally claimed the Pope started "Sunday worship" White later changed her mind and said the Emperor Constantine introduced "Sunday worship" in 325 AD. Today, Adventists blame the interaction of Sunday worship on Christians in 135 AD and not the Pope or Constantine!
Guess #1: the Pope introduced Sunday worship.
The Roman Catholic Pope DID NOT change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday as Sabbath keepers falsely teach. Yes Catholics do claim they changed the Sabbath, but they also claim that Peter was the first pope! Sabbath Keepers reject the Catholic claim that Peter was the first pope, so they are in grave error for accepting the Catholic claim that the pope changed the Sabbath to Sunday!
Guess #2: It was Constantine in 325 AD.
Constantine (325 AD) DID NOT change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday as Sabbath keepers falsely teach. Christians never kept the Sabbath from the apostolic age (33 AD) through the time of Constantine (325AD). Constantine merely made the first "Sunday closure law", since it had already been the day Christians worship for 300 years!
Today�s guess #3: Christians in 135 AD.
The historical claims of Samuele Bacchiocchi, Seventh-day Adventist, refuted. Bacchiocchi is likely the top Seventh-day Adventist historian in the world. His search for the origin of "first day worship" has led him to reject the traditional position of his church, and his founding prophet, Ellen G. White who claimed "Sunday keeping" began with Constantine in 325 AD. His view, which is increasingly being adopted by the Seventh-day Adventist church, is that Christians in 135 AD were first to worship on the first day of the week.
The truth: Apostles in 33 AD introduced Sunday worship.
In addition to Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor 16:1-2, click here for irrefutable historical proof!
to answer this question one must understand a quote for the apostle Paul; " i pray that you be saved, BODY SOUL and SPIRIT.
there are three levels of salvation.not one...
the Word of God tell us we are saved by the blood of the lamb,
this salvation is of the spirit man it is completed when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. . this must happen for the house to be filled by God..
this act is by Grace...grace means unmerited favor. we could not earn it or cry enough for it. the Word tells us before the world began we were predestined To BECOME sons of God.
now the process begins .
next is the batizm of fire, this is for the putting to death your oldself good and bad and giving it all to christ. some of want to avoid this at all cost but if you are truly a child of God He WILL press you down! HE WILL bring into completion what HE has started.
We must go to work now and cooprate, Your body is the battle ground for the enemy as well as your mind... if he can keep you busy worrrying about yourself and your needs and your emtions he has you... shake him off and put on the mond of Christ.
it begins with us taking of fand puttting on different things like the mind of Christ and the pulling down of stronghold that are in OUR minds and imagionations and we are to die to self. Jesus says "pick up your cross and follow ME He is not to follow you! selah!
The Word of God tells us we "must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
We are to study to show our selves approved.
eat the Word do not let others read it for you , read every word every word and get an old bible if you can, they have changed the words.
this is where the church is right now , judgement has begun in the house of the Lord! here what the spirit is saying to the churches!
Jesus is coming to rule and reign with his bride the church but frist all things must be brought under His feet who is the feet of Christ????the feet are to spread the good news of peace with God! He is not coming to rapture us out of Here but to change us into the spotless bride before His 1,000 year reign. Now is the time! the virgins are waking up from their slumber some with oil others not..the light of God needs oil to keep it burning in the vessel .
here the Word of the Lord
job 31:40. 2:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.
Job 32: 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion. 7 I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom. 8 But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice. 10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion. 11 Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, 14 For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches. 15 They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say. 16 And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more? 17 I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion. 18 For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst. 20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer. 21 Let me not, I pray you, respect any man's person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man. 22 For I know not to give flattering titles; [Else] would my Maker soon take me away. 1 Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words. 2 Behold now, I have opened my mouth; My tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely. 4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life. 5 If thou canst, answer thou me; Set [thy words] in order before me, stand forth.
