SUNDAY SPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 86, 13 May 1949, Page 4

SUNDAY SPORT

Sir, —Because both Moderator and Clerk of Presbytery have been away from home there is this delay in replying to the letter of “Christian” in the issue of May 9. The letter draws a herring across the main trail and so injures a good purpose. This, naturally enough, we regret. We appreciate the fact, however, that this “seeker after truth” should thus ask Presbyterian ministers for enlightenment, since they share with other denominations of orthodox Spirit guided religion, a tradition of freedom and truth that has nothing to hide. “Christian” may have observed that if Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists or Presbyterians' establish any cause the name is unashamedly professed; if canvassing is done for missions the nature of the work and its denomination are readily disclosed; if literature is offered for sale, similarly there is an honest exposition. - “Christian” may also have noticed that a sect serving itself heir to Mosaic legalism rather than to Christian grace, in its operations throughout our districts fails lamentably in this regard.

With reference now to the latter. Does “Christian” realise that when Jesus in Mark 2:28 claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath, He had been defending His disciples—against the Pharisees—in what they said was sabbath-breaking? “Christian” says that Jesus admonished His followers to keep the Sabbath after His resurrection. It would be helpful if he would give the precise quotation. Lest “Christian” should be tempted to accept Seventh Day Adventist theory, we would quote from the writing of a former S.D.A. foreign missionary and publisher, E. B. Jones, in his booklets “Free Indeed” and “Forty Bible-supported Reasons Why You Should Not Be a Seventh Day Adventist.” In “Free Indeed” Jones has this statement: “Never once in the whole New Testament are we enjoined to keep the Jewish Sabbath.” We commend these books heartily to all “seekers after truth.”

No, “Christian”, Mosaic legalism finished at Christ’s cross on Calvary, and believers in Christ are no longer under law but under grace in a dispensation so new that a new calendar has been established. Every time “Christian” dates his letters he recognises the change Christ made. It was on the first day of the week that Jesus rose from the dead: on the first day of the week He appeared to and broke bread with His followers. On the first day of the week the promised Holy Spirit came upon Christ’s followers. It was—and is—the function of that Holy Spirit to lead into all truth, and He led the young Church to see the essential rightness of worshipping on the day that was so significant for our salvation. As Paul says: “If Christ be not risen from the dead we are still in our sins.” There is abundant historical evidence that from earliest times believers met in rejoicing worship “on the Lord’s day”; they have continued through the centuries so to do, outliving the sporadic ‘isms’ and heresies because “Truth is great and it will prevail.” Yours etc., R. T. DODDS, Member of Presbytery. J. N. SMITH, Moderator. Whakatane, May 11.

Sir, —Reply to “Christian’s letter in the Beacon 9/5/49: The Sabbath in scripture is the day of God’s rest in the finished work of creation Gen. 22-3. Exodus 20 8-11, we have the Sabbath made part of the Law to be observed by complete rest. This rest was a sign between Jehovah and Israel Exodus 31.17. It was observed by complete rest of man and beast Exodus 35 2-3. The Seventh Day Sabbath was never made a day of sacrifice, worship or any manner of religious service.'

Christ’s words, “The Sabbath was made for man, and man not for Sabbath.” Mark 2.27. It was simply and only a day of complete rest for man and beast, a humane provision for man’s needs. Christ found that the observance of this day was encrusted with rabbinical evasions and restrictions wholly unknown to the Law, therefore he himself was held a sabbath-breaker by the religious authorities of that time. Matt 12.2.

Why now Sunday. (The first day)? j The first day perpetuates in the dispensation of grace the principal that one seventh of the time is especially sacred, but in all other respects is in contrast with the sab- ; bath. This day belongs to a new dispensation and is the day on which Christ arose from the dead; the first day of the week. The sab- i bath commemorates God’s creation rest, the first day, Christ’s resurrection. The sabbath commemorates a finished creation, but the first day commemorates a finished redemption. The sabbath was bound under j legal obligation, but the first day j

is one of voluntary worship and service. Colossians 2.16 and Hebrews 4.4, the seventh day sabbath is explained to the Christian as not a day to be observed but a type of the present rest into which he enters when “he also ceases from his own works” “by which no flesh shall be justified” and trusts in the crucified Christ. We are nowhere commanded in the New Testament to observe the sabbath. The Christian now rests in a perfect work of redemption, as God rested from a perfect work of creation. Yours etc., L. C. ELPHICK.