SERMONS & VIDEOS BY DAVID WILBER
Does Colossians 2:16–17 Abolish the Sabbath and Festivals?
Did Paul reject the ongoing relevance of the Sabbath and festivals commanded in the Torah? Many people point to Colossians 2:16–17 as proof that he did. However, a growing number of scholars call that interpretation into question. Scholars argue that the Colossian believers actually observed the biblical calendar and that they were being criticized by ascetic opponents who did not. In this video, I draw on that scholarship to show why I believe that Colossians 2:16–17 does not invalidate the Sabbath and festivals but instead affirms their value.
In Him You Have Been Filled (Colossians 2)
What does true fulfillment actually look like, and where is it found? In this message on Colossians 2, David Wilber unpacks Paul’s warning against deceptive philosophies that do not align with the Messiah. Instead of chasing ideas and practices that may appear wise but ultimately lack any power to restrain the flesh, Paul redirects our focus to the “fullness” believers already have in the Messiah. We also examine Paul’s instruction not to let anyone pass judgment “in matters of food and drink or with regard to a festival, a new moon, or a Sabbath.” Is Paul dismissing these Torah practices, or is there another interpretation?
Candace Owens is Wrong About Christians and the Sabbath
Candace Owens rejects the premise of Charlie Kirk’s new book on honoring the Sabbath, saying, “I’m not going to do that because I’m Christian.” But are Sabbath observance and following Christ really mutually exclusive? According to the Bible, they are not.
What is Pronomian Theology?
Pronomian theology, or pronomianism, is a way of reading Scripture that affirms the ongoing authority of God’s Law given through Moses (Torah). In this video, we explore how pronomianism contrasts with antinomianism and how various Christian communities like Messianic Judaism and the Seventh Day Baptists approach the Torah today. If you’ve ever wondered about the relevance of commandments such as the Sabbath, festivals, and food laws in Christian ethics, this short video will give you a basic introduction to pronomian theology.
The Jerusalem Council: Applying the Torah to Gentiles (Acts 15)
Is the Torah (Law of Moses) relevant to Gentile followers of the Messiah? Many say no, citing the Jerusalem Council event in Acts 15 as proof. In this message, David Wilber challenges that common interpretation through a careful reading of this passage within its historical and theological context. Far from rejecting the Torah, we’ll see how the apostles wisely and faithfully applied the Torah to Gentile believers joining the Messianic Jewish community.
Set Free on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10–17)
In the Gospels, we see that Yeshua (Jesus) often chose to heal people on the Sabbath. Though some interpret these occasions as a challenge to the Sabbath itself, Yeshua’s words and actions actually reveal what true Sabbath observance is supposed to look like. In this message, David Wilber focuses on a specific example of healing in Luke 13:10–17 and what it teaches us about Yeshua’s perspective on the Sabbath.
Paul Does Not Condemn the Biblical Calendar in Galatians 4:10 | A Response to Steven Anderson
In Galatians 4:8–11, Paul rebukes the Galatians for observing “days and months and seasons and years.” What exactly does Paul mean by this phrase? The standard antinomian view, represented by Pastor Steven Anderson, is that this is a reference to the biblical calendar outlined in the Law of Moses. Thus, Paul is condemning the observance of the Sabbath and biblical festivals, or so the argument goes. But is that really what this passage teaches? In this video, we take a closer look at the context and historical background of Galatians 4:10. In contrast to Pastor Anderson, I contend that Paul is not chastising the Galatians for observing the biblical calendar, but for something entirely different.
Marital Intimacy on the Sabbath: Does it Violate the Commandment?
Is marital intimacy on the Sabbath a violation of the commandment to keep the seventh day holy? The Rabbis say no, but the author of the book of Jubilees says yes. Which view is more aligned with Scripture?
Sabbath-Keeping Baptists? Meet the Seventh Day Baptists (Interview w/ Nicholas J. Kersten)
It is widely acknowledged that the earliest Christians observed the seventh-day Sabbath in obedience to the Fourth Commandment. What is less often acknowledged is that there have always been Christian communities that continued to honor the seventh-day Sabbath throughout history. One such community is the Seventh Day Baptists, which emerged from the Protestant Reformation. I am excited to be speaking with Nicolas Kersten, the Director of Education and History for the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference, to learn more about this Sabbatarian Christian tradition.
What Wes Huff Got RIGHT About the Sabbath on the Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan recently welcomed Christian scholar and apologist Wes Huff to his podcast for a three-hour discussion on Christianity and the Bible. In this video, I want to highlight a great point Wes made about the Sabbath and the Law of Moses.
Enslaved to Sabbaths and Festivals? (Galatians 4:8-11)
In Galatians 4:8-11, Paul rebukes the Galatians for observing “days and months and seasons and years.” But what exactly does Paul mean by this phrase? The standard antinomian view interprets this passage as Paul condemning the observance of the Sabbath and biblical holy days. However, in this video, we present reasons to question that interpretation and propose an alternative understanding.
Is the Torah for Gentiles, too?
Is the Torah (the Law of Moses) only for the physical descendants of Jacob, or Gentiles too? What does Scripture say?
How Christianity Went from Sabbath to Sunday
In this short video (6 minutes), we give a historical overview of the transition from Sabbath to Sunday in Christianity.
Does the Sabbath commandment apply to Christians? (A Response to Dr. Frank Turek)
Dr. Frank Turek argues that the Sabbath commandment does not apply to Christians because it is not repeated in the New Testament and is part of the "Old Covenant." This is my response.
The Sabbath is NOT a "Demonic Doctrine": Addressing Pastor Greg Locke's Antinomian Errors
Pastor Greg Locke recently preached a sermon in which he stated that God's command to observe the Sabbath is a "demonic doctrine." This is my response.
Healed on the Sabbath
Some Christian teachers have interpreted Yeshua's Sabbath healings as evidence that He came to do away with the Sabbath. In reality, Yeshua's Sabbath healings demonstrate the proper way to keep the Sabbath.
Is the Sabbath Commanded in the New Testament?
Some object to the relevance of the Sabbath commandment because they say that it is not repeated in the New Testament. But is that true, and does it actually matter?
When Does the Sabbath Begin?
There is good biblical and historical evidence that the Sabbath begins on Friday at sundown and ends on Saturday at sundown.
Is the Sabbath just a matter of personal preference? (Colossians 2:16; Romans 14:5)
Dewayne Dunaway has argued that God's command to keep the Sabbath no longer applies to Christians, and whether or not we should keep the Sabbath is just a matter of personal preference. This is my response.
Did God repeal the Sabbath in the New Testament? Responding to Pastor Bruce Mejia
Pastor Bruce Mejia of First Works Baptist Church made a short video on why he thinks Christians shouldn't keep the Sabbath. This is my response.