Introduction

The question may be properly asked, "Why do we need another book on the seventh-day Sabbath? After all, there are many such books. Those who study their Bibles carefully will discover that the Sabbath was part of Creation, and no divine command to change it exists. So why do we even need to consider the question?"

The answer to that question is hidden within the question itself. Sabbatarians have already made up their minds on the Sabbath. But when challenged by Sunday-keeping Christians, sabbatarians frequently find themselves with inadequate preparation to handle the apparent difficulties laid before them. A simple request to show the command changing the Sabbath to Sunday is largely unconvincing. After all, even sabbatarians believe in doctrines such as the Trinity, which is nowhere explicitly stated in scripture. Such doctrines are, as the Westminster Confession states, "good and necessary consequence(s)" of the plain statements of scripture. And so sabbatarians find themselves faced with what appear to be such good and necessary consequences of scripture appearing to support the observance of Sunday in place of the Sabbath.

Many scholarly tomes have lined the shelves of religious book stores, propounding arguments from both sides of the debate. Unfortunately for most Christians, these ponderous, quote laden, and heavily footnoted works are as useful to the general reader as evening soporifics, leading promptly to sleep. While less demanding works are available, they generally take the form of simple apologetics, useful for simple persuasion, but not capable of arming one for a detailed discussion of the issues which may be raised.

The need for a generally accessible work presenting both the doctrine and its objections is great. Such a work must present first the plain truth of scripture. It must begin with Eden and finish in the Kingdom, while covering all the major steps along the way. This portion of the presentation must not divert itself with the objections, for to do so would be to obscure the doctrine. The reader must first see the clear testimony of God's word. Following this, it must turn to the objections to the Sabbath. These are often stated in affirmative form supporting Sunday observance. With a firm foundation in scripture, the reader will now be able to see clearly the truth of the matter.

Having been involved in detailed discussions of the Sabbath with fellow believers, Sunday-sabbatarians, and outright opponents, I have been exposed to virtually every argument which has been raised against the Sabbath. I have been forced to study each and every point in order to be able to defend the doctrine. Several readers of the online discussions have commented on the readability of my presentations.

I cannot claim any credit for myself. Any gift for presentation is exactly that, a gift from God. As a steward of that gift, I must not hold it to myself. I must use it for God's work. If this book is an acceptable presentation of the doctrine of the Sabbath, then all the credit must go to God.

All quotations will be from the New American Standard Translation unless otherwise noted.

Ted Noel