The beginning of this conversation finds us with a greeting… “Shabbath Shalom.”
The reply comes challenging the expression and due its Judaic roots, challenging the same with allusions that those who observe the 7th day Sabbath are somehow practicing legalism, and failing to love God on the other 6 days a week. A rebuttal comes, and debate begins.
IN Rebuttal, the point is drawn that dispensationalism is a false teaching that does not hold to its own tenents of dismissing the Law of Moses as null and void, for while its advocates are far too willing to dismiss AND deactivate the practice of The 4th Law given to Moses by God, the keeping of Sabbath, the same wish to keep other “Laws of Moses” as active and pertinient such as the laws against Adultry and Murder.
The Doctrine:
The doctrine of dispensationalism teaches two plans of Salvation, one for The Jews, One for Christians. The teaching asserts that before Christ died at Calvary and Ressurrected, all who were recipients of salvation became such by observance of God’s laws, and by their works. This is referred to as the age of Law in the teaching. Reliance upon a works based/earned salvation is also referred to as “legalism”.
The doctrine further promotes that God changed his plan of salvation after Christ was resurrected, one simply has to believe in Christ and that Yeshua (Jesus) was/is that Christ, and that he died on the Cross and resurrected the 3rd day, and one merely has profess belief in such, and that same belief brings salvation. This is referred to as faith-based salvation and called “’the Age of Grace.”
The works of Paul are then brought into the conversation to support the Doctrine of Dispensationalism, and the Book of Hebrews is particularly referenced to dispel “legalism” and by silent virtue and the nature of how this conversation began, along with legalism dismiss any observance of Sabbath Keeping, and Use the name of works of Paul to do such.
SO firstly, let me begin by asserting that Paul was definitely against Legalism, this is an accurate statement, for Paul believed as evidenced by his works, TAKEN in CONTEXT, in their entirety. Paul concretely taught that Salvation is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
The words of Paul to the Ephesians cite:
Ephesians chapter 2:
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
In his letter to the Romans Paul further rebukes those who rely on legalism, their own works and merit as a means to “Buy” salvation:
Romans chapter 8:
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
So we see Paul clearly Ascertain that the matter of Salvation is a gift which cannot be earned by works and must by faith be accessed and received. Paul spends the greater part of his earlier efforts in the letter to the Romans (chapters 1-9) addressing the difference between legalism and faith to an audience primarily composed of gentiles trying to mimick Judaism, and by their efforts embracing legalism.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul furthermore refers to this matter of accepting that gift as he cites
Romans the method by which the acceptance of this gift is to be enacted on by Faith:
Romans 10:
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
But wait a minute, PAUL just connected a PHYSICAL ACTION, a WORK of the flesh, to Salvation... “And with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” Well, what about those who believe in their heart, but do not confess such with their mouth? What about the woman on the subway who finally believes on Christ in her heart as the train is derailing, and dies before she can speak words with her mouth confirming her faith? Would she be saved?
You see the dispensationalist would say of she course she would and I agree. And the dispensationalist would argue that the act of praying and speaking a profession of faith with one’s mouth is not a work, just a token action, and they would point to the logic of Paul’s words that follow in Romans 10 after verses 9 and 10, words which state that it is impossible to call upon one with your mouth with any real expectation of an answer, if one does not HAVE FAITH, that the person they are calling upon actually exists, and therefore it is argued (correctly so) by the Dispensationalist, that this action of professing with ones mouth faith in Christ, is not a work of the flesh, not legalism at all, but rather an action that is driven by and the result of a possession of faith and that the same faith at its root is what gives Salvation.
I agree.
You see, Paul was dealing with an audience embracing legalism, embracing that they had to observe works in order to be saved, and after addressing and rebuking legalism, he gave them a single work to perform, a physical action, that by a paradox of employment, could be seen as a manifestation of faith and therefore reliance upon the same for the sake of salvation.
But confession with one’s mouth, is still a physical action. As is abstaining from Adultry, or Murder, or Keeping Sabbath. None of these things BRINGS salvation, but all of these things FOR BELIEVERS who rely on Faith for their salvation, trusting the grace that is the gift of God, those believers who abstain from murder and adultery…are not these works by these believers just as a profession of faith with the mouth, also manifestations of their faith, rather than bargaining chips to attempt to purchase salvation? Are the actions of personal righteousness to keep the 6th and 7th commandments of Moses any more or less legalistic than those who in gratitude for their salvation also keep the 4th commandment? Only if they are relied upon such actions as access to salvation, rather than expressions of a salvation already possessed.
