A number of years ago I attended a prophecy conference hosted by a well known Sabbath keeping sect. While most members of this sect are reasonable, well meaning people, there are those members who, by their rhetoric and well organized presentations, imply that if you do not "keep the Sabbath" you will be left out of the eternal kingdom of Christ.
This occurred during one of the church going phases of my life. The Sabbath keeping question was a challenge to all I had learned and had come to believe. It motivated much study and resulted in a document that was much longer than the one I share here. This one is hard enough. The original had much more of my own pontificating. It strained too hard at persuasion.
While editing the original and trying to streamline it, it occurred to me that the scriptures alone made the argument pretty well without a bunch of my blather. The edited version is nearly "solo scrip tori." The only additions are a couple of word studies and a conclusion.
The numbers in the word studies are Strong's numbers: references to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. The King James Version is used for a very practical reason having nothing to do with whether or not it is the best translation. It is used because it can be quoted exhaustively without infringing on anybody's copyright.
As an aside, the King James, or "Authorized Version," is not public domain. It is owned by the Crown of England. Chew on that one a while. If the anti-Christian crowd ever got control of the throne, they could disallow its publication. So far, they have freely shared it with the world at no charge.
The capitalization in the scripture quotes are used by me to give you a clue as to how I interpret the meaning of each verse. Fair warning: to follow the argument all the way its conclusion requires effort; also, if you try to ascribe to me motivations and intentions, you will probably be wrong. I, as are we all, am a work in progress and as long as I live hope to keep studying, searching, learning and growing.
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The Sabbath Keeping Question
"There is a principle, which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance – that principle is contempt prior to investigation." (Herbert Spencer)
But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (MATT 15:9)
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (I COR 2:2)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: FOR AFTER THE TENOR OF THESE WORDS I HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH THEE AND WITH ISRAEL. And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables THE WORDS OF THE COVENANT, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. (EX 34:27-28)
And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even TEN COMMANDMENTS; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone. (DEUT 4:13) [Cf. II COR 3:5b-7a]
Speak thou also unto the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a Sign between ME AND YOU throughout YOUR GENERATIONS; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. 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. (EX 31:13,16, 17a)
Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and KEEP my covenant, THEN ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is mine. (EX 19:5)
… [O]ur sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the NEW testament; NOT of the LETTER, but of the Spirit: for the LETTER KILLETH, but the Spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN IN STONES … (II COR 3:5b-7a) [Cf. DEUT 4:13]
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had known sin, but by the law: for I had known lust, except THE LAW had said, Thou shalt not covet. (ROM 7:7) [Cf. EX 20:17]
But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that FIRST covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the SECOND. For finding fault with them, He saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (HEB 8:6-9)
In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is READY TO VANISH AWAY. (HEB 8:13)
How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from DEAD WORKS to serve the LIVING GOD? And for this cause He is the mediator of the NEW TESTAMENT, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the FIRST TESTAMENT, they which are called might receive the PROMISE of eternal inheritance. (HEB 9:14-15)
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW. For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of carnal commandment, but after the power of endless life. For He testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. For THERE IS VERILY A DISANNULLING OF THE COMMANDMENT GOING BEFORE for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. (HEB 7:12-18)
For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having ABOLISHED IN HIS FLESH THE ENMITY, EVEN THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. (EPH 2:14-16)
And this I say, that the COVENANT, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, THE LAW, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was ADDED because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US UNTO CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. BUT AFTER THAT FAITH COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER. (GAL 3:17-25)
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the TWO COVENANTS; the ONE FROM THE MOUNT SINAI, WHICH ENGENDERETH TO BONDAGE, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband. Now WE, BRETHREN, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what sayeth Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (GAL 4:21-31)
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW for righteousness to every one that beleiveth. (ROM 10:3-4)
Stand fast therefore is the LIBERTY wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN with the yoke of bondage. (GAL 5:1)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (ROM 8:1-4)
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, AND TO COMMAND THEM TO KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with word, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, AND KEEP THE LAW: to whom we gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT. (ACTS 15:5&24)
