Q. New Covenant Christians observe a Sunday Sabbath largely, I understand, to maintain fellowship with other Christian churches, and because the essence of true Sabbath worship is inner or spiritual, and not external. Since Seventh Day Adventists and other "sabbatarians" manage to observe a Saturday sabbath and yet, apparently, hold fellowship with other Christians on Sundays too, why should their example not be followed? In which case, you would be observing both the spirit of the Sabbath as well as following the right day in the week?

There is much to commend what you say and indeed a return to Saturday worship has been voiced by the leadership of the New Covenant Church of God on many occasions. This position has been gradually gaining interest amongst many of the members.

We know, historically, that Sunday observance was primarily an anti-Jewish reaction of the early Roman Church and that it was the Papacy who dissolved Saturday Sabbath observance in favour of Sunday observance. At this time the Jews were particularly unpopular with the Roman state and Christians wished to dissociate themselves from this conflict and establish themselves as a new religion and not merely a "Jewish sect". The result was therefore political though with theological justifications being employed to defend the change.

Personally, I think there is a strong likelihood of this Church observing a Saturday Sabbath in the future. Our reasons for doing so would not, however, be legalistic, neither would we place the kind of emphasis that Seventh Day Adventists do on the day since we do look upon the inner sabbath law as the real substance. Our main motive would be to be consistent with the Word of God.

Expect further discussion on this subject in the Church. I would personally favour a return to a Saturday Sabbath for the local colonies of the NCCG -- it is already practiced by firstborn colonies. The final decision must, however, be based on a revelation from God and receive the consent of the whole Church. I would hope that this matter could be dealt with in the near future.

ADDENDUM ON THE SABBATH

In 1999 the New Covenant Church of God received a revelation commanding observance of the Saturday Sabbath, thus resolving this issue once and for all. The changeover was smooth and the Church has reaped many blessings as a result.

For further reading, we recommend the following excellent books:

• “From Sabbath to Sunday: An Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity” by Samuele Bacchiocchi (The Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome, 1977; Distribution: 230 Lisa Lane, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA* see ** below).

• “The Sabbath Under Crossfire: A Biblical Analysis of Recent Sabbath/ Sunday Developments” by Samuele Bacchiocchi (1998, Biblical Perspectives, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103, USA**)

• “Too Long in the Sun” by Richard M. Rives (1998, Partakers Publications, P.O.Box 23031, Charlotte, NC 28227, USA)

• “Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest” (1996, United Church of God, P.O.Box 661780, Arcadia, CA 91066, USA)

• “Shabbat Shalom: A Guide for Christians to Understand the Sabbath” by Richard Booker (1998, ISBN 0-9615302-6-X, Sounds of the Trumpet, 8230 Birch Glenn Lane, Houston, Texas 77070, USA).

This page was created on 2 May 1998 Last updated on 2 May 1998

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