The Sabbath
Statement of Belief
We believe in the observance of the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week, as a sacred day of rest and worship, commemorating God's creation and the redemption provided by Jesus Christ.
Genesis 2:2-3 — Exodus 20:8-11 — Luke 4:16 — Hebrews 4:9-10 1)
Additional Information
The seventh-day Sabbath has been a central pillar of faith in God since the very beginning, with roots that can be traced back to the creation story in Genesis. It is a sacred day of rest and worship, commemorating not only God's magnificent creation but also the redemption offered to us through Jesus Christ. The importance of the Sabbath is not just a matter of tradition, but rather, it is deeply woven into the fabric of the relationship experience.
In the book of Genesis, we read about God's creation of the heavens and the earth. After six days of creating everything we see around us, God chose to rest on the seventh day, setting it apart as a special time for both rest and reflection (Genesis 2:2-3). The sanctity of the Sabbath was reinforced in the Ten Commandments, where the Lord instructed the Israelites to “Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy” (Exodus 20:8). From these foundational texts, we can see that the Sabbath was a divine gift, instituted at Creation, designed to provide humanity with an opportunity for physical rest and spiritual rejuvenation.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Sabbath served as a constant reminder of the Israelites' relationship with God. It was a time for them to cease from their labors and focus on their Creator, fostering a deeper connection with Him. This connection was not just limited to the Israelites, but it was extended to everyone who would choose to enter into a covenant with the Lord.
In the New Testament, we see that Jesus Himself observed the Sabbath, often attending the synagogue for worship and teaching on that day (Luke 4:16). As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example, which includes honoring the Sabbath. Jesus even referred to Himself as the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), highlighting the spiritual significance of this day and its connection to our redemption through Him.
The book of Hebrews provides further insight into the theological underpinnings of the Sabbath. In Hebrews 4:9-10, it says that “there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who enters God's rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works.” This passage implies that the Sabbath not only commemorates God's rest after creation but also serves as a symbol of the rest we can find in Christ. By observing the Sabbath, we are acknowledging our dependence on God for our salvation, and we are expressing our trust in the redemption offered to us through Jesus.
The Sabbath, therefore, is more than just a day of physical rest. It is a sacred time for Christians to draw closer to God, to remember His works of creation and redemption, and to experience the rest that is found only in a relationship with Jesus Christ. By honoring the seventh-day Sabbath, we are aligning ourselves with God's eternal plan and demonstrating our commitment to His lordship over our lives.
In conclusion, the FP7 view of the seventh-day Sabbath is one of profound significance. It is a sacred day of rest and worship, commemorating both God's creation and the redemption provided by Jesus Christ. As believers, we are called to follow the example set by Jesus and to honor this special day, deepening our relationship with our Creator and Redeemer. The Sabbath is a divine gift, an opportunity to experience the rest and peace that comes from a life surrendered to God, and it is a constant reminder of the incredible love and grace He has shown us through Jesus Christ.