Topical Bible: The Sabbath: The Word of God to be Preached On

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, holds a significant place in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It is a day set apart by God for rest and spiritual reflection, as well as for the proclamation of His Word. The observance of the Sabbath is rooted in the creation narrative and is further emphasized in the Mosaic Law, serving as a perpetual covenant between God and His people.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of the Sabbath originates in the creation account, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "And by the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."

The Sabbath is further codified in the Ten Commandments, where it is presented as a day of rest and holiness. Exodus 20:8-11 commands, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

The Sabbath and the Preaching of the Word

The Sabbath is not only a day of rest but also a time for the community of believers to gather for worship and the hearing of God's Word. In the Old Testament, the reading and teaching of the Law were central to Sabbath observance. Nehemiah 8:8 illustrates this practice: "So they read from the Book of the Law of God, clearly explaining the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read."

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself participated in the synagogue gatherings on the Sabbath, where the Scriptures were read and expounded. Luke 4:16-17 recounts, "Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him."

The early Christian church continued this tradition of gathering on the Sabbath, or the Lord's Day, to hear the Word of God. Acts 13:14-15 describes Paul and Barnabas in the synagogue on the Sabbath: "And on the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them, saying, 'Brothers, if you have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.'"

Theological Significance

The Sabbath serves as a reminder of God's creation and His covenant with His people. It is a day that underscores the importance of rest, reflection, and renewal in the presence of God. The preaching of the Word on the Sabbath is a vital aspect of this observance, as it nourishes the soul and strengthens the faith of the community.

The Sabbath also points to the ultimate rest found in Christ. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His." This passage highlights the eschatological dimension of the Sabbath, where believers anticipate the eternal rest promised in Christ.

Practical Observance

In contemporary Christian practice, the Sabbath is often observed on Sunday, the day of Christ's resurrection. It is a time for corporate worship, prayer, and the preaching of the Word. Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to faithfully proclaim the Scriptures, ensuring that the congregation is edified and equipped for the work of the ministry.

The Sabbath remains a vital institution within the Christian faith, serving as a weekly opportunity to pause from the busyness of life, to worship God, and to be transformed by the preaching of His Word.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 13:14,15,44
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 17:2
And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ...
... machen [that is, to cease working], or heiligen Abend geben [sanctify the Sabbath]. ...
At whatever hour then, God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read or ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt sanctify the holy.htm

The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
... 2. To rise up early in the morning on the Sabbath day. ... But especially pray that thou
mayest have grace to hear the word of God read and preached with profit ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/the true manner of keeping.htm

The Westminster Larger Catechism
... Question 118: Why is the charge of keeping the sabbath more specially directed to
governors of families, and ... Question 158: By whom is the Word of God to be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/

Heralds of the Gospel
... visited Antioch in Pisidia and on the Sabbath day went ... Ye men and brethren, if ye
have any word of exhortation ... that "of this man's seed hath God according to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... one to attend upon the regularly instituted public worship of the Sabbath, when
we ... for trying the preaching of the apostles by the word of God, surely we ...
/.../letter viii public and social.htm

Household Salvation
... truth in what he taught; he preached unto them ... The jailor's household all heard God's
word faithfully declared ... with many hearers, the Sabbath is utterly wasted ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/household salvation.htm

Second Missionary Journey
... Here was a Jewish synagogue and for three Sabbath days Paul went into it and ... to find
the Jews of this place so ready to receive the Word of God, which he ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study iv second missionary journey.htm

"Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the ...
... into your hearts and sink down, that the law and gospel is the word of God ... you, hears
not me." If ye thought ye had to do with God every Sabbath, would ye ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon viii hear the word.htm

Acts xiii. 4, 5
... man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. ... came
to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxviii acts xiii 4.htm

God's Word not to be Refused
... The Sabbath days of some of you are not days of listening to the gospel. ... to them,
"See that ye refuse not him that speaketh," for one word of God is better ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/gods word not to be.htm