I contend that if one by faith may make a profession with their mouth their faith in Christ, and that the physical action of speaking those words is not a work of the flesh but a manifestation of their faith, then one can likewise keep the Sabbath as a manifestation of their faith not for sake of purchasing or earning salvation, but out of gratitude for a salvation offered by grace, that is already received by faith.
You see CONTEXT can change everything. If we look just ONE VERSE further at what we considered earlier in Paul’s address to the Ephesians, immediately following an address against legalism, and promoting a faith based Salvation, Paul endorses “GOOD WORKS” for the Believer…
EPHESIANS 2
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Immediately after affirming that Salvation is the Gift of God, that it is accessed by faith and not by works, Paul asserts that the Believer is ORDAINED “BEFORE” their salvation, to walk in good works after their salvation Eph 2:10.
And what good works is Paul referring to? Abstaining from stealing, adultery, murder…sure we can all get on board with that, even the most staunch advocate of Dispensationalism would affirm that those who profess faith, but continue in sin, may by the same sin evidence a faith that is not sincere, not valid. The dispensationalist rightly advocates for change in those who profess faith, a change which would abstain from drunkenness, from adultery, from theft. All of those things are rightly part of that which is called, “THE LAW OF MOSES” and yet the Dispensationalist embraces “THOSE” laws. But what of Sabbath keeping? What of Paul’s belief on Keeping the Sabbath?
PAUL’s Position on Dispensationalism:
Before we can address Paul’s position on keeping the Sabbath and the believer’s responsibility to do the same or not do the same, we need to address his position on this teaching of “Dispensationalism.”
This notion of dispensationalism teaches that there is one plan of salvation for the Jews that existed in “the age of law” and that there is one plan of salvation for the Christian that has existed since Calvary and is “The age of Grace.” Those who do not embrace this teaching of Dispensationalism, when carried to an extreme where Grace is exemplified to such extent that as long as one makes a profession of faith, they may live any way they choose, engage in any behavior they like, then this would see us refer to this teaching as “hyper-grace-ism.” And as much as the dispensationalist would attack the belief set of those who practice Sabbath Keeping as “Legalists,” all dispensationalists do not embrace nor are all guilty of Hyper-grace-ism, but the latter is an extreme of the former.
What of the accusations of the dispensationalist crying "legalism" against Sabbath keepers, or Faith-based Sabbath keepers crying "Hyper-grace-ism" against dispensationalist?
Both positions are right, both are wrong, at least they can be, depending on employment of the teachings and application to each situation.
For a dispensationalist to accuse a believer who keeps Sabbath as practicing legalism, PRESUMES that same believer is relying on the act of keeping Sabbath as part of that required to earn them salvation. Such a position does not consider the case whereby a believer, fully aware that Salvation is the Gift of God, and is fully acting in faith and trust for their salvation, practices Sabbath keeping not in effort for salvation, but as a manifest of the same, in much the same manner the dispensationalist might avoid adultery or theft or murder.
The first error in the doctrine of Dispensationalism is not that we are in the age of Grace, but rather that there was ever “An Age of Law” in the first place! It is an error to endorse that ANYONE in ANY AGE OF HUMANITY was ever saved by works and keeping of the law for sake of salvation! THERE HAS NEVER been an age of Humanity where LAW and GRACE were independent of one another…NEVER! In the Garden Of Eden, Adam was given ONE LAW…do not eat of the fruit of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, he was given this law before the woman was ever created, and before he broke this law, existed, “Christ the Lamb of God (Ephesians 1:4,5/ Revelation 13:8)
Revelation 13:
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Epheisians 1:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
BEFORE the very foundation of the world, we were chosen. SINCE the very foundation of the world, before ADAM ever fell into sin, before the FIRST LAW ever given to mankind was broken, GRACE was waiting! Law and grace have co-existed since the very foundation of the world! There has never been a time in human history where law and grace were independent of one another and there has never been a time in human history when FAITH was not only the primary, BUT THE ONLY method of salvation!
The plan has changed numerous times, but the method has always been the same for salvation, it has always been the gift of God, and it has always come by Grace through faith, ALWAYS!
