Unto His covenant people Israel, God decreed the “covenant of circumcision” as well as the Sabbath as an “eternal sign of the covenant.” The circumcision already goes back to Abraham: “He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” (Gen. 17:13).

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” (Rom. 4:11-12). Amen.

The circumcision of any newborn boy on the eighth day was a sacred obligation in Israel. It was supposed to be a reminder of the first act of begetting in paradise through which all of mankind was pulled into the fall. At the time of the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, the Lord even wanted to kill the Prophet Moses because he had neglected to circumcise his son. That was then rectified by the mother (Ex. 4). The Son of God was also circumcised on the eighth day, for He had to bear the consequences of the fall in His earthly body from His birth until His death on the cross. Everything that God has ordained is in connection with the reparation of the tragic history of mankind through the divine plan of Salvation. Although He was without sin, begotten by the Spirit, He had to bear all things in His body of flesh on our behalf. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1. Pt. 2:24).

Paul was circumcised on the eighth day as well (Phi. 3:5) and circumcised his coworker Timothy out of consideration for the Jews (Acts 16). However, the apostle wrote the following unto the Corinthians:“Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.” (1. Cor. 7:18).

Then he disclosed the decisive point at issue: “… circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter …” (Rom. 2:29).

After Paul had repeatedly spoken and written about circumcision, he provided a summary with the following words:

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” (Gal. 6:15-16).

On the subject of keeping the Sabbath, I receive frequent inquiries, particularly since it is part of the Ten Commandments (Dt. 5). In Gen. 2:3 it is written: “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

God not only sanctified the seventh day, but ordained it unto His people Israel as a day of complete rest; they were not even allowed to kindle a fire on that day (Ex. 35:3).

“Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Ex. 31:15-17).

In reference to Israel, the Lord said, “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” (Eze. 20:12).

“And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” (Eze. 20:20).

“Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant …” (Neh. 9:12-14).

He did not give this commandment to the Church of the New Covenant, for now it is not about the completed work of creation, but about the completed work of redemption; not about the holy rest on the Sabbath, but about the “eternal rest” in God. “For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Heb. 4:8-10).

Paul wrote to the New Testament Church: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days …” (Col. 2:16).

Already in the Old Testament, God pointed out the first day of the week, which follows the Sabbath, with regard to the plan of Salvation, in particular in connection with the waving of the sheaves of the firstfruits: “And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.” (Lev. 23:11).

“And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat-offering unto the Lord.” (Lev. 23:15-16). That was the day of Pentecost – the fiftieth day. When the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the sheaf of the firstfruit of the wheat harvest was weaved and baptized into one body by the Holy Spirit.

According to the corresponding reports of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, our Lord rose on the first day of the week (Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24; Jn. 20).

It is reported of Paul that he celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the believers on the first day of the week: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread …” (Acts 20:7).

Even the special offering was to be presented on the first day of the week: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (1. Cor. 16:2). A direct commandment to celebrate the Sunday, however, is not found in the Holy Scripture.

True is that God decreed the Sabbath unto the people of Israel as a day of rest.

True is that God announced the first day of the week as well.

True is that the Lord rose on the first day of the week.

True is that He spoke with the disciples at Emmaus on the same day.

True is that He revealed Himself to the eleven disciples in the evening of the same day.

True is that He had another meeting with them one week later.

True is that the believers gathered on the first day of the week.

True is that Paul celebrated the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.

True is that the faithful Jews continued to keep the Sabbath as always.

True is that Constantine forbade the Jews to keep the Sabbath.

True is that Constantine mandated the Sunday unto all of the Christians as a day of rest.

Not true is that all those who do not keep the Sabbath have the mark of the beast.

Not true is that all those who keep the Sunday have the mark of the beast.

Not true is that the keeping of the Sabbath is the Seal of God.

There is not one single Scripture in that regard. The day of the Lord is neither the Sabbath nor the Sunday; instead, it is the terrible day of judgment that was announced in the Old and the New Testaments. And the Seal of God is the Holy Spirit, not a day (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; a. o.). The mark of the beast is connected to the number of a man (not of a day), which adds up to 666 (Rev. 13:18). We have already addressed this subject in other publications.

During the Millennium, the Sabbath is in force once again. “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 66:23).

It is well-known that our Lord and also Paul seized every opportunity to preach to the Jews on a Sabbath. I would have done the same. Likewise, I would have attended every meeting held by our Lord after His resurrection on the first day of the week (Mt. 16:2-9; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:19-26).

All my life, I have preached on every Sabbath and on every Sunday on which I had the opportunity to do so. Whoever insists on keeping a certain day should ask himself whether he might be under the influence of some denomination that, for instance, makes the Sabbath the main subject rather than Christ, instead of accepting all of the Word of God.

