(This is not a personal letter.)

PRECEDENCE

     Apostolic instruction teaches us that one day may be precedent above another according to the religious tenets of some; and that every day may be regarded without precedence according to the religious tenets of others. The important matter is that the believer is fully persuaded in his own mind as how he chooses to think about precedence or non-precedence of days. A person who doubts or does not know why he does something is not enjoying life to its fullest; for God wants every Christian to be happy and confident: One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5 [INT]).

     A pitfall that a Christian is susceptible to fall into is judging another servant of God who may not think exactly the same as he does. How one may think in this regard is a God-given privilege, and no one has the right to despise a brother of a contrary opinion in this matter because God has received him. Paul gives a sharp reproof: "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth of falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4 [KJV]). Also, "He who respects the day has the Lord in mind in doing so, and he who eats meat has the Lord in mind when he eats, since he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains has the Lord in mind no less, since he too gives thanks to God" (Rom. 14:6 [NEB]).


     A heterodox doctrine sprang forth due to the partial interpretation of the Scriptures by the professing students and scholars of the post-early church era. They failed to promote the grace and knowledge concerning the fulfillment of Christ in relationship to the third (depending on how you count it and from what text, particularly the Hebrew) commandment given at Mount Sinai. You may think I've miscounted but actually it was the way I counted it from a particular Hebrew text in this instance. However, you do not have to count it just as I have done, and I don't recommend that you do, but you should know that it may be counted in different ways under different observations. The Roman Catholic Church built into its religious tradition the observance of Sunday; and even though the Reformation hundreds of years later brought in many great theological developments and reproofs, the protestant churches didn't turn away from constraining people to observe Sunday. Many teachers, theological and secular, Christian and non-Christian, have fostered a misunderstanding for doctrine which is contrary to the grace of God for centuries in this aspect.

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