To suggest that Moses was saved any more by his works and efforts to keep the law is as erroneous as suggesting that Christ could have abolished ANY PART of the law and rendered the Mosaic laws against adultery and murder and theft as null and void and no longer valid!
So we examined earlier Paul’s address to the Gentiles at the Church at Rome. In such we seen a group who were trying to imitate Judaism, and in such embracing the notion that they could somehow earn their way to heaven through legalistic works of the flesh. And we see Paul giving that group a work, a PHYSICAL action to perform, a PROFESSION OF FAITH given by words spoken from the mouth to secure Salvation. But we likewise see the Wisdom of Paul in that address, as he gives them a work, which brings to surface a paradox, as it is work that cannot be performed in any sincerity without a pre-existing SAVING FAITH! “how can we call on him in whom we have not believed?” (Romans 10).
Next we consider Paul’s words to another CHRISTIAN CHURCH. The early Christian church in the first years of the movement was primarily comprised of Hebrew believers. As the movement grew, the number of gentiles eventually outnumbered the Hebrew believers in the group. IN further review of the teachings of Paul regarding his belief on the position of the Doctrine of Dispensationlism, we consider his words to an audience of HEBREW believers in the book of Hebrews.
We have already established that PAUL did not believe in “Legalism” nor did he promote any method of salvation other than a faith based salvation! Now wait a second, digest that for a moment…PAUL never endorsed a “Jewish Salvation” and a “Christian Salvation”! Paul no more believed in Dispensationalism than he did in Legalism! Paul only taught ONE METHOD of Salvation has ever existed…ONE not TWO! Paul taught the method of Salvation has ALWAYS since the foundation of the world, been a gift of God that was accessed BY FAITH!
In Hebrews chapter 11 we see Paul discuss the salvation of those who lived in the ages prior to the arrival of Christ Yeshua(Jesus) and the advent of his death, burial and resurrection.
HEBREWS 11
4 By faith Abel OFFERED UNTO GOD a more excellent sacrifice
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that HE PLEASED God.
BY FAITH Noah Prepared an Ark (Vs 7)
BY FAITH Abraham MOVED not knowing where he was going to a new city (Vs8)
BY FAITH Sara CONCIEVED a child in her old age (Vs 11)
BY FAITH Abraham OFFERED Isaac (Vs 17)
[/b BY FAITHIsaac BLESSED Jacob and Esau (Vs 20)
BY FAITH Jacob BLESSED the sons of Joseph (Vs 21)
BY FAITH Joseph PROPHESIED Israel’s departure from Egypt (Vs 22)
BY FAITH Moses Parents HID HIM from Pharaoe (Vs 23)
BY FAITH Moses Rejected the house of Pharao (Vs 24)
BY FAITH The first PASSOVER WAS KEPT (Vs 28)
BY FAITH The Hebrews crossed the dry land of the parted Red Sea (Vs 29)
BY FAITH The Hebrews MARCHED 7 times around Jericho (Vs 30)
BY FAITH Rahab delivered the Hebrew Spies and converted to Judaism (Vs 31)
BY FAITH Samson, Gideon, Daniel and all the prophets RECEIVED SALVATION!
There was never anyone saved by keeping the law…NEVER! Paul never taught of an age of law that existed independent of Grace to obtain salvation! The Doctrine of Dispensationalism IS A LIE! LAW and GRACE have co-existed since EDEN and before!
The plan has changed numerous times, but the method HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME…Salvation is the gift of God, BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH!
When The Lord God in Genesis chapter 3 pronounced judgements on Adam, Eve and the Serpent, the prophecy that the seed of the woman would one day bruise the head of the seed of the serpent was given. There was also a law, pro-creation, the man and woman were to have sex, and it was prophesied that the woman would travail in childbirth unto death. What if EVE, refused to ever have sex with Adam going forward from that judgement? Humanity would have died with them, and with such, Eve would have rejected the plan of salvation by her lack of faith.
By Faith, Adam and Eve Procreated and gave birth to sons.
By Faith Enoch Please God with his testimony (Spoken words)
By Faith Noah built an Ark
By Faith Moses’ family hid him from Pharaoe
By Faith Moses Pronounced Judgment upon Egypt
By Faith The Hebrews kept the first Passover
By Faith Many Hebrews Performed Animal Sacrafices
By Faith John Baptized with water
By Faith Yeshua was Baptized by John
By Faith, Yeshua professed faith in Malachi’s prophesy, recognizing John as Elijah
By Faith the Romans professed Belief in Christ Yeshua(Jesus) with their mouths!
