ANG TAMANG PALIWANAG SA ACTS 2:17-21 KUNG BAKIT HINDI ITO NATUPAD KAY ELLEN WHITE?

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWERED VERSE-BY-VERSE ON ACTS 2:17-18: "DOES THIS PROPHECY PROVE THAT ELLEN WHITE IS THE PROPHET OF GOD IN THE LAST DAYS?" (Updated May 27, 2024)

Acts 2:17-21 (ESV) 

"And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

SDA Argument:

The SDAs affirm that the prophetic statement in Acts 2:17-18, drawn from Joel 2:28-32, represents a partial fulfillment of the prophet Joel's Old Testament prophecy concerning the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the restoration of the gift of prophecy in the last days. According to the SDAs, Acts 2 and Joel 2 collectively serve as evidence that the SDA church, as prophesied to be the remnant church, will undergo a heightened manifestation of the gift of prophecy.

For the SDAs, there is no doubt that this prophecy, in its ultimate fulfillment, was realized in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White. They firmly believe this is strong evidence that Ellen G. White was a true prophet of God for the Seventh-day Adventist Church before Christ's second coming.

The book A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health, published by the Ellen White Estate, affirmed this perspective:

"Joel particularly specified that “your Sons and your daughters shall prophesy” in anticipation of “the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Joel 2:28-32). Seventh-day Adventists hold that the prophetic gift has been manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White." [1]

The Seventh-day Adventist standard book, Seventh-day Adventist 28 Fundamental Beliefs, #18: The Gift of Prophecy, elaborates on their perspective with the following statements:

"The prophet Joel predicted a special outpouring of the prophetic gift just before Christ's return. He said, "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions, and also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord" (Joel 2:28-31). The first Pentecost saw a remarkable manifestation of the Spirit. Peter, citing Joel's prophecy, pointed out that God had promised such blessings (Acts 2:2-21). However, we may ask whether Joel's prophecy reached its ultimate fulfillment in Pentecost or whether there must yet be another, more complete, fulfillment. We have no evidence that the phenomena in the sun and moon that Joel spoke of either preceded or followed that outpouring of the Spirit. These phenomena did not occur until many centuries later. The complete and final fulfillment of Joel's prophecy corresponds to the latter rain, which, falling in the spring, ripened the grain (Joel 2:23). Likewise, the final bestowal of God's Spirit will take place just before the Second Advent, after the predicted signs in the sun, moon, and stars (cf. Matt. 24:29; Rev. 6:12-17; Joel 2:31)."[2] 

In summary, the SDA interpretation of Joel 2:28-31 is that:

1.) The prophetic gift of prophecy will be fulfilled before Christ's second coming.

2.) This prophecy is partially fulfilled in the early church during the first Pentecost, as described in Acts 2:2-21.

3.) The phenomena involving the sun, moon, and stars mentioned in Joel 2:30-31 did not happen during the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the first century. They argue that this indicates the event is still in the future and will take place during the Dark Ages. The complete and final fulfillment will occur after the predicted signs in the sun, moon, and stars, before Christ's second coming.

SDA theologian Frank Holbrook further emphasizes the importance of the future fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, stating that without it, the end-time manifestation of the gift of prophecy will not occur.

"The apostle Peter saw a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy in the Pentecostal outpouring of the Spirit with the endowment of tongues (Acts 2). However, Pentecost seems to have been only a partial fulfillment, for Jesus places the signs in the sun and moon mentioned by Joel as coming after the Dark Ages of persecution and nearer the advent of “the great and the terrible day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31). Furthermore, Joel specifically refers to a manifestation of the gift of prophecy. Thus a complete fulfillment of Joel’s ancient prediction would require an end-time manifestation of the prophetic gift."[3]

According to the SDA perspective, when did these Dark Ages occur?

In his book, Last Day Tokens, J.N. Loughborough clarifies that the Dark Ages, the period of great tribulation and persecution, occurred between AD 538 and 1798.

"The tribulation came in the persecutions of the “Dark Ages,” but was to be, and was, shortened, else none of the elect would have been left. This period of tribulation was from A. D. 538 to 1798." [4]  

Thus, SDAs believe that the heavenly phenomena involving the sun, moon, and stars mentioned in Joel's prophecy were fulfilled during the period from A.D. 538 to 1798, known as the Dark Ages of 1260 years. 

Answer:

The fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32 prophecy is limited to the time of the Apostle Peter in the early first century.

The first question that needs to be answered is regarding the fulfillment of the prophecy by the prophet Joel in Joel 2:28-32. Was it fulfilled only once, specifically during the first Pentecost as reported in Acts 2? Or is there a second fulfillment in the future before the second coming of Jesus, according to the SDA belief?

Finding an accurate answer to this question is essential because it will determine whether Ellen G. White is a true prophet. According to the SDA book The Biblical Basis for a Modern Prophet, "A complete fulfillment of Joel's ancient prediction would require an end-time manifestation of the prophetic gift."

This means that if Joel's prophecy was fulfilled solely during the time of the apostles, as reported in Acts 2, and has no future fulfillment, then Ellen G. White's claim to the gift of prophecy holds no value. It would imply that her prophetic gift was irrelevant to her time and was not needed in that role. Consequently, Ellen G. White would appear to be a false prophet and should not be recognized by the SDAs as a prophet from God.

What evidence do we have from Scripture that Joel's prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 did not extend to the time of Ellen G. White and the Seventh-day Adventist Church?

a.) The apostle Peter's use of the phrase "in the last days"

First, observe that Peter cites Joel 2 to describe their miraculous experiences before the crowd, affirming that this would occur in the "last days," a phrase not used in Joel 2:28-32:

Acts 2:16-17 (ESV) "But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 

Numerous Bible verses in the New Testament indicate that the apostles of the first century perceived themselves to be living in the last days.

For instance, during Peter's sermon on Pentecost day, he cited the book of Joel, using the term "last days" to describe the moment when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them (Acts 2:16-17). Peter was certain that he was living in the last days, expressing such conviction that he quoted a passage from Joel, proclaiming its fulfillment on the day of Pentecost.

In his first letter, Peter also conveyed his understanding that he was living in the last days:

1 Peter 1:20 (NLT) "God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days."

Take note of how Peter defined the last days as the period in which Jesus appeared to them during their lifetime.

