Sabbath THETHE Sentinel 2001

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—“Study to showyourself approved.”

September–October2001

September–October2001

BSA – BSA – BSA – BSA – BSA – The Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath Association“The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” – Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ

BSA – BSA – BSA – BSA – BSA – The Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath AssociationThe Bible Sabbath Association“The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” “The Sabbath was made for man...” – Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ– Jesus, the Christ

2 The Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath Sentinel www.biblesabbath.org September-October 2001

The Sabbath SentinelSeptember-October 2001 Volume 53, No. 5 Issue 491

FEATURESFEATURESFEATURESFEATURESFEATURES

44444 The Sabbath, A “Cause Celebre”The Sabbath, A “Cause Celebre”The Sabbath, A “Cause Celebre”The Sabbath, A “Cause Celebre”The Sabbath, A “Cause Celebre”Dr. Sidney Davis, President

55555 What God Taught me about BaseballWhat God Taught me about BaseballWhat God Taught me about BaseballWhat God Taught me about BaseballWhat God Taught me about BaseballLennie Cacchio

66666 The Uninspired Page in the BibleThe Uninspired Page in the BibleThe Uninspired Page in the BibleThe Uninspired Page in the BibleThe Uninspired Page in the BibleMonte Judah

1111111111 How China almost Became aHow China almost Became aHow China almost Became aHow China almost Became aHow China almost Became aSabbath-keeping NationSabbath-keeping NationSabbath-keeping NationSabbath-keeping NationSabbath-keeping NationLeon J. Lyell

1414141414 2001 BSA Essay Contest Second2001 BSA Essay Contest Second2001 BSA Essay Contest Second2001 BSA Essay Contest Second2001 BSA Essay Contest SecondPlace WinnerPlace WinnerPlace WinnerPlace WinnerPlace Winner

1818181818 24 x 7 Attack on Sabbath-keepers24 x 7 Attack on Sabbath-keepers24 x 7 Attack on Sabbath-keepers24 x 7 Attack on Sabbath-keepers24 x 7 Attack on Sabbath-keepersRichard Nickels

2020202020 Sabbath-keeper Wins Suit on FiringSabbath-keeper Wins Suit on FiringSabbath-keeper Wins Suit on FiringSabbath-keeper Wins Suit on FiringSabbath-keeper Wins Suit on Firing

DEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTSDEPARTMENTS

33333 EditorialEditorialEditorialEditorialEditorial

1616161616 Answers to your QuestionsAnswers to your QuestionsAnswers to your QuestionsAnswers to your QuestionsAnswers to your Questions

1717171717 Nigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA Report

2222222222 Letters to the EditorLetters to the EditorLetters to the EditorLetters to the EditorLetters to the Editor

2323232323 Classified AdsClassified AdsClassified AdsClassified AdsClassified Ads

Cover PhotoCover PhotoCover PhotoCover PhotoCover Photo::::: Studying the Word by candlelight

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The Sabbath Sentinel is published bimonthly by The BibleSabbath Association, 3316 Alberta Drive, Gillette, WY 82718.Copyright © 2001, by The Bible Sabbath Association. Printedin the U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any formwithout written permission is prohibited. Nonprofit bulk ratepostage paid at Springdale, Arkansas .

Editor: Kenneth Ryland, [email protected]

Associate Editors: June Narber & Shirley Nickels

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President: Dr. Sidney Davis, [email protected]

Vice Presidents: Ken Westby, Tom Justus, Calvin Burrell

Treasurer: Bryan Burrell, [email protected]

Secretary: Rich Nickels, [email protected]

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The Bible Sabbath Association is dedicated to promote theseventh day Sabbath. As a nonsectarian association for Sab-bath-observing Christians, BSA accepts members who acknowl-edge Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah) as their Savior, be-lieve the Bible to be the Word of the Eternal, and uphold theseventh day Sabbath. BSA takes no official position on othertheological issues, and publishes The Sabbath Sentinel as a fo-rum to promote understanding and to share items of interest toSabbath observing groups and individuals.

Opinions expressed in The Sabbath Sentinel are those of thewriters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Edito-rial Staff or of The Bible Sabbath Association.

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EDITORIAL

A Short Torah Quiz

I am constantly astounded by the bickering thatgoes on among Christians. I was talking on the phonelast night to a very nice gentleman from Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. It was evident from our conversationthat this man was a seeking soul who was interestedin finding the Truth. He had contacted first one indi-vidual, then another – then this group and that – try-ing to find someone with a genuinely open, seekingspirit. Each individual he talked to had a “bone” oftruth which he guarded like a Rottweiler over a T-bone steak, all the time thinking he was protectingthe whole cow. And, of course, many of his contactswere very condemning of others who did not accepttheir pearls of great wisdom. (What ever happenedto the fruit of the Spirit?)

For this seeking man and for any other seekersof the Truth, I can only point you in one direction – toJesus. It was He who said, “I am the way, the truth,and the life.” You cannot go astray in your search forthe Truth if you go to the One Who is the Truth –Jesus Christ of Nazareth. If you seek Him, He willteach you the Truth.

But, what about our quiz and how does all this tietogether? For anyone who has his own little kiosk inthe Sabbath-keeping mall, I have one question foryou: Why do you keep the Sabbath? Of course, youwill answer me, “because God commands it!” Al-though you are right, that answer is not good enoughbecause it does not reveal any understanding of whatyou are doing. Can you tell me why God commandedthe Sabbath?

I have to credit the late Dr. Charles Dorothy withpounding into my head an idea that goes to the heartof these questions about Truth, the Sabbath, and whyGod acts the way He does toward us. Dr. Dorothyoften said that if you think the Hebrew word “Torah”simply means “law,” you have missed the point en-tirely. Certainly, Torah encompasses law, but a bet-ter definition of the word is that it means “instruc-tion.” God gave us Torah to instruct us in how to live.Let’s look at the example of the Fifth Commandment.

The Almighty Creator tells us: “Honor your fatherand your mother so that you may live long in the landthe Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12) And,

just so we would not get the impression that suchcommandments did not apply to us who follow Christ,the apostle Paul, a great believer in and teacher ofthe Torah, teaches us in the Greek language to re-spect this same Torah instruction from the Lord.(Ephesians 6:1-2)

There is an order to Creation. This order is a re-flection of the mind and heart of God. When He cre-ated all things, He declared it all to be “very good.”That goodness of God that we enjoy through HisCreation and our fellowship with Him are guarded byHis instructions (Torah) in order to guarantee that wemight continue living in the blessings of His good-ness.

An example of this can be found in Deuteronomy28, the blessings-and-cursings chapter. The chapterstarts thus: “If you fully obey the Lord your God andcarefully follow his commands I give you today, theLord your God will set you on high above all the na-tions on earth. All these blessings will come uponyou and accompany you if you obey the Lord yourGod.”

The cursings listed in the chapter are not merelya threat to condemn and punish, but a plea to thepeople to continue in the fellowship and blessings ofGod. The Lord is instructing (Torah) the people onMount Ebal and Mount Gerizim on how to avoid thecurses that will surely come if they eat the forbiddenfruit of ignoring His way that leads to blessings andlong life.

So, why did God make the Sabbath a command-ment? He desired to insure that the blessing of Hischildren would continue and grow; He commandedthe Sabbath blessing. Actually, the Lord commandedmany blessings, and the Sabbath is just one of them.The Sabbath is in complete harmony with who Godis and the fellowship He desires to have with thosewho desire to follow Him and live in His blessings.So, far from being the burden that some try to makeit, the commandment truly is a delight and the bless-ing of the Lord.

Remember: He who is the Truth is also Lord ofthe Sabbath and desires to bless you.

—Kenneth Ryland


President’s Message

The Sabbath, A “Cause Celebre”

by Dr. Sidney Davis

The Bible Sabbath Association (BSA) is a non-de-nominational organization, open to all believers in theSeventh-day Sabbath, regardless of church affiliation.Its main purposes are to promote fellowship and coop-eration among and between Sabbath-keepers of vari-ous groups and to promote Sabbath observance on anon-denominational basis within and outside the Sab-bath-keeping community. As an organization the BSAis a most unique association – the only such associa-tion of its kind. But it faces significant challenges as anorganization that are relevant to the interests of Sab-bath-observant organizations and individuals.

The ChallengeThe most obvious threat to the BSA and to the Sab-

bath itself is one shared by all Sabbath-keepers. It isbest expressed in the papal appeal to enlist the sup-port of church and state leadership for civil legislationprotecting the rights of all Christians to reverence, “theLord’s Day” or the “Christian Sabbath,” otherwiseknown as Sunday. This appeal strongly resonates withorganizations such as the Lord’s Day Alliance (LDA) ofthe United States whose goal traditionally has been toencourage Sunday as the national Christian day of restand family recreation. Organizations such as the LDAare reflected in state or local levels and internationallyin various countries. Such an alliance is strongly sup-ported by Evangelicals who find this issue of greatersignificance than their denominational differences. Thisis where the “real” challenge to the BSA exists — howto enlist the general support of individual Sabbath-keep-ers and various Sabbatarian organizations to the aimsand goals of the BSA. Even though the religious andpolitical threats against the Sabbath are real and not tobe ignored, I think it is important that the response toSabbatarian unity should be more centered in thecelebrityship of Jesus Christ. The challenge is to bal-ance our response to the challenges represented bythe Protestant-papal alliance promoting Sunday sacred-ness with a Christ-centered orientation of the Sabbathtruth that invites its celebration.

The “cause celebre” of the question of Sunday sa-credness that brings evangelical Christians together ina formidable “alliance” is Jesus Christ. He is the majorfocus behind the movement that seeks to unite all Chris-tians on the fact of His resurrection as “the firstfruits of

them that slept.” (1Cor.15:20) and the outpouring ofthe Holy Spirit on the “festival of first fruits” or Pente-cost (Acts 2:1). These are the two events which estab-lished the Christian church. These two great events aretraditionally believed to have occurred on “the morrowafter the Sabbath,” (Lev.23:11,16) the first day of theweek or Sunday in the Christian liturgical calendar.

The Sabbath as a “cause celebre” does not seemto have the same significant impact for Sabbath-keep-ers that can match the unifying strength that Sundayrepresents to evangelical Christians. Why is this? It wouldappear that the denominational and sectarian differencesof Sabbath-keepers override the significance of the Sab-bath, and it is this divisiveness that keeps Sabbath-keep-ers from a serious consideration of the aims and goalsof the BSA in the same fashion that Sundaykeepers sup-port the aims and goals of the LDA. What accounts forsuch a disparity between the unifying powers that Sun-day represents to Evangelicals as compared to the uni-fying power of the Sabbath that seems to escape Sab-bath-keepers?

One of the greatest challenges the BSA faces in pro-moting cooperation among Sabbath-keepers is thestigma of “the cultic personality” or cult-like thinkingamong many Sabbatarians. This “cultic personality” isthe legacy of many Sabbatarian movements that effec-tively serves to keep many Sabbatarian groups at “armsbreadth” from each other. Most Sabbatarian movementsor organizations are associated with a strong celebrity,living or dead, who is venerated with a special respector a dogmatic reverence. Along with this is the “siege”mentality of exclusionism and exclusivism, the thinkingthat a particular organization is the only true, valid orlegitimate one, not only from among Sabbath-keepers,but all Christianity. Promoting the Sabbath as a unifyingfactor among Sabbatarians is even more difficult whenwe consider how a cult is defined doctrinally from thepoint of view of Christian orthodoxy. Sabbath-keepersare hotly divided over issues that define historically Chris-tian doctrines (i.e., the divinity of Jesus Christ, the HolySpirit, the Godhead, the virgin birth, justification, etc.).The cultic mindset is perceived as dogmatic, legalistic,judgmental, exclusive and intolerant.

