“Convicting Those Who Contradict”

“CONVICTING THOSE WHO CONTRADICT”HELPING SAINTS PREPARE TO ANSWER AND PERSUADE THOSE IN ERROR

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SEVENTH DAY CHURCHES

• Seventh Day Adventists

• Seventh Day Baptists

• Church Of God, 7th Day

• Worldwide Church Of God(Herbert W. Armstrong)

• Et al.

The Law of Moses—with the 10 Commandments—

was nailed to the cross of Christ

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SUPREMACY OF CHRIST OVER MOSES

SEVENTH DAY SABBATH KEEPERS

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A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.—Proverbs 15:1 NKJV

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.—Colossians 4:5, 6 NKJV

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BARRIER #1 – PERCEIVED MOTIVE• Concerned about moral decay

• Emphasize obedience to God’s Law

• Connect love and obedience (John 14:15)

• No Ten Commandments =>

• No law? Loose living?• Undermining God’s authority?

• Make your intentions clear

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BARRIER #2 – NOMENCLATURE• Ten Commandments

• Venerated, elevated• Moral law, universal

• Law of Moses

• Relegated, diminished• Ceremonial law, temporary, shadow

• Let Scripture define the terms

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1. “How can you say that we should not keep the Sabbath? It’s one of the Ten Commandments! John 14:15 says, ‘If you love me, keep My commandments.’ Just what commandments do you think he’s talking about?”

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.—1st John 2:3, 4 NKJV

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?In the Sabbatarian mind …

• Commandment(s) almost a technical term• Commandments = Ten Commandments• Law of God• Universal, eternal Moral Law

• Everything else: Ceremonial Law• Law of Moses• Statutes, judgments, ordinances

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?Does commandment(s) always equal the Ten Commandments?

• Great commandment in the law? (Matthew 22:36)• “Love the LORD …” (Deuteronomy 6:5)• “Love your neighbor …” (Leviticus 19:18)• Not one of the Ten

• Leviticus & Numbers = Commandments• Leviticus 27:34 (final verse)• Numbers 36:13 (final verse)• Ten Commandments nowhere in Leviticus/Numbers

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?Do statutes, judgments, etc., never refer to the Ten Commandments?

• Ezekiel 20:15, 16, 21 • “Statutes” and “judgments” include the Sabbath

• Leviticus 26:15• “Statutes”, “judgments”, “commandments”, and

“covenant” • Synonyms• All one law

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?Covenant: Another synonym

• “Tablets of the Covenant”• Exodus 34:1, 4, 28 – “… words of the covenant”

• Specifically the Ten Commandments• Deuteronomy 9:9, 11, 15• Hebrews 9:1–4

• What would God make with Israel & Judah?• Jeremiah 31:31–34• New covenant

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?Law of the LORD vs. Law of Moses

• Technical terms or keywords• “Law of God” = moral law (the Ten)• “Law of Moses” = ceremonial law

• Law of God attributed to Moses• Mark 7:9, 10 – “Moses said …”• 2nd Chr. 34:14; Neh. 10:29 – “Given by Moses”

• Sabbath: Nations/Gentiles never rebuked

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• “Ceremonial” laws called “Law of the LORD”• Luke 2:23 – cf. Exodus 13:2, 12, 15• 2nd Chronicles 31:3 – burnt offerings• Ezra 7:6 – “the LORD God … had given”

• Moral laws in “ceremonial” sections• Leviticus 18 – Sex• Exodus 21–23 – Various moral laws

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• Nehemiah 8 – The definitive word• “Book of the Law of Moses”• “The Law”• “Book of the Law”• “Law of God”• “Book of the Law of God”

• All one Law

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REVIEWBarriers

1. Perceived motive• Arguing against any law in favor of cheap grace• Undermining God’s authority: Changing things God has not• Dispel these notions: Make your intentions clear

2. Nomenclature• Moral Law: Law of the LORD/God, commandments (the

Ten) vs.

• Ceremonial Law: Law of Moses, statutes, judgments, etc.• Go to the Bible: Let Scripture define the terms

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REVIEW1. “How can you say that we should not keep the

Sabbath? It’s one of the Ten Commandments! John 14:15 says, ‘If you love me, keep My commandments.’ Just what commandments do you think he’s talking about?”