Paul also used similar language as he explained the lessons we should learn from the events recorded in the Old Testament:

1 Corinthians 10:11 (ESV) "Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come."

Were Paul and Peter incorrect in their understanding? Were they confused? If we delve into the teachings of other New Testament writers, we discover that they also believed they were living in the last days.

The author of Hebrews penned the following:

Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV) "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."

The author was certain that he was living in the last days, and he delineated these last days as the time when God communicated through Jesus during His earthly life. This perspective is echoed by James as well when we read how he admonished certain wealthy individuals for their greed, forewarning them of the imminent destruction awaiting them:

James 5:3 (ESV) "Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days."

James held the belief that the "last days" were occurring during that specific period in history, namely, the first century.

The apostle John affirmed this conviction even more strongly:

1 John 2:18 (ESV) "Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour."

John believed that he was living in the last hour because antichrists were present. John anticipated his followers to understand this as well.

Could it be that the authors of the New Testament were in error? Did they believe they were living in what they considered the last days, or are those days still ahead of us in the future? Is it plausible that the apostles were anticipating events 2,000 years prematurely?

We believe the words of the New Testament writers literally. Peter, Paul, James, and John were not wrong. The apostles were living in the last days. We do not live in the last days or the end times.

During the first century, devout Jews centered their lives around the anticipation of a coming Messiah, the establishment of a new kingdom, and God's promise to make a new covenant with His people. These promises were of such significance that they were constantly anticipating the fulfillment of the days foretold to them by the Old Testament prophets.

The Significance of the term "Last Days" in Biblical Prophecy

The term "Last Days" in the context of biblical prophecy, specifically refers to the final period before the end of the Jewish dispensation or the Jewish age. This period marks the conclusion of the old covenant and the practices associated with it, leading up to the destruction of the Temple in AD 70. 

Here's a brief explanation:

Jewish Dispensation or Jewish Age: This refers to the period during which the Jewish people were under the old covenant given by God through Moses, involving the Law and the practices of Temple worship.

Last Days: The "Last Days" are understood to be the time leading up to the end of this Jewish dispensation. It is not about the end of the world but the end of the age of the old covenant.

Significance: The "Last Days" signify a transition from the old covenant to the new covenant established by Jesus. The destruction of the Temple in AD 70 is seen as a definitive end to the Jewish age, as it marked the cessation of the central religious practices of Judaism at that time.

New Covenant: With the coming of Jesus, a new covenant was established, offering salvation to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike. This new covenant is seen as the fulfillment of prophecies and the start of a new era in God's plan.

In summary, the "Last Days" pertain to the final period of the Jewish dispensation, culminating in the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, which ended the Jewish age and fully ushered in the new covenant established by Jesus. With Jesus' arrival, a new covenant was enacted, and a new kingdom was established. The ancient Jewish religious order reached its conclusion with the destruction of the Temple. The "last days," marking the transition from the old to the new, concluded during this first-century era. This transitional period extended from Jesus' proclamation as the Messiah until the fall of the Jerusalem Temple in AD 70. Indeed, the apostles were correct in identifying their times as 'last days.' However, Christians now inhabit a new age characterized by a new kingdom and new covenant.

This idea can be surprising and upsetting to some, especially for SDAs who were taught to expect things in the future. When they first hear this truth, it can be hard for them to understand because they've heard the phrases "end-times" and "last days" used so much, always about the world's end. They can't believe they might have been wrong about it.

Now that we understand that the "last days" don't refer to our time or the end of the world, what does this mean for Joel's prophecy regarding Ellen G. White's purported role as a prophet of God?

We have learned that the fulfillment of Joel 2:27-32's prophecy occurred only in the first century during the time of the apostle Peter. It has no relevance to the time of Ellen G. White and Seventh-day Adventist church history. 

What about the SDA's argument on the celestial phenomena involving the "sun, moon, and stars"? Once more, we will refer to their standard reference book, Seventh-day Adventist 28 Fundamental Beliefs:

"However, we may ask whether Joel's prophecy reached its ultimate fulfillment in Pentecost or whether there must yet be another, more complete, fulfillment. We have no evidence that the phenomena in the sun and moon that Joel spoke of either preceded or followed that outpouring of the Spirit. These phenomena did not occur until many centuries later."[5]

Now let's address this argument by moving on to the next point.

The expressions 'Signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars' are Figurative language.

The SDA claim that Joel's prophecy was not fully fulfilled during the time of the apostle Peter is based on a misunderstanding of the phenomena mentioned regarding the Sun, Moon, and Stars. They interpret these events literally, expecting the sun to darken, the moon to cease giving light, and stars to fall. Indeed, this did not happen literally during Peter's time on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The sun did not darken, the moon did not stop shining, and the stars did not literally fall from the sky. 

Here is the detailed explanation from their standard reference book, Seventh-day Adventist 28 Fundamental Beliefs, on page 379, regarding the literal interpretation of this prophecy:

"In fulfillment of this prophecy on May 19, 1780, an extraordinary darkness descended upon the northeastern part of the North American continent...The great meteoric shower of November 13, 1833 — the most extensive display of falling stars on record — fulfilled this prophecy."

Ellen G. White also endorsed this view in her book, The Great Controversy:

"May 19, 1780, stands in history as “The Dark Day.” Since the time of Moses, no period of darkness of equal density, extent, and duration has ever been recorded. The description of this event, as given by the poet and the historian, is but an echo of the words of the Lord, recorded by the prophet Joel, twenty-five hundred years previous to their fulfillment: “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.” [Joel 2:31.]" [6]

D.A. Delafield, a Seventh-day Adventist author, and minister, mentioned that Ellen White witnessed the falling of the stars on November 13, 1833, when she was a five-year-old girl:

"The same evening she arrived in Torre Pellice, Ellen White witnessed an unusual occurrence, a spectacular star shower. She had been but a girl of five when the “stars fell” on November 13, 1833, and probably slept through it all. But she didn't miss this November star shower." [7]

To this day, this remains the explanation given by some SDAs regarding these heavenly phenomena. Although many SDAs may not be aware of it, many SDA theologians no longer support this interpretation.  

