In Exodus 20:8-11Exodus 20:8-11
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work; ¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: ¹¹ for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore Jehovah blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.  

WP-Bible plugin, the fourth commandment says, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  Six days you will labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord, your God.  For in six days, the Lord made all the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.  Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it.”

Why don’t all Christians observe and worship Him on the Sabbath, which would be the seventh day, which is Saturday?  Also, when did this change to worshipping our Lord on Sunday happen, and who changed that?

Sincerely,
One Day At A Time

Dear One Day At A Time,

The Sabbath was a holy day for the Jews, not for Christians.  The Old Testament has a myriad of laws that are no longer binding in the New Testament: animal sacrifice, clean and unclean foods, and various festivals… just to name a few.  2 Cor 3 is an entire chapter devoted to explaining how the Old Law has been surpassed by the New Law.  2 Cor 3:32 Cor 3:3
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
3 being made manifest that ye are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in tables [that are] hearts of flesh.  

WP-Bible plugin especially clarifies the issue when it states that our law is “not in tables of stone”, a direct reference to the Ten Commandments that were written on stone tablets.

Gal 3:24-25Gal 3:24-25
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
24 So that the law is become our tutor [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor.  

WP-Bible plugin makes it clear that the Old Law was a tutor to bring mankind to Christ, but now that Christ has come, we are no longer under that tutor.  The Sabbath is a part of that Old Law.  In the New Testament, christians meet on the first day of the week to worship, take the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7Acts 20:7
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.  

WP-Bible plugin), and take up a collection (1 Cor 16:1-21 Cor 16:1-2
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
16 ¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. ² Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.  

WP-Bible plugin).  In short: different covenants, different days.

The Old Testament law given by Moses was a covenant with the Jews (Deu 5:1-5Deu 5:1-5
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
5 ¹ And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and observe to do them. ² Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. ³ Jehovah made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. ⁴ Jehovah spake with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, ⁵  saying,  

WP-Bible plugin).  The New Testament law given in Christ is for all of mankind (Acts 2:38-39Acts 2:38-39
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
38 And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.  

WP-Bible plugin).

Who changed the law?  God did.

When did it change?  When the church began.

I have a friend who speaks about the Bible having figurative language in it.  How would you respond to this comment?

Sincerely,
Mr. Metaphor

Dear Mr. Metaphor,

The Bible does use figurative language, but so do you.  Every time you say, “I’m dead on my feet”, “That guy really missed the boat”, or “I’m as happy as a lark” – you are using figurative language.  Figurative language is a normal part of human conversation.  The Bible uses it just like you do.  The important thing to remember is that speech can only be considered figurative in certain circumstances.

1. If the writer or speaker specifically tells you that the language is figurative.  For example, Rev 1:1Rev 1:1
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   The Revelation to St. John ^{1 1} The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, [even] the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John;  
   
   WP-Bible plugin says that the things in the book are ‘signified’, a word in Greek that means ‘symbolized’.
2. Context demands that it be considered figurative… like when Jesus says that we are “the salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13Matt 5:13
   English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
   13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.  
   
   WP-Bible plugin).  It wouldn’t make sense if He were trying to say that people are literally made of salt.

Bible writings should be considered literal unless there is a reason to believe otherwise – just like normal writings.  There is nothing wrong with saying the Bible uses figurative language; it is just important that we don’t assume something is figurative.  Always assume literal unless proven otherwise.

Did Jesus modify the Old Law, the Ten Commandments, and the Torah when He said, “I have come to fulfill the law {the ten commandments}”?

Sincerely,
Pending Change

Dear Pending Change,

Jesus didn’t modify/change the Old Testament – He fulfilled it (Matt 5:17Matt 5:17
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
17 Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are the fulfillment of everything of which the prophets of old spoke (1 Pet 1:10-121 Pet 1:10-12
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that [should come] unto you: ¹¹ searching what [time] or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them. ¹² To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angel desire to look into.  

