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."
During the first century, it was recognized by Jews that Gentiles did not have to observe the Sabbath unless they converted to Judaism and became part of the Sinai Covenant. Consequently, there was minimal debate concerning the Sabbath within the early Christian community. It was widely acknowledged that since uncircumcised Gentiles were not commanded by God to keep the Sabbath, they were not expected to adhere to this practice. Most Jewish leaders believe that God’s command to observe the Sabbath was meant only for the Israelites. This view is explained in a document written in the 2nd century B.C.
The psychological impact significantly shaped people’s behavior. In regions where Christianity was preached, adherence to the Jewish Sabbath persisted as a cultural tradition among early Christians, driven more by habit than profound devotion.
2. Social Pressure
The pressure faced by Christians came from their own Jewish community, including friends and family. The Bible warns about the dangers of this pressure (Luke 14:26; 18:29) , and describes how difficult it could be (Rom. 9:3). Pressure from people who were not Christians was not very influential and could be damaging if the church acted like a closed group.
If Christians in Palestine did not observe the Sabbath, a day meant for rest, they risked harsh punishment, including the possibility of being killed by stoning. Although this was rare, it was still a danger. Jewish Christians who ignored the Sabbath were viewed as lawbreakers and could be targeted by aggressive people. In the Jewish faith, actions were considered more important than beliefs. Therefore, not keeping the Sabbath could result in increased hostility and suffering, much like what Jesus experienced.
4. Missionary Policy
This means that they had to be careful not to upset the Jewish people while also seeing the Sabbath services at the synagogue as a chance to share their faith with others. It was a balance between respecting Jewish traditions and using the time to spread their own Christian faith.
There is no evidence that Paul took a rest or stopped working on the Sabbath. Instead, he viewed it as an opportunity to spread his religious message, which he did daily. Paul's actions suggest a sense of freedom rather than adherence to strict rules. Paul aimed to teach Jews that Jesus fulfilled their sacred laws and prophecies. He used synagogues as his platform because Jews met there on the Sabbath to discuss their holy texts. Paul’s visits to synagogues on the Sabbath were part of his successful teaching strategy.While Paul’s adherence to old covenant laws and his Sabbath practices served a historical purpose, they are not directives for Christians today. Christians are not obligated to observe these old covenant laws or to follow Paul’s example of attending synagogues on the Sabbath.
Paul did not explicitly teach his converts to observe the Sabbath. Instead, he emphasized that Christians should not be judged based on special days (Colossians 2:16). Additionally, he encouraged tolerance among Roman Christians regarding differences in worship practices related to food and days (Romans 14:5).
The Sabbath was probably still observed in Jerusalem and nearby churches due to James’ dedication and the traditional beliefs of the priests and Pharisees. While the extent of this practice’s influence beyond Palestine is uncertain, James’ impact was significant in Antioch and known in Galatia, as mentioned by Paul. Luke held James in high regard, and James presided over a council that issued directives to churches in Cilicia and Syria.
Acts 15:21 notes that Moses' teachings have been shared in synagogues every Sabbath. James mentioned this tradition but wasn't advising Gentiles to attend. New believers needed to learn about Jesus, not just Moses. The synagogues stressed strict practices like circumcision, which weren't required for Gentile believers. At a key meeting in Jerusalem, only four simple rules were set for Gentiles in Acts 15:28-29:
Acts 15:28-29 (ESV) "For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
The rules they agreed upon were like the Noachian laws, which didn’t include the Sabbath. According to Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews (1.3.8), after the Flood, God asked Noah to follow these requirements.”
"However, I require you to abstain from shedding the blood of men, and to keep yourselves pure from murder; and to punish those that commit any such thing. I permit you to make use of all the other living creatures at your pleasure, and as your appetites lead you; for I have made you lords of them all, both of those that walk on the land, and those that swim in the waters, and of those that fly in the regions of the air on high--excepting their blood, for therein is the life."
The Jerusalem decree's mention of adultery might have originated from Lev's prohibited marriages. 18:6–18, and the mention of abstaining from blood has its roots in Leviticus. 17:10–14.
Thus, it is evident that prior to the existence of Jews and Gentiles, neither the sabbath nor the dietary regulations pertained to individuals living after the Flood. The sabbath was later set off for the Jews alone, when God declared them to be his chosen people.
Psalms 147:19-20 (BBE) "He makes his word clear to Jacob, teaching Israel his laws and his decisions. He has not done these things for any other nation: and as for his laws, they have no knowledge of them. Let the Lord be praised."
6. Theological Conviction.
Luke’s writing suggests that the Pharisees (Acts 15:5) were dedicated to observing the Sabbath and the law. Acts 15:1 hints at another group with similar beliefs. Peter’s hesitation to accept his vision (Acts 10:10-16), which was repeated three times, indicates that he valued the law. Luke implies that before Peter’s vision the law was still widely respected and its importance was not broadly questioned, even with Jesus establishing a new covenant.
In the New Testament, a significant concern was the danger that Jewish Christians might not fully appreciate the significance of Jesus’ life, which transcended the law, and His sacrificial death. The risk of reverting to Judaism seems to have influenced the Epistle to the Hebrews.
In the book of Acts, some Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) claim that early Christians observed the Sabbath. However, this perspective may be premature because the early church was still transitioning to understand that Jesus supersedes the law. The law, in comparison to Christ, is like a shadow—a mere reflection of the true fulfillment found in Him. It’s interesting to note that the faith of SDAs mirrors the immaturity seen in early Jewish Christians who struggled to fully grasp the concept. Despite Jesus having completed salvation, some SDAs continue to live under the law and its curses (Galatians 3:8-10).
Perfectly and contextually explained.
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