Continued on page 19


What God Taught meabout Baseball

by Lenny Cacchio

My younger daughter asked me what my favoriteseason is, and without hesitation I admitted to spring.Maybe it’s the newness of life that spring elicits forth.Maybe it’s the mild days and cool nights, the colorfulflowers, and the green grass and trees.

But on reflection, my love of spring is rooted in boy-hood memories of watching the first blades of grassappear amidst the retreating Western New York snowsand experiencing the pure delight of throwing the firstbaseball of the season.

The almost mystical magic of winding up and hurl-ing the first pitch is beyond my understanding to ex-plain, nor can I explain the pure joy of going from firstto third on a sharply hit single and hook sliding in justahead of the throw. Nor can I explain the hypnotic sat-isfaction of the sound of horsehide off wood and bat-ting until the blisters bleed.

But there is one memory of baseball that taughtme a lesson that has lasted a lifetime, and I think of it inthe spring as I slip on the leather for the first time everyyear.

Our god is what we think about most of the time,and, I must confess, in high school, baseball is what Ithought about most of the time – even more than girls!

I played on the high school baseball team, andthose were exciting days for baseball at LaSalle SeniorHigh School. I was the starting second baseman on ateam that was being scouted by the Major Leagues.Several of my teammates were the objects of their at-tention, and try-outs were in the offing. Indeed, someof these boys went on to play in the minors, and onemade it to “The Show.” This was a heady situation fora high school junior who dreamed of the crowds atYankee Stadium as most boys in the neighborhood did.

But there was a problem. I had just learned aboutthe Sabbath. And I knew that I knew about the Sab-bath, and as far as I knew, no one else I knew knewabout the Sabbath. So I had a decision to make. Noone was going to force me to keep the Sabbath, and ifI didn’t, no one but God would know. And your god iswhat you think about most of the time.

As it was in Robert Frost’s poem, I kept the first foranother day and decided that baseball was somethingthat I had to do. So every Saturday I grabbed my gloveand my spikes and headed to school for baseball prac-

tice. It was only practice, after all, for our games wereall during the week. Surely God would understand howimportant baseball was to me. And I was to learn thatGod did understand.

Denial is a wonderful thing, for it allows us to ratio-nalize any behavior we like.

It was the day of the second game of the season.We were to play another league powerhouse, and I hada problem. When I arose that morning, I couldn’t turnmy head to the left. That meant that I couldn’t look atthe first baseman to make a throw, and I couldn’t turnmy head while batting to see the pitcher. But I was ashardheaded then as I am now, and I decided not to tellthe coach but to just “play through” the pain. Achesand pains had disappeared before under the influenceof sweat and adrenaline, and I could see no reasonwhy this would not be the case once again.

By the second inning I had already struck out(something I rarely did) and threw the ball away twice.So the coach yanked me right off the field in the middleof the inning, and I never started another game for himagain. During the remainder of that season and all ofthe next I played a total of two times, both times off thebench in the late innings.

Your god is what you think about most of the time.

Denial is a wonderful thing. My story has about itan air of deniability. I believe that God was smashingmy idol and teaching me that He and He alone was tobe my God, that I was to think about Him most of thetime. But others could look at this story and deny that itwas God, that it was time and chance, that it was fromsleeping in an awkward position, or that it was my ownrecalcitrance for not benching myself before the game.

Deny it or accept it, my God is who I think aboutmost of the time, and I love spring because of the newbirth of the world around me and the lessons I learnedthose many years ago as the flowers bloomed aroundme in Western New York.

————————————————Lenny Cacchio is a financial planner who lives in

Lee’s Summit, Missouri, with his wife Diane anddaughters Michelle and Jennifer. Lenny and familyattend church at the Church of God, Kansas City, andLenny helps with a truck drivers’ Bible study in OakGrove, Missouri.


The Uninspired Page in the Bibleby

Monte Judah

There is a page in the Bible that was not written byMoses, the Prophets, the Messiah, the Apostles, or GodHimself. Many quote from that page more than the otherwritings combined. It is not inspired by God and Godnever told anyone to put that page in the Bible. How-ever, the modern church has emphasized and taughtmore doctrine based on the words of that page thanany other part of the Bible. It is the un-inspired page inthe Bible. What page is it, you ask?

Consider these additional clues. It only has a fewwords written on one side, but volumes have been writ-ten to explain those words. The other side of the pageis intentionally blank, but churchmen have made theirprimary and foremost teaching of the Bible from thatpage.

But there is even more about that page. Surely, youwill know which page I’m referring to by this descrip-tion. The un-inspired page has become more like a wallin the Bible. When you open your Bible, that page splitsand separates the Bible. It separates one kind of think-ing from another and sows division within the Scripturelike an ax splitting wood. Still don’t know what page Iam referring to?

Before I answer my own question, let me take youback in history to see something that was like the un-inspired page. In Jerusalem, at the temple, there was awall of separation in the temple. It separated the templecourts of Israel from the court of the Gentiles. Mosesdid not instruct that wall to be built, yet it was built. Thatadditional wall was not after the pattern that Moses sospecifically instructed to be followed. It was put up byreligious men to be a barrier and keep certain people(Gentiles) out of the temple. Not only was it to keepthem out of the temple courts, or let them see in, buteven more so, it was intended to make a racial and big-oted statement to the Gentiles. It was intended to tellevery Gentile that he was not good enough, he didn’tbelong, and to get out. It was called the “middle wall ofpartition.” It was another wall put up outside the beauti-ful gate and the court of women, to keep Gentiles frompeering into the temple courts. It wasn’t a very big wallbut it was huge in its implications and message. TheApostle Paul says that this middle wall of partition wasin opposition to God’s plan and order. He said that itseparated and formed two groups of believers in the

God of Israel. He also said the Messiah came to takethat wall down, to make us one group in the Messiah.An argument could be made that God permitted and,in fact, encouraged the destruction of the temple in 70A.D. to ensure that the middle wall of partition was takendown.

Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentilesin the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the fleshby human hand – remember that you were at that timeseparate from Messiah, excluded from the common-wealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of prom-ise, having no hope and without God in the world. Butnow in Messiah Yeshua you who formerly were far offhave been brought near by the blood of Messiah. ForHe Himself is our peace, who made both groups intoone and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, byabolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law ofcommandments contained in ordinances, so that in Him-self He might make the two into one new man, thus es-tablishing peace, and might reconcile them both in onebody to God through the cross, by it having put to deaththe enmity. And He came and preached peace to youwho were far away, and peace to those who were near;for through Him we both have our access in one Spiritto the Father. EPH 2:10-15

I remind you of this historical fact, because the un-inspired page in the Bible has become like anothermiddle wall of partition. The un-inspired page is a bar-rier. It has been constructed and printed in our Bibleswith the same intention of making two groups of believ-ers. Instead of Jews building this wall, it has been builtby Gentile church fathers and leaders for the purposeof separating Israel and the Gentile Christians. This timethe wall is to keep Gentile believers from going back toJewish things such as Torah, Sabbath, Holidays,Temple, and the Fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.Have you figured out which page is the un-inspiredpage? Do you see which page is the middle wall ofpartition today in the Bible?

Here is the answer.

It’s the title page for the New Testament. The onlywords on that page are “The New Testament.” The titlepage for the New Testament was not written by any


apostle or prophet. It was not pinned by the Messiah,nor was it written in any of the original manuscripts. Itdidn’t really come into being until the printing pressbegan mass printing the Bible of today. But, there is alot more teaching and doctrine about that page thanmost believers realize. Let me share some of that teach-ing and see if you don’t agree that you have receivedthe same teaching. I want to be explicit and clear here– I don’t agree with this teaching.

1. Everything prior to the title page has been ful-filled, completed, and done away with, because Christhas already come and fulfilled, completed, finished, anddone away with everything written prior to His coming.

2. Any sacrifice prior to the title page is removedand should not ever be done again, because Christ isthe final sacrifice for everything.

3. All teaching prior to the title page is good ONLYfor historical perspective and should not have any au-thoritative value in any Christian’s life, as Christ is ouronly authority now.

4. Any effort to obey any custom or commandmentprior to the title page is evidence of religious bondageand “keeping the Law.” This is evidence of “salvationby works” and is in direct conflict with Christ’s salvationby faith.

5. Only the pages after the title page are consid-ered to be valid teaching for Christians. They are totallysufficient for instruction in the Christian faith and no otherteaching is needed.

The list could go on but you get the idea. I am sureyou have heard this teaching and faced this wall. ManyChristian teachers today truly believe that the teachingof the Old Testament is valid only for historical perspec-tive. The title page for the New Testament, therefore, islike a barrier set up to redirect Christians back to theNew Testament, preventing them from understandingwhat Moses actually taught.

While I acknowledge that this is the teaching ofmany Churchmen, is this the teaching of the actual NewTestament writers? Is this what James, Peter, John, orPaul believed and taught? Consider these questionsabout the New Testament and its writers.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy the follow-ing words, what Scripture was he referring to?

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable forteaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righ-teousness; that the man of God may be adequate,equipped for every good work. 2TI 3:16-17

Do you think Paul was referring to his letters to Timo-thy and others, or was he referring to the writings ofMoses and the Prophets? What were the books andparchments that Paul wanted Timothy to bring with him?

These were obviously the writings of Moses and theProphets.

When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troaswith Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.2TI 4:13

How about Peter? When he wrote his letter to thebelievers, what Scripture was he referring to?

But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scrip-ture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no proph-ecy was ever made by an act of human will, but menmoved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. 2PE 1:20-21

Do you think Peter was referring to his own letter orto the writings of Moses and the Prophets?

How about James? He referred the Gentiles to theteaching of Moses for instruction in the “essentials” ofthe faith after the first council in Jerusalem with Peterand Paul.

For Moses from ancient generations has in everycity those who preach him, since he is read in the syna-gogues every Sabbath. ACT 15:21

Did James expect Gentile Christians to go and re-ceive the instruction of Moses from synagogues onSabbath day? [That is a stunning thought, isn’t it?] [That is a stunning thought, isn’t it?] [That is a stunning thought, isn’t it?] [That is a stunning thought, isn’t it?] [That is a stunning thought, isn’t it?]Why would James summarize his instruction and thenrefer to the teaching of Moses? Maybe his teaching wascompletely consistent and agreed with Moses. Maybethe true teaching of the New Testament is completelyconsistent and based upon Moses and the Prophets.Maybe you need the instruction of Moses to understandthe words of Yeshua just as He said.

For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me;for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings,how will you believe My words?” JOH 5:46-47

[How do these New Testament teachers claim tounderstand the words of Yeshua if they don’t believethe words of Moses? Answer according to Yeshua: theydon’t.]

Don’t misunderstand me. I believe that the writingsof the Apostles are part of the Bible and should be giventhe authority of Scripture just like Moses and the Proph-ets. But the argument here is about discarding and de-valuing the writings of Moses and the Prophets as com-pared with the New Testament. What would the writersof the New Testament think of the un-inspired page,the title page of the New Testament, and the presentday teaching holding Moses and the Prophets in disre-gard.

I know the title page didn’t exist at that time, but Icontend that the writers of the future New Testamentwere clear in their consensus that the teaching of Mosesand the Prophets was valid and necessary for our newcovenant faith. More pointedly, I believe this: anyone


teaching that the Old Testament is only for historical orlimited value for the New Covenant faith is in direct con-flict with the writers of the New Testament. And,... theydon’t know what they are talking about according toYeshua.

