The Gospel Revealed in the Sabbath
Is there a danger of leaving Jesus and the Gospel behind in our pursuit of Torah obedience?
When a few of my Christian friends first learned that I believed in keeping the Torah, one of their concerns was that I was too focused on things like the Sabbath and feast days and thus not emphasizing the value of Yeshua (Jesus) and the Gospel. I firmly stand with my Christian friends in our mutual commitment to the Messiah as the foundation of our faith. Indeed, any denomination or movement that deviates from that foundation is set up to fail (Matthew 7:24-27). So I can understand the danger in getting distracted from Yeshua. But that doesn’t have to be the case with the Torah. A correct approach to the Torah actually highlights the Gospel message.
All throughout the Torah are prophetic hints that point to the Messiah. In John 5:46, Yeshua said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.” Yeshua’s life and mission are outlined in the very writings of Moses. This is obvious with things like the sacrificial system, but it can also be seen in commandments like the Sabbath day. For instance, in Deuteronomy chapter five, Moses repeats the Ten Commandments that were originally given in Exodus 20. But you might notice a difference when he repeats the Sabbath commandment.
In the Exodus version of the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath points to creation:
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exodus 20:11)
The Sabbath highlights the fact that God is the Creator. This magnificent universe didn’t just pop into existence via random chance. No, an intelligent designer is behind all of it. We affirm this truth every time we rest on the seventh day.
In the Deuteronomy version of the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath points to another important truth—that is, God is our deliverer:
You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:15)
So in Deuteronomy we see that the commandment to rest on the seventh day includes remembering that God rescued us from slavery in Egypt. Since Egypt is often used to refer to sin throughout the New Testament, we can see how this aspect of the Sabbath is a prophetic picture of our salvation in the Messiah. In addition to physically resting, a correct approach to the Sabbath according to Scripture would include reflecting on the Gospel. We are to remember that we were once enslaved to our sins, but now we are free because of Yeshua.
Isn’t it amazing how the Gospel message is clearly foreshadowed in this story of deliverance that we’re told to remember every seventh day? Yeshua is the foundation of everything we believe, and ultimately keeping the Sabbath brings us right back to Him. Hallelujah!
I am a follower of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, and I believe the Torah (the Law of Moses) remains relevant for God’s people today and should still be obeyed. So does that make me part of the Hebrew Roots Movement? There are two reasons why it does not.
The Bible mentions several books that have been lost to history. One of these is the Book of Jasher, meaning “one who is upright.” Over the centuries, this book has sparked much curiosity. Some today even argue that it has been rediscovered and ought to be included in the Bible. This article explores what we know about the Book of Jasher and evaluates claims that it has been rediscovered.
Did Paul reject the ongoing relevance of the Sabbath and festivals prescribed in the Torah? Many cite Colossians 2:16–17 as proof that he did. However, a growing body of scholarship calls that interpretation into question. Scholars point out that the illegitimate judgment directed toward Colossian believers came from ascetics who did not observe the biblical calendar. Drawing on this scholarship, I argue that Colossians 2:16–17 does not invalidate the Sabbath and festivals but instead affirms their value.
Have you ever asked God, “What is your will for my life?” If you have, you might be encouraged to know that Scripture already offers a direct (though often overlooked) answer to that question.
The Epistle to the Hebrews offers biblical evidence that the Holy Spirit is both fully divine and a distinct person. Within the epistle, the author identifies the Spirit as “eternal,” presents the Spirit as speaking God’s words as recorded in Old Testament quotations, and yet also distinguishes the Spirit as a separate agent from the Father and the Son. This article examines several references to the Spirit in Hebrews and shows how the author’s depiction is consistent with the Trinitarian understanding of the Holy Spirit as fully God and personally distinct from both the Father and the Son.
This study demonstrates that Luke presents the earliest followers of Jesus as steadfast Sabbath observers, challenging the common assumption that they abandoned or disregarded this practice. By closely examining the references to the Sabbath in Luke’s Gospel and Acts, it is observed that Luke consistently depicts Sabbath worship as a standard practice among Jewish and Gentile believers. This portrayal suggests that the earliest followers of Jesus did not believe the Sabbath had been abrogated but saw it as integral to their faith and community life. These findings invite modern Christians to reconsider the relevance of Sabbath observance in their own spiritual lives. By highlighting the continuity between Judaism and the emerging Christian movement, this study contributes to scholarship on early Christian identity and practice, portraying the earliest followers of Jesus as a movement within Judaism.
Is marital intimacy on the Sabbath a violation of the commandment to keep the seventh day holy? That depends on who you ask.
In 2 Peter 3:15-17, Peter warns that Paul’s letters contain content that is “hard to understand” and which “the ignorant and unstable” misinterpret. He then connects the mishandling of Paul’s letters to “lawless people.” In this article, I will argue that 2 Peter 3:15-17 represents Peter’s warning regarding antinomians (individuals who reject God’s law) misinterpreting passages in Paul’s letters to advocate for lawlessness.
The expression “law of Christ” appears only two times in the New Testament. In Galatians 6:2, Paul urges his readers to fulfill “the law of Christ” (τὸν νόμον τοῦ Χριστοῦ). Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 9:21, Paul states that he is “under/in the law of Christ” (ἔννομος Χριστοῦ). Traditionally, interpreters have frequently understood this expression to refer to a new “law” or ethic that supersedes the law of Moses. However, as Todd Wilson notes, there is a “growing scholarly consensus” that “law of Christ” directly refers to the law of Moses in some sense. This article makes a case for interpreting the phrase “law of Christ” in Galatians 6:2 and 1 Corinthians 9:21 as a reference to the law of Moses as it is taught and exemplified by Christ.
