[grip_daddy]

grip, remember the thread "christianity vs the church?" this was one of the issues, and the problem with using the bible only approach is that you could make a good scriptural argument for both sides.

I agree that difficulties surround the understanding of scriptures which has led to numerous and diverse doctrines and practices over the centuries. Also if you may recall, even the israelites were divided into many groupings; the samaritans had their own application of the scriptures, the pharasees and the seducess likewise. If this fact is accepted, it would also be agreed that even the so called church fathers you mention below contradicted themselves in the messages they were spreading. To accept, therefore, any human propagated gospel contrary to old testament god ordained truths should be rejected. This is true given that new testament message, nature, and intent were equally documented by the prophets from moses down to malachi. Paul himself in galatians wrote that even if an angel would come from heaven with a different gospel, let that angel be accursed.

colossians 2:14-16 havinga cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a new moon celebration or a sabbath day.

In understanding biblical passages, the rule of language in relation to syntax, context, nouns, articles, adjectives, original words, etc should be taken into consideration to avoid misapplication and/or misunderstanding of the message. In the above passage, let's consider few words:

1. Written code - This means the code moses wrote. Mark the words of james when he wrote, "for he who said" James 2:11. The words "said" and "written" means we compare the events of exodus 19-20, and those of exodus 34, where my question is, why the difference in treatment?

2. Festivities - This word basically points us to three festivities in israel's calender...the passover, the camp meetings, and the pentecoast. These festivities were pointing towards christ coming and also reminding them of deliverance from egypt and their sojourn in the wilderness.

3. A sabbath - As opposed to the sabbath of the lord, a sabbath basically applies to numerous other sabbaths as was contained in the written code. The sabbath spoken of by God had creation attached to it. The sabbath as was talked of by Jesus was specifically instituted for man to remember creation and the creator, which had nothing to do with israelites. But as israelites were a special people chosen to show god's glory to the rest of mankind, they were not only supposed to have a high ranking constitution governing them, but also magnify the eternal laws of god. Psalms 19: 7-8, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart, the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes...they are more precious than gold...by keeping them there is a great reward." also take note that only one commandment expressly contains blessings when kept as given in Isaiah 58:13-14. The wordings of Psalms are contrary to words of colossians which speaks of the regulations "that were againts us, and that stood opposed to us".

The commandments written by Moses were nailed on the cross, whereas those spoken by God endures forever. When the young man who was told to go and sell his wealth and give the poor said that he had kept God's commandments, he mentioned the spoken commandments of which Jesus first commended him, but reminded him about the spirit of the law.

Anyway, sunday worship was a tradition established by the apostles to commemmorate christ's resurrection, and the writings of the early church fathers attest to this.

Jesus spent 40 days before ascending to heaven. The apostles wrote epistles in a span of over 50 years. If sunday keeping was recognised by them, they could have stated. If there was anything most important in a Jew's mind, was the Sabbath issue. The new testament silence on Sunday worship simply means that there was no one in support/controversy.Christ himself could have expressed his wish that his resurrection be commemorated in a manner of observing a day. Remember Christ only left one ceremony to commemorate his death, burial and resurrection-the sacrament. He knew he would resurrect on the first day, but asked no one to remember that day. Even not remembering his death and resurrection during Easter, or his birth during Christmas, violates non of God's laws or requirements. Just imagine that Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath, you think apostles not only breaking but changing it would have gone unnoticed? I have OT prophecies supporting Sabbath observance in new covenant, and also a prophecy stating a thinking by the little horn to change the times and the laws, also of a beast imposing a mark on people's forehead (thinking) and demanding worship through deception and miracles, and I am convinced that this beast uses or twist God's express spoken laws to receive reverence. Wondered why a church should kill heretics as was manifest in dark ages?