What About the Didache?

[sheep wrecked]

(07-22-2009 03:19 AM)pastor_chris Wrote:  I dont know.....maybe its junk? My use for it is as an apologetic for Sabbatarians. But maybe thats not a great Idea. Sheep its just that I get so frustrated because HR folks twist scripture into knots (and my stomach). I have researched many early church sources to try and convince them the early church taught the same doctrines that we hold fast to today. I just want to show them the truth!! Maybe the Didache isnt the best way. But then again I have only referenced it a few times.....and they could care less anyways.

Hey, Chris!

It's cool that you are questioning the validity of the Didache. That encourages me! I think when you approach it from comparing it to Scripture, you will see how the falseness of it jumps outta the page at cha

You don't need a writing to "apologize" for keeping Sunday as day of worship. Sunday never replaced the Sabbath

Let me explain

Historically, Christians began gathering on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It was not a replacement of the Sabbath, but rather something *different*. The 7th day Sabbath was given to Israel as *sign* of the covenant between God and them. They were to stay at "home" and do no work. It was not a day of fellowship, studying Torah [not everyone had a scroll - and the two stones in the ark would have bit a bit difficult to drag around ], or traveling to "fellowship". It was a day "set apart" for God to prove to the nations that they belonged to God and to remember their deliverance from Egypt and that God had created the world. The key is "old covenant".

After time, that all changed "formally" with the implementation of the synagogues and the Pharisaen sect - all traditions of men. The reading of the scrolls on the Sabbath was tradition as well. The reason that Jesus went to Sabbath [according to His custom] was to heal, teach, and forgive sin - as we see recorded. Paul and the other disciples also went to the synagogue to witness the Gospel. Once the gentiles and Jews were saved [the Gentiles went also to hear Paul in the synagogues], they did not return to the synagogues but worshiped in homes and formed their own congregations as we see from Paul's letters to the Corinthians, for example. Acts 15 clearly shows that attending a day to worship was not required, especially "Shabbat". My question is - why would new believers go to the synagogues when Christ was not preached there? Paul eventually stopped going to the synagogues and went to the Gentiles as Christ had instructed him.

In Hebrews, it explains that Jesus is our sabbath Rest. He is Lord of the Sabbath. The sabbath was a day of rest. But now [New Covenant], it is not about a day or a commandment of the old covenant. The New Covenant is who we are *in* Christ and when one is "in" Him, we are in that Rest 24/7. He is Lord of the Sabbath

Going to church on Sunday is a choice, a tradition that has been implemented over the centuries. It is not a command. It is not a "sin" for those who choose not to attend. Paul said do not forsake the gathering together" - he did not say that meant attending church services on a specific day. The disciples gathered every day of the week to break bread, to fellowship, to study, to be equipped, and then they went out and witnessed the Gospel - every day!

Jesus said, where two or more are gathered, He is the midst of them. "Gathering with the saints" can be fulfilled a million different ways. I have found that God never runs out of ideas as to how to do that!

One has the choice to go to church on Sunday and many have been blessed in doing that. But to insist on Sunday worship for believers is no less legalistic and bondage than those who say that God still requires worship on the 7th day.

So, to summarize. The best way to break down the old "Sunday" is pagan canard, is to show that:

* Sunday did not replace the Sabbath - it was a day to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.

* The Sabbath was given to "ISRAEL" not to the gentiles, and that the "Council of Jerusalem" [Acts 15] does not even hint at keeping the Sabbath. The verse that they throw up to deflect it is that Moses is preached on the Sabbath[Acts 15:21]. I see it as a statement, not a command. It's like DUH. How many times does it say in that passage "FOUR" commandments, not 5!!!! This is why they have to prove that Jesus arose on the Sabbath, not on Sunday - talk about twist and shout!

Messianics are not keeping Sabbath according to the Law either, but according to the traditions of man. It's like calling the kettle, black


Sorry - I got wayyy off topic [my bad ]

Please see the sabbath/sunday thread for further info:

http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=65