Test 31: Summary of Evidence — Position A

Phase 8: Final Arguments

⚠️ Note: This content is currently in review and available for public examination.

Introduction

This test provides a comprehensive summary of all evidence Position A (Sabbath abolished/changed) has offered throughout this investigation. Every argument Position A makes will be listed and evaluated.

The purpose: To give Position A a full and fair hearing before the final verdict.

⚖️ The Burden of Proof Reminder

The applicable legal principle:

*UK — Woolmington v DPP [1935]:

Claim	Response	Verdict
"Not under law" = law abolished	Paul says "God forbid" to this interpretation (v. 15)	❌ Fails
	Paul says "we establish the law" (Romans 3:31)
	"Under law" means under condemnation, not under law's existence

The burden of proof lies on the party asserting the positive claim.
Position A claims:
The Sabbath was abolished at the cross
Sunday replaced the Sabbath by apostolic authority
Christians are not obligated to observe the seventh day
Position A bears the burden of proving these claims.
CATEGORY 1: ALLEGED NEW TESTAMENT ABOLITION TEXTS

Text 1: Romans 6:14 — "Not under law but under grace"
Position A's argument: Christians are "not under the law" — therefore free from the Sabbath. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
"Not under law" = law abolished Paul says "God forbid" to this interpretation (v. 15) ❌ Fails
Paul says "we establish the law" (Romans 3:31)
"Under law" means under condemnation, not under law's existence
Finding: This text does not support Position A.
Text 2: Romans 10:4 — "Christ is the end of the law"
Position A's argument: Christ terminated the law. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Telos = termination Telos means goal/purpose (as in 1 Timothy 1:5) ❌ Fails
Context: Christ is goal of law for righteousness
Paul upholds law in same letter (Romans 3:31; 7:12)
Finding: This text does not support Position A.
Text 3: Galatians 3:24-25 — "No longer under a schoolmaster"
Position A's argument: The law was temporary until Christ; now it is abolished. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Law abolished after Christ came Context is justification, not law's existence ❌ Fails
Paul upholds law in same letter (Galatians 5:14, 19-21)
"Under schoolmaster" = under law for justification
Finding: This text does not support Position A.
Text 4: Colossians 2:14-17 — "Nailed to the cross... sabbath days"
Position A's argument: The law was nailed to the cross; sabbath days are abolished. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
"The law" was nailed Cheirographon = debt certificate, not moral law ❌ Fails
Sabbath abolished Context: ceremonial elements (meat, drink, holyday, new moon)
"Sabbath days" = ceremonial sabbaths (known by company)
"Shadow" = forward-pointing types, not creation memorial
Finding: This text addresses ceremonial sabbaths, not the weekly Sabbath.
Text 5: Romans 14:5 — "One man esteems one day above another"
Position A's argument: Day observance is a matter of personal preference. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Sabbath is optional Context: "doubtful disputations" (v. 1) — optional matters ❌ Fails
Days in view: Jewish fast/feast days (not commanded in Decalogue)
The Sabbath is commanded, not optional
Finding: This text addresses optional days, not the commanded Sabbath.
Text 6: Galatians 4:9-10 — "Days, months, times, years"
Position A's argument: Paul condemns observing special days, including Sabbath. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Paul condemns Sabbath Galatians were Gentiles returning to pagan observances ❌ Fails
"Again" (v. 9) — returning to their pagan past
Jewish Sabbath was never their prior practice
Finding: This text addresses pagan calendar observances, not the Sabbath.
Text 7: Hebrews 7:12 — "A change also of the law"
Position A's argument: The law was changed, including the Sabbath. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Entire law changed Context: law of the priesthood (entire chapter) ❌ Fails
Christ from Judah, not Levi (v. 13-14)
Decalogue says nothing about priesthood
Finding: This text addresses priesthood law, not the Ten Commandments.
Text 8: Hebrews 8:13 — "The first covenant... vanishing away"
Position A's argument: The old covenant (including its laws) is abolished. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Old covenant law abolished Covenant arrangement changed; law written on heart (8:10) ❌ Fails
Law continues — relocated from stone to heart
Hebrews 4:9: sabbatismos remains
Finding: The covenant arrangement changes; the moral law continues on the heart.
Text 9: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 — "Done away"
Position A's argument: The law written on stone is "done away." Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Law done away Subject is "ministration" (diakonia), not law ❌ Fails
Old administration ends; law written on heart (v. 3)
Law relocated, not abolished
Finding: The ministration/administration changes; the law continues.
CATEGORY 2: ALLEGED SUNDAY OBSERVANCE TEXTS

