The above sounds a lot like the pro-circumcision argument Paul encountered, unfortunately.
Circumcision, though not expressly required for salvation in NT, is not sinful. In fact, many modern physicians recommend it as a healthy clinical practice regardless of its religious significance. Circumcision is not one of the Ten Commandments nor is it the topic of this thread but consider how many NT passages relate to it (31 verses). Now ask yourself how many more scripture passages would it logically require
IF one of the Ten Commandments was supposedly superceded? Yet, there are very few passages in that regard and those scriptures are quite ambiguous in nature and quite easily refuted (as you'll see below).
Colossians 2:16
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
emphasis mine
Colossians 2:16 emphasis is simply on
NOT JUDGING another believer's manner of worship practices (as the Pharisess were wont to do). This verse no more removes the obligation of the Sabbath for Christians than it does our obligations to refrain from clearly delineated NT
food proscriptions against eating "things strangled" (certain NT biblical laws concerning how meat is to be properly prepared) Act_15:20 Act_21:25 or drinking in excess. Eph_5:18 1Ti_3:3 Also, ask yourself, if the first century church made special councils and decrees concerning circumcision (which is not one of the Ten Commandments), why no such councils were ever convened to debate the efficacy of the Sabbath for Christians?
Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
The whole purpose of the Sabbath IS TO REST! I hardly find this passage as a valid argument against Sabbath observance. The word "sabbath" denotes a intermission from work, t
o rest:
H7676
שׁבּת
shabbâth
shab-bawth'
Intensive from H7673; intermission, that is, (specifically) the Sabbath: - (+ every) sabbath.
Exo 34:21
Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.
In regards to your comments about the 500 denominations - well I'm pretty sure I could have shown you a few thousand Pharisees who agreed on many things in the time of Jesus. In fact, Islam has near a billion followers for a more contemporary example. Numbers mean nothing, it's just further evolution of the "everyone's doing it" argument.
You are quite correct in that
"Numbers mean nothing", however, it is worth nothing that all throughout recorded Christian history such Sabbath-keepers were present. And without sufficient scriptural reason to exclude one of the Cardinal Ten Commandments there's good reason for so many Christians to continue to "keep the Sabbath holy". (Exo. 20:8)
Apparently, however, you need to heed in your own advice in the arena of being well read and studied. For my HCSB Study Bible notes that Sabbath days in the Colossians 2:16-17 passage refers to Sabbaths and certainly doesn't make the distinction that this refers to festal Sabbaths or weekly Sabbaths. My ESV Study Bible makes a note that it's debated as to whether or not this means one or the other and is, at best, ambiguous on the subject. My NLT Sudy Bible follows the ESV and clearly refers to all Sabbaths. Additional sources such as Strong's lead to the same ambiguity at best, but most seem think the Gr. sabbaton believe this is translated, as it is elsewhere, as sabbath meaning just that - sabbath.
It is a dangerous precedent to base theological views (especially regarding one of God's Ten Commandments which He personally etched in stone) on the notes of Study Bibles, the opinions of commentaries or notes in the margins of Bibles. For instance, C.I. Scofield's study bible notes are directly responsible for a number of modern heresies and false teachings. And as you noted, at best they are an ambious source of reference. I can find just as many commentators that will validate my opinion of the Sabbath as you find that seem to refute it. So such personal comments are good for scholarly reference but hardly appropriate for determining crucial doctrinal decisions.
Unfortunately, it seems that only a judaizing group of people want to not heed the advice in the verse and prefer to follow the shadow of things that came over the Lord of the Sabbath himself.
Yes, we should rightly be on guard for over-zealous legalists, however, lawless anti-nomianists who would throw out
all/many of God's moral statutes are IMO are just as dangerous, if not MORE of a danger and more prevalent in the modern churches. Christ's warning was to follow the narrow path and never did he fault His critics for obeying God's specific commands.
"If someone asks you to walk a mile with him go for two." was Christ's command (Mat. 5:41) Jesus did however, condemn many religious traditions and ceremonial laws which were of Talmudic oral teachings, which were not specified in the Bible.
True Sabbath-keepers will never tell you HOW you should to 'keep the Sabbath holy' but only that we all should honor God's commandments to the best of our ability, which include Sabbath observance. We are instructed to let the Holy Spirit be your guide in these matters.
Mat. 7:14
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
What
was done away with the New Covenant, was the repetitive meat & drink offerings and sacrifices, washings and carnal commandments concerning the Sabbath, NOT the entire concept of Sabbath observance. Don't be too eager to
'throw the baby out with the bath water'.