Most believers and Bible students have never donea study of the Bible to understand how and why theactual books of the Bible are contained therein. In par-ticular, how and why were the New Testament booksselected and made part of the Bible of today. It is afascinating study to say the least. However, there is clearconsensus and agreement between Jewish and Chris-tian scholars about the Old Testament books. TheApostles taught exclusively from the Old Testament toinstruct the first century Christians.

Do you remember the disciples on the road toEmmaus after the crucifixion? They were discouragedand didn’t understand Yeshua’s death. Then Yeshuaappeared to them in an unusual way. He taught themabout His ministry and life by referring to Moses andthe Prophets.

And beginning with Moses and with all the proph-ets, He explained to them the things concerning Him-self in all the Scriptures. LUK 24:27

Upon hearing this instruction they said the wordburned within them. Then Yeshua revealed Himself atthe blessing over bread. What does Moses and all theprophets have to say about the Messiah and His minis-try that causes New Testament Christians to burn withintheir hearts? Why didn’t Yeshua need a New Testamentto convince them of the reason and rationale of the res-urrection?

The first evidence of any New Testament writingsdoes not appear until approximately 30 years after theresurrection of Yeshua. Further, the book of Revelationis believed to have been written about 60 years (90 A.D.)after the resurrection.

What is in the Old Testament that was so capableof teaching new believers of Yeshua in that first cen-tury? How did Baptists in Jerusalem operate the first 60years without a New Testament and a Baptist Hymnal?(I’m having a little fun here, Brethren. Everyone knowsthat Baptists didn’t show up until centuries later. Butdon’t tell the Baptists that, they think James was thepastor of First Baptist of Jerusalem on the corner of ViaDelarosa and Damascus street near the Fish Gate.)

Let’s go back to the very first week of Yeshua’spublic ministry. Something very strange happened therethat relates to our discussion of the un-inspired page.

John the Baptist (not one of the First Baptist Breth-ren I mentioned earlier) was preaching the baptism ofrepentance in preparation for the coming King (andKingdom). John had a number of followers looking ex-

pectantly for the Messiah. There was some question asto whether John the Baptist was himself that Messiah.He denied it and said he was fulfilling the words of Isaiahthe prophet as “the voice of one crying in the wilder-ness.”

He said, “I am a voice of one crying in the wilder-ness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah theprophet said.” JOH 1:23

Yeshua came one day and John proclaimed, “Be-hold, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of theworld.” That day, some of John’s disciples askedYeshua where He was staying. Yeshua showed them.Immediately, Andrew went to his brother (Peter) andsaid, “We have found the Messiah.” The very next day,Philip went to his friend Nathaniel and said, “We havefound Him spoken of by Moses and the Prophets.” Atthat point, five men believed that Yeshua of Nazareth,the son of Joseph, was the long awaited Son of Godand Messiah of Israel.

So, here is the question. What prophecy did Yeshuafulfill that so convinced these men that He was the Mes-siah? What speech had Yeshua made at this point?What miracle had he performed? On what basis of Scrip-ture did these men properly place their faith to be con-vinced that Yeshua was the Messiah? What part of theBible were they referring to?

While it takes a little instruction to go through allthese questions, we can say with certainty that the OldTestament was the part of the Bible they were relyingon. Therefore, there is sufficient instruction in the OldTestament alone to convince a reasonably minded per-son that Yeshua is the Messiah. The evidence of theNew Testament with its miracles and fulfilled prophe-cies is frosting on the cake.

So then, why do New Testament teachers diminishthe value of the Old Testament particularly when itcomes to teaching the Messiah Yeshua? The answer isvaried, but can be simplified this way. Teachers whoavoid the Old Testament don’t know what it teachesabout the Messiah. They have no idea why the five be-lieved. They do not understand what Yeshua said thatburned within them.

Moses is the greatest prophet of the Messiah. TheOld Testament prophets have more to say about thesecond coming and the millennial kingdom than theNew Testament does. But how many Churchmen knowthis?

I have met with Pastors and other churchmen oftento discuss the value of the Torah as a foundationalteaching to the New Covenant believers. I have madethe statement that Moses is the greatest prophet of theMessiah followed by everyone’s head nodding in fullagreement. Finally, one day I handed my Bible to anestablished Pastor and asked, “Show me.” I asked him


to show me where Moses spoke of the Messiah so wecould understand why Andrew went for Peter and Philipwent for Nathaniel. You know what happened? Hecouldn’t do it. He couldn’t find any Scripture to con-vince me that Yeshua was the Messiah because hedidn’t know what Moses or the Prophets had said. Itwas really ironic, because he diddiddiddiddid believe that Yeshuawas the Messiah. That event reminded me of whenYeshua asked Nicodemus about being “born again.”When Nicodemus stumbled over the thought, Yeshuaasked him, “Are you a teacher of Israel and do not un-derstand these things?” Did you know the Old Testa-ment teaches about being born again?

The contrast is striking. Common men, followers ofJohn the Baptist, who believe Moses and the Prophetscan recognize the Messiah, but Nicodemus, a teacherof Moses and the Prophets, can not. Today, we havethe same thing. Religious men are generally stumpedas to the substantive teaching of the Messiah given byMoses and the Prophets. As a result, they fail to under-stand some very basic issues concerning the Torah.Their understanding is generally limited to historicalaspects with types and shadows. Very few understandwhy Andrew and Philip were so convinced that Yeshuawas the Messiah.

Remember Philip, one of those who believed in theMessiah from the beginning? Even though he was aneye-witness to the life of Yeshua, he used the writingsof Isaiah to convince the Ethiopian to accept Yeshuaas the Messiah and be baptized (Acts 8).

Today the average believing Christian has nochance of being instructed about the Messiah from aMosaic or Prophetic standpoint because of the title pageto the New Testament. That page alone sends the av-erage Gentile back, empty handed to the New Testa-ment. A very compelling example of this was sharedwith me recently. Within the last generation, missionar-ies to China were given the opportunity to share theGospel with the Chinese people. Their best efforts fellshort of properly teaching and building a community offaith in many places. Why? Because they only trans-lated the New Testament and Psalms of the Bible intothe Chinese language. The new Chinese believers foundthemselves inadequately taught and prepared to livethe life of faith. They had no basis for God as creator.They had no basis for a definition of sin. They had nobasis to understand the covenants with God. The teach-ing of the Church and the New Testament alone arenot enough to sustain or disciple new brethren in thefaith. If it didn’t work for the Chinese people, what makesyou think it will work for Americans or anyone else forthat matter? By the way, it is not working here in Americaeither.

The whole Bible teaches that God has progressivelymanifested Himself like a growing tree. In fact, the Scrip-

ture is called the tree of life by many Bible students andteachers. The root system is God with His nourishmentand serves as our anchor for truth and a sure founda-tion. We are taught to be rooted and established in God.The teachings of Moses, the first written teachings ofthe Bible, serve as the trunk of the tree. The trunk is themain conduit of nutrients from the root to the branches.The trunk is the foundation and pedestal for thebranches to be lifted off the ground. The branches arethe work of prophets and apostles. The branches bearfruit and provide cover to others. A tree that is missingits trunk has no roots and appears as dead and dyingbranches. Therefore, the very foundations of our newcovenant faith are based on the Torah and the teach-ings of Moses. This is what is meant by Paul when hemakes the argument of faith and Law. The Law is notdone away with, as some claim. Faith and Law worktogether, not to the exclusion.

Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May itnever be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. ROM3:31

For those of us who have been renewed in our faithof Yeshua by studying the Torah, we have found a realMessiah just as Andrew and Philip believed. We havefound that the works of Yeshua come alive and burn inour hearts whenever He quotes or teaches what Mosesand the Prophets taught. We have found that Paul’sarguments for the faith are solid and based on the wis-dom and the teaching of Moses, beginning withAbraham. We have found why Paul said “all Scripture”is profitable for instruction in righteousness. We under-stand and can sense the move of the Spirit in the wordsof the Old Testament just as Peter said. Moses servesas a basis to then understand the words of the NewTestament.

However, we also recognize that others haveabused and added to the Scripture to twist the mean-ing and value for their own designs. Moses instructedIsrael not to add nor take away from the Scripture (Deut4:2). In both cases, it diminishes the value of the Scrip-ture. The same principle is true of the New Testament.Adding a title page has set up another middle wall ofpartition that separates the Gentiles from the courts ofIsrael. The Gospels are no different than the Prophetsor the Torah. They don’t need their own title pages. So,why does the New Testament need a title page?

I have a recommendation for you brethren. Takedown that wall. Remove that barrier. Tear out that un-inspired page from your Bible and encourage others todo the same. Let the Bible be what God and holy menhave shown it to be. From Genesis to Revelation, letthere not be a dividing wall for the Gentiles any longer.Just rip the page clean out of your Bible. Then take thattitle page and show every brother that it is un-inspiredand does not belong in anyone’s Bible.


But, I should warn you brethren about removingthe title page from the Bible. Your fellow church breth-ren will have a fit for you doing this. They will accuseyou of desecrating a Holy thing. Some of our brethrenthink that the whole Bible is Holy beginning with theleather cover and all the way to the maps. They’re theones who believe there was a First Baptist in Jerusa-lem.

Let it be taught that the promise of Abraham is toall his descendants by faith in the God of Abraham. Letit be said that Torah is profitable for instruction in righ-teousness and that Sabbath is for all people (Israel andthe adopted sons of God) to be a sign between themand God. Let it be taught that the holidays and festivalsare not exclusively Jewish and things of the past. In-stead, let it be taught that they are “Biblical” and thatthey teach about the Messiah – His first coming (theSpring holidays), the giving of the Law and the Spirit(the Summer holiday), and the second coming (the lateSummer and early Fall holidays). Let it be taught justas Paul taught, “Sabbath and holidays are a shadow ofthings to come.” Remember, the word mere was addedjust before the word shadow in the English Bibles. Thiswas an intentional effort to diminish the value of theOld Testament which teaches us about Sabbath andholidays.

Just as Yeshua removed the middle wall of parti-tion at the temple, so you can remove the middle wallof partition in your Bible. It is not a very big page; but itsremoval will connect Moses and the Prophets with theGospel of Yeshua the Messiah. It will also set you onthe right course to receive the Messiah just as John theBaptist preached. Malachi, the last prophet, says it thisway as he concludes the Old Testament.

Remember the law of Moses My servant, even thestatutes and ordinances which I commanded him inHoreb for all Israel. MAL 4:4

It is time to believe the words of Moses and theProphets like Andrew and Philip did, instead of makingtheir words into decorative plaques for sale in Christianbookstores. It is time that we begin to believe thosewords so we can understand the words of MessiahYeshua. Brethren, don’t let the un-inspired page be awall and a barrier for you any longer. Don’t let otherskeep you out of the courts and the sanctuary whichYeshua made in your hearts, the true tabernacle of Davidraised up by David’s Son. Don’t let religious men tellyou that the teaching of Moses is not for you, that it isdone away with, and to get out. Join with me in takingthat wall down so we might be one assembly unto theLord. ❑

The above article is taken from the May 2001 edi-tion of the monthly Internet newsletter from Lion andLamb Ministries, Yavoh, He Is ComingYavoh, He Is ComingYavoh, He Is ComingYavoh, He Is ComingYavoh, He Is Coming (http://www.lionlamb.net/).

Monte Judah is the founder and director of Lion andLamb Ministries, a Messianic prophetic ministry, as wellas teaching elder of B’nai Shalom Messianic Fellowshipthat he helped form in 1997 in the Oklahoma City area.