Text 1: Acts 20:7 — "The first day of the week"
Position A's argument: The early church worshipped on Sunday. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Regular Sunday worship This was a farewell meeting (v. 7 — "ready to depart") ❌ Fails
Likely Saturday night (Jewish first day began at sunset)
Paul travelled on Sunday (v. 11-14)
"Breaking bread" occurred daily (Acts 2:46)
Finding: This is a farewell meeting, not regular Sunday worship.
Text 2: 1 Corinthians 16:2 — "The first day of the week"
Position A's argument: Sunday church collections prove Sunday worship. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Sunday church service "Lay by him in store" (par' heautō) = at home ❌ Fails
Private action, not church collection
Sunday was a working day — logical for financial planning
Finding: This describes private financial planning, not church worship.
Text 3: Revelation 1:10 — "The Lord's day"
Position A's argument: "The Lord's day" is Sunday; this proves apostolic Sunday observance. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
"Lord's day" = Sunday The verse does not say "Sunday" or "first day" ❌ Fails
Christ is "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28)
May refer to eschatological "Day of the Lord"
No biblical connection between "Lord's day" and Sunday
Finding: "Lord's day" is not defined as Sunday; the claim is assumed, not proven.
CATEGORY 3: HISTORICAL AND LOGICAL ARGUMENTS

Argument 1: "The apostles changed the day"
Position A's argument: The apostles, guided by the Spirit, changed the Sabbath to Sunday. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Apostles changed the day No apostle ever stated this ❌ Fails
The apostles kept the Sabbath (Acts 17:2; 18:4)
Catholic Church claims later church authority, not apostles
Finding: No evidence supports apostolic change; apostles kept the Sabbath.
Argument 2: "Sunday honours the resurrection"
Position A's argument: Christians worship on Sunday to commemorate Christ's resurrection. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Biblical command for this No such command exists ❌ Fails
Baptism is the resurrection memorial (Romans 6:3-5)
No transfer of Sabbath sanctity to Sunday
Finding: No biblical command exists for weekly resurrection commemoration on Sunday.
Argument 3: "The calendar has changed"
Position A's argument: Calendar changes make it impossible to identify the seventh day. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Weekly cycle disrupted Gregorian reform changed dates, not weekly cycle ❌ Fails
Jewish people have tracked Sabbath for 3,000+ years
Saturday is verifiably the seventh day
Finding: The weekly cycle has never been disrupted.
Argument 4: "The Sabbath was for Israel only"
Position A's argument: The Sabbath was part of the Mosaic covenant for Israel, not Gentile Christians. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
For Israel only Established at creation (Genesis 2:2-3) — before Israel ❌ Fails
Jesus: "made for man" (anthrōpos*) — humanity (Mark 2:27)
Part of moral law, not ceremonial law
Finding: The Sabbath was established at creation for humanity.
Argument 5: "Early church fathers observed Sunday"
Position A's argument: Early church writings support Sunday observance. Evaluation:
Claim Response Verdict
Church fathers prove apostolic change Post-biblical writings cannot determine biblical meaning ⚠️ Irrelevant
Earliest references (2nd century) don't cite apostolic authority
Later tradition ≠ apostolic practice
Socrates (5th c.): "almost all churches" still kept Sabbath
Finding: Church fathers are not Scripture; earliest references lack apostolic authority.
# SUMMARY: POSITION A's EVIDENCE EVALUATED