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.—1st John 2:3, 4 NKJV

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REVIEWIdea Passage(s)

“Commandments” not just the Ten Commandments

Leviticus 19:18; 27:34Numbers 36:13Deuteronomy 6:5

“Statutes”, “judgments” include the Sabbath Ezekiel 20:15, 16, 21

Synonyms: “statutes”, “judgments”, “commandments”, “covenant”

Leviticus 26:15

“Tablets of the covenant”, i.e., the Ten Commandents

Exodus 34:1, 4, 28Deuteronomy 9:9, 11, 15Hebrews 9:1–4

The new covenant Jeremiah 31:31–34

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REVIEWIdea Passage(s)

“Law of God” attributed to Moses Mark 7:9, 102nd Chronicles 34:14Nehemiah 10:29

“Law of the LORD” includes “ceremonial” laws Luke 2:23(cf. Exodus 13:2, 12, 15)2nd Chronicles 31:3Ezra 7:6

“Moral laws” outside the Ten Commandments Leviticus 18Exodus 21–23

All one law: “Book of the Law of Moses”, “the Law”, “Book of the Law”, “Law of God”, “Book of the Law of God”

Nehemiah 8

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?“The Law” Refers to

Galatians 4:21ff Genesis 21

Romans 7:7 Exodus 20 (Ten Commandments)

Matthew 22:35–39 Deuteronomy 6; Leviticus 19

Matthew 12:5 Num. 28:9, 10 (Sabbath offerings)

Romans 3:10–12 Psalms 53:1–3

Romans 3:15, 16 Proverbs 1:16

1st Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11, 12

The Law = the Old Testament

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?The Old Law is No More

• We are dead to the Law• Romans 7:1–7• “You shall not covet.” (one of the Ten)

• No middle wall of separation• Ephesians 2:11–16• The Law = Enmity• “abolished … the law of commandments”

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?The Old Law is No More

• No more handwriting of requirements• Colossians 2:13–17• “let no one judge you in … sabbaths”

• We are under the New Covenant• Hebrews 8:7–13 – Old Covenant obsolete• 2nd Corinthians 3:7–11 – “ministry of death”

• New Covenant more glorious than Old• Old Covenant written on stones

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WHICH COMMANDMENTS?Words of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Apostles

• John 14:15 – “Keep my commandments”• Luke 6:46 – “… the things which I say?”• 2nd John 9 – “Doctrine of Christ”• Matthew 5 & 19 – “But I say to you …”• Matthew 28:18 – “All authority … given to Me”• John 16:13 – “Spirit … guide you into all truth”• 1st Corinthians 14:37 – Paul wrote the “commandments of the Lord”

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2. “But God wrote the Ten Commandments in stone with His own finger (Exodus 31:18)! Why would God change the Sabbath, which He clearly intended to be permanent?”

And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.—Exodus 31:18 NKJV

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THE FINGER OF GODGod can repeal His own writing

• Fallacies: Appeal to authority; non sequitur• Jeremiah 31:31–34

• Who is making the new covenant? God!• Hebrews 8:7–13 – “obsolete”, “vanishing”

• 2nd Corinthians 3:7–11• “Ministry of death”• Written on stones

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3. “Genesis makes it very clear that God established the Sabbath at creation: He blessed and sanctified it (Genesis 2:3). The Sabbath is for all time!”

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.—Genesis 2:3 NKJV

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WHEN WAS THE SABBATH REVEALED?God revealed/commanded the Sabbath at Sinai

• Fallacy: Equivocation; red herring• Revealed at Sinai – Nehemiah 9:13, 14

• Exodus 16:23 – First appearance of “Sabbath”• Exodus 16:1 – Month 2, day 15 out of Egypt• Exodus 19:1 – Arrived at Sinai in 3rd month• Exodus 20:8 – Formally codified

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• Anything else ordained long beforehand, but not revealed until much later?

• Salvation in Jesus• 1st Peter 1:18–20• Ephesians 1:4–10

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• “But Adam/Abraham kept the Sabbath”• “Abraham … kept … My commandments” –

Genesis 26:5• Point to be proven assumed (gratuitous assertion)• Previous bullets prove otherwise• No recorded commandments?

• Genesis 12:1 – Leave Ur• Genesis 17:9ff – Circumcision• Genesis 22:2 – Sacrifice Isaac

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• Prolepsis (possibly?)• Genesis 23:2 – Kirjath Arba (Hebron)• Joshua 18:28 – Jebus (Jerusalem)• Genesis 7:2? – Clean/unclean animals• Not likely: Genesis 2:3 – “Then …”

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4. “God does not change (Hebrews 13:8); therefore His law does not change!”

