Which Day Do You Keep and Why?

1. FACTS ABOUT THE SABBATH

God made the Sabbath at creation. Genesis 2:2, 3; Exodus 20:11. WDK 1.2

It was observed before the law was given on Sinai. Exodus 16:23-30. WDK 1.3

The command to observe it is associated with nine moral precepts, which are binding upon all men during all time. It is placed in the bosom of the unchangeable law. Exodus 20:8-11. WDK 1.4

It is a sign between God and his people. Exodus 31:17; Ezekiel 20:20. WDK 1.5

Wrath came upon ancient Israel for breaking the Sabbath. Nehemiah 13:15-18. WDK 1.6

If the Sabbath had been kept, Jerusalem would not have been destroyed. Jeremiah 17:24, 25. WDK 1.7

Prophecy foretells a reform on the Sabbath. Isaiah 58:12-14. WDK 1.8

The Sabbath will exist in the new earth. Isaiah 66. WDK 2.1

Christ observed the Sabbath. Mark 1:21. WDK 2.2

He called himself its Lord. Mark 2:28. WDK 2.3

It was his “custom” to preach on that day. Luke 4. WDK 2.4

The disciples “rested” on the Sabbath while Christ was lying in the grave. Luke 23:56. WDK 2.5

Matthew, Mark and Luke, who wrote after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, spoke familiarly of the Sabbath as an existing institution. Matthew 24:20;28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 23:56. WDK 2.6

It was Paul’s “manner” to make the Sabbath a preaching day. Acts 17:2. WDK 2.7

The “Gentile” believers also observed the Sabbath. Acts 13:42, 44. WDK 2.8

Paul preached by a “river side,” where there was no synagogue, on the Sabbath. Acts 16:13. WDK 2.9

He reasoned in the synagogue at Corinth “every Sabbath”. Acts 18:4. WDK 2.10

He continued there a year and six months (78 Sabbaths), “teaching the word of God.” Acts 18:11. WDK 2.11

Finally, in the last mention of it in the Bible, it is called “the Lord’s day.” Revelation 1:10. (Compare this text with Exodus 20:10; Isaiah 58:13; Mark 2:28.) WDK 2.12