The Importance of the Shabbat (Sabbath)
(cont.)
by Dave R. Mode, Jr.

Shabbat was Observed by Messiah & the 1st century Messianic believers as a Holy Convocation (Day Set-Apart for Assembling Together)

“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).

“But when they (Paul and his company) departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down” (Acts 13:14).

Shabbat was Observed by Messiah & the 1st Century Messianic Community As a Day of Disciple Making (Teaching)

Not only was the Sabbath observed by Yeshua and the 1st century believers, it was also the day used for disciple making through teaching the Holy Scriptures. 

“And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the Sabbath days” (Luke 4:31).

After giving the four main points of discipleship instruction for non-Hebrews to become part of the Israel of God, James noted that on the Sabbath days the non-Hebrew believers would receive the rest of their instruction in the ways of God by hearing Moses (the Torah) read and preached.

“For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day” (Acts 15:21).

According to the Talmud all converts (non-Hebrews) were first given the four necessary points of instruction, which are identical to those given by James in Acts 15:20. Afterward the converts would be taught the rest of the entire Torah over a period of time on the Sabbath days. It is evident that the leadership of the 1st century Messianic community followed this same practice of disciple making teaching on the Sabbath days as was performed in 1st century Judaism.
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Shabbat will be Observed in the Visible Messianic Kingdom by All Nations

“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” (Isaiah 66:23).

Shabbat is Included as Part of the Restoration of All Things

In Acts Peter makes a statement concerning the “restitution (restoration) of all things”.

“And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:20-21).

(cont. page 4)

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