A CHRISTIAN THREAD

tom_no.1
Community Member
Welcome to a place where Christ should be exalted and "Self" should be abased!!

Welcome to a place where the BIBLE can be discussed rationally, intelligently, and positively without unnecessary argument!!

Welcome to a place where prayer can be requested and encouraged!!

Welcome to a place where positive and encouraging thoughts from scripture can be shared in a caring and loving way!!

Welcome to a place away from all the arguments, recriminations, and negativity of the outside world!!

Welcome to a place of rest and safety!!

Welcome to a place where Philippians 2:3 is practiced: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

Welcome to this Christian thread.



(Please leave all aggression, bitterness, and philosophy outside the door and please wipe your feet before coming inside!!)


  

I live in my own little world. But it's OK... They know me Here!


Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Eph.6:11.
Eph.6:10-17.
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squiddley_diddley
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What a beautiful story! Thanks for posting it. :-x
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lr4941
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Hi, everyone. I'm just yapping here, and so you can comment or not comment as you see fit. If anyone disagrees with me, that's okay by me - I still love you 🙂

I've been doing a lot of reading and researching and thinking. I am soo thirsty for God's truth. I'm finding a lot of garbage and it's hard sometimes to sift through it all.

I've been reading "Christian" books and have rejected almost all of them. There are a few good ones, but the number of books that are not based on scripture, the ones that are outright hateful... it has disturbed me to the point where I can say that it grieves my soul. So, for now, I've moved away from the commentaries and the opinions and doctrines of man and have been reading more scripture than ever. The time I would spend reading Christian books is now spent on scripture.

I've come to a number of conclusions, although there is very little in my mind that is set in stone. One of the conclusions that I came to today is that I think the Sabbath is supposed to be observed and that the Sabbath actually falls on Saturday, not Sunday. I will still go to church on Sundays, but will take Saturdays to observe for Sabbath.

Why is it that most Christians observe it on the Sunday? How did that come about, anyway?

What does the observance of the Sabbath mean to you?

...still seeking.... always seeking Him and His Truth
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Early Christians met on the first day of the week, which was and still is Sunday:

Acts 20:7

"And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread"

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come." (1 Cor 16:1-2)

The truth is that the old law passed away when Jesus died on the cross, which ushered in the age of grace as opposed to the age of law. Another fact is that Christians were never given those commandments in the first place. They were given to the Israelites. (Jews).

I am a Gentile, not an Israelite. Ralph
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Jesus rose on the first day of the week not the Sabbath: Mk 16:9
All 6 appearances of Jesus happen on two Sundays, none on Sabbath. Mk 16:9; Mt 28:5-9; Lk 24:34; Lk 24:13-15; Lk 24:33,36 + Jn 20:19; Jn 20:26
Christians are recorded assembling three times on Sunday after resurrection and before ascension, never on the Sabbath. Jn 20:19 Jn 20:26 Acts 2:1 (We do not claim that these were worship services, just the early starting point of Sunday gatherings)
The only time Christians are recorded to have assembled together was on a Sunday in Acts 20:7, never does it say the disciples assembled on the Sabbath.
The only day ever mentioned when Christians broke bread was on Sunday: Acts 20:7
Christians are commanded every Sunday to give into a common treasury of the church: 1 Cor 16:1-2
Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday: Rom 1:4
Ps 2:7 "Today I have begotten thee" was fulfilled on Sunday when he rose: Acts 13:33
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
Jesus was crowned king on a Sunday: Acts 2:33-36
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
The disciples reception of the promise of the Father on Sunday: Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit first fell upon the apostles on a Sunday: Acts 2:1-4
Salvation first preached by Peter on Sunday: Mt 16:19; Acts 2:1,38,40-41
The Keys to the Kingdom of God were first used on Sunday: Mt 16:19
The great "Triumphal entry" (also called "Palm Sunday") happened on the first day: Luke 13:32
The time between the Lord’s resurrection (sheaf waving day) and Pentecost was Sunday to Sunday counting of 50 days. The starting and stopping time was on the 1st day.
First time Jesus worshiped after resurrection was on the first day by Thomas (Jn. 20:26).
The first time we could be born again to a living hope was on a Sunday: 1 Pet. 1:3
The first time Jesus had communion after his resurrection with His disciples, was on a Sunday: (Lk. 24:1, 13, 28-35)
Pentecost was a Sunday - Sunday duration of 50 days. The starting point and stopping point of counting the 50 days was a Sunday - Sunday period! Ralph
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spendmama
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Keep reading the Bible, Laurie. I'll address you via e-mail. Let me just say this much. . .unbelievable as it sounds . . . the*cat was the only one who ever posted anything close to understanding what the Sabbath means to me.

I just woke up . . . I haven't slept in like this since I can't remember!!

Oh, BTW, I personally hold to the belief that Sundaykeepers are NOT lost or doomed for eternity.

The question is. . . what is the significance of the Sabbath?
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Galations 2:21: I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” Ralph
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and I personally hold the belief that Sabbath keepers are not doomed if they believe the Gospel of Christ. Ralph
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No disrespect meant but for every question asked from now on in this Christian thread, should we answer privately so as not to get into a debate?

Maybe we should reserve this thread for the nice hugs and God bless yous but keep the deep things of God and scripture out?

