Test 35: Final Verdict and Conclusion

IN THE MATTER OF THE SABBATH QUESTION

An Examination of Scripture and Reason

• The Case

Two positions have been examined: Position A — That the seventh-day Sabbath was abolished at the cross, or changed to Sunday by apostolic authority, and that Christians are not obligated to observe the seventh day. Position B — That the seventh-day Sabbath, established at creation and codified in the Ten Commandments, remains binding for Christians today, and that no biblical authority exists for Sunday observance.

• The Investigation

35 tests have been conducted over 10 phases:

Phase	Tests	Subject Matter
1	1-4	Foundation and Authority
2	5-8	Old Testament Evidence
3	9-12	Nature and Scope of the Sabbath
4	13-15	Christ's Arrival and Mission
5	16-20	The Apostolic Era
6	21-25	Present Application
7	26-30	Practical Application
8	31-32	Summary of Evidence
9	33-34	Final Arguments
10	35	Verdict

• Summary of Findings

From Phase 1-3: Foundation

1. Scripture is the authority — Sola scriptura requires biblical evidence for doctrine
2. The Sabbath was established at creation — Before sin, before Israel (Genesis 2:2-3)
3. The Sabbath is part of the moral law — Fourth of the Ten Commandments
4. The moral law is distinct from ceremonial law — Different origin, form, location, duration

From Phase 4: Christ's Testimony

1. Christ did not abolish the law — "Think not that I am come to destroy" (Matthew 5:17)
2. Christ kept the Sabbath — "As his custom was" (Luke 4:16)
3. Christ taught the Sabbath's universal purpose — "Made for man" (Mark 2:27)
4. Christ expected post-crucifixion Sabbath observance — Matthew 24:20

From Phase 5: The Apostolic Era

1. The apostles kept the Sabbath — "Paul, as his manner was" (Acts 17:2)
2. Paul upheld the law — "We establish the law" (Romans 3:31)
3. The Jerusalem Council did not abolish the Sabbath — Assumed continuing
4. Hebrews teaches law on the heart — Not abolition but internalisation
5. "The Lord's day" is not demonstrated to be Sunday — No biblical definition

From Phase 6: Present Application

1. Revelation identifies the remnant by commandment-keeping — Revelation 12:17; 14:12
2. The seal/mark conflict relates to worship and authority — Creator vs. beast
3. The historical change was not apostolic — Catholic Church claims responsibility
4. Sunday laws have prophetic significance — Mechanism of enforced worship

From Phase 7: Practical Application

1. The Sabbath is to be observed Friday sunset to Saturday sunset
2. Common objections have been answered — None withstands scrutiny
3. The Sabbath appears in every epoch of salvation history — Creation to new earth
4. The Sabbath is inherently moral — Not ceremonial

From Phase 8-9: Final Arguments

1. Position A has produced no clear text — Supporting its claims
2. Position B has abundant, consistent evidence — Spanning all Scripture
3. Every legal principle supports Position B — Burden of proof, clear statement, etc.

• The Evidence Weighed

Position A's Case

Texts Offered	Actual Subject	Verdict
Romans 6:14	Condemnation, not existence	❌
Romans 10:4	Goal, not termination	❌
Galatians 3:24-25	Justification, not existence	❌
Colossians 2:16-17	Ceremonial sabbaths	❌
Romans 14:5	Optional days, not Sabbath	❌
Hebrews 7:12	Priesthood law	❌
Hebrews 8:13	Covenant arrangement; law on heart	❌
Acts 20:7	Farewell meeting	❌
1 Corinthians 16:2	Private planning	❌
Revelation 1:10	Not defined as Sunday	❌

Position A's score: 0/10 texts support its claims when properly interpreted.

Position B's Case

Evidence	Weight
Genesis 2:2-3 — Creation origin	✓✓✓
Exodus 20:8-11 — Fourth Commandment	✓✓✓
Luke 4:16 — Christ's custom	✓✓✓
Matthew 5:17-19 — Christ's teaching	✓✓✓
Acts 17:2; 18:4 — Paul's manner	✓✓✓
Romans 3:31 — Law established	✓✓✓
Hebrews 4:9 — Sabbatismos remains	✓✓
Revelation 14:12 — Commandment-keepers	✓✓✓
Isaiah 66:23 — Eternal Sabbath	✓✓✓
Catholic admission	✓✓✓

Position B's score: Overwhelming, multi-source, consistent evidence.

