DOES SUNDAY KEEPING IN LINE WITH RESURRECTION OF CHRIST?

"WE KEEP SUNDAY AS A REMEMBERANCE OF THE RESSURECTION OF CHRIST!"

“Worshipping on Sunday is not contrary to God’s command. For us Sunday is the Seventh Day, the day of Jesus (Lord’s Day). But at this point I am not going to give you quotations pro or contra Saturday or Sunday. What I want to give you is the reason why we Christians worship on Sunday. The reason is the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus rose from death the early morning of the first day of the week (Jn. 20:1). That day was to become for every Christian the Lord’s Day’, the day in which we Christians celebrate and rejoice because we have seen the day of our salvation, because life has overcome death, because Jesus is our Lord and Messiah.

If you understand this point, you will be able to answer to those supporting the Saturday’s observance. Those who want to observe that day have a literal fidelity to the Bible, but they miss the main point: Jesus. They are like the Jews of which Jesus said: “You pour over the Scriptures, believing that in them you can find eternal life; it is these scriptures that testify to me, and yet you refuse to come to me to receive life.” (Jn.5:39-40). Concluding; if you are a Christian, a believer that the promised Messiah and Saviour have already come to save us, then you are a person of the Lord’s Day’. If you still wait for Messiah (like the Hebrews) or you do not believe in Jesus as the Son of God and Messiah, then you can remain a person of the Sabbath.” Hot Points of Catholic Teaching, the Seed, Consolata Fathers Nairobi-1998 page 107.

The above statements are derived from a Catholic booklet that explains various points of their faith. Many of the Sunday keepers when asked, they usually reply by saying Sunday is the Lord’s Day or it’s the resurrection day. On Sunday not being the Lord’s Day please request our tract on that subject.

It’s not true that those who keep the true Saturday Sabbath don’t recognize that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Yes we know that there are some Jews who don’t believe that Jesus is the Messiah, but these do not mean that everybody who keeps the Sabbath doesn’t recognize the Messiahship of Jesus. We do believe that Jesus is the Messiah and believe that he came and was born by Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, we believe that he lived a life free of sin, we believe that he was crucified and died for the redemption of our and worlds sins, we believe he was in the tomb for three days and three nights and arose from the death!

WHAT DID JESUS WANT US TO REMEMBER?

In the many discussion with different people, many do agree that Saturday is the Sabbath but they say that they rest on Sunday in remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Let’s give a look at this argument and see if its supported by the Bible. Which day did the Lord Jesus commanded his disciples to remember;

“When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Then He took the cup, and gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22;14-20.

This is something that is too open that anyone who reads the Bible can not argue against, Jesus told and commanded his disciples to remember His death. The apostles did not fail Jesus but they did remember his death and apostle Paul saw it nice and good to teach the Christians at Corinth to remember the death of Jesus Christ;

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you that the Lord Jesus on he same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me. In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” 1 Corinthians 11:24-26.

From the above Scriptures it’s evident that what Jesus Christ commanded his apostles and us to remember was not His resurrection but His death. We have no single verse in the entire Bible where a command to remember the resurrection of Christ is given, thus we do wonder who gave out such an idea?

THE OPEN TRUTH!!

On reaching there now, we are at a point of revealing a truth that will puzzle many, BUT BELIEVE IT OR NOT, JESUS DIDN’T AROSE FROM THE TOMB ON A SUNDAY!!!

Before you’re offended and throw this pamphlet to the dustbin, please just as the Bible admonishes us to try all things, I request that you just read on and see if this is the truth.

THE ONLY SIGN.

WAS Jesus three days and three nights in the grave, as He said in Matthew 12:40?
   Can you figure three days and three nights between sunset "Good Friday" and sunrise Easter Sunday?
   We have never published an article that stirred more comment and enthusiastic endorsement than this article.

  IT is commonly supposed, today, Jesus was crucified on FRIDAY, and that the resurrection occurred about sunrise on Easter Sunday morning. It would seem that no one, until recently, ever thought to question or to PROVE this "Good-Friday-Easter" tradition. Yet the Bible tells us to PROVE all things. And you will be literally astounded by this proof. For PROOF there is but one dependable authority; a sole historical record -- the Bible.

