Sabbatarians are quick to point out passages that teach we are to keep the commandments of God. For example, consider “. . . who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17; cf. Rev. 14:12; etc.). They assume two things; that “commandments” refers to the Ten Commandments and that the commandments are distinguished from the testimony of Jesus.  They incorrectly campaign that these passages bind one to keep the Decalogue along with the teachings of Jesus. 

     First of all, these passages do not mention the “Ten Commandments.” Second, this reasoning distinguishes between the word of God and the testimony of Jesus when the “testimony of Jesus” is a part of the word of God. Both ideas are used interchangeably in Acts 8:12, 14. Third, the commandments of God are inclusive of apostolic teaching, “Yet to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord. . .” (1 Cor. 7:10). “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37).  Finally, one should ask two questions, “Has God given any commandments other than the Ten?” If “yes” then one cannot be dogmatic about insisting that every time “commandment” is used it means the Decalogue. “Have any of God’s commandments discontinued?” At one time God commanded circumcision which was not one of the 10 commandments but has been discontinued. God commanded the original couple to not eat of the tree of knowledge which commandment was done away when that world perished. But consider this, friendly reader, the Sabbath command (one of the Ten Commandments) has also been done away and discontinued with the Ten Commandment Covenant (see 2 Cor. 3:7-18; Col. 2:14-16).

          Besides all of the forgoing, Sabbatarians do not keep the Ten Commandments of God because they do in fact violate Bible Sabbath keeping. Such are required to do no work (Ex. 35:2); ignite no fire (Ex. 35:3);bake nothing (Ex. 16:23); offer 2 lambs as burnt offerings (Num. 28:9-10); punish with death those who violate such rules (Ex. 35:2). All of these things are a part of “Sabbath keeping.” Modern Sabbatarianism grips the Sabbath day, but then gripes at all the requirements associated with it, thus producing professed Sabbath breakers. Why insist on the command to do no work, but then ignore the command to put to death those who do work on the Sabbath? How can we choose which regulations to keep and discard? Since their position contends that the Sabbath was given for all men of all ages to keep, then should not the penalty be enforced upon all men of all ages?  If not, why not?