Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados TODAY Inc.
by Adrian Small
As we scramble to combat and control the impact of COVID–19 we are seeing the island shut down on Sundays. Sunday, a day that is being touted not only here, but around the world as a day of rest, the seventh day and the sabbath. But is it?
Genesis 2:2 makes it clear “God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which He (God) created and made. Furthermore Exodus 20:8-11 reminds us the seventh day is the Sabbath – “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth the sea and all that in them is and rested the seventh day.”
We must than ask where did the “deception” of Sunday being the seventh day or Sabbath day come from? The answer is clear.
“Cardinal Gibbons, in Faith of Our Fathers, 92nd ed., p. 89, freely admits, “You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we [the Catholic Church] never sanctify.”
“Again, “The Catholic Church, … by virtue of her divine mission, changed the day from Saturday to Sunday” (The Catholic Mirror, official publication of James Cardinal Gibbons,
Sept. 23, 1893).
“Protestants do not realize that by observing Sunday, they accept the authority of the spokesperson of the Church, the Pope” (Our Sunday Visitor, February 5, 1950).
“Of course, the Catholic Church claims that the change [Saturday Sabbath to Sunday] was her act… And the act is a mark of her ecclesiastical authority in religious things” (H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons).
The Catholic Church claims that “the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact” (Catholic Record of London, Ontario Sept 1, 1923).
If we are to seek God’s help in overcoming COVID-19 we must be in obedience to Him and observe all His commandments. God is specific. “I am the Lord I change not.”(Malachi 3:6) “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled”. (Matthew 5:18)
As God is our authority, we have no right to change His statues. It is only in obedience that we can call upon His name and be saved through this crisis. As a nation, let us be led by God and not the ways of man.
This article was submitted as a Letter to the Editor.