6 Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee. Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of [thy] words, [saying], 9 I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me: 10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy: 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters? 14 For God speaketh once, Yea twice, [though man] regardeth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man [from his] purpose, And hide pride from man; 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones; 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him; 24 Then [God] is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; He returneth to the days of his youth. He returneth to the days of his youth. 26 He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness. 27 He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not: 28 He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light. 29 Lo, all these things doth God work, Twice, [yea] thrice, with a man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33 If not, hearken thou unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom. 34:1 Moreover Elihu answered and said, 2 Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. 3 For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth food. 4 Let us choose for us that which is right: Let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 For Job hath said, I am righteous, And God hath taken away my right: 6 Nowwithstanding my right I am [accounted] a liar; My wound is incurable, [though I am] without transgression. 7 What man is like Job, Who drinketh up scoffing like water, 8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, And walketh with wicked men? 9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing That he should delight himself with God. 10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. 11 For the work of a man will he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave him a charge over the earth? Or who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If he set his heart upon himself, [If] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, And man shall turn again unto dust. 16 If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: Hearken to the voice of my words. 17 Shall even one that hateth justice govern? And wilt thou condemn him that is righteous [and] mighty?-- 18 [Him] that saith to a king, [Thou art] vile, [Or] to nobles, [Ye are] wicked; 19 That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands. 20 In a moment they die, even at midnight; The people are shaken and pass away, And the mighty are taken away without hand. 21 For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings. 22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For he needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. 24 He breaketh in pieces mighty men [in ways] past finding out, And setteth others in their stead. 25 Therefore he taketh knowledge of their works; And he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men In the open sight of others; 27 Because they turned aside from following him, And would not have regard in any of his ways: 28 So that they caused the cry of the poor to come unto him, And he heard the cry of the afflicted. 29 When he giveth quietness, who then can condemn? And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? Alike whether [it be done] unto a nation, or unto a man: 30 That the godless man reign not, That there be none to ensnare the people. 31 For hath any said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]: 32 That which I see not teach thou me: If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more? 3 Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest. 34 Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me: 35 Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom. 36 Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men. 37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin; He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against God. 35:1 Moreover Elihu answered and said, 2 Thinkest thou this to be [thy] right, [Or] sayest thou, My righteousness is more than God's, 3 That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? [And], What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned? 4 I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee. 5 Look unto the heavens, and see; And behold the skies, which are higher than thou. 6 If thou hast sinned, what effectest thou against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? 7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thy hand? 8 Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou art; And thy righteousness [may profit] a son of man. 9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty. 10 But none saith, Where is God my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night, 1 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of the heavens? 12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, Because of the pride of evil men. 13 Surely God will not hear an empty [cry], Neither will the Almighty regard it. 14 How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him! 15 But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Neither doth he greatly regard arrogance; 16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity; He multiplieth words without knowledge. 36:1 Elihu also proceeded, and said, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked, But giveth to the afflicted [their] right. 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted. 8 And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of afflictions; 9 Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly. 10 He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity. 11 If they hearken and serve [him], They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. 12 But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge. 13 But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them. 14 They die in youth, And their life [perisheth] among the unclean. 15 He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression. 16 Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness. 17 But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold [on thee]. 18 For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside. 19 Will thy cry avail, [that thou be] not in distress, Or all the forces of [thy] strength? 0 Desire not the night, When peoples are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 22 Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him? 23 Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness? 24 Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung. 25 All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off. 26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable. 27 For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor, 28 Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly. 29 Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion? 30 Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance. 32 He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark. 33 The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning [the storm] that cometh up. 37:1 Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place. 2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not [the lightnings] when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 6 For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain. Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightening unto the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not [the lightnings] when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 6 For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain. 7 He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know [it]. 8 Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens. 9 Out of the chamber [of the south] cometh the storm, And cold out of the north. 10 By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened. 11 Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning: 12 And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world, 13 Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come. 14 Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Dost thou know how God layeth [his charge] upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine? 16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the south [wind]? 18 Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror? 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; [For] we cannot set [our speech] in order by reason of darkness. 20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up? 21 And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind passeth, and cleareth them. 22 Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon him terrible majesty. 23 [Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict. 24 Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
I just told you a couple posts ago dude. 7th day baptists were the ones that convinced the early Adventists of the sabbath truth. It was not Ellen White. There were popes as early as St. Clement I: 88ad - 97ad. Look it up before you paste it.