Subscription to Yavoh, He is Coming is without costand supported only by donation.Lion and Lamb MinistriesP.O. Box 720968Norman, OKP 73070(405) 447-4429Fax: (405) 447-3775E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]

“The Prophet Side” is a regular feature of Yavoh, He is ComingYavoh, He is ComingYavoh, He is ComingYavoh, He is ComingYavoh, He is Coming.....


How China Almost Became aSabbath-keeping Nation!

(Part 1)by

Leon J. Lyell

Many regard China as a homogenous society,which has existed in monolithic security for millennia.Such is not the case. In many ways it can be comparedto Europe as both “nations” encompass many culturaland dialect groups, which while related are not homog-enous. Recent research supports the view that the vari-ous Chinese “dialects” are more like separate lan-guages than is commonly supposed.

Many may be surprised to learn that Confucius (551-479 BC), who worked for the King of Zhou as an advi-sor on good government, decried the “barbarians” out-side of his own province. The parallel in European his-tory would be the traditional animosity between vari-ous European “countries.” The major difference in thisregard is that Europe has never been able to sustainforced “unification” for long

The forced unification of China under Qin [“Chin”]Shihuang in the third century BC was very successfulat one level. Qin unified the “country” by burning thecultural relics and books and wiping out the differentwritten forms of these languages. All that remained werethe differing spoken forms of each language. This Na-poleonic like figure of the first millennium BC imposedhis iron will on the country and is credited with buildingthe “Great Wall.” While his reign encouraged the devel-opment of a particular state-sponsored culture, the pro-vincial varieties were destroyed, as were many recordsof an earlier period of mankind.

Many “dialect” groups have survived as “prov-inces.” The records which do survive of the earlier pe-riod include references to stories of the flood and of

family groupings which seemed more in tune with theirenvironment and “Heaven” or God, known to the an-cient Chinese as “Shangdi” the God above Heaven.Many later writers would try to recapture this earlierperiod of innocence, when men walked with their cre-ator and understood the precepts of Heaven.

One unusual dialect group were the Hakka – or“guest people.” While sometimes regarded as outcasts,they survived mainly in the south but the language andcustoms show distinct traces of northern Chinesespeech and style. Their women did not have their feetbound for example, which is consistent with their no-madic past. It was amongst this group that the onlyChinese “home grown” variety of Christianity wouldemerge.

Despair of the Nineteenth CenturyThe China of the 1840s was a very different place

from the visions of that early “Eden.” The country wasin a state of economic, social and political turmoil. Thedrainage of silver to pay for the import of opium andthe new lines of trade which were opening up along thesouthern coast upset the local economies and put manypeasants out of work.

A severe famine brought on by natural disasters,combined with the oppression by landlords and taxcollectors, caused many of the dispossessed to joinmarauding gangs of bandits. Many others left theirhomeland to seek fortunes in far away places, includ-ing the far away z“gold mountains” of California andAustralia.

In southern China in the late 1840’s a unique brand of Christianity emerged— the Taiping Movement. Millions accepted its leadership, but foreign “Chris-tian” missionaries rejected it.

The Taipings revered the Torah and adopted the seventh-day Sabbath! Thisis the story of one man’s search for God. It is the corruption of that search bythe counsel of politically motivated associates. It is also the story of an attemptto bring a better life to the people of China and how that quest was thwarted.

Who were the Taipings? Is it easier for us to see their mistakes than ourown? What might the world be like today if they had been successful?


When local authorities sought to restore order atthe behest of the distant Manchu government, the un-rest took an anti-dynastic turn. Many were upset at thecorruption of the Government and its vacillation in theface of foreign influence and were outraged at thespread of corruption and the rise of opium use. TheGovernment had failed Heaven and the Country. It wasweak, indecisive and corrupt. As had been the casemany times in China’s past, the time was ripe for a newreligion or ideology – and a new Emperor.

The “Taiping Tienguo” (The Great Peaceful King-dom of Heaven) was a movement to step into thevacuum. Its leader was a young Hakka man born insouthern China in 1814, Hong Xiuquan. At first he knewnothing of God or the Bible. Let us look at his earlier lifeand what led to the establishment of the Taiping Move-ment.

Who Was Hong Xiuquan?In common with many of his generation, Hong

sought to make a better life by sitting for the civil ser-vice exams. He travelled to the large port city of Cantonfor the exam. While he was there he came into contactwith some of the many Christian missionaries seekingto sow in the Chinese field. Although they seem to havemade no lasting impression on him, it may have beenat this time that the avid student collected various tracts.

Hong made three attempts to pass the exams andthree times he failed. It was a bitter and humiliating blow,and a failure well known to his community who hadpinned such hopes on him. As a result, in 1837, Hongsuffered a nervous breakdown and was bed-ridden forforty days. During this time he had a vision in which hewas carried to heaven. There an old man who identi-fied himself as the Creator confronted him. He was com-manded to exterminate evil demons and was given alarge sword for this purpose. In the vision he sawConfucius being rebuked for failing to keep mankindfrom worshipping demons. He also saw another promi-nent person, referred to as the “Elder Brother”, whoexhorted him to be zealous in killing demons. However,the vision puzzled him and he did not know what itmeant.

On recovery he spent the next six years teachingschool in or near his native village, and by all accountsdid the job very well. In 1843, his cousin Li borrowedhis religious tracts and on returning them remarked ontheir unusual contents. This motivated Hong to studythem for the first time in the six years that he had them.Suddenly the meaning of his earlier vision became clearto him! The old man was God, the elder brother wasJesus and the demons were the multitude of idols wor-shipped in China. Not only that, it seemed that Godhas given Hong a mission - to exterminate the idolsand lead China to believe in the teachings of Jesus!

Hong and his cousin baptised each other – by im-mersion – and began to proclaim their new message. Alarge number were convinced including two distantcousins, Hong Rengan and Feng Yushan. They becameiconoclastic zealots, destroying idols and abandoninglong professed religious rites. Feng began preachingin a nearby town and won several thousand converts,largely amongst the Hakka people, and organised theminto an assembly called “God-worshippers” (Bai-Shangdi-Hui). Is this not the essence of the phrase“Church of God”?

Now at this stage Hong had not seen a Bible, hehad only read religious tracts and portions of the Bibletranslated roughly into Chinese. About this time heheard that there was a preacher in Canton whopreached the doctrine he espoused. It was the eccen-tric Baptist missionary Issachar J. Roberts. Hong soughthim out and spent about two months with him learningall he could of biblical religion. There were problems,however. Language problems and the fact that someof Robert’s closest advisors were jealous of Hong’s zealand religious experience in the form of his visions, meantthat the two could not walk together.

Taiping Movement Begins

Hong returned home disappointed but continuedwith what he knew, with his study of the Bible, and histask of preaching. He was a man of high moral stan-dards – very strict in his own conduct and demandingof others. Apprehensive local authorities regarded the“God-worshippers” as a religious movement, but weredisturbed at its often-violent iconoclasm. However, withina short period the movement began to take a stanceagainst the ruling dynasty in order to deal with the manyproblems faced by members and others whom they triedto help. It was impossible not to blame the corruptionand lack of vision of the central Manchu government forthe predicament of the country.

Many who were not converted sought the protec-tion of the “God-Worshippers.” At this point the pur-pose of the movement broadened and its structure wasexpanded to include others who did not necessarilyshare Hong’s quest for God. Experts and “consultants”were engaged whose focus was not the original reli-gious aims of the group. An “army”/police force wasformed to help with the task but Hong insisted on strin-gent moral code of conduct.

These expanded activities and explosion of co-worker membership lead to the inclusion of many withquestionable motives or whose motives were primarilypolitical. In January 1851, the “army” was engaged inarmed conflict with the corrupt forces of the Manchudynasty. Hong was convinced to take the title Tian Wang“Heavenly King” and referred to his movement asTaiping Tianguo - Great Peaceful Kingdom of Heaven.


The phrase is interesting and tells us something aboutthe movement.

What Does the Name Mean?The term Taiping had an ancient history. It described

a utopian age when mankind would return to the pe-riod of ancient wisdom – the period when they wor-shipped the only God Shangdi in spirit and in truth. Hongemphasised that accepting “God-worshipping” was areturn to the purity of religion of China’s ancestors ratherthan a foreign imported religion. Tian-Guo or “Kingdomof Heaven” was taken directly from the Bible. Ratherthan mixing two different concepts, it seems to be away of reinforcing the same concept as Taiping, point-ing out that this key biblical concept had a long tradi-tion in ancient Chinese writings.

Those who joined had to pledge loyalty to the Heav-enly King and follow the laws of the Kingdom, essen-tially the laws of the Torah. The growing movement hadbecome a powerful magnet for anyone with religious,economic or political complaints and moved from itsbase in Guangxi Province taking Nanjing, the old South-ern Capital and took control of vast tracts of centralChina. Tens of millions were prepared to accept theleadership of the Peaceful Kingdom of Heaven! Thiswas a significant period of Chinese history and a criti-cal time in the development of the nation.

Tragic Demise

Nanjing had become the “rebel” capital and foreigngovernments sent emissaries contemplating official rec-ognition. The records of these visits show that the En-glish, French and Americans were impressed with themoral vigour of the Taipings but put off by Hong’s “un-compromising” attitude. The foreigners were notpleased, and though the central government in Beijing(Peking) was obviously corrupt and in need of proppingup, it was very open to influence.

From 1856 to 1863 the Taipings were increasinglyplagued by internal dissention, external suspicion aboutthe purity of their Christianity, and their poor relationswith foreign powers whose support they needed. Onepoint of contention was that they upset trade by refus-ing to deal in opium! In 1864 they were defeated by acombination of Chinese and Western forces.

In 1862, at the height of their influence, the “God-worshippers” apparently numbered some 85,000! Be-yond that some 45 million had yielded themselves tothe “Peaceful Kingdom of Heaven”! The Kingdom it-self covered an area of some 90,000 square miles.

The heartless massacre of the Taipings and theirsupporters was a tremendous human tragedy, a trag-edy which would be repeated several times beforeChina found its way almost a hundred years later.

The demise of the Taiping movement can be tracedto a number of causes. One was its failure to obtain aworking alliance with the many anti-Manchu groups,which did not like Hong’s opposition to idol worship.Some were not happy because Hong was determinedto create a new kingdom rather than recreate a tradi-tional Chinese kingdom. More critical, however, was thefact that the Taipings could not obtain the support ofthe Western powers. England and America, for example,originally adopted a neutral stance because their treatyprivileges were dependant on the continuance of thecorrupt Manchu dynasty.

Many foreigners opposed the Taipings, not becauseof their moral strength and the fact that they were clean-ing up the country, but because they objected to theTaiping brand of Christianity. Was Taiping religion Chris-tian or not? The debate has raged from the time Hongfirst appeared! Nonetheless, the question is worth con-sidering as it came close to becoming the official reli-gion of China! How sad it would be if Taiping religionhad the potential to be more “Christian” than traditionalChristianity and how much sadder of the “Christian”nations that were lured into destroying it and the mil-lions of people who may have benefitted.

FURTHER RESEARCHFURTHER RESEARCHFURTHER RESEARCHFURTHER RESEARCHFURTHER RESEARCH

Many lines of further investigation are obvious. IMany lines of further investigation are obvious. IMany lines of further investigation are obvious. IMany lines of further investigation are obvious. IMany lines of further investigation are obvious. Ishould be grateful if any readers could help withshould be grateful if any readers could help withshould be grateful if any readers could help withshould be grateful if any readers could help withshould be grateful if any readers could help withany of the following:any of the following:any of the following:any of the following:any of the following:

• Did any of the “God-Worshippers” survive in Chinaafter the Manchu victory?

• What of the history of Sabbath keepers in China atearlier periods?

• What is the story of Sabbath keepers in China to-day?