The plan has changed numerous times, but the method has always been the same. There has never been an age where Law was independent from Grace in matters of salvation, nor has there been an age where Grace existed in the absence of Law. Adam and Eve were no more saved by the physical action of having sex and producing children, than any believer at the church of Rome was saved by the physical act of speaking a set of words with their mouths.
No one who has ever acted in sincerity to profess Christ Yeshua (Jesus) with their mouths has been saved any more or any less by faith than the Hebrews who kept Passover.
And what of Passover? What of The Weekly Sabbath? What of the Feast days of the Lord?
Where did Paul stand on these matters?
Sabbath Keeping & The exhortation to walk in Good works:
Note that earlier we discussed the matter of Paul’s address to the Ephesians and immediately after denouncing Legalism, and promoting FAITH BASED SALVATION, Paul began to address the Believers at Ephesus that they are ORDAINED to perform “GOOD WORKS.”
EPHESIANS 2:
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Observe first of all that the word “WORKS” is PLURAL. So then we must ask “WHAT ARE THESE WORKS?”
Is leaving your neighbors stuff alone a good work? Sure it is, and it is covered in the Law of Moses. (Exodus 20:17 , Deuteronomy 5:21)
What about not committing murder is that a good work? Most definitely, and expected of Believers, and also covered in the Law of Moses (Exodus 20:13 , Deuteronomy 5:17)
How about being faithful to your spouse, is abstaining from Adultry a good work expected of the Christian believer? SURE..and also found in The Law of Moses (Exodus 20:14 , Deuteronomy 5:18)
What about honesty and not Stealing, is that a good work expected of the Christian believer? Most certainly…and again, found in the Law of Moses (Exodus 20:15, Deuteronomy 5:19)
So what about lying on your neighbor, bearing false witness, is avoiding that a good work? Yep…better believe it…and again, a Law of Moses (Exodus 20:16, Deuteronomy 5:20
What about feeding the poor, is that a good work? Certainly, and it is ALSO Covered in the Law of Moses Deuteronomy 15:11!
In fact there is not a single “GOOD WORK” today’s modern Christian can cite as obligatory to believers after conversion, that is not covered in the law of Moses! Even in matters of testimony, and telling others about Christ, Christ himself stated, “In the law of Moses it is Written OF ME!”
If Christ Yeshua himself declared that he is written about in the Law of Moses…should we not in testifying of Christ include all we can? Do we have the right to dispose of any passage of scripture which testifies of Christ?
The dispensationalist easily embraces observing the Law of Moses when it pertains to their husband cheating on them, or their neighbors children stealing from them, or their wife poisoning their supper with arsenic…it would seem that in the view of the dispensationalist that Christ liked some laws and not others, and only abolished “SOME” Mosaic laws, though they would not want to be called out for such obvious discontinuity of their logic when they proclaim one Salvation for the Jews prior to Christ Yeshua’s death burial and resurrection, and another Salvation for mankind after, as they declare the Law of Moses Null and void. The same too would eagerly call out any who were legalistically embracing Jewish traditions, for the hope of EARNING salvation. While they would be correct in the latter, they fail to recognize that there have been many examples listed by Paul of those who embraced the commands of the Lord out of a pre-existing possession of SAVING FAITH, and those who by the same faith, not only abstain from theft, adultery and murder, but likewise because of a possession of faith --not only profess faith in Christ and commit good works, but in such good works --keep the weekly Sabbath!
So, is keeping Sabbath legalism for the believer? Or is it to those who believe (and trust in faith for salvation), simply a manifestation of that faith, a “GOOD WORK” to which they were ordained to perform after their salvation (Eph 2) ? It is definitely for those who understand faith and also keep Sabbath out of Love for the Lord, the latter!
What was Paul’s position on SABBATH KEEPING?
First of all, Paul kept the weekly Sabbath, and all of the feast days during his life after his conversion. All of the Apostles did. In writings from the 2nd Century C.E., Iraneus Sixtus refers to the account of Polycarp, disciple of John addressing Anticetus Bishop of Rome just 2 or 3 years before Polycarp was martyrd in 155 c.e.. Polycarp himself kept the Weekly Sabbath and feast days and testified to the practice of John and the disciples of Christ continuing to do so until their deaths. Christ himself in the New Testament, while keeping it differently, still kept Sabbath. But what was Paul’s actual position on the matter?