For instance, in the September 1998 issue of The Ministry Magazine, an international journal for SDA pastors, SDA theologian Dr. Hans LaRondelle explained in his article, "Viewpoint: The Application of Cosmic Signs in the Adventist Tradition," that:

"Adventist expositors persistently ascribed the darkening of the sun and moon in 1780 to a supernatural cosmic end-time sign. However, later evidence indicated that the darkening may have come as the result of forest fires. The smoke had eclipsed the sun, covering  25,000 square miles in the eastern part of North America and Canada. Such a regional event lasting for only a few hours can hardly qualify as the cosmic happening prophesied in the New Testament. C. Mervyn Maxwell and others acknowledge that the so-called "dark day" of May 19,1780, was not precipitated by a direct act of omnipotent intervention but by natural causes. . . On the night of November 13,1833, an observer stated that "the stars were falling as thick snowflakes." Estimates for the fall range from 10,000 to more than 60,000 meteors per hour. The year 1833 is now regarded as the birth of meteor astronomy. Observers noticed that the meteors all seemed to stream from the constellation Leo. . . In light of these facts, some conservative Adventist expositors are now convinced that the traditional Adventist interpretation of these historical phenomena has lost its convincing power. Samuele Bacchiocchi, in The Advent Hope for Human Hopelessness (1986), omits the traditional view about 1755,1780, and 1833. The unanimous voice of conviction in Adventism regarding the prophetic significance of these phenomena has disappeared. Lost in the sense of self-evidence that used to accompany these events as supernatural signs."

It is clear, therefore, that the traditional interpretation by SDAs of the so-called "supernatural cosmic end-time signs" on May 19, 1780, and November 13, 1833, are merely figments of the imagination of Ellen G. White and the SDAs. Despite abundant scientific evidence and natural explanations from experts, many deceived SDAs continue to believe in these signs to this day.

The most important point here is not the admission of error by SDA theologians, but the credibility of Ellen G. White's prophetic claims, who believed she was inspired by the Holy Spirit while writing these falsehoods in her book, The Great Controversy. If you, the reader, are a Seventh-day Adventist, how can your conscience allow you to distribute a book containing these lies to the public? Do you still have a fear of God in your heart? Furthermore, how can you now claim that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the true remnant church of the last days when your prophet, Ellen G. White, is a false prophet? Is there any true church led and guided by a false prophet? This is your opportunity, dear SDA friend, to reconsider whether you will remain in a church with a false prophet until the end of your life or leave.

To properly interpret these celestial events, it's crucial to understand certain Jewish idioms. In Jewish culture, the phrases "sun," "moon," and "stars" were frequently used as symbolic representations of ruling powers. For instance, Joseph recounted a dream where the sun, moon, and stars bowed down to him (Genesis 37:9). When Joseph shared this dream with his family, they didn't interpret it as a literal event where the celestial bodies bowed down, but rather understood it to mean that Joseph would rise above ruling powers.

In the language of the Bible, it was often expressed that the splendor and renown of great cities glowed like celestial bodies. The demise of such a city was depicted as the dimming of these heavenly lights.

As an example, the book of Ezekiel portrays the judgment and imminent downfall of Egypt using the same celestial phenomena.

Ezekiel 32:7-8 (ESV) "When I blot you out, I will cover the heavens and make their stars dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give its light.  All the bright lights of heaven will I make dark over you, and put darkness on your land, declares the Lord GOD."

Egypt indeed faced the calamity foretold by Ezekiel, yet there is no record indicating that the sun, moon, or stars actually darkened as part of this event.

Think about how Isaiah pronounced destruction upon the Edom region, which is located south of Israel:

Isaiah 34:4-5 (ESV) "All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree. For my sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; behold, it descends for judgment upon Edom, upon the people I have devoted to destruction."

During that historical period, the armies of heaven did not literally descend to earth like fig leaves, nor did the sky genuinely "roll up like a scroll." However, Edom was indeed destroyed.

Reflect on the judgment that God delivered through Isaiah upon Babylon:

Isaiah 13:10 (ESV) "For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light."

At the time of Babylon's judgment, stars and constellations continued to shine. The sun rose without darkness, and the moon remained luminous. Nevertheless, devastation befell Babylon.

By allowing the Bible to interpret itself, we can deduce that Jesus was prophesying catastrophe by using the same apocalyptic language. Similar to how prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel predicted judgments upon Egypt, Edom, and Babylon, Jesus also foretold the destruction of Jerusalem.

Matthew 24:29 (ESV) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken."

To grasp this chapter's meaning, it's crucial to consider the time frame. Since the tribulation, referring to the destruction of Jerusalem, occurred in 70 AD, it follows that these celestial phenomena would happen "immediately after the tribulation of those days." Thus, we should expect the fulfillment of this verse to occur shortly after 70 AD.

This is our response to the argument of SDAs that if the entire prophecy of the prophet Joel was fulfilled only during the time of the apostle Peter, why did the sun and moon not darken, and the stars did not fall during that time?

The reason lies in the mistaken expectation of SDAs regarding fulfillment, as they believe that the sun, moon, and stars will literally darken and fall from the sky, which, of course, never happened during that time! 

However, the celestial phenomena prophesied by Joel were indeed fulfilled in a figurative sense during the first century when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. In Joel 2, two key events were foretold: the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and judgment upon Israel. Peter confirms that the prophecy concerning the Spirit has been fulfilled. Peter also anticipated the fulfillment of the judgment prophesied by Joel. He foresaw a judgment upon Israel happening concurrently with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Through God's grace, the judgment was delayed but eventually took place in AD 70 with the total destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish old covenant system.

SDAs also need to understand that the fulfillment of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit does not align with the prophetic ministry of Ellen G. White. Firstly, because the recipients of the gift of the Holy Spirit were not limited to one individual like Ellen G. White. According to Peter's interpretation as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, it was not just one person but all believers, both men and women:

Joel 2:28-29 (ESV) “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

So, it's a huge deception for people to attribute the fulfillment of this prophecy of Joel solely to Ellen G. White. Just on that point alone, we can say with certainty that Ellen G. White is a false prophet because of this.