…[O]ur sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the NEW TESTAMENT; NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT: FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE. But if the ministration of death, WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN IN STONES, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much MORE DOTH THE MINISTRATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEED IN GLORY. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if THAT WHICH IS DONE AWAY was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of THAT WHICH IS ABOLISHED: but their minds were blinded: FOR UNTIL THIS DAY REMAINETH THE SAME VEIL UNTAKEN AWAY IN THE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; WHICH VEIL IS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST. (II COR 3:5b-14)
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men do to you, do ye even so to them: FOR THIS IS THE LAW and the prophets. (MATT 7:12)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (MATT 22:37-40)
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (JOHN 15:12)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto LIBERTY; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but love and serve one another. FOR ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (GAL 5:13-14)
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love the neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. (ROM 13:8-10)
Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT. (JOHN 6:27-29)
And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. (I JOHN 3:23)
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. (JOHN 13:34-35)
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His PROMISE in Christ by the gospel: wherefore I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. (EPH 3:1-12)
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(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday1, or of the new moon2, or of the sabbath3 days: (17) which are a shadow4 of things to come5; but the body6 is of Christ. (COL 2:16-17)
1. (1859) heorte: feast, festival, holyday. Heorte as used elsewhere in the New Testament: MATT 26:5, “feast day,” referring to upcoming Passover; MATT 27:15, “that feast,” referring to same Passover; LUKE 2:41-42, “feast,” referring to the Passover when the 12 year old Jesus “tarried behind in Jerusalem;” LUKE 22:1, “feast” (of unleavened bread), referring to upcoming Passover; LUKE 23:17, “feast,” same Passover; JOHN 2:23, “feast day,” the Lord’s first Passover in Jerusalem after start of ministry; JOHN 4:45, “feast,” referring back to verse 23; JOHN 5:1, “feast,” Pentecost(?); JOHN 6:4, “feast,” second(?) Passover of ministry; JOHN 11:56, 12:12, 20, 13:1, 19, “feast,” last Passover; ACTS 18:21, “feast,” the reason Paul left Ephesus at that time.
2. (3561) noumenia: the festival of new moon, new moon. Used in NT only in COL 2:16. The normal observance of the beginning of a new month; the Seventh New Moon, or Feast of Trumpets, would be included under the category of “holyday.”
3. (4521) sabbaton: the day of weekly repose from secular avocations, also the interval between (week). In the 66 other times sabbaton is used in the NT, not counting COL 2:16, it is referring to the 7th day 57 times; used as “week” 8 times; and refers to distance once, i.e., a Sabbath day’s journey.
4. (4639 skia: a shadow as specifically caused by the interception of light, the image or outline cast by an object. Skia, in all 7 NT uses, is directly connected to what is casting the shadow.
5. (3195) mello: signifies intention, being about to do something. Mello is used many times in the NT, and is translated variously as: so-and-so “will” do such-and-such; John the Baptist speaking of the wrath to “come;” the world to “come;” “shall” come in glory; Peter and John “about” to go into the Temple; take heed what ye “intend” to do; the guard “would” have killed himself; God “will” judge the world.
6. (4983) soma: various meanings including corporeal body, the Church, an organized group, substance or reality as opposed to shadows or types.
SO WHAT?
WELL…
After meat and drink, Paul lists three things in respect of which we are to allow no man to judge us: a holyday, the new moon, the Sabbath days. Let’s have no confusion: there is only one Sabbath day, i.e., from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Sunday is the first day of the week, not the seventh. Our question here is not which day is the Sabbath, but whether or not we are commanded to observe it. Those who teach that the Church Age believer is obligated by commandment to observe the Sabbath, as prescribed in Exodus 20:8-11, point to Colossians 2:16 and tell us that “Sabbath days” here refers to those special annual feasts that are part of the Old Testament shadow Christology and shadow soteriology. If this is the case, three things have to be true: sabbaton (4521) has a meaning here that is unique in contrast to its meaning in 66 other appearances in the New Testament [#3 above]; also, “sabbaton + days” means the same as heorte (1859, holyday) [#1 above]; and finally, Paul is being redundant by shifting in pattern from annual (holyday) to monthly (new moon) back to annual (?), instead of being consistent by shifting the pattern as annual to monthly to WEEKLY. Is Paul referring to the Levitical Offerings in connection with the weekly Sabbath (the doubling of the daily offering)? Would THIS be an issue among Colossians who lived over 500 miles from the Temple in Jerusalem? I am NOT saying this passage of Scripture justifies our not “keeping the Sabbath,” but NEITHER can it be dismissed out-of-hand. The Sabbath-keeping/Sunday-keeping controversy is not resolved by any single passage of Scripture, but by whole CATEGORIES of doctrine.
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(13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) blotting out the handwriting1 of ordinances2 that was against3 us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; (15) and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (COL 2:13-15)
1. (5498) cheirographon: something handwritten, i.e., a manuscript, especially a legal document or bond. Though this word is used only in this verse, its meaning seems adequately clear. More than mere handwriting, it connotes the writing of a legal document, like the documents used in our judicial system today. Even in a capitol crime the accused is not put to death without due process of law and the issuing, by legal authority, of a properly executed death warrant.