Tradition No Evidence
   There were no eye-witnesses to the resurrection. Even so-called "apostolic fathers" had no source of information save that record which is today available to us. Tradition, then, must be dismissed.
   What are the recorded facts? The doubting Pharisees were asking Jesus for a SIGN -- a supernatural evidence -- in proof of His Messiahship.
   Jesus answered: "An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three  nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the heart of the earth." (Matt. 12:38-40).
   Now consider, please, the tremendous import -- the overwhelming significance -- of Jesus' statement!
   He expressly declared that the ONLY SIGN He Would give to prove He was the Messiah was that He should be just THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the rock-hewn sepulchre in "the heart of the earth."
The Significance of the Sign
   These Christ-rejecting Pharisees demanded PROOF. Jesus offered but one evidence. That evidence was not the fact of the resurrection itself -- it was the LENGTH OF TIME He would repose in His grave, before being resurrected.
   Think what this means! Jesus staked His claim to being your Saviour and mine upon remaining exactly THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS in the tomb. IF He remained just three days and three nights inside the earth, He would PROVE Himself the Saviour -- if He failed in this sign, He must be rejected as an imposter!
   No wonder Satan has caused unbelievers to scoff at the story of Jonah and the "Whale!" No wonder the Devil has set up a tradition that DENIES Jesus is the Messiah!
The Dilemma of the Higher Critics
   This one and only supernatural PROOF ever given by Jesus for His Messiahship has greatly bothered the commentators and the higher critics. Their attempts to explain away this sole proof for Christ's divinity are ludicrous in the extreme. For explain this away they must, or their "Good-Friday-Easter" tradition collapses!
   One commentator says, "Of course we know that Jesus was actually in the tomb only half as long as He thought He would be!" Some expositors impose upon our credulity to the extent of asking us to believe that "in the GREEK language, in which the New Testament was written, the expression 'three days and three nights' means three PERIODS, eitor of night!"
   Jesus, they say, was placed in the tomb shortly before sunset FRIDAY, and rose at sunrise Sunday morning -- two nights and one day.
The BIBLE Definition
   But the BIBLE definition of the duration of "nights and days" is simple.
   Even these same higher critics admit that in the HEBREW language, in which the book of Jonah was written, the expression "three days and three nights" means a period of 72 hours -- three twelve-hour days and three twelve-hour nights.
   Notice Jonah 1:17: "And Jonah was in the belly of the fish THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS!" This, they admit was a period of 72 hours. And Jesus distinctly said that AS Jonah was three days and three nights in the great fish's belly, SO He would be the same length of time in His grave!
   As Jonah was in the "GRAVE" (see marginal references, Jonah 2:2) 72 hours, after which he was supernaturally resurrected by God, by being vomited up, to become a saviour to the people of Nineveh upon proclaiming the warning to them, so should Jesus be 72 hours in His grave, thereupon being resurrected by God to become the saviour of the world!
   Did Jesus know how much time was in a "day" and in a "night"? Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours in a day... but if a man walk in the NIGHT, he stumbleth." (John 11:9-10).
  Notice the BIBLE DEFINITION of the expression, 'THE THIRD DAY." Text after text tells us that Jesus rose THE THIRD DAY. See how the BIBLE defines the time required to fulfill "THE THIRD DAY."
  In Genesis 1:4 God "divided the LIGHT from the DARKNESS. And God called the LIGHT Day, and the DARKNESS He called Night. And the evening (darkness) and the morning (light) were the FIRST DAY ...and the evening (darkness) and the morning (light) were THE SECOND DAY,... and the evening (now three periods of darkness called NIGHT -- three nights) and the morning (now three periods of light called DAY -- three days) were THE THIRD DAY." (Gen. 1:4-13).
   Here we have the ONLY BIBLE DEFINITION which explains and COUNTS UP the amount of time involved in the expression "THE THIRD DAY." It includes three dark periods called NIGHT, and three light periods called DAY -- three days and three nights, and Jesus said they contained TWELVE HOURS for each period -- a total of 72 hours!
   That ought to be conclusive! Any seven-year old, near the end of the second grade, could figure it easily. We praise God that His plain truths are revealed UNTO BABES, and hidden from the wise and prudent!
What Is Wrong?
   What is wrong with these plain, simple words of Jesus? How do these wise and prudent theologians KNOW Jesus was crucified "Good Friday" and rose "Easter Sunday?"
   The simple answer is, THEY DO NOT KNOW IT -- for IT IS NOT TRUE! It is merely TRADITION -- a tradition we have been taught from childhood, and carelessly ASSUMED! Jesus warns against making "the Word of God of none effect through your TRADITION." (Mark 7:13).
   We have examined two scriptural witnesses, in Matthew and in Jonah, both setting the duration of the body of Jesus in the tomb as three days and three nights, which the Scriptures plainly define as 72 hours of time. Now let us examine four other Scriptural witnesses that PROVE THE SAME THING.
   Notice Mark 8:31. "And He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and AFTER three days rise again."
   Our young second grader can figure this. IF Jesus had been killed on Friday, and then AFTER one day He had risen, the resurrection would have occurred on Saturday evening. IF AFTER TWO DAYS, it would have occurred Sunday evening, and if AFTER THREE DAYS, it would have occurred MONDAY EVENING!
   Examine this text carefully. You cannot, by any process of arithmetic, figure any less than a full 72 hours -- three days and three nights -- in a resurrection which occurred three days AFTER the crucifixion! If Jesus was in the grave Friday sunset to Sunday sunrise, then this text too, must be torn out of your Bible or else you 'must reject Jesus Christ as your Saviour! If He rose AFTER THREE DAYS, it might have been more than 72 hours, but it could not have been a second less!
   Notice now Mark 9:31. "...they shall kill him; and AFTER that he is killed, he shall rise THE THIRD DAY." The duration expressed here must be between 48 and 72 hours. It could not be one second PAST 72 hours, and Jesus still rise THE THIRD DAY. And it could not be Friday sunset to Sunday sunrise, because that is only 36 hours, carrying us into the middle of the second day, AFTER He was killed.
   In Matthew 27:63 Jesus is quoted as saying, "AFTER THREE DAYS I will rise again." This cannot possibly be figured as less than 72 full hours.
   And in John 2:18-22, "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and IN three days I will raise it up... but HE spake of the temple of his body." To be raised up IN three days after being destroyed, or crucified and buried, could not be more than 72 hours.
   If we are to accept all the testimony of THE BIBLE, we must conclude that Jesus was exactly three days and three nights -- three full 24-hour days -- 72 hours in the grave or the only supernatural proof He gave must fail.
The TIME OF DAY of Resurrection
   Now notice carefully this fact: In order to be three days and three nights -- 72 hours -- in the tomb, our Lord had to be resurrected at exactly THE SAME TIME OF DAY that His body was buried in the tomb!
   Let us realize that very vital fact.
   If we can find the TIME OF DAY of the burial, then we have found the TIME OF DAY of the resurrection! If the burial, for instance, was at sunrise, then in order to be left an even three days and three nights in the tomb, the resurrection likewise had to occur at sunrise, three days later. If the burial were at noon, the resurrection was at noon. R the burial was at sunset, the resurrection was at sunset, three days later.
   Jesus cried on the cross soon after "the ninth hour" or three o'clock in the afternoon. (Matt. 27:46-50; Mark 15:34-37; Luke 23:44-46.)
   The crucifixion day was called "the preparation," or day before "the sabbath." (Matt. 27:62; Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:14). This day ended at sunset, according to Bible reckoning (Lev. 23:32).
  Yet Jesus was buried before this same day ended -- before sunset. (Matt. 27:57; Luke 23:52-54). John 19:42, John adds, "There laid, they Jesus, therefore, because of the Jews' preparation day." According to the laws observed by the Jews all dead bodies must be buried before the beginning of a Sabbath or feast day. Hence Jesus was buried BEFORE SUNSET on the same day He died. He died shortly after 3 p.m.
   Therefore -- notice carefully! -- the BURIAL OF CHRIST'S BODY WAS IN THE LATE AFTERNOON! It was between 3 p.m. and sunset as these Scriptures prove.
   And since the RESURRECTION had to occur at the SAME TIME OF DAY, three days later, THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OCCURRED, not at sunrise, but IN THE LATE AFTERNOON, near sunset! Startling as this fact may be, it is the PLAIN BIBLE TRUTH!
   If Jesus rose at any other time of day, He could not have been three days and three nights in His grave. If He rose at any other time of day, He failed to prove, by the only sign He gave that He was the true Messiah, the Son of the living Creator! Either He rose near the END of a day near sunset, or else He is not the Christ! He staked His claim on that one and only sign!
   So a time-honored tradition must be shattered! Let us praise God for His TRUTH which has been preserved through the dark ages, so that the true light may now shine forth, if our hearts and minds are still willing to receive it! Praise His name! Do you LOVE the TRUTH as it is revealed, or despise it and love the traditions you have heard? "Whosoever despiseth the Word shall be destroyed!" Let us say with David, "How precious also are THY thoughts unto me, 0 God!"
What Day Was the Resurrection?
Now which DAY OF THE WEEK was the resurrection day?
   The first investigators, Mary Magdalene and her companions, came to the sepulchre on the first day of the week (Sunday) very early, while it was yet dark, as the sun was beginning to rise, at dawn. (Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
  Now here are the texts most people have SUPPOSED stated the resurrection was at sunrise Sunday morning. But they do not say that!
   When the women arrived, the tomb was already OPEN! At that time Sunday morning while it was yet dark -- JESUS WAS NOT THERE! Notice how the angel says "HE IS NOT HERE. BUT IS RISEN!" See Mark 16:6; Luke 24:3; John 20:2; Matt. 28:5-6.
  Jesus was ALREADY RISEN at sunrise Sunday morning! Of course He was. He rose from the grave IN THE LATE AFTERNOON, near SUNSET!
  And since we know the resurrection was just shortly prior to that Sunday morning, and that it occurred in the late afternoon of the day, we now may know THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST OCCURRED LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
  The Sabbath day ended at sunset. It was late on that day, before the beginning of the first day of the week. It was not, then, a Sunday resurrection at all -- it was a Sabbath resurrection!
Did Christ Fulfill His Sign?
   Now all this is based on the supposition that Jesus did fulfill His only SIGN of being three days and three nights in the grave. All our evidence is based on the claims of Jesus BEFORE His crucifixion. But some of the higher critics and doctors of divinity tell us that Jesus made a mistake -- that He was only in the tomb HALF AS LONG as He expected to be. Let m have PROOF as to whether He did spend the exact amount of time in the grave He said He would.
  Notice that in Matt. 28:6, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD gives this testimony, which we now present as EVIDENCE! "He is not here: for He is risen, AS HE SAID." And He certainly did not rise AS HE SAID unless He rose at the precise TIME that He had said! So we have the proof of the ANGEL OF THE LORD, recorded in the sacred WORD OF GOD that Jesus did fulfill His sign -- He was three days and three nights in the earth -- He did rise Sabbath afternoon, and not Sunday morning!
   Another proof that Christ was in the grave the full length of time He expected to be is found in I Cor. 15:3-4.
  "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES."
  His death and burial were ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES -- NOT CONTRARY TO THEM.
  The THIRD DAY following His Wednesday burial was the Sabbath; THREE FULL DAYS spent in the grave ended Saturday afternoon just prior to sunset, not Sunday morning.
Which Day Was the Crucifixion?
  It is not difficult now to determine the day on which Jesus was crucified. Counting back three days from the Sabbath when He rose, we come to Wednesday, the fourth or very middle day of the week.
  Jesus was crucified on WEDNESDAY, the middle day of the week, He died on the cross shortly after 3 p.m. that afternoon, was buried before sunset Wednesday evening. Now COUNT the THREE DAYS and THREE NIGHTS. His body was Wednesday, Thursday and Friday NIGHTS in the grave -- THREE NIGHTS. It also was there through the daylight part of Thursday, Friday and Saturday -- THREE DAYS. He rose Saturday -- the Sabbath -- late afternoon, shortly before sunset, at the same TIME OF DAY that He was buried! And Sunday morning at sunrise He was NOT THERE -- HE WAS ALREADY RISEN!
   It is significant that in Daniel's prophecy of the "Seventy weeks" (Dan. 9:24-27), Jesus was to be cut off "in the midst of the week." While this prophecy has the application of a day for a year, so that this 70th week became a literal seven years, Christ being "cut off' after three and a half years' ministry, as He was, yet it is significant that He was also "cut THE MIDDLE DAY OF A LITERAL WEEK!
WHAT Sabbath Followed the Crucifixion?
   Now we come to an objection some may raise, yet the very point which PROVES this truth! Perhaps you have noticed that the Scriptures say the day AFTER the crucifixion was a SABBATH! Hence, for centuries, people have blindly assumed the crucifixion was on Friday!
  Now we have shown by all four Gospels that the crucifixion day -- Wednesday -- was called "the preparation." The preparation day for THE SABBATH. But for WHAT Sabbath?
  John's Gospel gives the definite answer: "It was the preparation OF the PASSOVER."
   "For that Sabbath day was an HIGH DAY." (John 19:14, 31).
  Just what is a "HIGH DAY"? Ask any Jew! He will tell you it is one of the annual holydays, or feast days. The Israelites observed seven of these every year -- every one called SABBATHS! Annual Sabbaths, falling on certain annual calendar dates, and on different days of the week in different years, just like the Roman holidays now observed. These Sabbaths might fall on Monday, on Thursday, or on Sunday.
  If you will notice the following texts, you will see these annual holydays were all called Sabbath days: Lev. 23:24; Lev. 16:31; Lev. 23:39; Lev. 23:15; Lev 23:26-32.
   Notice Matthew 26:2: "Ye know that after two days is the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified." And if you will follow through this chapter you will see that Jesus was crucified ON THE PASSOVER!
  And what was THE PASSOVER? It was the ancient day of Israel commemorating their deliverance from Egypt, and picturing to them the crucifixion of Christ and their deliverance from sin. In the twelfth chapter of Exodus you will find the story of the original Passover. The children of Israel killed the lambs, and struck the blood over the doorposts and on the side-posts of their houses, and wherever the blood had thus been applied the Lord PASSED OVER that house, sparing it from death. Following the Passover, was a holy convocation or annual Sabbath.
   Observe the dates: "And in the fourteenth day of the first month is THE PASSOVER of the LORD. And in the fifteenth day of this month is the FEAST." (Num. 28:16-17).
  The Passover lamb, killed every year on the 14th of the first month called "Abib," was a type of Christ, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Christ is OUR PASSOVER, sacrificed for us. g Cor. 5:7).
  JESUS WAS SLAIN ON THE VERY SAME DAY THE PASSOVER HAD BEEN SLAIN EVERY YEAR! He was crucified on the 14th of Abib, the first Hebrew month of the year! And this day, the PASSOVER, was the day before, and the preparation for, THE FEAST day, or annual highday Sabbath, which occurred on the 15th of Abib. THIS Sabbath might occur on ANY day of the week. Frequently it occurs, even today, and is observed by the Jews, on THURSDAY. The Jews observed this "high-day" Sabbath on Thursday, 1952 and will in 55, 59 and 62.
  And the Hebrew calendar shows that in the year Jesus was crucified, the 14th of Abib, Passover day, the day Jesus was crucified, was WEDNESDAY. And the annual Sabbath was THURSDAY. This was the Sabbath that drew on as Joseph of Arimathea hastened to bury the body of Jesus late that Wednesday afternoon. THERE WERE TWO SEPARATE SABBATHS THAT WEEK!
Honest Objections Examined
  Someone is sure to notice Mark 16:9, thinking this text says the resurrection was upon Sunday. But if you read the whole sentence, it does not say that at all. The expression "was risen" is in the perfect tense. What was Jesus' condition early the first day of the week? Does it say he "was rising" or that He "did rise" from the grave? No, early the first day of the week, at the time He appeared to Mary Magdalene, He WAS RISEN. Of course He was! He had risen the late afternoon before, so naturally He WAS RISEN Sunday morning. The text does not in any way refute the scores of other texts we have given.
   Another passage that might confuse, is Luke 24:21: "and besides all this, today is the third day SINCE THESE THINGS WERE DONE." "These things" included all the events pertaining to the resurrection -- the seizing delivering Him to be tried, the actual crucifixion, and, finally the setting of the seal and the watch over the tomb the following day, or Thursday. Study verses 18-20, telling of "these things" and also Matt. 27:62-66. "These things" were not completed until the watch was set, Thursday. And the text says Sunday was the third day SINCE THESE THINGS were done. These things were not done until Thursday, and Sunday truly was the third day since Thursday. But it was not the third day since FRIDAY, so this text could not prove a Friday crucifixion.