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.—Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

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HAS GOD’S LAW NEVER CHANGED?A necessary change in the Law

• Fallacy: Non sequitur• Jeremiah 31:31–34 – New Covenant• Hebrews 7:12 – New priesthood New Law

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5. “God Himself said that the Sabbath was ‘perpetual’ and ‘forever’ for all generations (Exodus 31:16, 17). Last time I checked, ‘forever’ means ‘until the end of time’!”

“Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.”—Exodus 31:16, 17 NKJV

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IS “PERPETUAL” “WITHOUT END”?“Perpetual”, “everlasting”, “forever” not ad infinitum

Ordinance Passage

Day of Atonement Leviticus 23:28–31

Heave offering Numbers 15:21

Tabernacle work Numbers 18:22, 23

Priestly washing Exodus 30:21

Feast of Tabernacles Leviticus 23:34–43

Passover Exodus 12:14

Carry breast piece Exodus 28:29

Ordinance Passage

Feast of Unleavened Bread

Exodus 12:17

Grain offering Leviticus 6:15–18; 23:13–14

Burnt offering Exodus 29:39–42

Burn incense Exodus 30:8

Sin offering Exodus 30:10

Anointing oil Exodus 30:31

Atonement yearly Exodus 30:10

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IS “PERPETUAL” “WITHOUT END”?“Perpetual”, “everlasting”, “forever” not ad infinitum

• The explanation is in the passage (Exodus 31:16, 17)• “the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath”• “sign between Me and the children of Israel”• “throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant”• In effect …

• For Israel (not all nations)• For the duration of the covenant

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6. “Jesus didn’t destroy the Law; He fulfilled it. He even said that the Law would last ‘till heaven and earth pass away’ (Matthew 5:17, 18). It’s ridiculous to suggest that we are not obligated to rest on the Sabbath!”

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”—Matthew 5:17, 18 NKJV

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TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY?“Heaven”, “earth” not sole termination clause

• “Till all is fulfilled”• Jesus fulfilled the Law – Luke 24:44–48• Christ: the end/goal of the Law

• Romans 10:4• Galatians 3:24

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• Not destroyed, but fulfilled• Contracts/covenants can end by …

• Being broken• Being fulfilled/completed

• Jesus fulfilled• Deuteronomy 18:15, 18,19• Cf. Acts 3:22–26

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• Only “heaven”, “earth” – Luke 16:17• “Fail” not “pass away”• Jesus fulfilled• The Law did not fail• See also v. 16

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7. “Not only are we to keep the Sabbath until the end of time, but Isaiah says we’ll be keeping it in heaven (Isaiah 66:22, 23)! If we’re to keep the Sabbath throughout eternity, you can’t possibly think it’s right for us to just ignore it now!”

“For as the new heavens and the new earthWhich I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD,“So shall your descendants and your name remain.And it shall come to passThat from one New Moon to another,And from one Sabbath to another,All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.—Isaiah 66:22, 23 NKJV

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SABBATH KEEPING IN HEAVEN?New heavens, new earth are New Covenant

• Consistency: Observe New Moon, too? v. 23• New Covenant; figurative language

• “I will gather all nations and tongues” – v. 18(Cf. Isaiah 2:2–4)

• “your brethren for an offering” – v. 20 (Cf. Rom 12:1, 2)

• “take some … for priests and Levites” – v. 21• No moon in heaven – Revelation 21:23

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8. “What about Matthew 24? (See v. 20) Christians will be keeping the Sabbath to the very end!”

“And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.”—Matthew 24:20 NKJV

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END TIME SABBATH KEEPING?AD 70, not the end of time

• Took place during Jesus’s generation – v. 34• Hindrances to flight – vv. 15–20

• Pregnant & nursing – v. 19• Why would Sabbath hinder flight?

• Cities of Israel observing Sabbath in AD 70• City gates closed – Nehemiah 13:19

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9. “Even Paul rested on the Sabbath during his preaching journeys (Acts 17:2). How can you think we should not do the same thing today?”

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures—Acts 17:2 NKJV

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PAUL OBSERVED THE SABBATH?Not Sabbath rest; low hanging fruit

• What was Paul’s Sabbath custom?• Preaching to those present – Acts 13:14ff• “spoke to the women who met there” – Acts 16:13• “reasoned … from the Scriptures” – Acts 17:2• No mention of rest or worship

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PAUL OBSERVED THE SABBATH?Not Sabbath rest; low hanging fruit

• What was Paul’s Sabbath custom?• Preaching to those present – Acts 13:14ff• “spoke to the women who met there” – Acts 16:13• “reasoned … from the Scriptures” – Acts 17:2• No mention of rest or worship

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10.“The Greek word in Colossians 2:16 is sabbaton (σαββατων). That means “Sabbaths” (plural), not “Sabbath” (singular). Read Leviticus 23:23–38; God calls the yearly feast days “Sabbath days”. Paul is making no reference whatsoever to the weekly Sabbath!”

