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Explanation 1
Mr. Ratzlaff identifies Old Covenant with Ten Commandments in
general and the Sabbath in particular. Dr. Sam states that Mr.
Ratzlaff ignores fact that Sinaitic Covenant function was to
ADMINISTER GRACE. Also, Dale does not appreciate why God chose
the Sabbath as a covenant sign of sanctification of the believer. Laws
are needed to establish and maintain order. Law never intended to
be an end to itself, but revels God's grace by which He consecrates a
people to himself. New Testament command to love God and fellow
beings essence of Ten Commandments. (Samuele Bacchiocchi)
Explanation 2
Function of Holy Spirit is not to replace the law, but to help the
believer obey law of God. (Samuele Bacchiocchi)
Explanation 3
Sabbath unique because it functions as symbol par excellence of
divine election and mission of God's people. Sabbath is first sign
given by God to reveal His desire to fellowship with His creatures.
(Samuele Bacchiocchi)
Explanation 4
Six characteristics the seventh day possesses that enables it to
function as a meaningful sign of a covenant relationship: Ownership,
Holiness, Incorruptible and Universal, Renewal of Baptismal
Covenant, Spiritual, Commitment. (Samuele Bacchiocchi)
For Ratzlaff the Old Covenant is not only "primarily law, but it
is law in GREAT DETAIL. This covenant law does not simply
ask people to bring an offering to the Lord, but it spells out
exactly what kind of offering to bring. . . (Lev 23:19). This law
does not simply say to bring a cereal offering, but it tells how
much cereal to bring and how to mix it. . . . (Lev 23:13) . . ."
(p. 47). The legalistic nature of the Old Covenant is further
reflected, according to Ratzlaff, in the serious punishment
meted out for violating covenant stipulations. He lists 19
offenses for which a violators could be "cut off" (pp.45-46).
But is not the new command to love God and fellow beings
the essence of the Ten Commandments? Is not this new
command already spelled out in the Old Testament (see Deut
6:5; Lev 19:18)? The prophet Micah asks rhetorically: "What
does the Lord require of you?" He then responds
summarizing the law of Moses, saying: "To act justly and to
love mercy and to walk humbly before God" (Mic 6:8). Is this
Old Testament "new commandment" the same as the "new
command" of Jesus? It is evident that Jesus had to repeat it
because it had been largely forgotten.
1. Ownership
2. Holiness
Some persons have been made slaves but many more have
chosen to become slaves of their grasping greediness. The
latter work and would wish others to work for them all seven
days out of seven, in order to gain more and more and be
satisfied with less and less. The Sabbath is designed to cure
such insatiable greediness by enjoining to rest, that is, to
stop being greedy and start being grateful. It commands to
take time not to seek more material goods but to gratefully
acknowledge the bounties received. A grateful heart is
indispensable for maintaining a meaningful, mutual,
belonging relationship, and for experiencing inner rest and
peace.
5. Spiritual
Of all symbols, the Sabbath as time still remains the one that
best resists objectification. It is noteworthy that both at
creation and in the Ten Commandments, mankind is given
not a "holy object" but a "holy day" in which to experience
the holiness of God. The first Four Commandments spell out
the three "don'ts" and the one "do" that should regulate the
relationship between God and His people. First, don't give to
God a divided loyalty by worshiping Him as One among many
gods. Second, don't worship God by means of material
representations. Third, don't use thoughtlessly the name of
God.
6. Commitment
The Sabbath stands not only for divine but also for human
commitment. It signifies not only "that I, the Lord, sanctify
you" but also that "you shall keep my sabbaths" (Ex. 31:13).
By reassuring human beings that God is available and
"working until now" (John 5 :17) to accomplish the ultimate
restoration of this world to His eternal fellowship, the
Sabbath invites the believer to assume his responsibility, by
making himself available for God. By accepting God's
invitation to keep the Sabbath with Him, the believer enters
into a special relationship with God.
This article taken from the Bible Study Web Site at http://www.biblestudy.org/