"In those dark days of disappointment in the fall of 1844 and during the months following, Mr. Bates, with others, sought diligently for light. Occasionally, before the great disappointment, individuals had brought up the matter of observing the seventh day as the Sabbath. At Washington, New Hampshire, Mrs. Rachel Preston, a Seventh Day Baptist who came to visit in the community, persuaded the members of the Adventist company of the necessity of keeping the Sabbath, and she joined them in looking for the second coming of Christ. This occurred about the time of the great disappointment. Shortly thereafter, two men, J. B. Cook and T. M. Preble, called the attention of the Advent believers to the need of Sabbath observance.
In the spring of 1845 Mr. Bates visited the company of Adventists in Washington, New Hampshire, who were keeping the Sabbath. Through their influence and the reading of the article by T. M. Preble, he was led to the observance of the Sabbath.
He began to keep the Sabbath in March, 1845, and was thus the first of the outstanding pioneer leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist people to accept the Sabbath. In fact, for more than a year he stood alone in teaching this doctrine, which later became one of the cardinal beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Once convinced of a reform, Captain Bates immediately took hold of it in earnest and began to proclaim it. This is well demonstrated in connection with his acceptance of the Sabbath. When he started across the bridge at Fairhaven on his return from the journey to the Washington Sabbath-keepers, he met a neighbor, a Mr. Hall, who called out, "Hello, Brother Bates! what's the news?"
"The seventh day is the Sabbath," earnestly replied the old sea captain.
As has been stated, he began at once to proclaim this new-found truth, and became the true father of the Sabbath among the people who were to become the Seventh-day Adventists. In August, 1846, he published the first Sabbath tract ever put out by Adventists."
1 John 2:6 (King James Version)
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
And daniel, I believe that Christians should cease from unnecessary or gainful labor on the 7th day, not from serving others. It is lawful to do good on the sabbath. Like the commandment said. It is also a point of personal conviction. Many Adventist nurses and doctors I know commit their sabbath earnings to God. Serving others/doing good is lawful on the sabbath. The pharisees had twisted the laws into a hoard of minute regulations that they didn't even keep themselves. We're supposed to serve God on the sabbath. Serving others is serving God. It's a day to forget about ourselves and focus on worshiping God and serving others.
DHTM: I believe that Christians should cease from unnecessary or gainful labor on the 7th day, not from serving others. It is lawful to do good on the sabbath. Like the commandment said. It is also a point of personal conviction. Many Adventist nurses and doctors I know commit their sabbath earnings to God.
Daniel: then why charge the patient on the first place? No work (or monetary gain), that is in the scripture. Jesus did not charge others for healing them. Personal conviction? God's law is absolute not relative. What is sin is sin, what is holy is holy! So should we work on Sabbath (Saturday according to you)?
DHTM: Serving others is serving God.
Daniel: Base on?
I think the basic problem here is that you don't understand why God gives us the Sabbath.
Mark 2:
"25He answered, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
26In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions."
27Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.""
I don't think I can keep the Sabbath law as presented by you (of course I can observe Sabbath according to the bible), because according to the Sabbath law, we should stop working with our land after every 6 years. Did you stockpile wheat in your house?
Understand the nature of Sabbath and you will know that Sabbath is not on Saturday only.
Well...I'm sorry...but the 4th commandment is the one I follow. You're suggesting that we follow the law of Moses. The two are not the same. I believe the law of Moses was for the Israelites only and that it was nailed to the cross. The 4th commandment says nothing about resting the land. It just says to keep the 7th day holy and not to work on it, and Jesus clarified it and said it is also lawful to do good on the sabbath. And since Jesus said it then it is definitely lawful, because He wrote the law. He can change it or interpret it however He wants. I just don't see where He changed it to Sunday, and until someone can show me the Law Giver's words...I'm going to keep the 7th day holy, because that's what He wants us to do...and because I love Him I want to do what He tells me. He did save my life after all...