Unto His covenant people Israel, God decreed the “covenant of circumcision” as well as the Sabbath as an “eternal sign of the covenant.” The circumcision already goes back to Abraham: “He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” (Gen. 17:13).

“And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” (Rom. 4:11-12). Amen.

The circumcision of any newborn boy on the eighth day was a sacred obligation in Israel. It was supposed to be a reminder of the first act of begetting in paradise through which all of mankind was pulled into the fall. At the time of the Exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt, the Lord even wanted to kill the Prophet Moses because he had neglected to circumcise his son. That was then rectified by the mother (Ex. 4). The Son of God was also circumcised on the eighth day, for He had to bear the consequences of the fall in His earthly body from His birth until His death on the cross. Everything that God has ordained is in connection with the reparation of the tragic history of mankind through the divine plan of Salvation. Although He was without sin, begotten by the Spirit, He had to bear all things in His body of flesh on our behalf. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” (1. Pt. 2:24).

Paul was circumcised on the eighth day as well (Phi. 3:5) and circumcised his coworker Timothy out of consideration for the Jews (Acts 16). However, the apostle wrote the following unto the Corinthians:  “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.” (1. Cor. 7:18).

Then he disclosed the decisive point at issue: “… circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter …” (Rom. 2:29).

After Paul had repeatedly spoken and written about circumcision, he provided a summary with the following words:

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” (Gal. 6:15-16).

On the subject of keeping the Sabbath, I receive frequent inquiries, particularly since it is part of the Ten Commandments (Dt. 5). In Gen. 2:3 it is written: “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

God not only sanctified the seventh day, but ordained it unto His people Israel as a day of complete rest; they were not even allowed to kindle a fire on that day (Ex. 35:3).

“Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Ex. 31:15-17).

In reference to Israel, the Lord said, “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.” (Eze. 20:12).

“And hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God.” (Eze. 20:20).

“Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant …” (Neh. 9:12-14).

He did not give this commandment to the Church of the New Covenant, for now it is not about the completed work of creation, but about the completed work of redemption; not about the holy rest on the Sabbath, but about the “eternal rest” in God. “For if Joshua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” (Heb. 4:8-10).

Paul wrote to the New Testament Church: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days …” (Col. 2:16).

Already in the Old Testament, God pointed out the first day of the week, which follows the Sabbath, with regard to the plan of Salvation, in particular in connection with the waving of the sheaves of the firstfruits: “And he shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.” (Lev. 23:11).

“And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat-offering unto the Lord.” (Lev. 23:15-16). That was the day of Pentecost – the fiftieth day. When the outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the sheaf of the firstfruit of the wheat harvest was weaved and baptized into one body by the Holy Spirit. 

According to the corresponding reports of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, our Lord rose on the first day of the week (Mt. 28; Mk. 16; Lk. 24; Jn. 20).

It is reported of Paul that he celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the believers on the first day of the week: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread …” (Acts 20:7).

Even the special offering was to be presented on the first day of the week: “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.” (1. Cor. 16:2). A direct commandment to celebrate the Sunday, however, is not found in the Holy Scripture.

True is that God decreed the Sabbath unto the people of Israel as a day of rest.

True is that God announced the first day of the week as well.

True is that the Lord rose on the first day of the week.

True is that He spoke with the disciples at Emmaus on the same day.

True is that He revealed Himself to the eleven disciples in the evening of the same day.

True is that He had another meeting with them one week later.

True is that the believers gathered on the first day of the week.

True is that Paul celebrated the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.

True is that the faithful Jews continued to keep the Sabbath as always.

True is that Constantine forbade the Jews to keep the Sabbath.

True is that Constantine mandated the Sunday unto all of the Christians as a day of rest.

Not true is that all those who do not keep the Sabbath have the mark of the beast.

Not true is that all those who keep the Sunday have the mark of the beast.

Not true is that the keeping of the Sabbath is the Seal of God.

There is not one single Scripture in that regard. The day of the Lord is neither the Sabbath nor the Sunday; instead, it is the terrible day of judgment that was announced in the Old and the New Testaments. And the Seal of God is the Holy Spirit, not a day (Eph. 1:13; 4:30; a. o.). The mark of the beast is connected to the number of a man (not of a day), which adds up to 666 (Rev. 13:18). We have already addressed this subject in other publications.

During the Millennium, the Sabbath is in force once again. “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.” (Isa. 66:23).

It is well-known that our Lord and also Paul seized every opportunity to preach to the Jews on a Sabbath. I would have done the same. Likewise, I would have attended every meeting held by our Lord after His resurrection on the first day of the week (Mt. 16:2-9; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:19-26).

All my life, I have preached on every Sabbath and on every Sunday on which I had the opportunity to do so. Whoever insists on keeping a certain day should ask himself whether he might be under the influence of some denomination that, for instance, makes the Sabbath the main subject rather than Christ, instead of accepting all of the Word of God.