New Testament Texts

Text Claimed Meaning Actual Meaning Verdict
Romans 6:14 Law abolished Dead to condemnation ❌
Romans 10:4 Law terminated Christ is law's goal ❌
Galatians 3:24-25 Law obsolete Law can't justify ❌
Colossians 2:14-17 Sabbath abolished Ceremonial sabbaths ❌
Romans 14:5 Sabbath optional Optional days ❌
Galatians 4:9-10 Sabbath condemned Pagan observances ❌
Hebrews 7:12 Law changed Priesthood law ❌
Hebrews 8:13 Covenant/law abolished Law on heart ❌
2 Corinthians 3:7-11 Law done away Ministration done away ❌

Sunday Texts

Text Claimed Meaning Actual Meaning Verdict
Acts 20:7 Sunday worship Farewell meeting ❌
1 Corinthians 16:2 Sunday collection Private planning ❌
Revelation 1:10 Sunday is Lord's day Not defined ❌

Other Arguments

Argument Evaluation Verdict
Apostles changed day No evidence; they kept Sabbath ❌
Sunday honours resurrection No command ❌
Calendar changed Weekly cycle intact ❌
Sabbath for Israel Creation origin ❌
Church fathers Not Scripture ⚠️ Irrelevant

# CONCLUSION

Position A's Evidential Status
Total texts/arguments offered: ~17 Texts that support Position A when properly interpreted: 0 Position A has failed to produce a single clear text that:
Commands Sunday observance
Declares the Sabbath abolished
Transfers sanctity from seventh to first day
Authorises apostolic Sabbath change
Position A relies entirely on:
Misinterpretation of texts addressing other subjects
Assumption that "Lord's day" means Sunday
Appeal to post-biblical tradition
Arguments from silence
The burden of proof has not been met.
← Previous: Test 30 Next: Test 32 →

Claim	Response	Verdict
Telos = termination	Telos means goal/purpose (as in 1 Timothy 1:5)	❌ Fails
	Context: Christ is goal of law for righteousness
	Paul upholds law in same letter (Romans 3:31; 7:12)

Claim	Response	Verdict
Law abolished after Christ came	Context is justification, not law's existence	❌ Fails
	Paul upholds law in same letter (Galatians 5:14, 19-21)
	"Under schoolmaster" = under law for justification

Claim	Response	Verdict
"The law" was nailed	Cheirographon = debt certificate, not moral law	❌ Fails
Sabbath abolished	Context: ceremonial elements (meat, drink, holyday, new moon)
	"Sabbath days" = ceremonial sabbaths (known by company)
	"Shadow" = forward-pointing types, not creation memorial

Claim	Response	Verdict
Sabbath is optional	Context: "doubtful disputations" (v. 1) — optional matters	❌ Fails
	Days in view: Jewish fast/feast days (not commanded in Decalogue)
	The Sabbath is commanded, not optional

Claim	Response	Verdict
Paul condemns Sabbath	Galatians were Gentiles returning to pagan observances	❌ Fails
	"Again" (v. 9) — returning to their pagan past
	Jewish Sabbath was never their prior practice

Claim	Response	Verdict
Entire law changed	Context: law of the priesthood (entire chapter)	❌ Fails
	Christ from Judah, not Levi (v. 13-14)
	Decalogue says nothing about priesthood

Claim	Response	Verdict
Old covenant law abolished	Covenant arrangement changed; law written on heart (8:10)	❌ Fails
	Law continues — relocated from stone to heart
	Hebrews 4:9: sabbatismos remains

Claim	Response	Verdict
Law done away	Subject is "ministration" (diakonia), not law	❌ Fails
	Old administration ends; law written on heart (v. 3)
	Law relocated, not abolished

Claim	Response	Verdict
Regular Sunday worship	This was a farewell meeting (v. 7 — "ready to depart")	❌ Fails
	Likely Saturday night (Jewish first day began at sunset)
	Paul travelled on Sunday (v. 11-14)
	"Breaking bread" occurred daily (Acts 2:46)

Claim	Response	Verdict
Sunday church service	"Lay by him in store" (par' heautō) = at home	❌ Fails
	Private action, not church collection
	Sunday was a working day — logical for financial planning