The Final Proof
  There is yet one final clinching PROOF of this amazing truth.
   A vital text proving that there were two Sabbaths in that week has been obscured by almost every translation into English. Only Ferrar Fenton's version has this point correct.
  Turn to Matthew 28:l. In the common version it says, "In the end of the Sabbath," or more correctly, "after the Sabbath." Notice that both of these renderings use the singular -- Sabbath. But in in the original Greek the word is in the PLURAL. Fenton renders it correctly by saying, "After the SABBATHS," although the remaining part of the verse he has not translated quite correctly. In a footnote to this text, he says, "The Greek original is in the plural, 'Sabbaths."
  According to Mark 16:1, Mary Magdalene and her companions did not buy their spices to anoint the body of Jesus until AFTER THE SABBATH WAS PAST. They could not prepare them until AFTER this -- yet after preparing the spices THEY RESTED THE SABBATH DAY ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT! (Luke 23:56).
  Study these two texts carefully.
  There is only one possible explanation: After the annual high-day Sabbath, the feast day of the days of unleavened bread -- which was Thursday -- these women purchased and prepared their spices on FRIDAY, and then they rested on the weekly Sabbath, Saturday, according to the Commandment! (Exodus 20:8-11)
  A comparison of these two texts PROVES there were TWO Sabbaths that week, with a DAY IN BETWEEN. Otherwise, these texts contradict themselves.
  The PLAIN TRUTH concerning the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ is fast sweeping the world. Thousands are coming to see it. This truth has been published in the Sunday School Times. The Oxford University Press, in their "Companion" Bible, publish a table proving this newly-revealed truth of the Bible.
  We praise God that though the truths of His Word became trampled upon and LOST through the dark ages of superstition, apostasy, and counterfeit doctrines, that the ORIGINAL TRUTH has been carefully preserved in THE BIBLE ITSELF. We can STUDY to show ourselves approved unto God, and seek out and FIND these long-hidden truths IN THE BIBLE.
  What a wonderful study it is! How precious is HIS WORD! All the Truth has not YET been brought to light. Let us press on, and seek and find more and more! Let us feed upon the pure WORD OF GOD! Let us not reject the true light, or God will certainly reject us! Let us rejoice in it, with praise and thanksgiving!

