NEW TESTAMENT SABBATH by William Covert

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 16, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 48.

NEW TESTAMENT SABBATH.

By William Covert

1. WHAT day of the week is the Sabbath of the present dispensation? "And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun." Mark 16:1, 2.

2. How did the followers of Christ regard the day? "And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath-day according to the commandment." Luke 23:56.

3. What does the commandment say? "But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work." Ex. 20:10.

4. Why? "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it." Verse 11.

5. What is the lesson taught by the Saviour concerning the obligation of the Sabbath in the present dispensation? Speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, which occurred in A.D. 70, he said: "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath-day." Matt. 24:20.

6. How was it regarded by Christ both before and after his baptism? "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16.

7. Upon what day of the week did Paul and his co-laborers attend meeting at Antioch? "They came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and sat down." Acts 13:14.

8. What liberty was granted them? "And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." Verse 15.

9. What impression seems to have been made by the speaker upon the Gentiles who were at the meeting? "And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath." Verse 42.

10. How well was the meeting attended that was appointed at their request? "And the next Sabbath-day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." Verse 44.

11. Why did they want these words preached to them? Ans.—They certainly wanted to become Christians.

12. What day did this course indicate that they intended to observe? Ans.—The one upon which they appointed their meetings.

13. When did the women at Philippi hold their meetings? "And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river-side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither." Acts 16:13.

14. What custom had Paul with reference to holding meetings? "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews; and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath-days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Acts 17:1, 2.

15. What was the result of his labors at Thessalonica? "And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few." Verse 4.

16. What power directed Paul in his work at this place? "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." 1 Thess. 1:5.

NOTE.—Their example among these people was for the benefit of those for whom they labored.

17. What effect did his example have? "And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." Verse 6.

18. How far did this example extend? "So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to Godward is spread abroad." Verses 7, 8.

19. How is the example of these people seen manifested among the other churches here enumerated? "They themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you." Verse 9.

20. What was his example in Achaia? "After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; and found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; . . . and because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought; for by their occupation they were tent makers. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." Acts 18:1-4.

21. If all these churches followed the example of Paul and of the Lord what day did they keep? "And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath-day, and stood up for to read." Luke 4:16. "Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews; and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath-days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures." Acts 17:1, 2.

22. To whom should all Christians look for example? "He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1 John 2:6.

WM. COVERT. Indianapolis, Ind.