Leon J Lyell – PO Box 206, Bundoora Victoria 3083Leon J Lyell – PO Box 206, Bundoora Victoria 3083Leon J Lyell – PO Box 206, Bundoora Victoria 3083Leon J Lyell – PO Box 206, Bundoora Victoria 3083Leon J Lyell – PO Box 206, Bundoora Victoria 3083Australia Australia Australia Australia Australia [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected]

A complete list of sources will be listed at the endA complete list of sources will be listed at the endA complete list of sources will be listed at the endA complete list of sources will be listed at the endA complete list of sources will be listed at the endof Part 2.of Part 2.of Part 2.of Part 2.of Part 2.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————Leon J Lyell is writer who lives with his wife and sonnear Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. A former mem-ber of the Worldwide Church of God and now un-affiliated, Mr. Lyell published Sabbath HistorySabbath HistorySabbath HistorySabbath HistorySabbath Historymagazine for a short while and assisted with the firstFriends of the Sabbath Conference in Melbourne,Australia in 1996. Much of his published work isbased on his 1980 honours thesis titled 'The Sev-enth Day Men'. He is Project Manager in the Inter-national Programs Office at La Trobe University andcan be contacted at [email protected].


BSA 2001 ScholarshipEssay Contest Winner

This issue we present the runner-up Scholarship Essay winner, Kristin AnnJohnston. Kristin, who will turn 21 in the fall, was our first place winner lastyear. She resides in Claremore, Oklahoma, and is a member of the Churchof God, 7th Day. She is a gifted musician who plays the piano and sings. She also enjoysart and graphic design. In high school she was active in several organizations and hasbeen involved in leadership positions. She has been active in her Sabbath church commu-nity for many years. She currently is an honor student at Northeastern State University inTahlequah, Oklahoma. She is working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in English and SpanishEducation with endorsement in English as a Second Language. She currently is a memberof two honor societies, Phi Theta Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi and maintains a 4.0 gradepoint average. Kristin is the daughter of Larry and Patricia Johnston.

In the May-June 2000 edition of The Sabbath Sentinel the Bible Sabbath Associationannounced its second Essay Scholarship Contest. The contest was open to all students intheir Junior year in high school (or home schooled students that were one year away frombeing college-bound, approximately age 16-17) and to all college-age students up to theage of 25.

The theme of the essay was, “The Sabbath Community: Observance and Growth Issues.”Applicants were asked to answer two questions within an essay body format. Potentialquestions included: 1) Why is the Sabbath important to you and how do you keep it holy?2) What do you believe is the best way of promoting the truth of the seventh-day Sabbathto local communities or the world at large? and 3) How do you think cooperation can bepromoted among Sabbath-keepers of different denominations or doctrinal positions?

These questions were aligned with the mission and purpose of BSA. In the process of thiscontest, we were hoping to generate ideas from our youth of importance to the Sabbathcommunity at-large.

The Importance of the SabbathSince I was very young, I have known that the

Sabbath is important. It is not just important becauseour church believes so, but because God ordained itas holy. The Sabbath was made for us and is intendedfor spiritual, mental, and physical restoration.

For as long as I can remember, I have alwayslooked forward to the Sabbath. From the time I was achild until now, my family always spends time togetheron the Sabbath. Sometimes in the summer, we spendthe afternoon at a park enjoying God’s nature. Othertimes, we play family games or simply catch up oneach other’s week.

As a youth in the church, Sabbath has been atime to fellowship with Christian friends and to studythe Bible. Our youth group has Bible studies on Fri-day night after sundown which are often accompa-

nied by praise and worship. Also, on certain Sabbaths,we visit the local nursing home and spend some timewith the elderly there.

In today’s fast paced society, Sabbath is my ref-uge from the week’s storms. We believe God knewwe would need a day of rest, a day that we could setaside just to spend with our Creator. As I get older, Irealize the importance of Sabbath more and more. Itis more than just a day to go to church. For me, it is aday that I can spend with my family and friends and aday in which I can separate myself from the world. Ican push all my cares to the side and spend timewith God and the people He has placed in my life.

In Isaiah 58:13-14 it says, “If you keep your feetfrom breaking the Sabbath and from doing as youplease on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a de-

Essays by Kristin Ann Johnston


light and the Lord’s Holy Day honorable, and if youhonor it by not going your own way and not doing asyou please or speaking idle words, then you will findjoy in the Lord.” I believe if I set aside the Sabbathand keep it holy that I will find true joy and happinessin the Lord. The world thinks it has a lot to offer and ittries to entice God’s people. But in my heart, I knowthat nothing compares to being in the presence ofGod. As Psalm 84:10 says, “Better is one day in yourcourt than a thousand elsewhere.”

God has given us one day every week and ex-pects us to keep it holy. I keep the Sabbath holy bynot working and by not participating in various activi-ties. The Sabbath is not something to be taken lightlyor something that should have second priority in mylife. In high school as well as in college, I have had toget permission to take required tests on alternatedays. To some this may seem inconvenient, but tome it is not a burden. In fact, I believe that God blessesme more than I have ever given Him in return.

The Sabbath does set us apart from the worldand I thank God for that. For at least one day a weekmy problems, job, school and everyday life are puton hold. On the Sabbath, I am restored and strength-ened so that I may face another week.

Promoting the SabbathReaching the world with God’s truth has always

been the job of Christians. As the world continuallychanges, it seems harder and harder to deliver thetruth. Many times that is because people do not wantto hear the truth and other times it is because thereare no messengers. For various reasons, the Sab-bath has been ignored by millions of people. As aresult, it is our obligation to reach these people andteach them. With modern technology, there are somany ways to reach people. However, I do not be-lieve that there is simply one single solution. Instead,we need to combine several methods.

As I have recently seen, the world has a hungerfor the truth. They have a need for a Lord and Savior.I strongly believe that before someone is introducedto the Sabbath that they need to be introduced to theOne that created it for them. In December, I had theopportunity to go on a mission trip to Mexico. In justa short time, the team realized that there was a hun-ger in the people of Mexico that needed to be filledby Christ. In ten days, I saw more people come toknow Christ than I ever have seen in my entire life.We did not introduce them to Christ through sermonsbut through fulfilling their needs and being theirfriends. For this reason, I believe there is a huge ne-cessity for missionaries. These missionaries need to

go into the world and introduce them to Jesus Christ,God (the Father) and the Sabbath truth.

Along with missionaries, I strongly feel that tech-nology should be used. From what I have heard, thereare some Sabbath keeping churches that have timeslots on various Christian radio stations. I do not knowif any of these organizations utilize television, but itwould be a strong asset. Personally, I have foundnumerous Internet sites on the Sabbath and foundthem to be very informative and helpful.

In addition to these sources, the printed word isstill very effective. Pamphlets and tracts still reachpeople. A couple of months ago, I bought a new pairof jeans and when I got home, I realized that a churchhad left a tract in the pocket. This made me realizehow many people can be reached by tracts. I havestarted putting tracts in the books I sell back at col-lege. I do not know if anyone will ever read them, butI pray that someone will come across one and readit. While I was in Mexico, we passed out tracts at themall. Introducing people to Jesus Christ is the firststep. We invited them to the church. Several timeswhen we were out witnessing, we invited people toattend church the next Sabbath. I will never know ifthese people learned to observe the Sabbath, but Iplanted the seed and God will do the rest.

Teaching our communities and the world aboutthe Sabbath should be done in a loving way. As theold saying explains, “People don’t care how muchyou know until they know how much you care.” Startslowly. Meet their needs and be a friend. From thereform cell groups in the neighborhood where a smallgroup may study the Bible. As more people acceptthe truth, the more (people) there will be to teach thenations.

How to Promote Cooperation

As a member of several organizations within thechurch and community, I have seen that it is very rarethat everyone agrees on small issues or concerns.Many times these small disagreements grow into largearguments that allow the organization to be weak-ened. These problems can often be solved if peoplewould be more understanding and respectful of oth-ers’ beliefs.

From what I have personally witnessed, most dis-agreements are over traditions that people try toimplement through doctrine. I believe that this is wheremany of our problems arise. As adults and leaders ofthe church, I think we should be able to respect eachother’s viewpoints and realize that sometimes it is bet-ter to agree to disagree. Also, we need to be careful


that we reject only the idea and notthe person as well. We are all Chris-tians and our main concern shouldbe saving souls. The Bible warnsagainst having arguments over thelaw. In Titus 3:9 it says, “But avoidfoolish controversies and genealo-gies and arguments and quarrelsabout the law because they are un-profitable and useless.” Constantlydisputing over doctrinal differenceswill get us nowhere. Personally, Ifeel that if it is not vital to salvation,we need to overlook it and join to-gether for God’s word.

Cooperation is essential amongSabbath keepers. How can we leadpeople to the truth if we are too busyarguing about what the truth is? Ibelieve that if we join and work to-gether, we will realize that our dif-ferences aren’t as great as theyseem.

As a future leader in the Sabbathcommunity, I believe that toleranceof each other’s doctrines should betaught at a young age. If children andyouth of various Sabbath-keepingorganizations grow up working sideby side, then when they get older,they will respect each other and re-alize that doctrinal differences can-not hinder God’s work.

It is my hope that one day allSabbath keepers will join togetherto spread God’s truth. This will onlycome about if we set aside our dif-ferences and see the people behindthe ideas. We all should have onegoal and that is serving and glorify-ing God. I do not believe that God isglorified when His people are so busyarguing amongst themselves thatthey cannot do His work. I know I amyoung and I do not have all the an-swers and I never will, but the solu-tion begins with love, compassion,and acceptance of different view-points. We should not let doctrinal dif-ferences divide us. Instead, weshould strive to do God’s will andwork together as His people.

❑

Answers to Your QuestionsAnswers to Your QuestionsAnswers to Your QuestionsAnswers to Your QuestionsAnswers to Your Questions

The Name “Jesus”I read an article by John McKee

and attempted to respond at his listede-mail address of [email protected] message was re-turned as non-deliverable. This articlewas in the July/August edition of TheTheTheTheTheSabbath SentinelSabbath SentinelSabbath SentinelSabbath SentinelSabbath Sentinel.PFollowing weremy comments, in the event they maybe of interest to other members:

I just read Mr. McKee's article andit never ceases to amaze me howpeople cannot use simple commonsense to solve most difficulties, bibli-cal or otherwise.PRight in the article,Mr. McKee states how Young's (withno arguments) says the originalname of the Messiah is indeedYahshua [Yeshua].PWithout goingany further than that, why wouldn't weuse that name now?P It is not diffi-cult – if there is only one namethrough which we will receive salva-tion, doesn't common sense say[again] we better have the rightname? Okay, if your name was "John"when you were born, why would any-one change it after you die to "Tom"?

There's the simplest reason touse Yahshua.PNow, that article alsostates that the same name is usedfor the Book of Yahshua [Joshua/there was no "J" sound at that time]and that supposedly proves Iesousis not pagan.PHere again, of course,the book has the same name be-cause Yahshua, son of Nun, DIDhave the same name as ourMessiah.POf course, right off the bat,no one renamed that book "Iesous,"did they?PThat is one "proof," though,how His name was changed – in He-brews 4:8. The early manuscripts[KJ] had "Iesous giving them rest" re-ferring to Yahshua, son of Nun, in theOld Covenant – very intent on get-ting rid of the Messiah's name.PI trulyfeel sorry for people who try to justifytheir beliefs instead of merely prov-ing them biblically AND historic-ally.PAgain, if you KNOW the

Messiah's given name, why not useit? Why change it to anything? Wouldyour father appreciate someonechanging your name, the name givenyou by him? I don't think theMessiah's Father would appreciate it,either.PMay Yah bless you in your en-deavors [email protected].