CAN WE KNOW WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE SEVENTH DAY?

HAS TIME BEEN LOST?

IS IT POSSIBLE TO KNOW-TO PROVE-WHICH DAY OF THE WEEK TODAY IS THE SAME SEVENTH DAY GOD BLESSED, AND SET APART, A CREATION?

Granted, the Bible says the Seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. Granted, that God did, at creation, make the seventh day HOLY TIME, and that He has commanded us to KEEP it holy.

But how can we know, today, WHICH day is the true seventh day God blessed and made holy AT CREATION?

Has time been lost? Has the calendar been CHANGED?  Were not ten days dropped out of it at one time?

And how about living on a round earth Does not one either “gain a day,” or “lose a day” in traveling around the world?

And how about JOSHUA”S LONG DAY? Did that change the weekly cycle?

How can we know that the name “Saturday,” which is a pagan name, was placed on the seventh day of the week according to the Hebrew calendar?

To all these questions, there is a definite answer-and many lines of POSITIVE PROOF: God’s Word says “Prove all things.” Let us banish all prejudice. Let us throw out preconceived or past opinions. Let us investigate and find the TRUTH.

Past Calendar Changes.

The calendar now in use, a Roman calendar, has been changed, but that change did not break the weekly cycle.

Prior to its change, it was called the Julian calendar, because it originated at the time of Julius Caesar, 31 B.C. - before the birth of Christ. The one change was ordered by Pope Gregory, and since then it has been called the Gregorian calendar.

The Julian calendar was imperfect- it inserted leap years too frequently. Back in 31 B.C. they supposed the year was exactly 3651/4 days long, and to take care of the extra one forth day each year, added a day to the month of February every four years. But it was found later the year was 12 minutes and 14 seconds shorter than this. Consequently, by the time of Pope Gregory, the calendar had drifted TEN DAYS away from the seasons. The spring equinox, consequently, fell on March 11^th, instead of March 21^st.

To correct this, ten days were dropped from the calendar. But they were dropped only from the number of days in the MONTH, not from the number of days in the WEEK. A man named Lilius proposed the method which was adopted in making the change. In the Catholic Encyclopedia, vol.9, p.251, under article “Lilius,” explaining this change we read: “Thus, every imaginable proposition was made; only one idea was never mentioned, viz., the abandonment of the seven day week.”

In the Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p. 740, article “Chronology,” we read: “It is to be noted that in the Christian period, the order of days in the week has never been interrupted. Thus, when Gregory XIII reformed the calendar in 1582, Thursday, 4 October was followed by Friday, 15 October. So in England, in 1752, Wednesday, 2 September, was followed by Thursday, 14 September.”

Since the Catholics changed the calendar, the Catholic Encyclopedia is the best historic authority there is on the question, and is proof positive.

So that the reader may clearly understand it, and SEE how it was worked out on the Calendar, we reproduce below the actual calendar. The change was made in Spain, Portugal, and Italy in 1582. Here is the calendar for October, 1582:

October, 1582.

Sun     Mon    Tue    Wed     Thurs   Fri      Sat.

            1          2         3           4         15     16

17       18        19       20        21         22     23

24       25        26       27        28         29     30

31

You will notice how ten days were dropped out. One day was the 4^th, and the very next day was the 15^th of October. But the 4^th was Thursday, and the next day was FRIDAY.

To make it still plainer, the 29^th of September that year was a Sabbath, or Saturday. The 30^th was Sunday. The 1^st of October was Monday, the 2^nd was Tuesday, the 3^rd was Wednesday, the 4^th was Thursday, and the next day was Friday, but it was not the 5^th, it was the 15^th. And the following day was Saturday, the 16^th. Actually Saturday the 16^th was just one week of seven days after the preceding Saturday, the 29^th of September. There had been exactly seven days, seven sunsets, from one Sabbath to the next. The change in the calendar DID NOT IN ANY WAY CHANGE THE SABBATH, or the succession of the DAYS OF THE WEEK.

Now the British countries refused to change the calendar when the pope ordered it. They continued with the old Julian calendar until 1752. And while their days of the month were different, yet their days of the week were JUST THE SAME AS IN ROME. Those who kept the Sabbath in England kept the same SATURDAY that was called Saturday in Rome. Those who observed Sunday observed the same day, both in Rome where the calendar had been changed, and in London where it had not.

The English countries changed the calendar in 1752. By that time it was necessary to drop out 11 days. The change was made in September as follows:

September, 1752.

Sun     Mon    Tue    Wed     Thurs   Fri      Sat.

                        1         2         14        15       16

17       18        19       20        21         22     23

24       25        26       27        28         29     30

Now in Russia, the calendar was never changed until just recently, IN OUR OWN LIFETIME. Consequently, in the year 1907, the day that we called the 14^th of August, the Russians called the 1^st of August. Our calendar was 13 days apart. Yet in BOTH countries, we both called that same day WEDNESDAY. In BOTH countries, SATURDAY fell on the same day of the week. The calendar has since been changed in Russia. And still their Sunday is our Sunday-their Saturday is our Saturday.

For reference, see above article, “Chronology,” in the Catholic Encyclopedia. And so we see that the calendar has been IN EFFECT SINCE 31 B.C. - prior to the birth of Christ, proving that there has never been any change in the weekly cycle from the time of Christ until now. The SATURDAY of today is the same Seventh day of the week as it was in CHRIST’S time. We can, therefore be sure we keep the same Sabbath day that Christ kept; setting us an example- the same day He said He was LORD of, Mark 2:28.

Gaining or Losing a Day Traveling Around the World.

Next let us consider this argument that we ‘gain a day” or “lose a day,” depending on which way we are traveling, in going around the world.

Did you ever stop to wonder how Jonah came to be out on a wild sea, so he could be swallowed by the great fish Jonah was commanded of God to perform a certain task. But Jonah did not want to obey. So he embarked on a ship, in an attempt to escape “from the presence of the Lord.” Read Jonah 1:1-3. Now wasn’t it silly for Jonah to think that by journeying away from home on a boat, he could escape from the command of God?

But we have many modern Jonah. They try to tell us that a certain command, proclaimed by God’s own voice to all His congregation, cannot really be obeyed if we embark on a boat and travel far away from home, either east or west. It is the command which says “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy…… the SEVENTH DAY is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Did God so complicate this command that it would require an astronomer to tell us how to obey it?

It might seem to some, who do not stop to think very deeply, that you have lost a day if you travel westward around the world-or gained a day if you travel eastward. But this loss or gain is apparent, NOT REAL. Think of what would happen if this were so. Imagine twin brothers, one traveling westward around the world, the other traveling eastward. If one has really lost a day, while the other gained a day, then after one such journey, one becomes TWO DAYS OLDER than his twin brother. If they took enough trips, one would in time be enough older to be the father of his own twin brother! This is ridiculous, but it illustrates the point.