WP-Bible plugin, Acts 3:20-21Acts 3:20-21
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus: ²¹ whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Moses said that there would come a day when a Messiah would come… and that when He came, the Jews were to follow Christ instead (Acts 3:22-24Acts 3:22-24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. ²³ And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. ²⁴ Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament by being the Messiah and paying the price for mankind’s sins.  The Old Testament was a tutor to lead us to Christ (Gal 3:24Gal 3:24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
24 So that the law is become our tutor [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  

WP-Bible plugin), but now that Christ is here, He has fulfilled the law, and we are no longer bound by its laws (Gal 3:25Gal 3:25
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
25 But now faith that is come, we are no longer under a tutor.  

WP-Bible plugin).

I am confused on the story about the missing day.  I heard that there is a story about God stopping the sun for a day, so that someone (sorry I am not sure who it was; Joshua, I think) could win a battle.  I have read that NASA has confirmed that it is true that they have found what they have called a “missing day” which would prove the story to be true.  I am confused about this story and the NASA findings.  If you google NASA and the lost Bible day, you will see what I am talking about; thanks for the help.

Sincerely,
Marking Time

Dear Marking Time,

The Bible story is found in Josh 10:12-13Josh 10:12-13
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
12 Then spake Joshua to Jehovah in the day when Jehovah delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; And thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon. ¹³ And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? And the sun stayed in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.  

WP-Bible plugin, but the NASA story is an urban legend.  As unbelievably cool as it would be if it were true, NASA never found that the solar system was missing a day in its rotations.  The whole story is based off of scientists finding an error while calculating the positions of the sun, moon, planets, etc.  The story has an exciting ring to it, but it is false.  Christians are supposed to love the truth (2 Thess 2:102 Thess 2:10
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  

WP-Bible plugin) and only speak the truth (Eph 4:15Eph 4:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, [even] Christ;  

WP-Bible plugin).  As appealing as it might be to tell you this story is true, we here at AYP have to be honest and tell you that it is a hoax.  The sun really did stand still for Joshua, but this urban legend isn’t proof.

Where did Paul say in the Bible about when he tried to do good, evil was always there?  I have been trying to find that verse and cannot find it.  Help me, please.

Sincerely,
Looking For The Good

Dear Looking For The Good,

The verses you are looking for are Rom 7:9-25Rom 7:9-25
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
9 And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; ¹⁰ and the commandment, which [was] unto life, this I found [to be] unto death: ¹¹ for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. ¹² So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. ¹³ Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; -- that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. ¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. ¹⁶ But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. ¹⁸ For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good [is] not. ¹⁹ For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. ²⁰ But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. ²¹ I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. ²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³ but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? ²⁵ I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.  

WP-Bible plugin.  In those verses, Paul is discussing what happened to him as he grew up as a child under the Old Testament law.  Even though he desired to live righteously, he often found himself sinning and being guilty under the law (Rom 7:15Rom 7:15
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
15 For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do.  

WP-Bible plugin).  Even though he desired to be a righteous man, he had to admit that he had sinned and was worthy of death (Rom 7:22-24Rom 7:22-24
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: ²³ but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death?  

WP-Bible plugin).  The Old Testament law taught people what was right, but it never provided a road to forgiveness after someone sinned.  It is only in Christ that there is atonement from sins and a way back to God (Rom 7:25Rom 7:25
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.  

WP-Bible plugin).

This is a follow-up to the “Big Boned” question I asked.  Why was that a bad thing then that the people were together?  Is it like when the Jews were only to wed people from their tribes, no one outside of that?

Sincerely,
Average Height

Dear Average Height,

We aren’t completely sure what you are asking, so if we don’t answer your question, feel free to e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org, and we’ll try and clarify things via e-mail.

We think that what you are asking is why it was wrong for the Nephilim to intermarry with other people in Gen 6:4Gen 6:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them: the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.  

WP-Bible plugin.  The answer is – it wasn’t wrong.  Gen 6:4Gen 6:4
English: American Standard Version (1901) - ASV
4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them: the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown.  

WP-Bible plugin is simply stating that these larger people intermarried with the normal-sized people in the days of Noah.  The Bible isn’t saying it was wrong; it is simply stating what happened.  It is, and always has been, perfectly fine for tall people to marry short people.