This article refers to the January 15, 2006 publication in a section of the media under the heading, ‘Sabbath (Sunday) Made For Men’ written by Rev. Dr. Prof Renphamo Lotha, Good Shepherd Ministry. From the contents of the article, it is seen that the writer’s conception is misgiving. It is purely heresy and rather contradictory from the best established beliefs of Christianity. He has attempted two things simultaneously by directing the DMC to review its earlier order and discrediting the Christian Forum of Dimapur who appealed on behalf of Christians to keep Sunday a day of worship – a holy day. In the process, the following points which he has pointed out need more corrections:
1. New Dispensation:
Here the Prof writes, “The doctrine of Divine kingship of Old Testament is already over with the coming of Jesus Christ. Now we are in the new dispensation where there is the separation between the Church and the State in the later part of the nineteenth century.”
The book of Galatians 3:8 says, “And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Gospel before hand to Abraham, saying ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE BLESSED IN YOU (Genesis 12:3). Again the fulfillment is in Romans 4:16 — therefore the promise comes by faith, so that it may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring not only those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. Hence, the cultural practice of circumcision for Israelite nationality which was also revised during the post exilic period by Ezra and Nehemiah was made exclusivist covenant strictly for Jews. But for the Greeks (Gentiles) the God of Abraham made possible to include in the Kingdom of God. Mark 1:15 says, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” The Mosaic Law has not been changed, the fourth commandment still holds. We have Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and God Almighty our Father. Jesus says do not think that I came to abolish the law and the prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fill (Matthew 5:17) Halleluiah, Praise the Lord. All the ethical teachings of Jesus are simply on exposition of the ethics of the Kingdom of God, of the way in which men inevitably behave when they actually come under the rule of God. God’s kingdom signifies the rule of God, his sovereignty. The message of Jesus was that he had come to inaugurate the sovereignty of God in all spheres of life, over the whole of creation, including the personal and social lives of people.
2. The Prof writes, “The Church follows the Bible in the church and the state follows the law of the land – laws. Hence, the church cannot impose the Bible on the state. So also, the state cannot accept the imposition of the church for their rule of law. The church is under the state and not above. Hence, she has no jurisdiction to pass judgement on the function of the state by becoming violators of the land.” The above statement is in itself contradictory. Here arise two schools of thought, one from the preaching profession (Church fathers) favouring to observe Sunday as holy day and the other from teaching profession (academicians) favouring total freedom for the merchants on Sunday. Let it be known to everyone that no one is above the established law i.e, either the country’s constitutional law or the Biblical law (God’s law). i.e. Mosaic law. The following points will highlight the true spirit between the believers and God.
i) The Nagas are by and large Christians and called the state as “Christian State” (no laws passed) and the state had no objections to it till now. But the general public habit of using liquor increases and hence the Church Fathers (NBCC) appealed to the state government for promulgating the total prohibition in 1989. The appeal was intensified by rallies and the state government finally gave in.
ii) The Christians in the early centuries were persecuted by the government authorities which are highlighted here:-
The edict of Galarius the Roman Emperor on Feb 25, 303 AD which ordered that —
a) All Church buildings were to be demolished and their properties be confiscated to the state.
b) All Christian books must be destroyed.
c) All Christian officials must be dismissed from government services and deprived of all civil rights.
During this period, great church leaders such as Polycarp, Justin, Apponius were put to death by the order of the Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), Marcus (161-180 AD) and Commodus (180-192 AD) respectively.
Now the church did not keep silent or abandon their faith but they protested to the authority, the Emperors and the Rulers against the injustices done to them through correspondence. These people were popularly called the Apologists because of the nature of their works from Greek apologein, to defend. In the process, some of them were martyred. They were: 1) Aristides 2) Justin 3) Irenaeus 4) Tertullian of Carthage 5) Cyprian of Carthage 6) Clement of Alexandria 7) Origen of Alexandria.
It is seen that the Roman Emperors and rulers could be convinced by the intervention of those philosophers, intellectuals and persistent approach of church fathers, since Constantine issued a decree called the Edict of Milan, AD 313 in favour of the Christian community living under his Empire such as:-
i) He issued an Edict of Toleration
ii) He showed special favour to Christianity by:
a) Making Sunday and December 25 (X-Mas) public holidays
b) Making grants from his treasury for Church building and the support of the clergy.
c) Exempting the clergy from taxation
Opinion expressed on Sunday shopping in Sequence of order published in local dailies 14/12/2005: The Christian Forum Dimapur represented by Rev. L. Bizo, Rev Dr. P. Dozo and Fr. Chakho Karinayil wrote supporting the content of the issue (NBCC G.S. of 4th Dec 2005), the Forum resolved to further express to the general public that Sunday is a universal holy day and on this day, we worship God as churches………….. The Bible commanded us to strictly observe the Sabbath day (Sunday) in the New Testament, the day of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, believing the Bible and as a land of Christians opening shops on Sundays by an order is unthinkable and unchristian.