Is the Messiah God? The first chapter of Hebrews presents compelling evidence that he is. In this chapter, the author highlights the Son’s role as the creator and sustainer of the universe, emphasizes the Son’s divine essence, proclaims that the Son is worthy of the worship that belongs only to God, and explicitly identifies the Son as “God” and “Lord/YHWH.” In order to demonstrate each of these points, this article conducts a detailed exegesis of Hebrews 1 and answers objections from unitarians.
Jubilees is a fascinating book that provides a window into the world of Second Temple Judaism. However, instead of appreciating it for what it is, a few teachers on the Internet exaggerate its significance and consider it to be inspired Scripture. This article provides an overview of the Book of Jubilees and explains why it is not Scripture.
Does the Bible teach that Yeshua the Messiah is divine? Philippians 2:5-11 is a central text that speaks to this question. In this passage, Paul teaches that the Messiah existed as a divine figure prior to his human conception, bears the name YHWH, and is rightfully given the reverence and allegiance that belongs to YHWH alone.
In Ephesians 2:15, Paul wrote that Christ broke down the wall of division between Jew and Gentile “by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances.” But what does Paul mean by this phrase? Is Paul saying that Christ abolished the Law of Moses, or something else?
In recent days, progressive Christians have claimed that Leviticus 18:22 does not mean what it plainly says. I want to address their objections in this article.
Did Jesus reject the Torah’s dietary laws? Many say that he did, citing Mark 7:1-23 as proof. In this article, I will explain the problems with the traditional interpretation of this passage and offer an alternative view that presents a more consistent and accurate portrayal of Jesus’s teaching.
Solberg complains about Pronomian theology causing "division" in the body. However, mischaracterizations like this are what actually undermine the unity that should be shared among thoughtful Christians on all sides of this debate.
Does Peter call Jesus “God” in 2 Peter 1:1? When we examine this verse from a grammatical standpoint, it is evident that he does.
Is the Torah (Law of Moses) relevant to Christians today? Many modern Christians say no. Jesus says yes.
I’ve been reading some scientific studies on the psychosocial impact of polygamy (in particular, the form of polygamy known as polygyny, that is, a husband having two or more wives). Modern-day advocates for polygamy argue that this practice benefits families and society, but the scientific data tells a different story. The harmful effects of polygamy on the well-being of men, women, and children are striking.
One fundamental theological principle revealed in the Genesis creation accounts is that marriage, as God intended it, is to be monogamous. The rest of the Bible, especially the New Testament, upholds this marital form as the ideal standard.
How do we make sense of the Torah’s polygamy regulations in light of the Bible’s overall condemnation of this practice?
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22). If you just read that verse out loud, then you might hear a faint, high-pitched noise. That sound is every feminist worldwide shrieking about how Christianity oppresses women. But is this instruction in Ephesians really oppressive toward women?
Did Jesus exist before he was conceived in Mary’s womb? This article looks at a passage from Jude that may shed some light on that question.
Justin Best of the popular J. Breezy YouTube channel (formerly Christian Truthers) said he is “questioning the authenticity of the NT [New Testament] and the existence of a historical ‘Jesus’ character.” This article will look at and answer some of his claims.
There are a lot of questions that arise from such a scandal. This article is just my attempt to work out my own questions and reflect on what lessons we can and must learn from this tragic situation.
Modern society has invented its own means of defining morality and carrying out justice apart from God’s ways. How do we determine right from wrong? By whatever is culturally trendy, of course! How do we punish those who transgress society’s ever-changing and inconsistently enforced standards? Cancel Culture!
Is Christ the Creator or was he created? The Trinity doctrine states that there is one God who exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This article will demonstrate the biblical validity of this doctrine in regard to the Son. While Yeshua is fully man, the Bible teaches that he is also fully God.
The Bible instructs us not to get jealous over others’ success but to “rejoice with those who rejoice.”
A recent study has found that 44% of self-identified Christians in America said they believe the Bible is “ambiguous in its teaching about abortion.” What this study actually reveals is that many self-identified Christians either don’t read the Scriptures or don’t know how to handle them rightly (2 Timothy 2:15).
About David Wilber
David is first and foremost a passionate follower of Yeshua the Messiah. He is also a writer, speaker, and teacher.
In addition to his book, A Christian Guide to the Biblical Feasts, David has written several theological and devotional articles available on various Messianic and Christian websites...
David Wilber
David Wilber is an author, Bible teacher, Messianic/Christian apologist, and joint CEO of Pronomian Publishing LLC. He has written several books, including his most recent work, "Remember the Sabbath: What the New Testament Says About Sabbath Observance for Christians." In addition to his books, David has written numerous theological articles for various publications and websites. David lives in Lake Wylie, SC, with his wife and two children. His articles and teachings can be found at DavidWilber.com.
Recently, R. L. Solberg published a teaching offering a reinterpretation of Acts 15. Solberg is a popular YouTuber whose ministry is devoted entirely to trying to convince Christians that the Law of Moses no longer serves as an authoritative standard for Christian ethics. I wanted to put together this brief article highlighting several of his claims that are contradicted by the text.