Sabbath Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Understand why, when, and by whom the Sabbath was established as a special day of rest and worship of God. (Genesis 2:1-3; Exodus 20:8-11)

   Answer: The Sabbath was established by God at Creation (Gen 2:1-3), when He rested on the seventh day, blessed, and sanctified that day. In Exodus 20:8-11, God formalizes it in the fourth commandment as a day of rest and worship for all, in remembrance of the creation of the world. — The Sabbath predates the Jewish people (it was instituted before Adam and Eve sinned) and before any nation. Adventists keep the seventh day (Saturday) because they understand that this commandment was not changed by Christ. The Hebrew shabbat literally means 'to rest, to cease.'

2. Know which day Jesus used to keep holy and go to church to worship God, the Father. (Luke 4:16)

   Answer: Luke 4:16 shows that Jesus had the custom of going to the synagogue on the Sabbath. The text says: '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.' The Sabbath was Jesus' normal day of worship. — The expression 'as his custom was' indicates a regular practice, not an exception. Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew who observed the Sabbath. Adventists use this text to argue that Christ did not change the day of worship, supporting the keeping of the seventh day to this day.

3. Explain which day the followers of Jesus used to keep holy and go to church to worship God. (Acts 13:14, 27, 42, 44; 17:2; 18:4)

   Answer: The followers of Jesus continued keeping the Sabbath holy after the resurrection. Acts 13:14, 13:42, 13:44, 17:2, and 18:4 show Paul preaching on the Sabbath in the synagogue, in different cities, as a regular practice of worship and biblical teaching. — Acts 17:2 says it was Paul's 'manner' to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. Acts 13:44 shows the whole city gathered on the following Sabbath. These texts support that the early church kept the Sabbath, with no clear biblical record of a change to Sunday.

4. Know which day of the week the saved will gather to worship God on the new Earth. (Isaiah 66:22-23)

   Answer: Isaiah 66:22-23 announces that on the New Earth the saved will gather to worship God from Sabbath to Sabbath and from new moon to new moon. The Sabbath, therefore, continues to be the official day of worship after the restoration of all things in the eternal kingdom. — Isaiah 66:23 says: 'And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.' This prophetic text is interpreted by Adventists as proof that the Sabbath has an eternal character, valid in eternity as well.

5. Define the value of the Sabbath as a sign of our relationship with God. (Ezekiel 20:20)

   Answer: Ezekiel 20:20 declares that the Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, so that they may know that He is the Lord who sanctifies them. The value of the Sabbath is to be a visible mark of the relationship of faithfulness, identifying those who recognize God as Creator and Sanctifier. — The sign of the Sabbath is like an open covenant — not hidden. In a culture where Sunday has become the standard, keeping the Sabbath is a public declaration of faith. Adventists see this observance as an essential part of the identity of the remnant people of Revelation 12:17.

6. Memorize and recite Genesis 2:2-3.

   Answer: Genesis 2:2-3: 'And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.' — This is the foundational text of the Sabbath, prior to the Law of Sinai. Three divine actions mark the seventh day: He rested, blessed, and sanctified. Memorizing is a recommended biblical practice (Ps 119:11) and fixes arguments to defend the keeping of the Sabbath in evangelistic conversations.

7. Share with a friend how we should keep the Sabbath and what benefits are promised to those who obey this commandment. (Isaiah 58:13-14)

   Answer: Isaiah 58:13-14 teaches us to keep the Sabbath by turning away from our own occupations, vain words, and common pleasures, dedicating the day to God. The benefits promised: to delight in the Lord, to be raised up over the high places of the earth, and to share in the heritage of Jacob. — The text directs concrete sanctification: not working, not talking about business, not seeking personal entertainment. In return, God promises spiritual delight and material blessing. Sharing with friends is a biblical mission (Matt 28:19-20), done with naturalness and love for one's neighbor.