When Yahushua was on earth in His own body, He revealed many things to His Disciples, to us today. One of these is in the form of warning, to show us examples of those things that are hindrances to us, against our entering in. Notice the following passages:

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:7-9)

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances <1379>, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22)

In Matthew and Mark, we are told that the Commandments of Men result in worship that is vain, or empty, and are the result of laying aside and rejecting the Commandments of Yahuweh. In Colossians 2:20 we see another glimpse of the commandments of Men, in the form of Decrees of Men, or 'Dogma.' Let's look at this Dogma of Men that is such a great hindrance.

In the passage in Col 2:20, we see a form of the Greek word 'Dogma,' Strong's number <1379>. This word 'Dogma' is an interesting word, because this word <1378> and its companion word <1379> both reveal a startling picture of one of the most popular Doctrines of Men taught today. Let's look at this Greek word 'Dogma' and the related Doctrines of Men:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree <1378> from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (Luke 2:1)

And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees <1378> for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. (Acts 16:4)

Whom Jason hath received : and these all do contrary to the decrees <1378> of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. (Acts 17:7)

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances <1378>; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances <1378> that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; (Colossians 2:14)

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances <1379>...(Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after ("according to") the commandments and doctrines of men? (Colossians 2:20-22)

These Decrees and Commandments of Men are what Yahushua came against many times in His ministry. One of the main items of 'Dogma' taught today can be clearly seen in the Ephesians and Colossians verses above. Scripture tells us here plainly that it was the 'Dogma' — the 'Commandments of Men' — that were abolished, and was against us, and contrary to us, and was taken out of the way, and nailed it to his cross.

Men, however, continue to teach that it was the 'Commandments of Yahuweh' (the 'Law' or 'Torah') that were abolished, etc. in plain opposition to Scripture! This popular teaching of Men in itself is a 'Dogma' or Doctrine and Commandment of Men!

It is this Dogma — the Commandments and Doctrines of Men — that poisons the Good News of the kingdom, and infects the people, and prevents them from 'entering in' to the Kingdom of Yahuweh:

"But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." (Matthew 23:13)

"Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:6)

"In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy." (Luke 12:1)

Throughout the New Testament we see repeatedly the poisoning of the Gospel of the Kingdom by these leavened teachings. For further details on this Dogma and leaven, see Beware The Leaven.

A Doctrine or Commandment of Men is one that that turns men away from the Truth (Titus 1:14), and if not repented of, will prevent New Testament Believers today from entering in by their disobedience to the Truth, just as the Israelites were prevented from entering the Promised Land for their disobedience.

Another popular example today of a Commandment of Men that turns men from practicing the Truth, is the notion or Doctrine of 'The Lord’s Day.' As this phrase does occur in Scripture, we will look at this in detail, to see what the Scriptures tell us.

The idea of The Lord’s Day is a very interesting one. This idea of the Lord's Day is one of the better examples of how one should not determine Biblical Truth. For more detail the Reader is encouraged to read What You Believe: True or False? The Simple Biblical Test. Of the many truths of the Bible, perhaps none are as important as the Truth that Yahushua tells us regarding the witness of Scripture. We are told that to determine or establish any matter, we must have adequate witnesses. Look at the following verses:

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. (Matthew 18:16)

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1)

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19)

There are many passages showing this truth of multiple witnesses being required to establish any matter. Indeed, we are reminded often that we may not make a Doctrine out of any idea or concept that appears only once in Scripture. As we look at the New Testament, we find that the phrase 'the Lord’s Day,' or the Greek words 'Kuriakos hemera.' Amazingly, this verse appears only once (Revelation 1:10).

Now if a congregation were going to build a Doctrine on some idea, they should be careful to make sure that there is ample witness of Scripture, lest the masses of people catch on that they were being deceived. Surely they would be found out if their Doctrine had only one Scriptural reference! Nevertheless, our hallowed Lord’s Day Doctrine is many centuries old, having originated with the religious leaders in the early centuries. Having originated as a pagan holy-day of sun-worship, its popularity was borrowed for the Believers' use. It then becane a Doctrine of Men, as it was being taught and handed down to all the harlot-daughter congregations (Rev 17:5). Today the Lord's Day Doctrine of men is practiced faithfully, with many explanations to attempt to justify its observance.

The sad part is that, even though we should all worship Yahuweh on Sunday, indeed every day, the Lord’s Day Doctrine has removed the teaching, the understanding, and practice, of observing the Biblical Sabbath Day from the lives of countless, precious Saints who truly love Yahuweh! They do not yet realize that the keeping of Yahuweh's Sabbaths is the supreme test of their obedience, and of their love for the Master!