When a person travels, his days are not of even length. The man who travels from San Francisco to New York in one day by airplane finds that this particular day, for him, is counted as only 21 hours, because the sun sets three hours earlier in New York than in San Francisco, and therefore there is three hours difference in time between these two cities. If the man returns, also by plane, he finds his day on the return trip is computed as 27 hours. If he leaves San Francisco at 5 a.m., and arrives in New York exactly twelve hours later, his watch will register 5 p.m., but all watches and clocks in New York will register 8 p.m. To compute time as others do there, he will have to set his watch up three hours. If he kept traveling around the earth, he would have to keep changing his watch, until he had added 24 hours, to his watch, by the time he returned to San Francisco. But did he really add A DAY to his life? Of course not. The only change is in the way men COUNT time. This is merely a trick argument designed to confuse people, and justify them in disobeying the commands of God. Sin is the transgression of the Law- and the wages of sin is DEATH.

The correct Bible definition of a “Day” is not 24 hours of a man made watch, but that period of time from sunset to sunset. A day is not measured by journey of the earth PLUS our journey ON the earth. The Sabbath is to be observed “from even unto even,” Leviticus 23:32. A day ENDS, and another begins, when the sun sets. (See Mark 1:32; Luke 4:40, etc.) See any encyclopedia. History shows that it was always custom to end and begin days at sunset until a few hundred years after Christ. We live on a round earth.  A day is measured by revolution of the earth on its axis, in relation to the sun. Since the Sabbath day begins, and ends, at SUNSET, we observe it, here, when the sun sets, HERE. But the sun sets three hours earlier in New York than on the Pacific Coast; hence Sabbath-keepers there begin their Sabbath three hours earlier than we on the Coast. In London, the Sabbath begins nine hours earlier than on the Pacific Coast, if kept according to God’s directions.

The answer to it all is, WE KEEP THE DAY WHEN THE DAY COMES TO US.  Jerusalem is God’s headquarters for the earth. That is where Jesus kept the Sabbath, and we know HE had it right! Authorities believe it was by God’s guidance that men were caused to set the international “date line,” (where because of a round earth turning on its axis a day must be dropped or added IN COMPUTATION,) in the middle of the Pacific where it affects virtually nobody and almost exactly OPPOSITE from Jerusalem! AS time is now computed, Sabbath-keepers the world over keep the SAME SABBATH, when it comes to them, that is and always has been the seventh day of the week AT JERUSALEM. But, for the simple reason that the Bible tells us to begin our Sabbath at SUNSET, and the sun does not set at the same time in various parts of the earth, the holy hours of the Sabbath begin, in China, several hours EARLIER than in Jerusalem;- and likewise, in America several hours LATER than in Jerusalem. But, beginning in the middle of the Pacific, half way around the earth from Jerusalem, ALL EVERYWHERE ON EARTH KEEP THE SAME DAY, as that day comes to them, THAT IS KEPT AT JERUSALEM. Sunday observers have no trouble figuring when their Sunday comes to them, anywhere on the earth. We cannot run away from this on a boat.

That Long Day of Joshua’s

There is still another argument. The long day of Joshua when the sun stood still for “about a whole day”; is figured around in a manner to show that Sunday is the seventh day of the week.

The Bible account is found in Joshua 10:12-14. “Then spake Joshua to the Lord… And he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed… and hasted not to go down about a whole day.”

Based on this is an ingenious argument, accompanied by a diagram, supposed to show that today Sunday is actually the continuation of the seventh day from creation. The gist of the argument is this:

“Joshua showed that the sun and the moon were within a few minutes of going into conjunction in the position he placed them when he issued his command. Thus this week contained a twenty-four hour period without a corresponding sunrise and sunset…. Professor Totton has clearly demonstrated that the conjunction was due to occur on Tuesday at 11:13 a.m… According to the accompanying diagram it is apparent that this particular week, from Sabbath day to Sabbath day, saw only six sunrises and six sunsets, though it contained the nominal seven times twenty-four hour periods… Numbering according to twenty-four hour periods it is seen that Saturday is the seventh day. If however, we number our days according to the sunsets, then it is clear that Sunday becomes the seventh day from creation.”

On the front cover of this booklet is as reproduction of the diagram used to present this argument, “Diagram A.”

NOTE: IF Joshua’s long day had been counted as two days in actual history,- “Tues,” and “Wed,” as labeled in this trick diagram, and the order of days had come down to us thus, this diagram would be correct. But it was counted ONE DAY. The day labeled “Sun” above we call SATURDAY today, the true 7^th day.

Surely the reader can see what is WRONG with this argument, and this diagram. First it is stated, “according to the accompanying diagram, it is apparent that this particular week, from Sabbath day to Sabbath day, saw only six sunrises and sunsets.” That is true, according to this diagram. But NOT ACCORDING TO GOD’S WORD! The diagram is in ERROR!

What is wrong? Simply this: GOD SAYS, “from even unto even shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.” The days OF THE WEEK are counted from SUNSET TO SUNSET, according to the measuring of time in the first chapter of Genesis. It is stated each day that the evening and the morning were the first day, - “the second day,” and so on. Nowhere does God’s Word say “the first 24 hours was the first day! And the next 24 hours was the second day,” etc. GOD DOES NOT COUNT TIME ACCORDING TO MAN-MADE WATCHES AND CLOCKS! God counts DAYS according to the SETTING OF THE SUN.

Now in this man-made diagram, the MAN who designed it called this long day of Joshua’s two days- Tuesday and Wednesday. Is this in harmony with the BIBLE?

Does the BIBLE call this long day TWO DAYS? Notice, in speaking of it, in Joshua 10:14, it distinctly says “And there was NO DAY like it before or after it”. The Bible called it a DAY- just ONE DAY. But in order to twist it around to conform to the broad and popular way of observing the pagan Sunday, this one Day must be counted as TWO DAYS. BUT THAT Is CONTRARY TO THE SCRIPTURES.

Next, this argument ingeniously confuses the reader between numbering according to 24 hour periods, and numbering according to sunsets. The author of this argument uses 24 hour periods to make Friday appear to be Saturday-the actual 6^th day of the week APPEAR to be Saturday the 7^th day. Then he turns around and re-numbers these same days according to sunsets to make SUNDAY come out the 7^th day. It is clever, but it is a deception. WE CANNOT FIGURE DAYS IN TERMS OF 24 HOUR PERIODS. God counts days from sunsets. Joshua’s long day was approximately 48 hours of a man-made watch, but it was ONE DAY, and the Bible calls IT A DAY, and specifically says it was DIFFERENT from other days- “there was no DAY”- not “days” but “day”- “like IT before or after IT”. The pronoun “it” is singular. Just ONE DAY! God says so!! God’s week is not made of seven 24-hour periods, but of seven days counting from sunsets. “Diagram B” shows this as it actually IS, according to the Bible and God’s reckoning of time. See the front cover of this booklet.

NOTE: Days were reckoned THEN, and down through history to today, according to this Diagram B, not as in Diagram A. Saturday is the TRUE 7^th day from creation.

Do you notice the trick employed as a means of deception in the first diagram? “Joshua’s Long Day,” as it is plainly labeled in the diagram- a day- one single day- is marked “Tuesday” and “Wednesday,”- as if it (were) two days. At the bottom of the diagram, it is numbered the 3^rd and the 4^th days of the week-TWO DAYS. Then at the top of the diagram it is re-numbered a different way-as ONE DAY, the “3^rd” day of the week. The day labeled “Saturday” is arrived at by counting Joshua’s Long Day as TWO DAYS. Figuring that way, this day is made the 7^th day of the week. Then, in the top line by              re-numbering this day as ONE DAY-the 3^rd day of the week- the day he has called Thursday is the 4^th day, Friday is the 5^th day, and Saturday is the 6^th day of the week. This, of course, brings Sunday out the 7^th day.

