Q: Can you prove from Scripture that the Sabbath is still in effect and is to be kept, today?

Published: July 2nd, 2004

Listed below are seven proofs, when taken together, show that the Sabbath is still in effect and to be observed by Christians today.

1) Mark 2:27-28 -- The Sabbath was made specifically for man, and Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath, not some other day.

2) Genesis 2:2-3 -- The Sabbath was made by God through Christ at the same time that man was made, and was set apart as holy time for all mankind forever.

3) Exodus 16 -- Israel had lost the knowledge of the Sabbath in the Egyptian slavery and God showed them which day it was by means of special miracles - and thereby, re-emphasized the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy.

4) Exodus 20: 8-11) -- The Sabbath was one of the Ten Commandments.

Q: You state in your booklet, "Jesus Christ--A Great Mystery," on pages 83 and 84, that the word for "Sabbath" in Matthew 28:1 is derived from the plural form of the Greek word (i.e., "sabbata") and should be translated "Sabbaths." However, the Greek Interlinear Translation shows that the Greek word is in the singular--"sabbaton," not "sabbata"--and it should therefore be translated in the singular ("Sabbath," not "Sabbaths"). Also, in the same phrase in Matthew 28:1, the Greek word for "week" is "sabbaton," but it seems to have nothing to do with the weekly Sabbath.

Published: July 21st, 2006

You are referring to the following statements in our above-mentioned booklet:

Q: Were the Holy Days given at the time of Moses actually observed before—including even in the times before the flood?

Published: March 14th, 2008

The most complete summary of the Holy Days given by God and to be observed by His people is found in Leviticus 23. Carefully note how the first two verses introduce these special days:

“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying. ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: “THE FEASTS OF THE LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are MY FEASTS”’” (Leviticus 23:1-2).

Q: Would you please explain the meaning of Colossians 2:16-17?

Published: September 4th, 2009

We have explained this passage, in detail, in our booklets, "Is That in the Bible?--Man's Holidays or God's Holy Days," and "God's Commanded Holy Days." In these booklets, we show from Scripture that Colossians 2:16-17 does not teach--as many have erroneously concluded--that the weekly Sabbath and the seven annual Holy Days are no longer binding; in fact, correctly understood, that particular passage teaches the exact opposite.

Q: Would you please explain Mark 2:27-28? In what way is Jesus “Lord of the Sabbath?” Since man was not made for the Sabbath, can we therefore work on the Sabbath?

Published: December 24th, 2010

To answer these and related questions, it is important to explain some of the background and to look at the context of the Scripture.

Q: Do you have any guidelines for opening and closing prayers?

Published: August 19th, 2011

The Church of the Eternal God in the USA, the Global Church of God in the UK, and the Church of God, a Christian Fellowship in Canada, conduct their weekly and annual Sabbath services by opening with prayer (usually after singing three congregational hymns), and by closing with prayer (after singing a final congregational hymn). These prayers are given by baptized men who have been selected by the song-leader—sometimes after consultation with or direction from the presiding minister. On occasion, and subject to the discretion of the presiding minister, baptized visitors and guests from other Church of God organizations, who might not regularly attend our fellowship, might be asked to give the opening or closing prayer.