Let's revisit the boastful claim of SDAs about their singular prophet whom they recognize:

"Joel particularly specified that “your Sons and your daughters shall prophesy” in anticipation of “the great and terrible day of the Lord” (Joel 2:28-32). Seventh-day Adventists hold that the prophetic gift has been manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen G. White." [8]

Many have attempted to succeed Ellen G. White as a prophet after her passing, but none of these were recognized by the SDAs as genuine, even though they claim to be open to the possibility of someone succeeding her. However, they are not truly sincere about it. This also proves that the prophecy of the prophet Joel was never fulfilled in the SDA church because according to Joel, all believers, men and women, young and old, would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. But in the history of the SDA church, their supposed prophet stands alone. Where are the others? Why hasn't Ellen G. White been succeeded by another prophet? The only explanation is that the Seventh-day Adventist church is not a true church of the Lord because it is led and guided by a false prophet.

Based on our analysis, we have established that Ellen G. White is a false prophet due to the following facts:

1.) The claim that the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 was fulfilled through her is untrue because it was only fulfilled during the time of Apostle Peter at Jerusalem during Pentecost, and the fulfillment of the prophecy did not extend to her time.

2.) The Seventh-day Adventist Church's interpretation of the literal meaning of the darkening of the Sun, Moon, and falling stars in Joel 2:30-31, supposedly fulfilled during the Dark Ages from 538 AD to 1798, is incorrect. The celestial phenomena mentioned in the Bible are actually figurative language referring to God's judgment, and it was fulfilled as God's judgment on Jerusalem in 70 AD due to their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah.

3.) According to the prophecy of Joel 2:28-29, the recipients of the Holy Spirit were the early Christian believers in Jerusalem, as promised by the Lord Jesus to them (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). The prophecy of the prophet Joel is not about a single woman to be fulfilled only in America in 1844 through Ellen Harmon, but about the true believers, both men and women, who gathered in Jerusalem to await the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them (Acts 2:1-4).

Conclusion:

The prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 found its fulfillment during the time of the apostles in Jerusalem, coinciding with Pentecost, which Christians regard as the birthplace and birthday of the Christian church. 

Since then, the Holy Spirit has been actively fulfilling this aspect of the prophecy among all the believers beginning from the 120 disciples at Pentecost. An Adventist might ask, "Does this mean that all 120 disciples who were present received the gift of prophecy, implying that they all became prophets?" The answer is yes! However, this does not mean that all of them became prophets who could have visions and dreams from God. Not everyone who has visions and dreams is considered a prophet. Even SDA theologians recognize this fact. As stated in the SDA book, The Gift of Prophecy, p. 52:

"In the New Testament occasional prophesying occurred without necessarily implying that the involved person was a prophet." [9]

Therefore, the 120 disciples received the gift of prophecy, even though not all of them were prophets. SDA authorities also recognize that the gift of prophecy was manifested among the 120 disciples through speaking in tongues. This is verified by the SDA Bible Commentary:

"Shall prophesy. Peter’s application of Joel’s prophecy to the present experience at Pentecost seems to link the gift of prophecy with the gift of tongues (see on Joel 2:28)." [10]

We might ask the SDAs if Ellen G. White ever spoke in tongues. And why do the SDAs believe that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit continues in our time, yet they reject the current existence of speaking in tongues? This reveals that even the SDAs themselves are confused about the meaning of the gift of prophecy, as their theories about it lack biblical support.

After the outpouring of the Spirit among Christ's disciples, the Jewish people later on faced God's judgment, symbolized by the darkening of their symbolic heavenly bodies—the sun, moon, and stars. Meanwhile, the Gentiles began to call upon the name of the Lord and receive salvation, fulfilling Joel 2:32: "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." This fulfillment continues today, even among Seventh-day Adventists who repent of their sins and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, to the glory of God. Amen!

 

KAYA PALA HINDI MAPATUNAYAN NG MGA SDA NA INUTOS PA ANG SABBATH SA NEW TESTAMENT!

Sabbath School Commentary: "Sanctuary Sleight of Hand" (May 18–24, 2024, Q2L8)

HINDI PA KASI KAYO NAG-REREPENT SA INYONG MALING MGA DOKTRINA!

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWERED VERSE-BY-VERSE ON ACTS 13:42-44!

SAAN MABABASA NA KUMAIN SI JESUS NG BABOY?

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWERED VERSE-BY-VERSE ON ACTS 13:42, 44: "THE NEXT SABBATH ALMOST THE WHOLE CITY GATHERED TO HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD"

 

Acts 13:42, 44 (ESV) 

"As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath...The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord." 

SDA Argument:

"Christians continued to observe the Sabbath even long after Jesus ascended to heaven. Even the Apostle Paul continued to worship on the Sabbath day. If Sunday had become the new day of worship, they should have asked Paul to return on Sunday instead of the next Sabbath to hear God's words from his preaching."

MGA TANONG AT SAGOT TUNGKOL SA CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS!

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWERED VERSE-BY-VERSE ON ACTS 10:28 | MAY 11, 2024

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWERED VERSE-BY-VERSE ON ACTS 10:28: "GOD HAS SHOWN ME THAT I SHOULD NOT CALL ANY PERSON COMMON OR UNCLEAN."

Acts 10:28 (ESV)

"And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean."

SDA Argument:

"In Peter’s vision these dietary restrictions had symbolic reference to Jewish distinctions between men—themselves and the Gentiles—and the abrogation of these distinctions was the point at issue. . . In interpreting the vision one should recognize that, although it was given in the setting of physical hunger (v. 10), it did not concern food, it concerned men."[1] 

Answer:

The Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) make a distinction between the food laws of Israel and how they affect the relationship between Jews and Gentiles. Mosaic Law holds that interactions between people and eating customs are related. In Near Eastern culture, fellowship and community are significantly strengthened by sharing food and drink (Luke 11:5-8). 

We refer to this cultural custom as commensality. The Anthropology Review claims that eating meals together is a basic component of human social interactions that have existed throughout history in all cultures:

"Commensality, the act of sharing a meal with others, is a fundamental aspect of human social interaction. Across cultures and throughout history, communal eating has played an important role in building relationships and creating community. Food and eating practices are integral parts of cultural identity. What we eat, how we eat, and with whom we eat are all influenced by our cultural backgrounds. Food not only sustains us physically, but it also plays a significant role in shaping our identities. Commensality, or the act of sharing a meal with others, is not only a physical activity but also a social one. Eating together helps build relationships and create community by providing an opportunity for people to connect and share their experiences."[2]

The Anthropology Review explains further how connections and social bonds are fostered by feasts and celebrations.

