Bible Answers to Your Sabbath Questions
By Mark Finley
John was a committed Christian. He and his wife were faithful believers. They wanted to do God’s will. As they attended a series of meetings I conducted on Bible prophecy, they were challenged with new truths they had never heard before. Questions loomed large in their minds. The Bible Sabbath particularly troubled them. They were convicted it was truth from the Bible, but their pastor raised some serious questions in their minds. They began to doubt. They seemed confused and needed their questions answered. As we studied the Bible together, their understanding of truth deepened. They found solid answers for their questions. Their doubts disappeared and they discovered the true joy and blessing of Sabbath keeping.
Possibly, you too have some questions regarding the Bible Sabbath. There may be some Bible passages which are difficult for you to understand. The Bible provides clear answers to our questions. In fact, throughout the Bible, our Lord invites us to ask questions, and He provides solid answers in His Word.
Jesus declared, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17, KJV). Peter adds, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
The apostle Paul counsels Timothy to be someone who is “Rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, asks, “Whom will he teach knowledge? . . . For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line” (Isaiah 28:9, 10).
In other words, be sure to see the scope of the Bible’s teaching on a particular topic. Do not build your understanding on one obscure text. If you want to truly understand what the Bible says on a particular topic, study that topic from Genesis to Revelation. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your mind throughout the teachings of Scripture.
Ask yourself, Where is the weight of evidence on this topic? What do the majority of passages teach? Never let something which is not as clear to you, overshadow what is clear. If there is a text you do not understand, let the plain passages in the Bible explain it. Do not disregard texts and passages of
Scripture which are abundantly plain in order to cling to something that is not as clear, simply to defend a doctrine you have previously been taught.
Here are four principles in discovering truth:
Approach the Bible with an open mind, willing to do whatever Christ asks you (John 7:17).
Ask God to send His Holy Spirit to your mind to reveal truth (Matthew 7:7; John 16:13).
Compare each relevant passage of Scripture on a given topic (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Act on the truth God reveals, and He will reveal more truth. Do not wait for all the truth to act on the truth you know (John 12:35).
As we approach His Word with sincere hearts, He will reveal His truth. He will enlighten our minds. He will impress us by His Holy Spirit. You may have questions, but God has answers. As you read through some of the most commonly asked questions in the next few pages, and the biblical answers I have provided, pray God will give you wisdom and understanding.
By Mark Finley
John was a committed Christian. He and his wife were faithful believers. They wanted to do God’s will. As they attended a series of meetings I conducted on Bible prophecy, they were challenged with new truths they had never heard before. Questions loomed large in their minds. The Bible Sabbath particularly troubled them. They were convicted it was truth from the Bible, but their pastor raised some serious questions in their minds. They began to doubt. They seemed confused and needed their questions answered. As we studied the Bible together, their understanding of truth deepened. They found solid answers for their questions. Their doubts disappeared and they discovered the true joy and blessing of Sabbath keeping.
Possibly, you too have some questions regarding the Bible Sabbath. There may be some Bible passages which are difficult for you to understand. The Bible provides clear answers to our questions. In fact, throughout the Bible, our Lord invites us to ask questions, and He provides solid answers in His Word.
Jesus declared, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17, KJV). Peter adds, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
The apostle Paul counsels Timothy to be someone who is “Rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, asks, “Whom will he teach knowledge? . . . For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line” (Isaiah 28:9, 10).
In other words, be sure to see the scope of the Bible’s teaching on a particular topic. Do not build your understanding on one obscure text. If you want to truly understand what the Bible says on a particular topic, study that topic from Genesis to Revelation. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your mind throughout the teachings of Scripture.
Ask yourself, Where is the weight of evidence on this topic? What do the majority of passages teach? Never let something which is not as clear to you, overshadow what is clear. If there is a text you do not understand, let the plain passages in the Bible explain it. Do not disregard texts and passages of
Scripture which are abundantly plain in order to cling to something that is not as clear, simply to defend a doctrine you have previously been taught.
Here are four principles in discovering truth:
Approach the Bible with an open mind, willing to do whatever Christ asks you (John 7:17).
Ask God to send His Holy Spirit to your mind to reveal truth (Matthew 7:7; John 16:13).
Compare each relevant passage of Scripture on a given topic (1 Corinthians 2:13).
Act on the truth God reveals, and He will reveal more truth. Do not wait for all the truth to act on the truth you know (John 12:35).
As we approach His Word with sincere hearts, He will reveal His truth. He will enlighten our minds. He will impress us by His Holy Spirit. You may have questions, but God has answers. As you read through some of the most commonly asked questions in the next few pages, and the biblical answers I have provided, pray God will give you wisdom and understanding.