Is it a sin to work on the Sabbath?
I have been looking at the website for the Seventh Day Baptist and have a
few questions that I am hoping you can answer for me. As I understand from
what I have read, the belief of the Seventh Day Baptist is that the Sabbath
day (seventh day) is a Saturday. This is observed as a day of rest and worship.
If I were to adopt the beliefs of the Seventh Day Baptist, would that mean
that I could not work for my employer on a Saturday? Would it be considered
a sin if I did work (it would be paid work e.g. overtime payment)? Would you
please clarify this for me.
Would you also advise what days are the "Holy Days" and is there a requirement not to work on these days?
Alex
ANSWER
Your question is a good one and to answer it we should first resolve the question, "How do we define sin and what makes an action sin?". Conservative Christians and particularly Sabbath keepers have often used a "biblical definition" of sin by quoting
(1 John 3:4 KJV) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
They go on to say that the law of God determines what sin is and to disobey His law is sin. It follows that if you are convinced that the fourth commandment is to be observed, you will have no confusion about what you should do as regards work and rest.
(Rom 7:7 KJV) What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
As the quote "Thou shalt not covet" is clearly taken from the Ten Commandments, we can assume that the law regarding the Sabbath Day can be substituted in this context.
What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known Sabbath breaking, except the law had said, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy".
However, if you are ignorant of the law of God have you committed sin? Paul wrote,
(Rom 5:13 KJV) (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
It seems from what Paul wrote, sin is sin even if you are in ignorance of the law. Sin however is not imputed to those who break the law unknowingly. Jesus said to the Pharisees,
(John 9:41 KJV) Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
But this is not an excuse for sin in every case. Paul infers that people who do not have the written law to guide them still have an ability to discern right from wrong.
(Rom 2:12-16 KJV) For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; {13} (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. {14} For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: {15} Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) {16} In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Therefore the bottom line is; if you have a conviction in regard to the Sabbath Day, and are convinced that the Seventh Day of the week is holy and blessed (Genesis 2:3) then you need to respond to that belief by resting on the Sabbath. Any other position would be "not of faith". (Rom 14:23 KJV)
As to your second question, the Holy Days, which some denominations observe in a 'Christianised' form, are listed in Leviticus chapter 23. The requirments of resting etc. are outlined in this chapter.