Expert: Clive Heath - 4/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Is Sunday the true Sabbath?  If it is can you tell me where it can be found in the Bible.  Yes I am one of the lost.  I was raised Baptist and converted to Catholic in 94.  Recently I have denounced the Catholic church because of things I have recently discovered.  Please help me find my way.

ANSWER: Hi Donna,

Hope you are well and thank you for this question.

No Sunday is not the true Sabbath, the true Sabbath is a Saturday. This being the last day of the week, Sunday is the first day of the week. The Lord rested on the seventh and last day.

Early Christians were forced to change their Sabbath to a Sunday by a Roman Emperor named Hadrian [of Hadrians wall fame]as that was the day of celebration to their sun God. Christians were persecuted in many ways by the Romans, so they had very little choice, the change of Sabbath for Christians was made by the Roman Catholics.

The Jewish religion still see Saturday as the real Sabbath.

No where in the Bible does it say that Sunday is the true Sabbath, the Lord rested on the last day and not the first.

Hope you find this ok.

Regards and God Bless

Clive Heath

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So if we know that Saturday is the true Sabbath then way don't the Baptist go back to worshiping on that day?  We are no longer under the Roman Emperor and are free to make our own decisions?

ANSWER: Hi Donna,

Good to hear from you again and I admire your determination in getting this right in your head, it is great to see such interest!

In the 4th century Christianity was made the official religion of Rome, so as well as being "encouraged" by the Romans to worship on a Sunday, the Christians also saw it as a way of distancing themselves from the Jews, due to the hostilities at that time, and that the Romans were still persecuting the Jews.

Some Christians say that we continue to see Sunday as the Sabbath because it was on a Sunday that the Lord was resurrected, new life and light.

But we also must remember that some Christian writers do say that we are commiting a sin by holding the Sabbath on a Sunday as it is against God's will and that we should worship on a Saturday and not a Sunday, so it is really a very deep subject.

There are infact some Christians that do worship on a Saturday as they belive in following God's law to the letter, I can only say that it is a personal choice.

Now back to your question, as to why Baptists go back to worshipping on Saturday, well I can only say that it has now become tradition that we hold the Sabbath on a Sunday, I do not know of any Christian Churches that actually open for worship on a Saturday, but that does not stop you worshipping alone and keeping the Saturday Sabbath in your heart.

Whatever you do, remember that God will still love you!

My Best Regards and God Bless

Clive Heath


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok I have another question for you Mr. Heath.  The Bible says that homosexuality is wrong.  Is that correct?  If so then I have a large problem as my husband and I are best friends with a gay couple.  Is this wrong? I believe in "Love Thy Neighbor" and over the past years I could not ask for better friends.

Answer
Hi Donna,

No problem, I will always do my best for you.

This is a very delicate question.

Now in Lev.18:22 it says:
You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a femalwe, it is an abomination.

Lev. 20:13 it says:
If there is a man who lies with a male as with a woman, both have commited a detestable act, and should be put to death.

Similar in 1. Cor 6:9-10 and in Rom.1:26-28.

Pretty powerful and frightening words!

All I can say is that we have all sinned in the eyes of God, but God still loves us. God may not like homosexuality but as Baptists we are told to love they neighbor and forgive all sins.

"He with out sin cast the first stone".

We are told that even though we do not like what we see as a sin, we must still love the sinner!

The Lord is a God of love and I feel sure that he may not agree with homosexuality he does not love them any the less.

The problems and bigotry these folk are subject to is enough and this may be God's plan.

I to have several gay friends and I love them as I love all others.

Love this gay couple as you would love all others.

Best Regards and God Bless

Clive Heath