"Feasts are another example of how communal eating can foster social bonds. In many cultures, feasting is associated with celebrations and special events. By coming together to share food and drink, people are able to strengthen existing relationships and form new ones."[3]

Israel was protected and prevented by its food laws from being tempted to partake in the unlawful feasts of the Gentiles, have an illicit relationship with them, and forget their covenant with God.

Deuteronomy 7:3-6 (ESV) "You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. But thus shall you deal with them: you shall break down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and chop down their Asherim and burn their carved images with fire. “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Unfortunately, Seventh-day Adventists are ignorant of the commensality cultures that were prevalent during biblical times. This could explain why they treat food-related matters and interactions between Jews and Gentiles as distinct and unrelated issues.

SDAs tend to divide the teachings of the Bible to defend their beliefs and make the Bible support their views. This is also what they did by splitting God's single Law into two, designating one as ceremonial and the other as moral, just to argue that the Sabbath is eternal and unchanging. Now, they need to separate the issue of food and its impact on social interaction between Jews and Gentiles just to align with their man-made belief that what God cleansed in Acts 10 refers to people and not unclean animals.

The truth is that Peter's vision in Acts 10 has an application for both food and people. 

Here is the conclusion of a common reference work, New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis, that Seventh-day Adventist theologians and Bible scholars have used for years:

"Peter’s vision of the sheet coming down from heaven in Acts 10:9–16 illustrates the fact that this national separatistic effect of the clean and unclean animal laws was felt through the ages."[4]

Either the SDAs are completely ignorant of this reality, or they are aware of it but chose to hide the facts to keep their faces from embarrament.

Reason Behind What is "Clean" and "Unclean"

Bible students have always been confused by the logic behind the labeling of some creatures as “clean” and others as “unclean” for food purposes (Lev 11; see also Dt 14:3–21). Some reasons include:

• Hygienic reasons - sanitary considerations such as the possibility of disease transmission and unhealthiness associated with pork, particularly if it is not cooked enough.

• Allegorical explanations - the idea that an animal's nature dictated whether or not it was clean; for example, pigs were considered filthy since they were considered to represent indolent, gluttonous, and impolite behavior. 

• Random testing - the notion that God marked certain animals as unclean at random to test the faithfulness of his people.

• Pagan association -  the idea that animals classified as "unclean" were those used in non-Israelite ceremonies; for example, pig sacrifice was a part of several pagan rites.

• Conformity to an ideal - the belief that an animal was only considered “clean” if it fit the definition of “normal” for its species; for example, sea creatures without fins or scales were abnormal and hence unclean.

• Heavenly analogy - the idea that God's "diet" consisted of "clean" animals.

The idea that the Israelite diet was based on God's "diet"—that is, that whatever was unfit for human sustenance was also unfit for sacrifice—has evolved as a promising new theory. Based on an evaluation of the approaches mentioned above, it is probably safe to claim that none of them can offer a justification that works for all the species in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. In simple terms, they were to assist Israel in differentiating between ritual purity and ritual impurity as the Lord's holy people. 

Deuteronomy 14:1-3 (ESV) You are the sons of the LORD your God. You shall not cut yourselves or make any baldness on your foreheads for the dead. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. You shall not eat any abomination."

Based to what we just read, food laws in Israel acted as a social barrier; therefore, Mosaic Law maintains that there is a connection between social interactions and eating practices.  

Additionally, Leviticus 11:45–47 attest to this ritual:

Leviticus 11:45-47 (ESV) "For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” This is the law about beast and bird and every living creature that moves through the waters and every creature that swarms on the ground, to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean and between the living creature that may be eaten and the living creature that may not be eaten."

The Lord applies these rules about clean and unclean animals as well as the so-called holiness phrase, "Be holy, because I am holy," 11:45b to Israel's isolation from other nation's practices in Lev 20:22–26:

Leviticus 20:22-26 (ESV) “You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my rules and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I detested them. But I have said to you, ‘You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.’ I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples. You shall therefore separate the clean beast from the unclean, and the unclean bird from the clean. You shall not make yourselves detestable by beast or by bird or by anything with which the ground crawls, which I have set apart for you to hold unclean. You shall be holy to me, for I the LORD am holy and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be mine."

It is important to remind Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) that, considering the verses above, the dietary regulations found in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 were founded on the law of purification rather than necessarily being health laws. "You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy," is what God said rather than "You shall therefore be healthy, for I am healthy."

The Real Issue with Peter's Vision

If we read Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16, it focuses solely on the unclean and clean animals he saw together on a single sheet coming down from heaven.

Acts 10:9-16 (ESV) "The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven."

When did God purify the unclean animals? This transformation occurred through the teachings of Christ, which Peter heard approximately a decade ago, as documented in the Gospel of Mark, specifically in Mark 7:19:

Mark 7:18-23 (ESV) "And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Mark adds this parenthetical comment (Thus he declared all foods clean.) to help his readers see the significance of Jesus’ pronouncement for his Gentile audience. Written years after the founding of the church, Mark's remark that all foods were clean was meant as a correction to his Christian readers who might have misinterpreted these ceremonial regulations of Judaism. 

However, Mark, writing in the 40s AD, had the advantage of reflecting on past events, drawing from Peter's testimony. Jesus' teachings on food were just one of the many lessons the disciples struggled to comprehend before his crucifixion and resurrection. Church fathers concur that Mark was an associate of Peter. When Mark wrote his gospel, Peter narrated to him the events he witnessed and the teachings he heard about Jesus. 

According to The Apostolic Fathers Vol. II in the Loeb Classical Library, on page 103, it is documented that in 140 AD, Bishop Papias of Hierapolis, Asia Minor, reported the following:

"And this is what the elder used to say, 'When Mark was the interpreter [Or: translator] of Peter, he wrote down accurately everything that he re­ called of the Lord's words and deeds—but not in order. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompa­nied him; but later, as I indicated, he accompanied Peter, who used to adapt his teachings for the needs at hand, not arranging, as it were, an orderly compo­sition of the Lord's sayings."[5]

Therefore, the statement, "Thus he declared all food clean" in Mark 7:19 essentially comes from Peter, who relayed it to Mark. This provides clear evidence that if questioned, Peter himself, drawing from his comprehension and vision as detailed in Acts 10:9-16, is addressing food and not people, which effectively refutes the argument of Seventh-day Adventists!