Now this “Joshua’s Long Day” cannot be two days-the 3^rd and the 4^th days of the week-as it is numbered below, and also at the same time be just ONE DAY, the 3^rd day, as figured in the top column. WHICH IS IT, the 3^rd day of the week-Tuesday, or the 3^rd and the 4^th days- Tuesday AND Wednesday? Since the Bible calls it “A Day” and not two days, it is only ONE DAY, Tuesday, the 3^rd day of the week, as shown in the correct diagram at the bottom of the preceding page. The error in the first diagram is in calling this day one day in one place, and two days another time. Actually it was just ONE DAY, Tuesday, the 3^rd day of the week. The day he has labeled Sunday, therefore is NOT SATURDAY AT ALL, but actually Friday, the 6^th day of the week. And the seventh day should not be labeled Sunday as in his diagram, but Saturday, as in the second diagram. It is surely PLAIN, to anyone capable of thinking at all, that this first diagram is a deception and a delusion.

But now, finally, to PROVE the whole thing, let us remember this: To establish WHICH DAY is the true Sabbath- the true SEVENTH DAY from creation, which God MADE HOLY TIME, we need to go back no further than the time of Christ!

For, if Joshua’s long day argument is true, then JESUS PROFANED THE SABBATH GOD MADE HOLY, and observed the 6^th, not the true 7^th day. And if we accuse Jesus of that, we accuse Him of committing SIN, for sin is the transgression of the law, and no one will argue that the Sabbath point of the law was abolished during Jesus’s life-time! If He sinned, then we are without HOPE! But we know Jesus knew which was the RIGHT day. He kept the TRUE SABBATH, and the calendar record PROVES that the Saturday of today is the exact SAME seventh day Jesus kept. Certainly we should want to keep the same day Jesus kept!

GOD REVEALED THE CREATION SABBATH TO ISRAEL!

In the days of Moses, God revealed the true creation Sabbath to all the children of Israel, in the raining of manna from heaven. The Israelites had been 400 long years in servitude and bondage in Egypt. They were not permitted to have any religious worship or service during these many generations. They had no Bible, no Scriptures, no written record of God’s commands or ways. Perhaps they had lost time, and not know which was the true Sabbath.

At the wilderness of Sin, two weeks before arriving at Sinai, they grumbled and complained from the lack of food. The Lord said “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you… That I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no.” This has to do with whether we will keep GOD’S LAW. To disobey is SIN. And Moses and Aaron said to the people, “At even (sunset), then ye shall know that the Lord hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: and in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord.” “And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the Children of Israel, Come near before the Lord:…. and it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the Children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud… And it came to pass, that at even (dusk), the quails came up, and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay round about the host,” Exodus 16:4-13.

Notice, there was a RELIGIOUS ASSEMBLY on this day, and the GLORY OF THE LORD appeared. The quail did not come up until the sun set. WHY because this had been a Sabbath day. At sunset, when it ended, the quails came, and the people were privileged to go to work gathering in food to eat. Next morning the manna fell. This was the FIRST DAY of the week. If they tried to keep over any manna till the following day, it bred worms and stank (verse 20). On the sixth day, (verse 22) twice as much came from heaven and they gathered twice as much. Then, that sixth day, the Lord said, “Tomorrow is the rest of the holy Sabbath unto the Lord,” verse 23. They kept it over, and on this day it did not breed worms nor sink. However, on the seventh day some of the people who were not sure WHICH DAY was the Sabbath, or whether it makes any difference. They went out to gather on the seventh day (verse 27) - AND THEY FOUND NONE! On this day God did not send any! So by three miracles God showed them WHICH DAY was the true Creation Sabbath.

Time could not have been mixed up or lost under the strict Mosaic regime between then and the time of Christ. We have shown that Joshua’s Long Day was just ONE DAY, and it did not change the reckoning of time in any way. If it did, then, as pointed out, Christ kept the wrong day! And so we come to the time of Christ, KNOWING that time was not lost up to then.

OTHER LINES OF POSITIVE PROOF.

Now if we are convinced that Jesus set us a RIGHT example, and that He observed the RIGHT seventh day, we need have no further difficulty.

Notice, the day Jesus kept AS HIS CUSTOM, Luke 4:16, was the same day all of the Jews kept, for they were holding their religious service in the synagogue- verses 17,20. About 43 years after this the Jews were driven into EVERY NATION ON EARTH. From that time until now, they have been separated, scattered into all nations. Through the middle ages, the Jews in China had no way of communication with the Jews of Africa; the Jews in Europe with those of other parts of the world. Yet today, with communication restored over every part of the world, we do not find the Jews all mixed up. If time had been lost, the Jews of one part of the world would be observing one day, and the Jews of other parts other day. But everywhere- in EVERY NATION ON EARTH, we find the Jews have been keeping the SAME IDENTICAL DAY- the day we call SATURDAY—the true seventh day. The JEW is the miracle of all history- and the JEW is another proof that we have not lost the Sabbath. Ask any orthodox Jew today if HE has lost HIS Sabbath. Why, such an idea would be non-sense to him. He is not in doubt!

Another line of proof! We have a history of the true Church of God through every century from Christ until now. It has always been a SABBATH KEEPING Church. Through the middle ages, just as prophesied in Revelation 12:6, this true Church had to FLEE to the wilderness, clear beyond the jurisdiction of the Roman Empire, dominated by Roman Catholic Church. In 363 A.D. the Roman Catholic Church passed the Decree of the Council of Laodecia, pronouncing the DEATH SENTENCE upon any found to be keeping the Sabbath. Many true Christians were MARTYRED for keeping this day. When men were willing to GIVE THEIR LIVES in order to keep God’s commands, do you think they could lose track of the right day? And coming down to modern times, we find this Church, the true Christian Church, keeping the day we call Saturday- the same day Jews have been keeping right down through every year from Christ until now.

And another line of proof. Why should time be lost? How could it be lost? Stop, think. One person might, perhaps, wake up some Saturday morning and think it was Friday, and thus wait until Sunday to keep the Sabbath. But for time to be lost, not only ONE MAN, but every other person in his town or city-every person in every province, state, or country of the whole world-every person in every nation on earth-would have to wake up the same morning with the same hallucination! Do you think this is possible? Yet you believe this has happened if you believe time has been lost!

Finally, consider the scientific proof of ASTRONOMY. We quote from the official government statements to the League of Nations, as published August 17, 1926, in an official League document. The government of Finland presented this observation from one of its astronomers: “The reform (calendar reform before the League) would break the division of the week, which has been followed for thousands years, and therefore has been hallowed by immemorial use.” The government of France presented the following statements from two of its leading astronomers: “One essential point is that of the continuity of the week…is without a doubt the most ancient scientific institution bequeathed to us by antiquity.” Stated Prof. D.Eginitis, director of Observatory of Athens, a member of the League Committee, “The continuity of the week…has crossed the centuries, and all known calendars, still intact.”

