The Sabbath and the Lord's Day #244532

Before the death of the first apostles of Christ, certain law-teachers troubled the churches, and tried to impose upon them the rites of Moses' law. In a large assembly of apostles and elders at Jerusalem, it was fully decided and settled not to bind the law upon Gentile Christians. See Acts 15. In the Epistles of Paul the most powerful arguments are brought forth to teach the abrogation of the law, and the superior qualities of the gospel, the law of Christ. The apostle declares that all law-teachers "pervert the gospel of Christ," are "van janglers," "understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm."<br><br>After the death of the apostles, a number of heretical sects arose that taught the law was binding and enjoined the observance of the Jewish sabbath. Among these were the Ebionites, a sect which arose in the second century, and dissented from the general church. They were the rankest heretics of their time.<br><br>About the time of the Reformation, a sect arose in England that zealously advocated the observance of the seventh day. They had many able ministers and writers, and published many books. To-day there is nothing left of their work. It has become entirely extinct.