Claim	Response	Verdict
"Lord's day" = Sunday	The verse does not say "Sunday" or "first day"	❌ Fails
	Christ is "Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28)
	May refer to eschatological "Day of the Lord"
	No biblical connection between "Lord's day" and Sunday

Claim	Response	Verdict
Apostles changed the day	No apostle ever stated this	❌ Fails
	The apostles kept the Sabbath (Acts 17:2; 18:4)
	Catholic Church claims later church authority, not apostles

Claim	Response	Verdict
Biblical command for this	No such command exists	❌ Fails
	Baptism is the resurrection memorial (Romans 6:3-5)
	No transfer of Sabbath sanctity to Sunday

Claim	Response	Verdict
Weekly cycle disrupted	Gregorian reform changed dates, not weekly cycle	❌ Fails
	Jewish people have tracked Sabbath for 3,000+ years
	Saturday is verifiably the seventh day

Claim	Response	Verdict
For Israel only	Established at creation (Genesis 2:2-3) — before Israel	❌ Fails
	Jesus: "made for man" (anthrōpos*) — humanity (Mark 2:27)
	Part of moral law, not ceremonial law

Claim	Response	Verdict
Church fathers prove apostolic change	Post-biblical writings cannot determine biblical meaning	⚠️ Irrelevant
	Earliest references (2nd century) don't cite apostolic authority
	Later tradition ≠ apostolic practice
	Socrates (5th c.): "almost all churches" still kept Sabbath

Text	Claimed Meaning	Actual Meaning	Verdict
Romans 6:14	Law abolished	Dead to condemnation	❌
Romans 10:4	Law terminated	Christ is law's goal	❌
Galatians 3:24-25	Law obsolete	Law can't justify	❌
Colossians 2:14-17	Sabbath abolished	Ceremonial sabbaths	❌
Romans 14:5	Sabbath optional	Optional days	❌
Galatians 4:9-10	Sabbath condemned	Pagan observances	❌
Hebrews 7:12	Law changed	Priesthood law	❌
Hebrews 8:13	Covenant/law abolished	Law on heart	❌
2 Corinthians 3:7-11	Law done away	Ministration done away	❌

Text	Claimed Meaning	Actual Meaning	Verdict
Acts 20:7	Sunday worship	Farewell meeting	❌
1 Corinthians 16:2	Sunday collection	Private planning	❌
Revelation 1:10	Sunday is Lord's day	Not defined	❌

Argument	Evaluation	Verdict
Apostles changed day	No evidence; they kept Sabbath	❌
Sunday honours resurrection	No command	❌
Calendar changed	Weekly cycle intact	❌
Sabbath for Israel	Creation origin	❌
Church fathers	Not Scripture	⚠️ Irrelevant

Test 31: Summary of Evidence — Position A

Introduction

⚖️ The Burden of Proof Reminder

Text 1: Romans 6:14 — "Not under law but under grace"

Text 2: Romans 10:4 — "Christ is the end of the law"

Text 3: Galatians 3:24-25 — "No longer under a schoolmaster"

Text 4: Colossians 2:14-17 — "Nailed to the cross... sabbath days"

Text 5: Romans 14:5 — "One man esteems one day above another"

Text 6: Galatians 4:9-10 — "Days, months, times, years"

Text 7: Hebrews 7:12 — "A change also of the law"

Text 8: Hebrews 8:13 — "The first covenant... vanishing away"

Text 9: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 — "Done away"

Text 1: Acts 20:7 — "The first day of the week"

Text 2: 1 Corinthians 16:2 — "The first day of the week"

Text 3: Revelation 1:10 — "The Lord's day"

Argument 1: "The apostles changed the day"

Argument 2: "Sunday honours the resurrection"

Argument 3: "The calendar has changed"

Argument 4: "The Sabbath was for Israel only"

Argument 5: "Early church fathers observed Sunday"

New Testament Texts

Sunday Texts

Other Arguments

Position A's Evidential Status

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