And we could go on and on. But this is enough. We have presented the proof of history, the proof of the calendar, the proof of the Jew, the proof of the martyrs of the true Church, the proof of reason, the proof of science and astronomy. And, we might add that proof the Roman Catholic Church, which through the centuries has preserved its Sunday intact, as the day FOLLOWING the seventh-day Sabbath as kept by Jesus and early apostles. The Catholic priest today is no more in doubt about SUNDAY being the true FIRST day of the week, than the Jew is about God’s Sabbath. Would God set apart a certain day put His blessing on it, Genesis 2:1-3, make it HOLY TIME, command that it be KEPT HOLY FOREVER, and then let that holy time become lost we cannot tell when to keep it? TIME LOST? If so, then you and I are LOST SOULS, for it is SIN to profane God’s Sabbath! That is the 4^th point of the Law. Sin is the transgression of the Law, 1 John 3:4 and if we break only ONE OF ITS POINTS- any one- we are guilty sinners, James 2:8-11. The very recorded words of Jesus say: “Blessed are they that do His (His Father’s) Commandments, that THEY may have right to the TREE OF LIFE,” Revelation 22:14.

The Bile Sabbath Association

HC

60 Box 8

Fairview, OK 73737

BIBLE NAME FOR THE CHURCH.

THE BIBLE NAME FOR THE CHURCH.

God has had a people, called out from the world in every age, who have ever been in the minority, and have, at different periods, suffered persecution and even death. Before the flood the history of man is exceptionally brief and the name of the people of God is not mentioned, only that Noah (meaning rest) was a preacher of righteousness, and that he and his household alone were saved, at the time of the flood.

After Noah’s posterity had wandered away in wickedness, and the world had again become careless and “knew not God,” being diligent in spiritual matters was called out, and his name changed from Abram to Abraham (meaning father of a multitude). (Gen. 17:5) In his old age, Isaac was born to him, and later came Isaac’s son Jacob. The word means, “supplanter,” and because of his wrestling all night with the angel until the break of day, and prevailing, God said, “Thy name shall be called “no more Jacob, but Israel.” (Gen. 32:28) Israel means “a prince of God,” and to Israel or Jacob were born twelve sons, the descendants of whom were ever afterwards known as the children of Israel. They were God’s chosen people, and during this age were named “Israel.” Notice, this name originated from a spiritual experience and not from fleshly descent.

The Significance of Other Names.

A study of the etymology of the words and names used in the Bible reveals equal to anything else, the unsearchable depth of the wisdom of God. The names of individuals whom God has used in disseminating His truth to the world have not only corresponded to the lives of those individuals, but in some cases have, with astonishing accuracy, displayed the character and work of their posterity following after for generations. Isaiah means, “Salvation of Jehovah;” Ezekiel, “God will strengthen;” Hezekiah, “Jehovah has strengthened;” and Jeremiah, “Jehovah has appointed.”

A New Name Promised.

During the period when God’s people were known by the name “Israel,” the Holy Spirit told us of a time coming when they would be known by another name. In Isaiah 62:2, we read, “And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory; and thou shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” This has reference to the gospel dispensation, when the Gentiles would behold His righteousness, and seek the path of salvation. We are now living in this time, and the name of the followers of Christ and those seeking the paths of righteousness collectively is not mentioned once in the New Testament Scriptures as “Israel,” therefore we are in that period spoken of by the prophet, when the people of God would have a new name which “the mouth of the Lord should name.”

Isaiah prophesies further of the name, saying, “And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name.” (Isa. 65:15)

During the Gentile age, when people of all nationalities were to accept the plan of salvation, the name “Israel” was not to remain, but was to be left for a curse. How true this has been and the name “Israel” has been a reproach. There must be, however, a new name for God’s people, which comes from the mouth of the Lord, says Isaiah, so let us investigate a little further and find this new name.

In the prayer of Jesus recorded in John 17, He said, “Holy father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” (Verse 11) See also verses 6, 12 and 26, wherein Jesus declares the Father’s name to be the one after whom His followers should be called.

Again in Ephesians we read, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of who the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” (Ch. 3:14-15)

A letter once came to the postmaster in an Alabama village, addressed to the minister of the Church of God. Pastors of different churches coming to the post office were presented the letter, but each one refuse to accept it, stating that it was not intended for them, for they were not ministers of other churches, and so it went its rounds. The Catholic priest also refused the letter, but finally a minister of the Church of God called, and when the postmaster presented the letter to him it was quickly claimed and received.

Reader, the name is significant and it is important with God. We should come out squarely and show our colors, having the Bible form or organization, and all other doctrines just as pure and true.

In the New Testament scriptures, the Lord has frequently addressed His people collectively, and has ascribed to them this new name.

1. We read in Acts 20:28 that it was the “Church of God.” Christ purchased with His own blood.
2. The Corinthian letter (I Cor. 1:2) is addressed, “Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth.” All of the churches in Judea during Paul’s ministry were called by this name.
3. In I Thess. 2:4, we read, “for ye, brethren became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus.” Before Paul was converted he was a persecutor of the Church of God.
4. He says in I Cor.15:9, “I am the least of the apostles,…. Because I persecuted the church of God.”
5. He also says (Gal. 1:13), “How that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it. “Afterward he became a member of this church.
6. II Thess. 1:4, “So that we ourselves glory in you in the Churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure.”

The New Testament name given by God himself to His people is the “church of God.” This is a statement displaying a truth, the integrity of which the world cannot question or disapprove and why should people basing their religion on the Bilbe willingly be known by another name Why should anyone reject the name given by God, and manufacture a substitute for the genuine, or take a human mane for one divine, and to this extent place the human standard above the divine standard?

God, in the first place, considers the name of much importance or He would not have changed Abram’s name to Abraham, Jacob’s name to Israel, and Saul’s name to Paul, after they had undergone a spiritual change. He considers names important, or He would never have selected a name for Hs people in the different dispensations of our history, and carefully through His Holy Spirit revealed these names to them.

Knowing the significance of Bible names, let us advance and with much care consider our every step. It is God and His words we are following, relying on His power for a life beyond. Let us follow in every particular, and keep our eyes upon Jesus and our feet in His path. God expects more of us in this age of light.

A Third New Testament.

The saved and ransomed of God from all ages of the world are each to be given a new name, after the resurrection, according as they have pleased God. This new name His choosing the name for His people. This time it is to be individually instead of one name for them collectively. In Rev. 2:17, it reads, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

TRUE BAPTISM.

YE SHALL BE WITNESS Luke 1:2, 24:48.

Were The Apostles True Or False Witnesses?

NOW LET US HEAR FROM THE EYEWITNESSES.

Just how important are eyewitnesses? Many times the verdict would have been different if there were eyewitnesses. I am so thankful Jesus Christ had eyewitnesses to the things he said and did. We know by faith that His witnesses were true. How important are those that were His witnesses in the first century to us today Jesus Christ said to His Apostles, “Ye are witnesses.” Dear friend, are you prepared to accept the witness of the Apostles concerning the essential manner, and formula of water baptism? The following material is presented to you in such a manner to show you that the Apostles teaching of water baptism in the Word of God must be accepted and obeyed and not traditions of man’s teaching. Please be honest and sincere. Ask God to open your heart, so that you might be a true witness to the truth. Now, I would ask you to answer the following questions concerning water baptism.