In his address to the Hebrews, Paul not only rebuked the practice of legalism i.e.-- relying on works to earn Salvation, and also emphasized that Salvation has ALWAYS been faith based; but he also addressed the matter of keeping the commands of The Lord regarding the weekly Sabbath and the Feast days.
To the believers among the Hebrews in Hebrews chapter 10 Paul wrote:
Hebrews 10:
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Note verse 24: we are to consider one another (as believers) and to PROVOKE one another to both LOVE and GOOD WORKS!
Wait a minute, are we to remind one another of the Grace of God that exists in the gift of salvation! YES…this is provoking each others thoughts to LOVE! BUT Paul noted to the Ephesians that we are ORDAINED to Good works and here in Hebrews he not only re-emphasizes that by citing we are to provoke one another to “GOOD WORKS” not to gain Salvation, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE FOUND IT AND POSSESS IT ALREADY!
And remember what we asked earlier…when it was asked regarding our being ordained after conversion to Good works… “What are those good works?” And do you recall then we went through a list of good works, all of which can be found in the Law of Moses, as we continued to come to a point where we asked for Paul’s Position on Sabbath Keeping?…a list of things we could all agree on are good works expected out of Believers such as not committing adultery, murder, theft, false witness against our neighbors and doing things like feeding the poor? Remember?
Well, take note that of all the possible “GOOD WORKS” found in the law of Moses that we could perform, after Paul in Hebrews chapter 10 instructs us to provoke one another to LOVE and “Good WORKS” he only further defines those Good works by addressing ONE SINGLE LAW OF MOSES…SABBATH KEEPING!
HEBREWS 10:
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Just what do you think he was referencing? Paul was not referencing Sunday Keeping…that practice did not even begin in the early church until around 90 c.e. to 115 c.e. decades after Paul’s death. Paul was referencing The ASSEMBLIES, the HOLY CONVOCATIONS (meetings), he was speaking of Church but in a time, some Hebrew converts to Christianity were abandoning Sabbath keeping and the feast days (as the manner of some is)…Paul Spoke out against such abandonment and endorsed the believers to continue to keep the holy convcocations, the meetings that are listed in Leviticus chapter 23! Leviticus 23 outlines the Assemblies (Holy Convocations) of the Hebrews! AND PAUL INSTRUCTED THE BELIEVERS NOT TO FORSAKE SUCH! Not to forsake WHAT? The Assembling together of ourselves! What Assembling together? The HOLY CONVOCATIONS! WHAT HOLY CONVOCATIONS? THE CONVOCIATIONS IN LEVITICUS 23 which instruct us to have holy convocations (meetings) in which we assemble together! When are these meetings, these Holy Convocations, these times for Assembling together? On the weekly Sabbath and on the Annual and high Sabbaths, the Feast days!
Leviticus 23:
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy CONVOCATIONS, even these are my feasts.
3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy CONVOCATION; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.
4 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy CONVOCATIONS, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
The entire doctrine of Dispensationalism is rooted in and built from passages of scripture in the book of Hebrews, but it uses those passages OUT OF PROPER CONTEXT! When one considers the argument of the Dispensationalist in the matter of “Sabbath Keeping”, and likewise considers HEBREWS in context, one can clearly see that Paul not only endorses that believers are to provoke one another to love and good works, but the ONLY GOOD WORK he directly references after, is the matter of assembling together for Holy convocations, KEEPING The SABBATHS of the Lord with their Holy Assemblies as per Leviticus 23!
Does the writings of Paul evidence his endorsement of Legalism? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Does the writings of Paul endorse even a PARTIAL Legalism, an age where LEGALISM was the method of Salvation? NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Paul’s writings do promote that believers are ordained to good works, (Eph 2) and among the Good works Paul promoted to be the responsibility of believers, in the book of Hebrews chapter 10, he promotes ONLY one good work, the observance of the Holy Convocations, the assemblies related to the weekly and annual Sabbaths listed in Leviticus 23.
Does Paul endorse the notion that there was ever an age when Law co-existed independent of Grace. NEVER. Paul promotes that the method of salvation, while the plan has changed numerous times, the method has always been and continues to remain the same, Salvation is the gift of God, and comes by FAITH THROUGH GRACE.
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