Comments

Jeff F posted a comment · Oct 04, 2019
We are not to question Dr. Brown’s interpretation because . . .? To his credit - Dr. Brown invites comments not endorsements. Firstly, Hebrews 3,4 neither teaches nor discourages Sabbath observance. That is not the topic. “Sabbath” (actually, σαββατισμός, used once in the NT) is used as an analogy of rest in Christ. I would translate sabbatismos (4:9), a “sabbath-like rest.” It can be understand in one of two ways, or both. 1. We enter God’s rest spiritually as we express faith in Christ and in His righteousness, not resting on our merit. Jesus said, “Come to me . . . and I will give you rest.” This we are to do daily. “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” 2. But, like “the kingdom of God,” the promise (4:1) is not simply spiritual. The author may have in mind the rest that comes after our life is over; therefore, he is speaking of a physical sense. As God entered “rest” after His work of Creation was completed, so we enter our eternal rest after our work in this life is completed. This is when we cease from our works (v10). Entering the “Promised Land,” the heavenly Canaan, is a future reality, and it is literal. Both aspects are certainly true. But the main point of Hebrews 3&4 is that of not “hardening your hearts” as Israel did in the exodus. They failed because of disobedience (v. 11). Observance of the 7th-day Sabbath is not the point. Imagine the controversy that would have resulted, as it did with circumcision, if the apostles had suggested the fourth commandment was no longer valid, was not necessary, or had been changed? The NT is silent on this. There was no such controversy because the Sabbath was never contested. No, the fourth commandment remains valid for Christians as are all of the ten commandments.
Secondly, I would remind Dr. Brown, who seems to feel that the believer can take or leave the Sabbath as he or she chooses or observe another day (in which case it would not be Sabbath since by definition, Sabbath is the seventh day), I would remind him that God blessed and sanctified only the seventh day (Genesis 2:2,3). Where in Scripture did God rescind this blessing and act of transference of holiness?

Timothy Pia posted a comment · May 18, 2019
It amazes me to see all the comments from people who presume to correct Dr. Brown. Especially using Hebrews. Look at the context of Hebrews 3 & 4. It's obvious that it's not teaching a new testament observance of the Sabbath. But God will bring all of you along as you grow in your knowledge of the scriptures and your faith.

erniebluenose posted a comment · Jun 16, 2016
I couldn't go past this without comment I normally think you are very astute in your theology Dr but in this I think you are as unbiblical and unscriptural as you can be....it makes the messianic movement look like a joke if one of its biggest proponents is saying "well Gentiles don't have to do the Shabbat,just keep your Sunday " how is this provoking our Jewish brethren to jealousy?
So why bother doing any of the feasts ? Or food laws ? It's not "Jewish stuff" it's Gods word.....lets just go back to sitting on our hands and singing come by yah then ....,really??? we have a biblical mandate to provoke and have the two become one new man
We as Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree,the commonwealth of Israel no? So how please tell can we have one father,one messiah,one baptism,one faith,and two sets of rules? I'm sorry but I think your well of the mark here Sir

Kevin W. posted a comment · Jun 01, 2016
Dr. Brown, does the book of Hebrews in the New Testament apply to Jews and Gentiles alike? Hebrews 4 shows the example to us of God resting on the Sabbath. We shouldn't assume He needed a rest but did so as an example to man kind. Israel was not even a nation when God showed us obedience to the 4th Commandment.
"9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His."
It appears in Hebrews 4 there are 2 components of Sabbath rest. 1, Sabbath rest through faith in God. 2, resting in Christ through obedience to God in the 4th Commandment.
11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.
Verse 11 shows that AFTER becoming a Christian we are to continue in entering a rest otherwise we will fall into disobedience. It is the 10 Commandments that show what disobedience is.
Through example and proclamation of the Sabbath being "made for man..." we must assume it is a requirement for all man all through time. Did Christ preface his statement of the Sabbath with, "until I am resurrected". No, that did not happen. With no aberration of the Sabbath, no change to Sunday, and the continued observance of the church in the first century Christians why is the Sabbath not currently observed? It seems tradition sometimes trumps Biblical truth. We must remember what Daniel said and really contemplate the application to our times. "and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law;". If worship on Sunday is not Biblical and Sabbath observance is a requirement to enter in to Christ's rest through obedience then shouldn't we assume Sunday is the manifestation of Daniels prophecy? We, and most of the reformers, already believe the Papacy to be the Antichrist then we should know Sunday, "the first day", is a false Sabbath day.