By the way, I am not a member ofany organization (or disorganization,for that matter) except, hopefully, theone the Messiah heads.PWith thou-sands of religious groups, which oneis right? – probably none.PSearch thescriptures and prove all things.

—DJ

Dear DJ,

Thank you for your interest in theBible Sabbath Association and yourcomment on Mr. McKee's article inThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath Sentinel. Your point re-garding the original name of Jesusas "Yeshua" is valid. While it may befitting and proper to regard the givenor Hebrew name of Jesus, why notmake the same case for all the namesin the Bible, especially the name forthe apostle James for instance?While "Jesus" may be a Greco-Anglotransliteration of "Yeshua,"P the name"James" is an outright substitution, ifnot fabrication, of the apostle's givenname of Ya'acov or Jacob!P Shouldthere not be a greater outcry of a mis-nomer than for "Jesus"?

I think it may be because of thebelief that Jesus' Hebraic name hassome sort of sanctity, holiness or sa-credness attached to it, whereas inHebraic culture it has long been acommon name for boys. So, the agi-tation raised over the name of Jesus,while having some validity, loses itspower in many of the "sacred name"advocates, because of the blatantinconsistency of their cause.

The most important aspect of thearticle was debunking the myth thatthe name "Jesus" is some hybrid of"Zeus" or that it originated in some


other pagan deity.P"Jesus" may notbe His given name, but neither is it aname of a false god or idol. Such criti-cism by "sacred namers" of Christianswho prefer to use the name "Jesus"is unwarranted.

Let us fervently obey the dictatesof our own conscience regarding thestudy of languages and names, butlet us just as fervently, if not more fer-vently, obey the command of the manover whose name we may differ byexercising love and tolerance for oth-ers whose views differ from our own.

Blessings,Sidney L. Davis, Jr., President

The Bible Sabbath Association

Comment: First, I have communicatedseveral times with Mr. McKee sincethe publication of his article and havehad no problem sending him e-mail.Second, Mr. McKee practices Messi-anic Judaism and favors the use of theHebrew names of God and Christ. Thepurpose of his article was to debunka popular, groundless myth about theorigin of the word “Jesus.” — editor

Kindle a Fire on theSabbath? — Exodus 35:3

QuestionQuestionQuestionQuestionQuestion: : : : : I have been a Sabbath-keeper for some time. However, Inever quite had to address this ques-tion until I began to attempt to teachmy children, who are men andwomen now, a more in depth re-sponse to the Sabbath. I would ap-preciate your help on the question of"kindling" of a fire on the Sabbath,Exodus 35:3.

—Roger

AnswerAnswerAnswerAnswerAnswer: : : : : Does Exodus 35:3 mean,"Ye shall kindle [burn] no fire for anypurpose whatsoever throughout yourhabitations, upon the Sabbath day"?If so, then we folks in Wyoming havea problem during our harsh winters.What are we going to do to keep fromfreezing to death when the tempera-ture dips well below zero? One of therules of Bible interpretation is to con-sider the context of the verse. Verse3 must be understood in the contextof verse 2, "Six days shall work be

done, but on the seventh day thereshall be to you an holy day, a Sab-bath of rest to the Lord; whosoeverdoeth work therein shall be put todeath." Any fire for industrial workpurposes, such as smelting ore, in-cluding various commercial purposes(such as a bakery, restaurant, drycleaner, etc.) cannot be kindled onthe Sabbath, because doing thiswould be continuing the six days ofwork into the seventh day, which isto be a Sabbath of rest. A fire neces-sary to keep warm, or to heat waterfor necessary purposes is, I believe,allowable on the Sabbath.

But, like all other aspects of theSabbath, we should "do no unneces-sary work on the Sabbath day,"Jeremiah 17:22, Living Bible. If we vio-late God's Holy Sabbath by unneces-sary work, and also flagrantly causeothers to break the Sabbath, God willkindle a fire in our gates that shall notbe quenched, Jeremiah 17:27. Let usserve the Eternal with reverence andfear, and keep the Sabbath holy!

—Richard Nickels

Nigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportNigeria BSA ReportWed, 15 Aug 2001

This report is the result of corre-spondence between Elder Akpanand myself on the need to forge amovement in Nigeria to promote fel-lowship and cooperation among theSabbatarian organizations along thelines of the BSA. The diligent effortsof Elder Akpan in this effort have re-sulted in laying the foundation offorming alliances among theSabbatarian groups in Nigeria thatshow promise of greater potentialthan efforts made in the past. Thecontinent of Africa has more Sab-bath-keepers than any continent onthe globe. The NIBSA is to be encour-aged for a good effort made thus farthat we hope will resonate through-out the whole continent. —S. Davis

Dear Dr. Davis,

Messianic greetings. I hope ev-erything is getting on fine with youand BSA.

I returned from the NIBSA inau-gural meeting 9:15pm yesterday. Themeeting was a colossal success.Brethren from states like Kaduna,Delta, Anambra and Enugu the hoststate attended the meeting. The ab-sence of delegates from other statesof the federation was blamed on theshort notice of the meeting.

I convincingly explained the con-cept and aims of the Organisation tothe delegates. This resulted in theregistration of some members, whilethose who did not come to the meet-ing with enough money promised toregister later.

Decisions taken at the meetinginclude:

(1) Incorporation of the Association(2) Organisation of states chapters(3) Adoption of “YACHAD” Unity

News magazine as the officialinformation Sabbath keepers inNigeria.

YACHAD (Hebrew, for Unity) isthe magazine used in previous unityefforts in the country (1990-1992).Another feature at the meeting wasthe presentation of papers by offic-ers of the Association.

(1) Boniface Okolo (Nationalsecretary)

(2) Johnson Okongor (Asst.National sec. North)

(3) Bassey Akpan (National Coordi-nator)The 4th paper was that sent in by

Dr. Sydney Davis, President, BSAAmerica. These were all applaudedand exciting.

The next meeting is scheduledfor Calabar Cross River State Novem-ber 30th – December 2, 2001. It is myhope that before then we shall havehad a good spread of NIBSA in Ni-geria.

Hallelujah!

—Bassey Akpan


In A.D. 321, Emperor Constan-tine chased the True Church into thewilderness with his decree enforcingrest on the "venerable day of the sun,"Sunday. The Council of Laodicea inA.D. 364 prohibited Christians fromresting from work on Saturday, theSabbath. Thomas Torquemada ledthe infamous Spanish Inquisition inthe late 1400s, which tortured andkilled Jews and Christians who wouldnot bow to Rome. Adolph Hitler ledNazi Germany from 1933-1945,which persecuted and killed millionsof Jews and Christian Sabbath-keep-ers as well.

Today, Sabbath-keepers con-front a faceless enemy, which is ascruel and implacable as Constantine,Torquemada, and Hitler. The preda-tory worldwide economic combineuses workers as fodder to feed thewheels of production. Whether lo-cated in the United States, Mexico,Indonesia, or Bangladesh, manufac-turing facilities, to stay competitive,are operating 24 hours a day, 7 daysa week. The "24 x 7" factor is a killerfor Sabbatarians, because it is gen-erally accompanied by rotating 12hour shifts. While the typical 24 x 7worker suffers physical, emotional,and family problems from rotating 12hour shifts, the Sabbath-keeper isfaced with loss of his or her job.

More than half a decade ago,most of the coal mining in Wyoming'sPowder River Basin (the world's rich-est surface coal mining area),switched to rotating 12-hour shifts.Previously, the mines had been 24 x7 operations, but there were inher-ent problems with the then commonpractice of three eight hour shifts (8AM to 4 PM, 4 PM to Midnight, Mid-night to 8 AM). The old series of day,swing, and graveyard shifts was in-efficient. In spite of paying swing andgraveyard shift workers an additionalamount, companies found it difficultto find qualified workers who wantedto regularly work evenings andnights. Most mines are about anhour's drive, one way from town.Workers wanted more days off to restfrom the hard work and long com-

mute times. The answer was rotating12-hour shifts. This means, for threeor four consecutive days, you work12-hour day shifts (e.g. 7 AM to 7PM), then get three or four days off.You then come back on the night shift(7 PM to 7 AM), and repeat the pro-cess. Men liked the extra days off.There was less commute time, andmore working time. At hourly wagesof $20 per hour or better, plus excel-lent benefits, who could complain?Nobody was stuck forever workingnights. It all seemed such a reason-able solution.

However, one of those workerswas a Sabbath-keeper. Rotatingshifts would mean that some requiredworkdays would be Sabbaths. Hehad worked at the mine for manyyears without a Sabbath work prob-lem, but now he faced the prospectof losing his job. He was advised byhis Church to "muddle through" a fewmore months, until he was eligible totake early retirement. Seventh-dayAdventist lawyers wanted to take thecase to court. However, it was doubt-ful if the provisions of the law requir-ing employers to provide "reasonableaccommodation" for workers' reli-gious convictions, would apply in thiscase. He decided to stay on longenough to take early retirement.

Young workers would not havethe luxury of such a choice. For them,they would have to decide either tobreak God's Law and work on theSabbath, or lose their job.

But there are other bad effects ofthe 24 x 7 trend, which affect non-Sabbatarians as well. God designedthe human body with an internalclock. If you have ever made a longplane trip overseas, you know thedevastating effect on the body whenthis internal clock is confused. WhenShirley and I flew to Australia in 1996,it was a 14-hour plane flight from LosAngeles. When we got to Sydney,local time was 17 hours ahead, thenext day. Our bodies were hit with ajolt (not counting our confused stateof mind, seeing cars driving on the"wrong" side of the road, north beingsouth, and everyone eating

vegemite!). It took days before thegrogginess left us. We felt like a ko-ala bear drugged on eucalyptusleaves. Now, think about having toadjust your body's internal clock ev-ery week. You work nights one week,then you work days the next week.Don't you think this would, over time,ruin the human body? This practiceis likely to produce physical, emo-tional, and psychological damage.

And so it is, that in Gillette, Wyo-ming, there is a large unit at the localhospital to treat sleeping disorders.Drugs, suicide, wife-beating, andother family problems proliferate. Thewonder is that tired workers in their50s, on their third consecutive 12-hour working day, don't cause a se-rious, fatigue-related, accident.

Today, the 24x7 work scheduleis becoming a worldwide trend, fromtoothpaste factories to car tire plants.Some 90% of these operations moveto rotating 12-hour shifts. Life is pre-cious, and time is short for workingparents with children. Rotating 12-hour shifts play havoc with family andpersonal lives. How can one be aneffective husband and father withsuch a mixed-up work schedule?

Recent articles in The Wall StreetJournal (7/24/01) and USA Today (8/1/01) have documented this trend.Manufacturing is being centeredaround machines, rather than thepeople who run them. In the 1800s,labor unions were formed to protectworkers from unsafe and inhumaneworking conditions. However, in theglobal economy of the 21st Century,some labor unions are supporting thelethal 24 x 7 work schedule. Facto-ries must run continuously, or shutdown due to stiff global competition.

In Revelation 18, we see that Godwill "blow the whistle" on this wholeeconomic system, which traffics inslaves and souls of men (verse 13).This human exploitation will bestopped dead in its tracks. Insteadof the "You Load 16 Tons" song withits line, "I owe my soul to the com-pany store," every man will sit underhis own vine and fig tree, Micah 4:1-4. May God speed that day!