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths (σαββατων),—Colossians 2:16 NKJV

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YEARLY SABBATH, NOT WEEKLY?Yearly, monthly, weekly special days

• “Sabbath” singularity/plurality irrelevant• “Festival” is yearly, not “Sabbaths”• Paul employed OT idiom

• Yearly• Monthly• Weekly• Daily

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YEARLY SABBATH, NOT WEEKLY?Yearly, monthly, weekly special days

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11. “Nothing in Paul’s writings or anything in the New Testament can erase the Old Testament. That would make God a liar!”

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IS GOD A LIAR?Not an argument, but desperation

• Emotional appeal; addresses no argument• Fallacy: Straw man

• We do not argue that the OT is erased• “written for our learning” – Romans 15:4

• Reflects attitude toward apostles’ authority• Matt 18:18 – bind/loose on earth also in heaven• 1st Cor 14:37 – Paul wrote Lord’s commandments

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ATTACKING SUNDAY WORSHIP

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1. “The so-called ‘Christian Sabbath’ is not Sunday! The only Sabbath is God’s Sabbath: the seventh day Sabbath. The only reason anyone worships on Sunday is because the Pope, in his arrogance, changed it centuries ago to cater to pagans!”

• Other arguments

• Christians in Hadrian’s day• Constantine

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DID THE SABBATH DAY CHANGE?Weekly day of worship, not a day of rest

• Fallacy: Straw man• Denominations: Sunday = “Christian Sabbath”• Wrong! 7th day Sabbath abolished, not changed• Sunday not a day of rest

• Christians worshipped together on Sundays• Acts 20:7 – “came together to break bread”• 1st Corinthians 16:1, 2 – “lay something aside”• Christ rose on the first day (1st Corinthians 15)

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DID THE SABBATH DAY CHANGE?Weekly day of worship, not a day of rest

• Historical record (secondary evidence)• We keep the eighth day [Sunday] with joyfulness, the

day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead.—100 AD, The Epistle of Barnabas 15:6–8

• But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because … Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead.—150 AD, (1st Apology of Justin, Weekly Worship of the Christians, Ch. 68)

• Others: http://www.bible.ca/H-sunday.htm

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2. “Just because Acts 20:7 talks about ‘breaking bread’, it does not prove that God changed the Sabbath. Acts 2:46 says that they broke bread daily from house to house. Besides, if you keep reading in Acts 20, the meeting took place at night, and Paul preached till daybreak. If you’re going to be consistent, you have to meet at night, all night, every night!”

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,—Acts 2:46 NKJV

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ARE WE BEING INCONSISTENT?“First day” is the significant detail

• Why meet at night?• First day was a working day• Only time to meet: pre-dawn / post-dusk• Many Christians were slaves

• Why preach till daybreak?• “… continued his message until midnight.” – v. 7• “… even till daybreak …” – v. 11• “Paul, ready to depart the next day, …” – v. 7

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• Lord’s supper vs. common meal• Lord’s supper – “bread … we break” (1 Cor 10:16)

• 1st Corinthians 11:17ff – “come together”• Acts 20:7 – “came together to break bread”

• Common meal• 1st Corinthians 11:34 – “let him eat at home”• Acts 2:46 – “breaking bread from house to

house”

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• Specific days of week not usually mentioned• Sabbath

• Jesus performs healing miracle – John 9:14• Paul preaching in synagogues – Acts 13:14• No mention of church breaking bread

• Preparation day (day before Sabbath)• Jesus’s crucifixion – Mark 15:42

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• Specific days of week not usually mentioned• First day

• Resurrection – Matthew 28:1• Church breaking bread – Acts 20:7• Collection for saints – 1st Corinthians 16:1, 2• No other mentions after resurrection

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• Conclusion• “At night” – circumstantial• “All night” – circumstantial• “Every night (day)” – misinterpretation• First day - significant

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3. “1st Corinthians 16:2 makes absolutely no reference whatsoever to a public meeting or church service for when Paul arrives. Furthermore, the text reads, ‘lay something aside’. That’s talking about setting something aside at home, not in some fictitious Sunday worship assembly!”

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LAY SOMETHING ASIDE AT HOME?No collections when Paul came

• Why did Paul want them to save regularly?• “that there be no collections when I come.” – v. 1• Saving at home requires another collection

“Convicting Those Who Contradict”

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