2. (1378) dogma: an opinion or judgment expressed with authority, doctrine, ordinance, decree. Dogma, in three of its five appearances in the NT, is translated “decree” or “decrees.” Twice it is translated “ordinances,” and in neither case refers to tabernacle ritual. The Greek translated “ordinances” in Hebrews 9:1&10 is a DIFFERENT word, i.e., dikaioma (1345).
3. (2596) kata: down from, down upon, down in. Generally used of motion or direction, upon, towards, or through any place or object, in the sense of against. Kata is not a static preposition; it connotes action. The “handwriting of ordinances” does not stand idly by twiddling its thumbs waiting for man to come along and compare his behavior and character to its divine standards. It moves out actively to find us and strip away our camouflage, exposing our sin and convincing us of our guilt.
Some will point to “a shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:17) and teach that this sets the context of Colossians 2:14, therefore “the handwriting of ordinances” must refer to tabernacle ritual, feasts, festivals, et al. In addition to the three points of word study as given above, there is a further implication to “handwriting of ordinances” being a part of the “shadow of things to come” that is untenable. The substance, reality, and “body” that casts the “shadow of things to come” is CHRIST. If Christ is the “body” that casts the “shadow” and “the handwriting of ordinances THAT WAS AGAINST US” is part of the “shadow,” then Christ Who casts that shadow would be against us. Verse 15 is that last verse of a section explaining fundamental doctrine, and verse 16 is the beginning of an APPLICATION of that doctrine. The “ordinances” of verse 14 is not shadow Christology, but the very law that condemns us. Christ was not “blotting out” His own shadow; He was blotting out our condemnation.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. (COL 1:12-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: in Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raise Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; BLOTTING OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US, AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (COL 2:8-15) [Cf. HEB 9:14-15, II COR 3:5b-14]
This occurred during one of the church going phases of my life. The Sabbath keeping question was a challenge to all I had learned and had come to believe. It motivated much study and resulted in a document that was much longer than the one I share here. This one is hard enough. The original had much more of my own pontificating. It strained too hard at persuasion.
While editing the original and trying to streamline it, it occurred to me that the scriptures alone made the argument pretty well without a bunch of my blather. The edited version is nearly "solo scrip tori." The only additions are a couple of word studies and a conclusion.
The numbers in the word studies are Strong's numbers: references to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. The King James Version is used for a very practical reason having nothing to do with whether or not it is the best translation. It is used because it can be quoted exhaustively without infringing on anybody's copyright.
As an aside, the King James, or "Authorized Version," is not public domain. It is owned by the Crown of England. Chew on that one a while. If the anti-Christian crowd ever got control of the throne, they could disallow its publication. So far, they have freely shared it with the world at no charge.
The capitalization in the scripture quotes are used by me to give you a clue as to how I interpret the meaning of each verse. Fair warning: to follow the argument all the way its conclusion requires effort; also, if you try to ascribe to me motivations and intentions, you will probably be wrong. I, as are we all, am a work in progress and as long as I live hope to keep studying, searching, learning and growing.
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The Sabbath Keeping Question
"There is a principle, which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance – that principle is contempt prior to investigation." (Herbert Spencer)
But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (MATT 15:9)
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (I COR 2:2)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: FOR AFTER THE TENOR OF THESE WORDS I HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH THEE AND WITH ISRAEL. And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables THE WORDS OF THE COVENANT, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. (EX 34:27-28)
And He declared unto you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even TEN COMMANDMENTS; and He wrote them upon two tables of stone. (DEUT 4:13) [Cf. II COR 3:5b-7a]
Speak thou also unto the CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a Sign between ME AND YOU throughout YOUR GENERATIONS; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. 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. (EX 31:13,16, 17a)
Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and KEEP my covenant, THEN ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is mine. (EX 19:5)
… [O]ur sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the NEW testament; NOT of the LETTER, but of the Spirit: for the LETTER KILLETH, but the Spirit giveth life. But if the ministration of death, WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN IN STONES … (II COR 3:5b-7a) [Cf. DEUT 4:13]
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had known sin, but by the law: for I had known lust, except THE LAW had said, Thou shalt not covet. (ROM 7:7) [Cf. EX 20:17]
But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that FIRST covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the SECOND. For finding fault with them, He saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a NEW covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (HEB 8:6-9)
In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is READY TO VANISH AWAY. (HEB 8:13)