If the passage above refers only to clean and unclean animals, then, why does Peter interpret it as referring to people when he speaks to Cornelius in verse 28? In Peter's vision, God did not declare, "I made the Gentiles clean do not call them common"? Acts 10:28 states:

Acts 10:28 (ESV) "And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean."

The reason for this is that Peter is now aware of the consequences of doing away with the dietary law. It suggests that not only has God already abolished the ceremonial division between clean and unclean animals, but that they are also allowed to associate with Gentiles, especially the believers. The SDAs might not be aware that the Torah never states that the Gentile people are "unclean." This is a fact that the Mosaic law did not express anywhere in the Torah.

According to Word Studies in the New Testament:

"The Jews professed to ground this prohibition on the law of Moses, but there is no direct command in the Mosaic law forbidding Jews to associate with those of other nations. But Peter’s statement is general, referring to the general practice of the Jews to separate themselves in common life from uncircumcised persons." [6] 

Peter's use of the word "unlawful" in Acts 10:28 is not from the Greek "nomos", referring to the Mosaic law but instead, he used the word "athemitos" a "violation of tradition or common recognition of what is seemly or proper."[7] Hence, the Old Testament does not contain any regulation that prohibits social contact with Gentiles; however, the rabbis introduced such rules, making them obligatory through custom.

If that's the case, Gentiles weren't actually considered unclean by God, so they shouldn't be regarded as such. It was the Jewish Rabbis who made this rule, which the SDAs then accepted and unfortunately, believed.

If Gentile people are not considered unclean by God, then what is the "unclean" that God refers to in Acts 10:15 when He says, "What God has made clean, do not call common"?

God is obvious in His words in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 when He uses the categories "clean" and "unclean" only for animals, not for Gentile human beings.

The New Testament Warning against the teachings of the Demons

The New Testament also demonstrates the change in how Christians, whether Jewish or Gentile, approach the laws on clean and unclean foods under the New Covenant. Under the Old Covenant Mosaic law, the Israelites' avoidance of unclean foods was seen as a way to receive God's blessing and approval. However, now under the New Testament, this perspective has changed; we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat.

1 Corinthians 8:8 (NLT) "It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do."

Another change under the New Covenant is that Christians no longer make any distinction between clean and unclean foods. They understand that, unlike under the Old Mosaic law, no food is inherently unclean by itself.

Romans 14:14 (AMP) "I know and am convinced (persuaded) as one in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is [forbidden as] essentially unclean (defiled and unholy in itself). But [nonetheless] it is unclean (defiled and unholy) to anyone who thinks it is unclean."

Additionally, Christians under the New Covenant now understand that as citizens of God's Kingdom, what they eat is not as important as it was under the Old Testament law.

Romans 14:17, 20 (ERV) "In God’s kingdom, what we eat and drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy—all from the Holy Spirit. Don’t let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is right to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person."

In fact, New Testament Christians were taught that anyone who insists certain foods must not be eaten should be regarded as a false teacher, spreading teachings of demons.

1 Timothy 4:1, 3-5 (Int'l English ERV) "The Spirit clearly says that in the last times, some will turn away from what we believe. They will obey spirits that tell lies. And they will follow the teachings of demons."They say that it is wrong to marry. And they say that there are some foods that people must not eat. But God made these foods, and those who believe and who understand the truth can eat them with thanks. Everything that God made is good. Nothing he made should be refused if it is accepted with thanks to him. 5 Everything he created is made holy by what he has said and by prayer."

I hope and pray that these teachings from the New Testament apostles will resonate with our friends, the Seventh-day Adventists, and that by God's grace, they will be led to humble prayer and repentance for promoting the doctrine of demons, which forbids certain foods to be eaten.

Conclusion:

Based on our studies in the context of Jewish dietary laws, it is becoming clear that the vision of Peter in Acts 10:9-16 refers to God abolishing the distinction between clean and unclean animals. This doesn't directly pertain to Gentile people, but by implication, it affects Jewish social interactions with the Gentile nations as a result. Jews and Gentiles cannot truly fellowship if Jews continue to adhere to the Jewish dietary laws. The vision reveals to Peter that the Torah's division between clean and unclean animals no longer holds. He is now permitted to kill and eat animals that were once considered ritually impure. Reflecting on this vision, he has come to understand that one of the implications of this new divine command is that people previously seen as ritually defiled by the Jewish Rabbis due to their failure to observe Jewish dietary laws should no longer be viewed as unclean.

Thus, the Seventh-day Adventists' claim that Peter's vision in Acts 10:9-16 doesn't pertain to food but rather to men is incorrect, lacking biblical, historical, and contextual support. It's merely a man-made doctrine designed to mislead people into believing their false gospel.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS ANSWERED VERSE-BY-VERSE ON LUKE 23:56 "ON THE SABBATH THEY RESTED ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT."

 

Luke 23:56 (ESV)

"Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment."

SDA Argument: 

1.) “Christians who claim that Christ ended the Sabbath through His death on the cross are mistaken because according to Luke 23:56, Christ’s disciples still observed the Sabbath after Christ had died on the cross and was buried.”

2.) "Luke attests to the fact that the Sabbath remained a commandment for Christians during his time, as he refers to it as “according to the commandment,” indicating his belief that observing the Sabbath continues to be a valid day of worship for Christians."

ANSWER:

#1.) Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the only one to use the phrase “On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.”

The assertion made by Seventh-day Adventists that Luke 23:56 firmly supports the idea that Christians are required to observe the weekly Sabbath today seems premature, as it does not consider the broader context of Scripture, particularly the teachings in the four gospels.

An examination of the four Gospels reveals that only the Gospel of Luke uses the statement “On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” By contrast, neither Matthew, Mark, nor John mention this. This suggests that if observing the weekly Sabbath were as critical as the Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) assert, it would likely be referenced in all four Gospels.The four gospel writers' perspectives on the events that followed Christ's crucifixion are illustrated in the following verses:

Matthew 27:57-61 (ESV) "When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb."