Observance of the Biblical Sabbath Day is not a simply a matter of worship on a particular day, but of obedience (which becomes worship as it is kept). As we saw in What You Believe: True or False? The Simple Biblical Test, the phrase Lord's Day in Revelation was simply John’s identification of something with which he was very familiar: the Old Testament teaching of the 'Day of the LORD' or the Day of 'Yahuweh.' This is a term used in the Bible to describe the time of the end of the age and return of Yahushua to earth. The reader is encouraged to become familiar with this vast and wonderful subject of the Day of the Lord. Now, let us see what examples the Disciples gave for us to follow.

We will note only this one additional point. Let's notice the following passage:

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17)

Paul tells us we are to use him, and the other disciples, as examples for our walk, our daily lives. So we will ask the question, "What did the disciples of Yahushua do, as a matter of daily life and practice, in the first century church?" Did they keep the Biblical Feasts of Yahuweh, or did they worship on some day known as the 'Lord’s Day?' Let’s see.

First, we understand all the Disciples were gathered together in one accord, in one place, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1). Is there any doubt as to what day it was, and why they were all together in one place? They were all celebrating the (Old Testament) Feast of Weeks, the Hebrew 'Shavuot,' also called Pentecost, that occurs fifty days after the Feast of Early Firstfruits, three days and three nights after Passover.

The Disciples had previously celebrated Passover with Yahushua, and had eaten the Passover meal together with Him, also called the Last Supper. The next afternoon, still within the legal time of between the evenings, a 24-hour period on the 14th day of Abib, Yahushua was to become the Passover Lamb for that year, and for all eternity!

So the Disciples were all together, celebrating the Biblical Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost — one of Yahuweh's Sabbaths — "These are MY Feasts"). The Disciples were celebrating the Feast of Shavuot in obedience to Yahushua, for they loved Him. They knew that this Feast, like Passover, was one of HIS commandments He had given to those who love Him.

It was then, while all together on Shavuot (Pentecost), that the Holy Spirit fell, and the rest we know very well. The details of the lives of Yahushua and His Disciples, however, have been obscured from us by modern teaching and Doctrines of Men. We must dig deeply into the word of Yahuweh, and earnestly contend for The Faith which was at one time delivered unto the saints.

If we are to imitate Paul and the other Disciples, we must look into what they did. We are told also that the Disciples in the Book of Acts worshipped on 'Sunday.' Beloved, Is this true? What does your Bible say? In your Bible and in mine, we see that on two occasions the Disciples were gathered together on the "first of the sabbatown." The word 'day' is not there, but has been added by the translators for clarity. The Greek word 'sabbatown,' Strong's number <4521>, is translated "sabbath" 59 times, and "week" 9 times, and can mean either, depending on context. There is also no mention of an identifying 'Lord’s Day' in either passage.

Now, let us ask this question. When the you and I, and the other children of Yahuweh gather to worship Yahuweh, what is our purpose? It is very clear that the overall purpose for gathering together is to worship Yahuweh, perhaps in singing, teaching, and giving testimony of His Goodness. But what were the disciples doing?

On one of the two occasions mentioned in Scripture, the disciples came together on the first of the sabbatown. This would be either a Friday night if 'sabbath' is used, or Saturday night if 'week' is used. We know it was a Saturday night because Paul would not have traveled on the Sabbath. We know it was after a fellowship meal, and was not a 'Lord's Supper' because the term "break bread" meant to 'eat a meal together;' and fifty days earlier they had eaten the Passover meal (the "Lord's Supper").

The Disciples had all come together to hear Paul speak before he left for Ephesus. We know it was a night meeting, since we are told in Acts 20:7 that Paul continue his speech until midnight. We see that this meeting does not appear to qualify as a modern-day Sunday meeting, but simply a fellowship meeting before Paul's departure.

We now look at the one remaining passage in the book of Acts, to see if we can determine the purpose for which the Disciples had gathered:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)

it is very plain that on this occasion, the Disciples were assembled together at evening, on the same day as Yahushua's resurrection, but later in the evening. What is not clear is the purpose for their assembling together. It may be that the fear of the Jews applies to the reason for the assembly, or applies to the reason the doors were shut. We do not know. In any event, this is the one, single passage of Scripture, not clear either way, that hints of assembling on the first of the sabbatown.

As we have already seen, we are NOT to establish any Doctrines on the testimony of only ONE witness. Thus the idea of a first day of the week meeting does not seem to be Scriptural. What IS clear is that there are NO witnesses of Scripture that have nullified or done away with observing of Yahuweh's Sabbaths.

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