How much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from DEAD WORKS to serve the LIVING GOD? And for this cause He is the mediator of the NEW TESTAMENT, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the FIRST TESTAMENT, they which are called might receive the PROMISE of eternal inheritance. (HEB 9:14-15)
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW. For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Judah; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of carnal commandment, but after the power of endless life. For He testifieth, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. For THERE IS VERILY A DISANNULLING OF THE COMMANDMENT GOING BEFORE for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. (HEB 7:12-18)
For He is our peace, Who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having ABOLISHED IN HIS FLESH THE ENMITY, EVEN THE LAW OF COMMANDMENTS contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby. (EPH 2:14-16)
And this I say, that the COVENANT, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, THE LAW, which was four hundred and thirty years after, CANNOT DISANNUL, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was ADDED because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the Scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. WHEREFORE THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER TO BRING US UNTO CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH. BUT AFTER THAT FAITH COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER. (GAL 3:17-25)
Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the TWO COVENANTS; the ONE FROM THE MOUNT SINAI, WHICH ENGENDERETH TO BONDAGE, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband. Now WE, BRETHREN, AS ISAAC WAS, ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what sayeth Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (GAL 4:21-31)
For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For CHRIST IS THE END OF THE LAW for righteousness to every one that beleiveth. (ROM 10:3-4)
Stand fast therefore is the LIBERTY wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be NOT ENTANGLED AGAIN with the yoke of bondage. (GAL 5:1)
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (ROM 8:1-4)
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, AND TO COMMAND THEM TO KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with word, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, AND KEEP THE LAW: to whom we gave NO SUCH COMMANDMENT. (ACTS 15:5&24)
…[O]ur sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the NEW TESTAMENT; NOT OF THE LETTER, BUT OF THE SPIRIT: FOR THE LETTER KILLETH, BUT THE SPIRIT GIVETH LIFE. But if the ministration of death, WRITTEN AND ENGRAVEN IN STONES, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the Spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much MORE DOTH THE MINISTRATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEED IN GLORY. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if THAT WHICH IS DONE AWAY was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of THAT WHICH IS ABOLISHED: but their minds were blinded: FOR UNTIL THIS DAY REMAINETH THE SAME VEIL UNTAKEN AWAY IN THE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; WHICH VEIL IS DONE AWAY IN CHRIST. (II COR 3:5b-14)
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men do to you, do ye even so to them: FOR THIS IS THE LAW and the prophets. (MATT 7:12)
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (MATT 22:37-40)
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. (JOHN 15:12)
For, brethren, ye have been called unto LIBERTY; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but love and serve one another. FOR ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. (GAL 5:13-14)
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love the neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. (ROM 13:8-10)
Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for Him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto Him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM WHOM HE HATH SENT. (JOHN 6:27-29)
And this is His commandment, That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment. (I JOHN 3:23)
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another. (JOHN 13:34-35)
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His PROMISE in Christ by the gospel: wherefore I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. (EPH 3:1-12)
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(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday1, or of the new moon2, or of the sabbath3 days: (17) which are a shadow4 of things to come5; but the body6 is of Christ. (COL 2:16-17)
1. (1859) heorte: feast, festival, holyday. Heorte as used elsewhere in the New Testament: MATT 26:5, “feast day,” referring to upcoming Passover; MATT 27:15, “that feast,” referring to same Passover; LUKE 2:41-42, “feast,” referring to the Passover when the 12 year old Jesus “tarried behind in Jerusalem;” LUKE 22:1, “feast” (of unleavened bread), referring to upcoming Passover; LUKE 23:17, “feast,” same Passover; JOHN 2:23, “feast day,” the Lord’s first Passover in Jerusalem after start of ministry; JOHN 4:45, “feast,” referring back to verse 23; JOHN 5:1, “feast,” Pentecost(?); JOHN 6:4, “feast,” second(?) Passover of ministry; JOHN 11:56, 12:12, 20, 13:1, 19, “feast,” last Passover; ACTS 18:21, “feast,” the reason Paul left Ephesus at that time.
2. (3561) noumenia: the festival of new moon, new moon. Used in NT only in COL 2:16. The normal observance of the beginning of a new month; the Seventh New Moon, or Feast of Trumpets, would be included under the category of “holyday.”
3. (4521) sabbaton: the day of weekly repose from secular avocations, also the interval between (week). In the 66 other times sabbaton is used in the NT, not counting COL 2:16, it is referring to the 7th day 57 times; used as “week” 8 times; and refers to distance once, i.e., a Sabbath day’s journey.