• Legal Principles Applied

Principle	Result
Burden of Proof	Position A has not met its burden
Clear Statement Rule	No clear statement abolishes Sabbath
Golden Rule	Position A creates contradictions
Noscitur a Sociis	Col 2:16 = ceremonial sabbaths
Presumption Against Absurdity	Sabbath abolition is absurd
In Pari Materia	Paul's writings harmonise in upholding law
Admission Against Interest	Catholic Church admits no biblical Sunday authority
Contextual Interpretation	"Difficult" texts address justification
Standard of Proof	Position B proven beyond reasonable doubt

• THE VERDICT

On the First Question: Was the Sabbath Abolished?

FINDING: NO.

The seventh-day Sabbath was not abolished at the cross. No Scripture declares its abolition. Christ kept it, the apostles kept it, and the law of which it is part was explicitly "established" by faith (Romans 3:31).

On the Second Question: Was the Sabbath Changed to Sunday?

FINDING: NO.

No Scripture commands Sunday observance. No apostle taught such a change. The Catholic Church admits the change was ecclesiastical, not biblical. "You will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday" (Cardinal Gibbons).

On the Third Question: Is the Sabbath Binding Today?

FINDING: YES.

The Sabbath, established at creation for humanity, codified in the moral law, kept by Christ and the apostles, identified as the mark of God's remnant, and prophesied to continue into eternity, remains binding on all who would follow God.

• THE FINAL JUDGMENT

In the matter of the Sabbath Question:

After examining all evidence from both positions;

After applying established rules of evidence and interpretation;

After weighing the testimony of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation;

After considering the admissions of the opposing party;

Upon examination of all the evidence, the following is established:

• VERDICT

The Seventh-Day Sabbath Remains in Force

The weight of evidence — biblical, historical, logical, and admitted by opponents — overwhelmingly establishes that:

1. The seventh-day Sabbath was instituted at creation as a permanent ordinance for humanity

1. The Sabbath is part of the eternal moral law reflected in God's unchanging character

1. Christ affirmed and observed the Sabbath and taught its universal purpose

1. The apostles continued Sabbath observance and upheld the moral law

1. No biblical authority exists for Sunday observance — the change is a human tradition

1. The Sabbath identifies God's end-time remnant who keep His commandments

1. The Sabbath will be observed eternally in the new earth

• Closing Statement

Exodus 20:8 — "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."

God said "Remember" — and the world has forgotten.

Matthew 5:19 — "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Revelation 14:12 — "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Revelation 22:14 — "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."

• The Call

The evidence has been presented. The verdict has been rendered. The truth is clear. What will you do?

Joshua 24:15 — "Choose you this day whom ye will serve."

1 Kings 18:21 — "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him."

John 14:15 — "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

• May God grant you grace to follow truth, wherever it leads.

• # THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION

• Complete Test Index

Test	Title
1	The Authority of Scripture
2	The Burden of Proof
3	The Rules of Evidence
4	Defining the Question
5	The Creation Sabbath
6	The Sabbath Before Sinai
7	The Fourth Commandment
8	The Two Laws Distinction
9	The Sabbath's Universal Scope
10	The Sabbath in the Prophets
11	The Purpose of the Sabbath
12	The Sabbath as God's Sign
13	Christ's Relationship to the Moral Law
14	Christ's Sabbath Practice and Teaching
15	The Cross's Effect on Law
16	Apostolic Sabbath Practice in Acts
17	Paul's Relationship to the Law
18	The Jerusalem Council's Implications
19	Hebrews and the New Covenant
20	The "Lord's Day" Question
21	The Book of Revelation's Testimony
22	The Mark of the Beast and Seal of God
23	The Historical Change of the Sabbath
24	Sunday Laws and Religious Liberty
25	The Remnant and Commandment-Keeping
26	Practical Sabbath Observance Today
27	Answering Common Objections — Part 1
28	Answering Common Objections — Part 2
29	The Sabbath in Salvation History
30	The Moral Argument for the Sabbath
31	Summary of Evidence — Position A
32	Summary of Evidence — Position B
33	The Legal Analysis Applied
34	Appeal to the Reader
35	Final Verdict and Conclusion

• Dedication

To all who hunger for truth and are willing to follow it, regardless of cost. "Buy the truth, and sell it not." — Proverbs 23:23

• ↑ Return to: [Main Framework](index.md)

• "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." — Exodus 20:8

"Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." — Revelation 14:12

• # SOLI DEO GLORIA