—Richard Nickels

24 x 7 Attack on Sabbath-keepers


The tendency toward or thestigma of “cult” associated withSabbatarians is part of the rationalethat has resulted in some Sabbath-keepers and Sabbath-keepinggroups shedding their Sabbath iden-tity to embrace a more inclusive evan-gelical Christianity. The “cultic per-sonality” of some Sabbatarians pre-vents them from fellowship with oneanother in a church or social setting,association with one another in a pro-fessional setting and outreach toeach other to assist in the renderingof professional courtesies betweenchurches. In short, it is a conde-scending arrogance toward thosewho are “not one of us.”

Compare this attitude with that ofthe evangelical Christian communitythat recognizes the brotherhood of allChristians (including Sabbatarians) inthe “one body of Christ” regardlessof “denomination.” This is becauseof the recognition of the only OneCelebrity, that of Jesus Christ. Uni-versal salvation is a matter of one’spersonal relationship with Christ,which is not dependent on denomi-nationalism but transcending it. Thiscomes from the security of one’s as-surance of salvation in Christ. Thisshould define the faith of all Christiansregardless of where we stand on theSabbath issue. Sadly, where someSabbatarians express such embrac-ing Christian beliefs, alarm bells gooff in the minds of many sincere be-lievers who suspect a move towardevangelicalism, compromise orabandonment of the Sabbath be-cause such convictions are not de-pendant on Sabbath observance orlaw keeping. The cultic mind cannotconceive of a salvation that is totallydependant on the merits of Christ’ssacrifice alone.

The only way unity on the Sab-bath truth can be achieved is if we asSabbatarians can, like our evangeli-cal Christian brethren, set aside ourdenominational differences and sec-tarian interests to make Jesus Christthe “cause celebre” of the Sabbath.

The meaning of the Sabbath that iscentered in Jesus Christ as Lord ofthe Sabbath must be emphasizedover our denominational differencesor various Sabbath theologies. Wemust shed the “cultic personality”that is traditionally associated withSabbatarians and actively work withinour individual organizations to forgea salvific perspective of the Sabbaththat is inclusive of all Christians. Inthis way we can shed this stigma ofcultism by actively working within ourown churches to get out of our orga-nizational “boxes,” to break down thewalls of denominationalism and startbuilding bridges of dialog and coop-eration between Sabbath-keepers,and become more charitable towardothers not of our faith. Such are theaims, goals and interests of the BSA.

The Sabbath is full of profoundmeaning as the “cause celebre”that testifies to the celebrityship ofJesus Christ as the creator of allthings (Heb.1:2). Christ Himself as“Lord” established the Sabbath asHis universal memorial of Creation(Mark 2:27,28). Jesus Christ the“Rock” of Israel (1 Cor.10:4) estab-lished the Sabbath as the memo-rial of His power to provide andsave (Deut. 5:15). He is the breadof l i fe “that came down fromheaven” as the manna given to Is-rael. Christ the true Manna is our“double portion” for the Sabbath.(Ex.16:22,29). He is the “Bread ofthe Presence” (Ex.35:13, RSV),which the priests provided everySabbath day (Lev.24:8). We arecommanded to rest on the Sabbathin order to experience the “rest” offaith that only Jesus can give whichIsrael failed to experience becauseof unbelief (Heb 4:9). Are these nothigh and lofty themes that speak tothe celebrityship of Christ and makeHim the “cause celebre” of the Sab-bath to the world?

Sabbatarians do not “lose face”by acknowledging the venerationby Evangelicals of Sunday as theweekly memorials to “resurrectionSunday” (Easter) and “Pentecost”(Whitsunday). These, after all, are

based on the original yearly cel-ebrations of these events in theChurch as commanded in Scriptureand which are still recognized to-day by holy day observers (Lev23:11 & 16). For many centuriesboth the Sabbath and Sunday wereobserved in the early church. Theincreasing social and political cli-mate against the Jews and Judaismwas paralleled in the Church with agreater liturgical significance beingattached to Sunday over the Sab-bath. This historical reality does notnecessitate that Sabbatarians over-emphasize an anti-Sunday postureas a reason or method to promotethe primacy of the seventh-day asthe Sabbath. Jesus Christ is asmuch the “Lord of Sabaoth” as Heis “Lord of the Sabbath.”

The “Weakest Link”

The popular television gameshow is based on eliminating the“weakest link” from among a groupof contestants that keep the groupfrom reaching its goal. The weakestlink is the person who fails tostrategize or answer correctly themost answers, presumably becauseof lack of knowledge. Where do weas individual Sabbath-keepers link upin relationship to the Lord of the Sab-bath? Are there some “weak links”where our devotion and loyalty to theLord is weaker than the doctrinal dog-matism that keeps Sabbatarians sus-picious of each other? Such a men-tality, wherever it exists amongSabbatarians, will prove to be the“weakest link” to achieve the goal ofSabbatarian unity based on coopera-tion and dialog. We can remove that“weak link” by understanding that thebasic unity of believers is dependanton supreme love for one another andsuperior love to our Lord Jesus Christ— Yeshua the Messiah. Practicalways of doing this are to encouragevisitation and fellowship among our-selves of our sick and infirm mem-bers, to sharing of services withneedy families and the incarcerated,to have visiting speakers from withinthe Sabbath-keeping community,

Continued from page 4


and to share points of faith that wehave in common. We can sponsor orestablish “unity Sabbath” days or ar-range a choir exchange on a particu-lar Sabbath. We can sponsor Biblebowl intramurals between the variouschurches. This would be a good wayfor our young people to interact. Whatare your ideas and suggestions onhow we can promote Sabbath unityamong Sabbatarians and help breakdown the “cultic” wall of denomina-tionalism?

An AppealThe BSA is dedicated to address-

ing those issues that we believe arerelevant to Sabbath-keepers. The BSAseeks to promote cooperation and dia-log among all types of Sabbatarians.We solicit the participation of individu-als and organizations to support andadvance the goals and aims of the BSAby becoming members and by renew-ing their lapsed memberships. The fu-ture of the BSA is dependant on theinterest of Sabbatarians themselveswho believe in the idea of Sabbathunity, cooperation, dialog and fellow-ship. This does not mean nor does itrequire that we agree on all points ofdoctrine that are unique among us. IfCatholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, andLutherans can unite to promote Chris-tian unity on the basis of Sunday ob-servance, why can’t Seventh-dayAdventists, Seventh-day Baptists, Sev-enth-day Churches of God, House ofGod, Messianic fellowships, etc. pro-mote unity based on that truth thatbinds us together — the Sabbath? Forthe last 50 years this has been the mis-sion and goal of the BSA. One of theways that the BSA can work to achievethis is by increasing the member andfinancial base of the association. TheBSA exists to serve the needs and in-terests of Sabbath-keepers. You canlet the BSA know how we can help youpromote unity among Sabbath-keep-ers in your area.

Support of The BSA

Consider the BSA in your finan-cial planning, in the making of yourwills, trusts or as a worthy organiza-

tion for your gifts, deeds and grants.Many unaffiliated individuals or inde-pendent Sabbath-keepers will find theBSA worthy of support. The BSA pro-vides many educational materials thatare helpful for home fellowships,which appear to be an increasingphenomenon among Sabbatarianswho do not find fulfillment in the doc-trinaire political emphasis that seemsto predominate in some large Sab-bath-keeping groups. As a church,church denomination, Sabbatarianorganization, institution or ministryyou can support the BSA by becom-ing an institutional member. Wewould like to encourage individualmembers who belong to churches ororganizations to suggest that theirchurch or organization consider be-coming institutional members.

On behalf on the BSA I wouldlike to thank those that have faith-fully supported the BSA over theyears. It is because of your faithfulsupport that the BSA has continuedto exist for the purpose of advanc-ing the cause of the Sabbath truth.Your support enables the BSA toprint and distribute literature, booksand tapes, provide scholarships foryoung people and to be the pointof contact —a clearing house if youwill — for Sabbatarians who arelooking for fellowships or who wantinformation about different Sab-bath-keeping groups. We are nowin a position to represent before theU.S. Congress the religious and le-gal rights of Sabbath-keepers in theworkplace. In this capacity the BSArepresents the interests of all Sab-bath-keepers whether they aremembers or not. We have a greatermission to accomplish as we seegreater attempts to bring religiousissues into the political arena andas theological attacks against theSabbath increase. Know that yourfaithful and continued support ofJesus Christ as the “cause celebre”of the Sabbath is working to ad-vance the aims and goals to whichwe are dedicated. ❑

Sabbath-keeperWins Suit on Firing

In July of this year a federal juryhanded down a $2.25 millionaward to Donald Reed, a Sab-bath-keeper, who was fired fromhis job for refusing to work on theSabbath. Reed, former Pueblo,Colorado, air traffic controller, waselated after the jury agreed thatemployers cannot force Sabbath-keepers to work on the Sabbath ifit is their “sincerely held religiousbelief.”

The Denver Post quotes Reed:“In a land where people questionif justice still exists, I stand here totell you it does. Freedom of religionis why this country exists – thepeople who founded it were es-caping religious persecution.”

The case started in 1995 whenReed was fired from his job formissing six Saturdays. His manager,George Hof, called Reed’s reli-gious beliefs “a scam,” and re-fused to make any accommoda-tion for Reed to work on alternatedays. Under two previous manag-ers Reed had been able to workout alternate schedules so that hewould not have to work on theSabbath. He had been allowed touse leave time or had been as-signed to a quality assurance/training position with normal workhours.

Things changed drastically inDecember of 1993 when Hof be-came manager. According to tes-timony, he immediately beganharassing Reed and told him thathe would fire him if he could.

Reed offered a variety of so-lutions by offering to work all holi-days and Sunday and to pay shiftdifferentials to other controllerswho were forced to work Satur-days for him. He also offered towork longer shifts during the week.Hof rejected all these alternatives,


but acceded after the union rep-resenting Reed threatened to filegrievances. A union representa-tive offered to reorganize the Sat-urday schedule, which wouldhave reduced the number of con-trollers from five to four. Hof re-jected the union plan, butadopted it, making it part of thepermanent schedule, after Reedwas fired. ❑

Following is a letter from Donand Robin Reed after winning theircourt case.

Hello to all our friends and fam-ily in Christ! And apologies to someof you whom we thought we hadon our distribution list but hadsomehow apparently been leftoff!!

We’re not millionaires yet, butare far more RICH in the Grace ofour LORD Jesus the Christ and HisFather who heard the flood ofprayers offered up by His Saints onbehalf of ALL that would make astand for His Immutable Laws andHis TRUTH. This is ABSOLUTELY theFather’s victory! One which Hehad prepared before the creationfor “such a time as this.” And, “hadwe remained silent, relief and de-liverance would have arisen fromanother place...” The blessingwhich “we” have received is thruHis promise that such works wereprepared... Eph 2:10 “For we areHis workmanship, created in ChristJesus for good works, which Godprepared beforehand, that weshould walk in them.” ...and thatsuch a thing could have been pre-pared for “us”. That the Fatherdeeply indwelt in us His Comforter,strengthening us to forebear thisacross the span of time it took forthe Father’s will to unfold and berevealed, is again a dearly heldblessing that we have received.But He did NOT do this for “us” ex-clusive of those who love Him, but

rather to glorify Himself and tomagnify His Holy Name! Ourprayer now is as that of King Davidin Ps 34:3, “O magnify the LORDwith me, And let us exalt His nametogether.” And again in Ps 35:27,“Let them shout for joy and re-joice, who favor my vindication;And let them say continually, ‘TheLORD be magnified, Who delightsin the prosperity of His servant.’”Also as Paul has instructed us thruHis Spirit in Rom 15:4-6, “For WHAT-EVER was written in earlier timeswas written for our instruction, thatthrough perseverance and theencouragement of the Scriptureswe might have hope. Now maythe God who gives perseveranceand encouragement grant you tobe of the same mind with oneanother according to Christ Jesus;that with one accord you maywith one voice glorify the Godand Father of our Lord JesusChrist.”