4/12/2005 — NBCC questions decision to open shops on Sunday. Rev. Zhabu Terhuja — The recent order of the NSCN (IM) to open shops on Sundays in Dimapur has been termed as “a daring contest with the principle set by God.” This is the voice of the Church fathers for the Christian believers.
As for Romans 13, a Roman historian named Suetonius wrote – Glaudius expelled the Jews from Rome because they were causing disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus (Christians). The argument in Jewish synagogues about new faith of Christianity led to rioting, so that the Emperor Glaudius ordered all Jews to leave the city of Rome (Acts 18:12). In the meantime, the Jewish Christians who returned to Rome found that the Gentile Christians practice was not acceptable to them and hence trouble started for which St. Paul wrote to them that every Christian must respect each other, be obedient to the Government which is also under the rule of God through Jesus Christ. But it may not be proper if the ban which was ordered in the interest of the public, is revoked.
It was only for the period of Christmas and New Year that all shops were ordered to open since majority of the shops remain closed on Sundays as per the usual practice. Has no one thought that Nagaland consists of eleven districts where all other districts are doing very well in this regard without orders from their respective authorities? As good Christians, we should maintain the sanctity of Sunday according to the Fourth Commandment of the Mosaic Law (Exo 20: 18-21 Deut – 5:12-15).
3. The Prof writes, ‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what belongs to God.’ Let it be known that Caesar means the Emperor of the Roman Empire. Israel was governed by King Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect of Judea appointed by the Emperor. Hence, give to Caesar means the tax owed to the government but it would be collected by the collectors. Then what about giving to God? The Lord directed the believers to bring the offering to the house of the Lord during the time of worship and fellowship. “Bring the whole tithe into the store house….all these must be done on Sunday.” (Deut 12:15, 14:23, Malachi 3:10).
4. The Prof writes, “Because Jesus himself commended the same way ‘Sabbath is made for men and not men for Sabbath’.” Sabbath is made for the welfare of men so also, laws are made for the welfare of men. Hence, Sunday should not be a hindrance for the development of men. If there is any hindrance it should be done away with as it is a bad Bible and not the Bible of Jesus Christ.
This is the focal point where the writer twisted the theology by quoting our Lord’s statement. Jesus says:
i) “And He was saying to them, “The Sabbath was made for men, and not man for the Sabbath. Consequently, the Son of Man is the Lord even of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27-28).
ii) “For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:8).
iii) And He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to kill?”
Let it be known to every believer that Sabbath (Sunday) is the concept of the God Almighty for the salvation of mankind through fellowship and worship on Sabbath (Sunday) day. This is the Fourth Commandment.
Exodus 20:8 — “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”
Deut 5:12 — “Observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.”
Our Lord’s statement on Sabbath was made for men and not man for Sabbath is basically godly motive on love and compassion. He was facing a stiff accusation from the Pharisees for healing the sick people, physically challenged handicapped people etc on Sabbath day.
The traders were driven away from the temple by our Lord saying, “And my house shall be a house of prayer” (Luke 19:45 – 46). This is the welfare of the people. The deaf, the blind, the dumb, the paralytic, the demon possessed etc were all healed and restored to normal life. The other welfare concerning the down trodden, the orphans, the poor, the widows are being taken care by the book of Amos 5:15, 23, 24, Deuteronomy 15:7-15; 25:13-16. Jesus says, “Do not work for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God has set His seal.” What shall we do that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” (John 6:27-29)
In conclusion, let there be no dispute to observe Sunday as a holy day for the Christian believers. Just for the sake of the worldly living on shopping business, the national holiday (Sunday) must not be misunderstood. It must be observed by all sections of the society harmoniously. Let it be a holistic approach. In the meantime, there may be certain relaxation on some business establishments selling essential commodities such as vegetable vendors which are a daily need besides fooding and lodging facilities for travelers coming to Dimapur by air or train in a systematic manner.
Er. L. Yezhekhu Sumi
Dimapur : Nagaland