4. (4639 skia: a shadow as specifically caused by the interception of light, the image or outline cast by an object. Skia, in all 7 NT uses, is directly connected to what is casting the shadow.
5. (3195) mello: signifies intention, being about to do something. Mello is used many times in the NT, and is translated variously as: so-and-so “will” do such-and-such; John the Baptist speaking of the wrath to “come;” the world to “come;” “shall” come in glory; Peter and John “about” to go into the Temple; take heed what ye “intend” to do; the guard “would” have killed himself; God “will” judge the world.
6. (4983) soma: various meanings including corporeal body, the Church, an organized group, substance or reality as opposed to shadows or types.
SO WHAT?
WELL…
After meat and drink, Paul lists three things in respect of which we are to allow no man to judge us: a holyday, the new moon, the Sabbath days. Let’s have no confusion: there is only one Sabbath day, i.e., from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Sunday is the first day of the week, not the seventh. Our question here is not which day is the Sabbath, but whether or not we are commanded to observe it. Those who teach that the Church Age believer is obligated by commandment to observe the Sabbath, as prescribed in Exodus 20:8-11, point to Colossians 2:16 and tell us that “Sabbath days” here refers to those special annual feasts that are part of the Old Testament shadow Christology and shadow soteriology. If this is the case, three things have to be true: sabbaton (4521) has a meaning here that is unique in contrast to its meaning in 66 other appearances in the New Testament [#3 above]; also, “sabbaton + days” means the same as heorte (1859, holyday) [#1 above]; and finally, Paul is being redundant by shifting in pattern from annual (holyday) to monthly (new moon) back to annual (?), instead of being consistent by shifting the pattern as annual to monthly to WEEKLY. Is Paul referring to the Levitical Offerings in connection with the weekly Sabbath (the doubling of the daily offering)? Would THIS be an issue among Colossians who lived over 500 miles from the Temple in Jerusalem? I am NOT saying this passage of Scripture justifies our not “keeping the Sabbath,” but NEITHER can it be dismissed out-of-hand. The Sabbath-keeping/Sunday-keeping controversy is not resolved by any single passage of Scripture, but by whole CATEGORIES of doctrine.
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(13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14) blotting out the handwriting1 of ordinances2 that was against3 us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; (15) and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (COL 2:13-15)
1. (5498) cheirographon: something handwritten, i.e., a manuscript, especially a legal document or bond. Though this word is used only in this verse, its meaning seems adequately clear. More than mere handwriting, it connotes the writing of a legal document, like the documents used in our judicial system today. Even in a capitol crime the accused is not put to death without due process of law and the issuing, by legal authority, of a properly executed death warrant.
2. (1378) dogma: an opinion or judgment expressed with authority, doctrine, ordinance, decree. Dogma, in three of its five appearances in the NT, is translated “decree” or “decrees.” Twice it is translated “ordinances,” and in neither case refers to tabernacle ritual. The Greek translated “ordinances” in Hebrews 9:1&10 is a DIFFERENT word, i.e., dikaioma (1345).
3. (2596) kata: down from, down upon, down in. Generally used of motion or direction, upon, towards, or through any place or object, in the sense of against. Kata is not a static preposition; it connotes action. The “handwriting of ordinances” does not stand idly by twiddling its thumbs waiting for man to come along and compare his behavior and character to its divine standards. It moves out actively to find us and strip away our camouflage, exposing our sin and convincing us of our guilt.
Some will point to “a shadow of things to come” (Colossians 2:17) and teach that this sets the context of Colossians 2:14, therefore “the handwriting of ordinances” must refer to tabernacle ritual, feasts, festivals, et al. In addition to the three points of word study as given above, there is a further implication to “handwriting of ordinances” being a part of the “shadow of things to come” that is untenable. The substance, reality, and “body” that casts the “shadow of things to come” is CHRIST. If Christ is the “body” that casts the “shadow” and “the handwriting of ordinances THAT WAS AGAINST US” is part of the “shadow,” then Christ Who casts that shadow would be against us. Verse 15 is that last verse of a section explaining fundamental doctrine, and verse 16 is the beginning of an APPLICATION of that doctrine. The “ordinances” of verse 14 is not shadow Christology, but the very law that condemns us. Christ was not “blotting out” His own shadow; He was blotting out our condemnation.
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamable and unreprovable in His sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister. (COL 1:12-23)
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: in Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raise Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; BLOTTING OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES THAT WAS AGAINST US, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO US, AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE WAY, NAILING IT TO HIS CROSS; and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (COL 2:8-15) [Cf. HEB 9:14-15, II COR 3:5b-14]
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