I would borrow from Jer 50:34and claim, “(Our) Redeemer isstrong, the LORD of hosts is Hisname; He (did) vigorously plead(our) case, So that He may bringrest to the earth, But turmoil to theinhabitants of (this government)Babylon.” We are obviously andoverwhelmingly pleased with thisverdict and that our prayer re-quest, that His Spirit be upon thejudge & jurors, WAS answered andrevealed as such before our VERYeyes! I stated immediately afterthe trial that we did not want toexploit the amount of the judge-ment (that being to our own pur-pose). What we would exploitrather, is that we dedicate this sumto whatever purpose He wouldhave for us in His service (we prayto be full time). He has not re-vealed any particular plan as yet,but we keep ours eyes upon Himand our ears open to whatever

call goes forth that we may followafter where His Spirit leads us. Spe-cifically, that whatever interest isgenerated by this would replaceour need for secular employmentand what remains going directlyto His purpose. But this takes us farahead of where we are now andwhat we SHALL do immediately,that being to continue to, “...waitupon the LORD” and to seek Hiswill in our lives in accordance withthe hope we have in the scripturesHeb 13:20-21, “Now the God ofpeace, who brought up from thedead the great Shepherd of thesheep through the blood of theeternal covenant, even Jesus ourLord, equip you in every goodthing to do His will, working in usthat which is pleasing in His sight,through Jesus Christ, to whom bethe glory forever and ever. Amen.”

This letter is fast becoming afull-blown “sermon”, but we areSO thankful, and the scriptures SOplentiful (that we could cite) to thisGreat Thing that GOD has done,that we are filled to over-flowingwith praise and honor and greatglory to His Name and what Hehas done, not only for us, but forall His children everywhere! Wehope that someday, in His service,we might be able to see and wor-ship together with each of youwhere you are! But until that is ful-filled by the Father’s will, we givethis prayerful thanks to all of youwho have lifted up this petitionbefore our Father’s Throne ofGrace, that He may know of ALLHis children’s steadfastness in theirsincere obedience to His Truth andLaw that was given for our owngood.

GOD bless each of you.. . andall who read this and BELIEVE(“...on account of the works them-selves.”)

—Don & Robin Reed


LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

I received the Jan-Feb & March-April Sabbath Sentinel for the firsttime in approximately 20 years.

It was very refreshing to read ofthe people who are Sabbath keep-ers.

The letters to the Editor particu-larly caught my attention.

Would it be possible to get acopy of the article concerningwomen? I gather from the responsesthat it was in the Sept./Oct. issue.

My husband and I have beenSabbath keepers for over 30 years.

During that time we have cometo a different understanding on manybiblical issues. Some issues havetaken years for us to totally under-stand and to take a position on them.As the Scripture indicates, one per-son plants the seed, another watersbut Yahweh causes the growth.

Through the years I have alsorealized that I can love people whodon't have the exact same under-standing of Scripture as I do.

It seems like people who get an-gry because someone has a differ-ent opinion are taking it much toopersonally.

Sincerely,

Sharon Stubles

Sharon,

Thank you for your commentsand your contribution. You shouldhave received the information yourequested by now. One easy way toconsult past issues of The SabbathThe SabbathThe SabbathThe SabbathThe SabbathSentinelSentinelSentinelSentinelSentinel is to go to our Web site athttp://www.biblesabbath.org/http://www.biblesabbath.org/http://www.biblesabbath.org/http://www.biblesabbath.org/http://www.biblesabbath.org/ .Many of our previous issues are thereavailable for download, and you canbrowse for other material that mightbe of interest to you.

—editor

Dear Mr. Kenneth Ryland:

In past prints, are there any ar-ticles that give information about thevariety of ways people in other reli-gions observe the Sabbath Holy Dayof Rest, giving biblical information aswell as comparing and contrasting?

Because of my interest in theSabbath Day of Rest, I am informingyou about what I have observed onthe BSA web design. In the T.S.S.Magazine index, the word “Sentinel”is spelt sentinal with A before the L.

I am wondering on behalf of newfirst time members, are there anyeducational incentives such as a cas-sette tape or booklet?

—Denise Bourne, Toronto, Canada

P.S.

In March, 2001, I have made afew attempts to send the responsebelow as a reply to Dr. Sidney Davisarticle "Universality of the Sabbath."I am uncertain if my attempts to e-mail this response have been suc-cessful. Please read the following.

I pray that God continues to blessyou and The Bible Sabbath Associa-

tion ministry. It has been almost oneyear since I have been receiving TheSabbath Sentinel magazine circulatedby BSA. My response is to an article"The Universality of the Sabbath" pub-lished in The Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath SentinelThe Sabbath Sentinel, Janu-ary/February, 2001. In this article Dr.Sidney Davis’ dedication to researchand supplying valid accumulative in-formation regarding “Proclaiming TheSabbath More Fully” have been help-ful to my preference of rest and wor-ship on Saturdays. From Dr.Davis’ writ-ings, I have gained knowledge aboutimportant facts in God's Word that I be-lieve are perfect in God's plan for thehealth of mankind.

Denise:

Thanks very much for your letter. Asto different Sabbath-keeping tradi-tions, please order a copy of our brandnew Directory of Sabbath-observ-Directory of Sabbath-observ-Directory of Sabbath-observ-Directory of Sabbath-observ-Directory of Sabbath-observ-ing Groupsing Groupsing Groupsing Groupsing Groups.Check the back cover ofthis magazine for how to order a copy.

Also, thanks for pointing out the mis-spelling on our Web site. I will let ourWeb master know so that it can becorrected. —editor

Finally — Something to Watch on TV!

If you have cable, watch for these two programson PAX Television’s “Encounters with

the Unexplained”:

Ken Westby, vice president of BSA and founder anddirector of the Association for Christian

Development will be interviewed in a programtitled, “A Prayer Curriculum,” which will explore the

healing power of prayer.

Gary Arvidson, writer and longtime associate ofKen Westby, will be interviewed about his research

into the yet-to-be-discovered tomb andtreasures of King David.


Classified Ads . . .Classified Ads . . .Classified Ads . . .Classified Ads . . .Classified Ads . . .

Mid-South SabbatariansMid-South SabbatariansMid-South SabbatariansMid-South SabbatariansMid-South Sabbatarians

News, Events, and Directory. On the Web at http://www.sabbatarians.net.

(Dec 01)

Classified ads Classified ads Classified ads Classified ads Classified ads (20% discount for second time, 30%thereafter) are available at the rate of $1.00 per word(including each word and each group of numbers inthe address - telephone numbers count as one word)for each issue in which the ad is published.

Display adsDisplay adsDisplay adsDisplay adsDisplay ads are available at $150 per quarter pagefor each issue the ad is published. Where possible yourcamera-ready copy will be utilized, or we will designyour display ad for you. Send copy for all ads and pay-ment to The Bible Sabbath Association, 3316 AlbertaDrive, Gillette, WY 82718.

Discounts- Discounts- Discounts- Discounts- Discounts- Advertise in the TSS Classified Ads sec-tion for more than one issue and receive discounts:$1.00 per word 1st issue, then 20% off for 2nd issueand 30% off for subsequent times.

Ad copy without payment will not be accepted forpublication. Deadline is two months prior to publica-tion (i.e. if you want your ad to appear in the Septem-ber/October issue we must receive it before July). BSAreserves the right to reject or edit any ad copy. Publica-tion does not necessarily imply endorsement by TheBible Sabbath Association or The Sabbath Sentinel.

Scholarship Contest, 2001-2002

Comments and suggestions would be greatlyappreciated regarding ideas for questions for the2001-2002 BSA Essay Scholarship contest. Thequestions must be focused around, about, or re-lated to Sabbath observance at large.

Suggestions for Sabbath-keeping judges of thecontest would also be appreciated. Judges shouldhave had prior teaching experience and/or the ap-propriate academic credentials to be qualifiedjudges of such a scholastic contest.

Please send your suggestions and commentsto June Narber (Harrison) at [email protected] write her at 6325-9 Falls of Neuse #193, Raleigh,NC 27615.

Continued donations toward the scholarshipfund help to guarantee that we can sponsor the con-test each subsequent year. Donations are tax de-ductible and can be sent anytime to the the BibleSabbath Association, 3316 Alberta Drive, Gillette,WY 82718.

We wish to thank all the entries received for the2000-2001 BSA Essay Contest. The competitionwas close, and the work was difficult for our fourjudges. A special thanks to the four individuals whoserved as this year's judges: Dr. Sidney Davis, Mrs.Jeanne Yurke, Mr. Ron Grubis, and Mr. Roy Marrs.

Wanted: a partner or investor.Wanted: a partner or investor.Wanted: a partner or investor.Wanted: a partner or investor.Wanted: a partner or investor.

I'm starting a package delivery business in Washing-ton/Oregon beginning in November. For information orinterest:

email: [email protected] or call John (413) 736-7472(Oct 01)

Olive BranchesOlive BranchesOlive BranchesOlive BranchesOlive Branches

Study resources, articles, Feast information, lots of links.On the Web at http://www.olivebranches.net. Send forour free “Resource Guide.”

Olive BranchesP. O. Box 1293Fairview, TN 37062

(Aug 01)

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRITTHE FRUIT OF THE SPIRITTHE FRUIT OF THE SPIRITTHE FRUIT OF THE SPIRITTHE FRUIT OF THE SPIRITA conservative magazineFor conservative believers

Raising conservative familiesHonoring Christ and His commandments

Let us Reason ArticlesHomeschooling ArticlesBook and movie reviews

And much more!970-884-6083 fora free issue

The Howard Family(Dec 01)

Why the Seventh-DayWhy the Seventh-DayWhy the Seventh-DayWhy the Seventh-DayWhy the Seventh-DaySabbath?Sabbath?Sabbath?Sabbath?Sabbath?

This attractive booklet lists sixreasons why keeping the Sab-bath is important for today. Theback cover is formatted so as tobe suitable for stamping theaddess of your local congrega-tion!

Order code number P205 topurchase this booklet. They canbe purchased for only $17 per100 copies. An inexpensive buteffective way to teach othersabout God’s precious gift of HisSabbaths!


Place your Order Now!Place your Order Now!Place your Order Now!Place your Order Now!Place your Order Now!

The 246-page ninth edition of The BibleSabbath Association’s comprehensivecatalog of Seventh-day Sabbath-ObservingGroups has gone to press! The Directory ofSabbath-Observing Groups will ship in lateSeptember or early October.

The 2001 Directory lists over 400Sabbatarian groups, and over 1600 con-gregations. This is the ninth update of theDirectory, originally published in 1957, andthe largest compilation of SabbatarianGroups in the BSA’s history. There aremany International congregations listed.

The Directory of Sabbath-ObservingGroups is available for $15, postpaid, or 10copies for $95 postpaid, from:

The Bible Sabbath Association3316 Alberta DriveGillette, WY 82718.

You may also order by credit card bycalling 307-686-5191, ore-mail at [email protected].

The Sabbath SentinelA Bi-monthly Publication ofA Bi-monthly Publication ofA Bi-monthly Publication ofA Bi-monthly Publication ofA Bi-monthly Publication of

The Bible Sabbath Association

HC 60 Box 8, Fairview, OK 73737 USA

Address Service RequestedAddress Service RequestedAddress Service RequestedAddress Service RequestedAddress Service Requested

NON-PROFITORGANIZATIONUS POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 500SPRINGDALE, AR

Sabbath THETHE Sentinel 2001

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