If it helps I won't say another word or post another scripture related to this topic. I'll lurk and see how others respond. Ralph
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spendmama
Community Member
Then there's Rev. 22:12-14

And behold I am coming quicky and My reward is with Me to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city.

If you look at the 10 commandments - the fourth commandment is the only commandment that states "Remember" - it doesn't say "Thou shalt". Again, I've said it before and I'll say it again - Sabbath keeping could be as much a shallow tradition for Adventists as Sunday worship is meaningful to Sunday keepers.

Genesis 2:2,3 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

I keep Sabbath because that is the day God has set aside & sanctified - and it is the day I can reflect, praise and honor my Creator. And if someone else is convicted that Sunday is the more appropriate day for this, well, I really won't argue with them. Sabbathkeeping is a personal conviction. It used to be a burden when I looked at it as a means to be saved, but now I truly find it a delight because I look at it as God's gift to me and by acknowledging it and observing it, I am honoring Him. The enemy has perversed it and made it a yoke to carry. But it's really quite simple to just accept the gift.
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then there will be peace.

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Knowledge is not enough, we must apply; willing is not enough, we must do. - Unknown
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blue-nile*lazuli
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Time, in the grand scheme of things, is subjective & abstract. And the Sabbath (whether you observe it on Saturday or Sunday) falls at at a different time and even a different day in different parts of the world.

How would it therefore make any difference to your God when you choose to observe your Sabbath?

It's all in the intent.

Just pick a day.
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spendmama
Community Member
Yes, ok, I'll debate, but no links, Ralph. The last time we had this "debate" I got slammed with a link to the most malicious anti-Adventist site and got referred to as being legalistic. For every link you can find on the web, I can find just as many positive (if I care to) so what I want to see is just personal understanding & Bible references or your personal convictions - no cut & pastes of someone else's opinions.
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then there will be peace.

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Knowledge is not enough, we must apply; willing is not enough, we must do. - Unknown
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lr4941
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My reasons for thinking about the Sabbath are not at all about obeying the law for the sake of the law. If that was the case, then I'd have to obey ALL of the laws in the old testament and be running around killing goats and stoning people (no, not getting them stoned 😛 )

My reasons for thinking about anything are about wanting to understand God's will, His nature, His ways, and wanting to honour Him in every way that I'm capable.

Heck, I don't have all of the answers and I know I don't have THE answers for other people. I do not ever want to say or do anything to make another "stumble", even though I probably have unwittingly and unkowingly done that.

Nellie, your perception of it as a "gift" is wonderful. Whether it's a Saturday or a Sunday, it really is a gift, isn't it. 🙂 And that the commandment says "Remember" is a good point - again, whether it's a Saturday or Sunday.

Like many of you, I don't believe that we should honour God on only one day and do whatever we want the rest of the time, but that we should honour Him every day and continue daily in our relationship with Him, wherever we happen to be in our individual walk and growth.

Life can get so hectic and so full of carp that it's easy to let a week, then one, then two slip by without taking time out to rest both our bodies and our souls and take time out to reflect on Him. So to be encouraged by God to take that time really is a gift.

Thank you to everyone who has posted on the subject. I have learned something from each post. :)
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spendmama
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I think we should be able to respect and discuss our differences without putting down the other person's beliefs.
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Knowledge is not enough, we must apply; willing is not enough, we must do. - Unknown
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midlife*mom
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Laurie, what had you been reading? Just curious.

I am a fan of Rev. Max Lucado's books myself.



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lr4941
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A whole lot of books, Nellie. The two latest were "The Power and Purpose of Prayer" by Dr. Myles Munroe and "Jerusalem Countdown" by Rev. Hagee

I recently read "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer and was sorely disappointed - even though the book is a great success. I thought I liked her until I actually watched one of her shows.

It irks me when the ideas of man are put ahead of scripture.

Two really good ones I've read recently, that I would recommend are "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets and "The Journey" by Billy Graham.
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squiddley_diddley
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Anyone familiar with any books by Og Mandino? He's one of my favourite authors.
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lr4941
Community Member
oops - I meant mlm - sorry.
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I'm not interested in slamming or labeling you Nellie. If you don't believe, as some in your denomination do, that you are required to keep the Sabbath as a means of salvation, then I have no argument with you.

end of debate from my point of view. Ralph
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hugs and God bless Ralph
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spendmama
Community Member
blue-nile, now then in the grand scheme of things and from a legalistic viewpoint - one can get totally mucked up if you're going to start worrying about what day it is somewhere else. My daughter observes the Sabbath a day ahead of me. Sabbath from the creation story is the seventh day and we observe it from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday - also because that is how a day is referred to in the creation story. . .every creation day is "and the evening & and morning". And should one really believe the creation story. . .well, how else would one explain the 7-day week. It doesn't make sense. The month is based on lunar movements, and the day is based on solar (sun). Why is there 7 days in a week?

What difference does it make to my God? He said "remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, etc." Where I live, the seventh day is Saturday - my calendar shows me that . . . although I've noticed some calendars have been coming out with Monday as the first day. If it's not such a big deal, why is anyone even thinking of the placement of the seventh day - why put so much effort in turning Sunday now into the seventh day on a calendar?
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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, then there will be peace.

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