1. Is it necessary to be baptized?
2. Did Jesus say, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved? (Mark 16:16).
3. Is the New Testament Church an example of how the Church of today should be?
4. Should we baptize the same way that Peter, Paul, Philip and the other Apostles baptized new converts?
5. Is the Church built upon the foundation of the Apostles, and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone? (Eph. 2:20).
6. Did Jesus say in Luke 24:47, “The REPENTANCE and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME among ALL nations, beginning at Jerusalem?
7. IS HIS NAME Jesus Christ?
8. Was Peter in Jerusalem when he first lifted up his voice after receiving the Holy Spirit?
9. Did Peter preach repentance and remission of sins in the name of Jesus Christ?
10. Is it possible that 3,000 souls were deceived by Peter and the rest of the Apostles, by being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?
11. Why was Peter the main spokesman that day?
12. Did Jesus say to Peter, “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven,” after he had received the revelation of whom Jesus was? (Mat. 16:19).
13. Is the reason for Peter speaking, was that he had the keys to the kingdom? Answer- Yes.
14. Are we, the Church of the 20^th century, supposed to believe in Jesus through the Apostles word? (John 17:20).
15. Was the salvation message first spoken by the Lord, then CONFIRMED UNTO US BY THEM THAT HEARD HIM? (Heb. 2:3).
16. When Peter spoke in Acts 2:38, was it man’s philosophy or inspiration of God?
17. If Peter baptized wrong, why didn’t Matthew and the others confront him about his error?
18. Do you think Peter baptized 3,000 people by himself, while Matthew shook his head in unbelief that Peter would deceive the people by not baptizing them in the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
19. Would you agree, all the Apostles baptized converts that day in the name of Jesus Christ?
20. Why were no converts EVER baptized in the scriptures, using the Titles of Father, Son and Holy Spirit?
21. Why would a preacher baptize anyone using the titles of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, if the Apostles did not?
22. Can you show ONE place in the early Church, where someone was baptized using the formula in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit? (Please give chapter and verse).
23. Do you think the Apostle Peter would baptize in the name of Jesus Christ if he were alive today?
24. How does your Pastor baptize?
25. Why MUST you repent and be baptized, in the name of JESUS CHRIST for the REMISSION OF SINS?
26. What is remission Please study John 20:23, Acts 2:38.
27. My friend you need to believe (Have Faith) in Jesus, the Blood of Jesus, Repent to Jesus, and Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, we must be willing and obedient to the Word of God!
28. Did Cornelius have an angel FROM GOD come to him and tell him to send for Peter, who would tell him what he needed to do to be saved? (see Acts 10:6).
29. Who said, “Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are COMMANDED thee from God (see Acts 10:33).
30. In Acts 10:48, how did Peter COMMAND them to be baptized?
31. What is the name of the Lord? Is Lord a name—or is Jesus Christ the name of the Lord?
32. When Philip went down to Samaria, who did he preach unto them? Acts 8:5.
33. When were men and women baptized in Samaria? Answer: (Acts 8:12). When they believed Philip preaching things concerning the kingdom of God and the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST.
34. Were they baptized in the name (titles) of Father, Son, Holy Ghost? Answer- NO!
35. Were they only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus? Answer. Yes!
36. How did the Apostles Paul baptize people?
37. In Acts 19:3, these certain disciples were baptized unto what? Was it not John’s baptism?
38. Paul saw they had a great need to be baptized AGAIN. How were they baptized the second time?
39. Could these disciples have said, “We have been baptized already and do not need THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CALLED UPON US IN BAPTISM.”
40. If the Apostles Paul would have found anyone baptized in the titles Father, Son, Holy Spirit, then he would have rebaptized them in the name of Jesus Christ.
41. Why does ALL THE APOSTLES include the name Jesus, but exclude Father, Son, Holy Spirit when baptizing?
42. Please read Romans 6:3-6. Are we baptized into titles FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT or INTO JESUS CHRIST?
43. Are we buried with HIM or THEM? Who was the ONE who resurrected? Did the Father resurrect? Did the Holy Spirit ever die?
44. Baptism signifies the death, burial, and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST the Lord.
45. Now if we be dead with Christ, BURIED with Christ, then we shall live with Him, and shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.
46. When we have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we also should walk in the newness of life.
47. When the Apostle Paul was baptized, what NAME did he call on to WASH HIS SINS AWAY? (see Acts 22:16).
48. What is the name of the Lord, Son or Jesus Christ?
49. Did Paul write in Col. 3:17, “WHATSOVER ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT?” NO! Lord Jesus is correct.
50. Does WHATSOVER mean EVERYTHING or just a few things?
51. The WHY NOT be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?
52. Pastor, Minister, Should you baptized new converts in the name of Jesus Christ? Answer-Yes.
53. Who wrote this….. “Be though we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed?” (Gal. 1:8).
54. Do you believe the same Gospel that Paul preached?
55. How did the Apostle Paul baptize people?
• Titles—Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
• In the name of Paul.
• In the name of Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus.

56. WHEN WAS THE FIRST PERSON EVER BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
57. Did any Apostle in the Word of God EVER baptize in the titles? Answer- NO. Then why do preachers today baptize in the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
58. There is a name above ALL names, what is that name who said, “All power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth?” Answer- Jesus Christ.
59. Is Father a name? No!  Is Holy Spirit a name? No! Is Son a name? No! Is Jesus Christ a name? Yes!
60. If Father was a name, and if Holy Spirit was a name, then is there a name above them?
61. Is the name Jesus Christ above every name? (Phil. 2:9).
62. Would you be baptized in the name that is above every name?
63. Some preachers today declare that water baptism means nothing. These preachers sure couldn’t convince Jesus Christ or the Apostles that baptism means nothing.
64. Since water baptism is essential, shouldn’t then the mode of baptism be important? The Apostles of Jesus Christ were faithful and have received a good report. Shouldn’t we then follow the Apostles example if we also expect to receive a good report. After all, through the Holy Spirit, they have instructed us in the way of righteousness.
65. Did Peter say, “the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ was for ALL that the LORD our God shall call?” (Acts 2:39). What about the Holy Spirit?
66. In the mouth of how many witnesses shall every word be established? (Mat. 18:16).
67. Are Peter, Philip, Paul and Luke enough witnesses to the baptism in Jesus name rather than Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is not ONE time recorded in the early Church or Acts of the Apostles? Did the Apostles lie to us, or did they preach the truth? If the Apostles preached the truth concerning water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Then why has man changed the baptismal formula to titles Father, Son, Holy Spirit?
68. Does a bride take the husbands name when they are married?
69. Since the Church is the bride of Christ, shouldn’t we be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and take his name?
70. Did Jesus say “Ye shall be hated for my NAME’S sake?” Answer: Yes! (Matt.10:22).
71. Why are people labeled a cult today if they baptize in the name of Jesus Christ Was the early Church cult?
72. How could anyone be so foolish to say, I would rather believe Jesus than Peter and the rest of the Apostles? Read questions 6 and 9.
73. Did Apostle John write, “We also bear record, and ye know that our record is true?”
74. Are ALL SCRIPTURES given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine…etc (2 Tim. 3:16).
75. After the Apostle Peter spoke with boldness on the Day of Pentecost, the people asked the Apostles a question: Acts 2:37-39, Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their Heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles, men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERYONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, AND TO ALL THAT ARE AFAR OFF, EVEN AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL. Obey Acts 2:38 and fulfill Matt. 28:19

This verse along with others, prove that baptism in Jesus name is for the Church today and has not passed away with the Apostles as so many preach today. In the conclusion of this study, I want to thank God for the grace and love that He has given unto us. My hope is that the reader would find grace to follow after God and faith to receive the word of truth with joy. I know some will reject God’s word, but there will be others who will reach out to God by faith and receive the truth concerning water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. If you would like more information, then please write:

An Olivet Research Group Academic Resource.

P.O. Box 1527

—50100.

Kakamega, Kenya.

Email: gchurchof@yahoo.com

A Church of God 7th Day  Project.