Mark 15:46-47 (ESV) "And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid."

Luke 23:50-56 (ESV) "Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment."

John 19:38-42 (ESV) "After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there."

Why did Luke find it necessary to include this statement? It’s because his Gospel was directed towards the Gentile community. Luke highlighted “On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” to the Gentiles because many were not acquainted with the Jewish Sabbath customs when he composed his Gospel. Hence, he needed to clarify why the women disciples had to go back home after visiting Jesus’ tomb. Furthermore, not a single Gentile was among the Jewish disciples who first returned home to prepare spices and ointments which evidently is a Jewish custom and keep the Sabbath as commanded.

#2.) Since the disciples had not yet fully understood the implications of Jesus' death, they continued to observe the Sabbath even after His crucifixion and burial. They were in a transitional phase, still coming to terms with the meaning of His death.

It's not appropriate to establish doctrines based on a time when the disciples were still immature in faith and confused about the significance of Jesus' death. They were in a transitional phase, seeking clarity, and should not be relied upon for definitive guidance in such uncertain times.

The following passages indicate that the disciples initially doubted Jesus' resurrection, leading to Jesus rebuking them for their disbelief and stubbornness:

Mark 16:9-11 (ESV) "Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it."

Mark 16:14 (ESV) "Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen."

John 20:25 (ESV) "So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Thus, Luke 23:56 is simply a description of the customary practices of Jesus’ Jewish disciples. It is not a command but rather a descriptive account. Later, as the disciples grew in their understanding of Jesus' mission, crucifixion, and resurrection, their faith evolved under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The early Christians' understanding of the connection between the Old Covenant laws and Christ's death on the cross became clearer and more significant. They came to recognize that the Law of Moses—including the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, and even dietary restrictions—was temporary and had its end with Christ's death on the cross. This concept is reflected in Paul's epistles:

Ephesians 2:14-16 (The Living Bible) "For Christ himself is our way of peace. He has made peace between us Jews and you Gentiles by making us all one family, breaking down the wall of contempt that used to separate us. By his death he ended the angry resentment between us, caused by the Jewish laws that favored the Jews and excluded the Gentiles, for he died to annul that whole system of Jewish laws. Then he took the two groups that had been opposed to each other and made them parts of himself; thus he fused us together to become one new person, and at last there was peace. As parts of the same body, our anger against each other has disappeared, for both of us have been reconciled to God. And so the feud ended at last at the cross."

Here's another instance from Paul's letter to the church in Colossae, where he clarifies the limitations of Jewish laws, describing them as a shadow of what was to come, with Christ as the ultimate fulfillment: 

Colossians 2:14, 16-17 (The Living Bible) "And blotted out the charges proved against you, the list of his commandments which you had not obeyed. He took this list of sins and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross. So don’t let anyone criticize you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating Jewish holidays and feasts or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths.  For these were only temporary rules that ended when Christ came. They were only shadows of the real thing—of Christ himself.

(Romans 10:4, Good News Bible) “For Christ has brought the Law to an end, so that everyone who believes is put right with God.” 

The passages referenced above demonstrate that as the early disciples of Christ transitioned from being Sabbath observers—initially because of their incomplete understanding—toward a deeper comprehension of Jesus' teachings, they recognized that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law and the Sabbath's symbolic meaning. As their faith matured, they realized they no longer needed to adhere to the law's requirements, having been saved by God's grace. 

Luke was aware of the issues that the early church faced during the Jerusalem Council, particularly with some Jewish Christians insisting that Gentile converts must undergo circumcision and follow the Law of Moses, including Sabbath observance, to be fully saved. This was a significant topic that the Jerusalem Council addressed (Acts 15:1-29).

Acts 15:9-11, 28-29 outlines the church's final stance on its relationship with Old Testament law:

Acts 15:9-11, 28-29 (Int'l English ERV) "To God, those people are not different from us. When they believed, God made their hearts pure. So now, why are you putting a heavy burden around the necks of the non-Jewish followers of Jesus? Are you trying to make God angry? We and our fathers were not able to carry that burden. No, we believe that we and these people will be saved the same way—by the grace of the Lord Jesus. We agree with the Holy Spirit that you should have no more burdens, except for these necessary things: Don’t eat food that has been given to idols. Don’t eat meat from animals that have been strangled or any meat that still has the blood in it. Don’t be involved in sexual sin. If you stay away from these, you will do well. We say goodbye now."

Therefore, it's wrong for SDAs to claim that Luke continued to encourage his fellow Christians to observe the Sabbath of the Old Covenant. Christians should honor the position taken by the Jerusalem Council concerning the relationship with Old Testament laws, including Sabbath observance. Sabbath-keeping has not been a requirement for Christians since the Jerusalem Council in 50 AD, and that stance remains unchanged to this day.

#3. Luke, also known for writing the book of Acts of the Apostles, mentions that early Jewish Christians continued to observe the weekly Sabbath in Jewish synagogues, not in Christian church gatherings.

To grasp the meaning of Luke 23:56 and its relevance for believers, the best approach for a Bible researcher is to examine another work by Luke, which is the book of Acts, considered a continuation or sequel to the Gospel of Luke. According to Bible scholars, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts form a unified literary work, essentially a two-volume narrative. The similarities between the Gospel of Luke and Acts illustrate this continuity. Acts records certain actions by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke that are mirrored by those of Peter, Paul, and other individuals in the book of Acts. 

Given this, we can readily address the Seventh-day Adventists' misinterpretation of Luke 23:56, as the true context of Luke's writing becomes clear when examining the book of Acts.

The book of Acts details the history of the early followers of Christ. While the Gospel of Luke is known for documenting Jesus' teachings to His disciples before His ascension, instructing them to spread His message from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, the book of Acts records how this mission was accomplished, capturing the spread of the gospel across the world as chronicled by Luke.

How can the book of Acts help us understand the early disciples' observance of the weekly Sabbath? Does it support the Seventh-day Adventists' interpretation of Luke 23:56, suggesting that Christ's disciples continued to observe the Sabbath even after His crucifixion and burial? Moreover, does it lend credibility to the SDA belief that Luke endorsed Sabbath observance as a valid day of worship for Christians?

Unfortunately, the book of Acts does not support the interpretations held by the SDAs; in fact, Luke's accounts contradict their beliefs.

Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi, a Seventh-day Adventist scholar, conducted extensive research on the topic of Sabbath-keeping in early Christianity. 

His book "Sabbath Under Crossfire" page 162 provides an accurate account of how the early Church observed the Sabbath and its connection to the Jewish synagogue:

"How did New Testament believers observe the Sabbath in the light of its expanded redemptive meaning derived from Christ’s ministry? Initially, most Christians attended Sabbath services at the Jewish synagogue (Acts 13:14, 43, 44; 17:2; 18:4). Gradually, however, Christians established their own places of worship. Matthew suggests that the process of separation had already begun at the time of his writing, because he speaks of Christ entering “their synagogue” (Matt 12:9). The pronoun “their” suggests that the Matthean community as a whole no longer shared in Sabbath services at the Jewish synagogue by the time the Gospel was written. Presumably, they had organized their own meeting places of worship by then."

Dr. Bacchiocchi offers many valuable and significant insights that would benefit the SDAs, especially since he is a renowned SDA scholar. It would be worthwhile for the SDA community to take his perspectives into account.

a.) "Initially, most Christians attended Sabbath services at the Jewish synagogue"

This contradicts the interpretation of many SDAs that Luke 23:56 is evidence that Sabbath observance continued even after Christ was crucified and died on the cross even today. As an SDA church historian, Dr. Bacchiocchi refuted this by pointing out that Christians "initially" worshiped on the Sabbath, meaning it was only in the beginning and not a permanent practice. According to Dr. Bacchiocchi, there came a time when they separated from the Jewish synagogue and established "their own meeting place for worship.

b.) "Presumably, they had organized their own meeting places of worship by then."

According to Dr. Bacchiocchi, the phrase "their synagogue" in Matthew 12:9 indicates that "the Matthean community as a whole no longer shared in Sabbath services at the Jewish synagogue by the time the Gospel was written." If the Gospel of Matthew was written around 50 AD, as suggested by Bible scholars, it's clear that Christians had already stopped attending Sabbath worship at the synagogue of Jewish non-believers.

SDAs often use Acts 13:14, 43, 44; 17:2; 18:4 to argue that Christians continued to observe the Sabbath, where the apostle himself is depicted observing the Sabbath along with other Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles. However, as researched by their renowned Bible scholar and church historian, Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi, Christians initially worshipped at the synagogue of Jewish unbelievers only temporarily until they separated from them and began to gather "as a church" (1 Cor. 11:18).  

When Christians separated from the synagogue, their place of worship became the homes of believers, which is why we sometimes read "the church in their house" (Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philem. 2). 

But the question is, were they still worshiping on the seventh-day Sabbath?

It is noticeable that Luke’s record in the book of Acts does not mention that after the Christians separated from worshipping in the Synagogue of the Jews every Sabbath, they continued to observe the Sabbath in their weekly gatherings “as a church.” I have long been asking any SDAs if the early Christians were truly Sabbath keepers, to provide even just one verse that mentions the early Christians observing the Sabbath every Saturday in their Christian church gatherings, not in the Jewish synagogue. Unfortunately, none of them have been able to answer this very important question. What does this only mean? It simply means that the Bible does not teach that Christians gather every Sabbath weekly!

However, if the SDAs were to pose the question to us whether there is a passage in the history of the early church in the book of Acts that mentions Christians gathering on Sunday for worship, we have a definite answer and can show at least one verse. This is Acts 20:7, which states:

Acts 20:7 (ESV) "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight."

To summarize this verse: 

(1) This meeting was “on the first day of the week”  that is Sunday

(2) Luke says they were “gathered together to break bread,” indicating the purpose of the meeting. 

(3) “Breaking bread” was the technical term used by the early church for the Lord’s Supper. 

(4) This was a Christian meeting "as a church" outside the Synagogue of the Jewish unbelievers. 

(5) It is the earliest strong evidence of Christians meeting on the first day of the week or Sunday.

The Andrews Study Bible, a reference Bible by the SDAs, acknowledges in its commentary on Acts 20:7 that it is the only direct mention in the New Testament of an early Christian assembly.

"This is the only explicit reference in the NT to Christians actually gathering on the first day of the week."[1]

The Message Bible captures the essence of the message of Acts 20:7 in a way that's easier to understand:

Acts 20:7 (MSG) We met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master’s Supper." 

The SDAs don't have a verse that can match Acts 20:7 to prove that Christians gathered every week on Saturday or the Sabbath, because they simply don't have any such reference in the New Testament!

CONCLUSION:

Therefore, the SDA's interpretation of Luke 23:56 to support their weekly Sabbath-keeping is incorrect. Their proof-texting method to study the Bible is very dangerous, used solely to back up their erroneous beliefs. Based on what we've learned, we understand that it was not Luke's intention in Luke 23:56 to support or continue observing the Sabbath up to our present time. Instead, we've learned from other parts of Scripture and from other gospel writers, especially in the companion volume to Luke's Gospel, which is the book of Acts, that:

#1.) Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the only one to use the phrase "On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment."

#2.) Since the disciples had not yet fully understood the implications of Jesus' death, they continued to observe the Sabbath even after His crucifixion and burial. They were in a transitional phase, still coming to terms with the meaning of His death.

#3.) Luke, also known for writing the Acts of the Apostles, mentions that early Jewish Christians continued to observe the weekly Sabbath in Jewish synagogues, not in Christian church gatherings.

The conclusions drawn by Luke and those of the SDAs are vastly different and miles apart. From reliable references, we understand that for Luke, Christians in their initial transitional period began by worshipping in synagogues on the Sabbath. However, as they matured in faith and began to understand the mission and purpose of Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they ceased to observe the Sabbath. Instead, they started to separate from the synagogues of Jewish unbelievers and began gathering as a church, where they could celebrate the Lord's Supper. Most importantly, as we see in Acts 20:7, they gathered on Sunday, commemorating the day of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. This is the historical reason why, even today, Christians gather for worship on Sundays to celebrate the Lord's resurrection!