Is Sabbath observance required for Christians under the New Covenant—and does Sunday worship represent the mark of the beast? In this intense debate, Sam Shamoun challenges a Seventh-day Adventist to prove from the New Testament that Gentile Christians are commanded to observe the seventh-day Sabbath given to Israel.
Sam Shamoun examines Seventh-day Adventist teachings associated with Ellen G. White, including claims about Sunday worship, the Pope as the Antichrist, and changing times and laws. Sam Shamoun argues that verses such as “If you love me, keep my commandments” and Matthew 5:17–18 cannot be isolated from their biblical context. Jesus Christ fulfilled and perfected the Law and the Prophets, and the commands of the New Covenant must not automatically be confused with the Mosaic Covenant.
The discussion then addresses the claim that Christians must keep the Sabbath because Jesus kept it. Sam Shamoun points out that Jesus was also physically circumcised and observed Jewish practices such as Hanukkah, Passover, and the Feast of Tabernacles—practices Seventh-day Adventists do not consistently follow. If physical circumcision can point to the greater reality of circumcision of the heart, then the Old Testament Sabbath can likewise be understood as a shadow pointing to a greater spiritual reality in Christ.
Finally, Sam Shamoun compares Israel’s weekly Sabbath in Exodus 20 with God’s continuing Sabbath rest beginning in Genesis 2. Using Hebrews 4:1–11, Sam Shamoun explains that God’s Sabbath is available “today” to everyone who enters His rest through faith in Jesus Christ. Christians are spiritual Israel: spiritually circumcised and resting in the true Sabbath found in Christ rather than remaining under the shadow assigned to the nation of Israel.
⏱️ Timestamps
0:00 Coming up, best moment
0:17 Casual flexing and update
0:57 Sam Shamoun challenges a Seventh-day Adventist
1:38 Sunday worship, the mark of the beast, and the Pope
2:46 Where does the New Testament command Sabbath observance?
4:09 Matthew 5:17–18 and Jesus fulfilling the Law
5:32 No explicit Sabbath command for Gentile Christians
6:14 Jesus kept the Sabbath—but also circumcision and Hanukkah
8:10 Hanukkah, Passover, and the Feast of Tabernacles
9:42 The Ten Commandments and God’s Sabbath rest
12:55 Hebrews 4, spiritual Israel, and the true Sabbath in Christ
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
I am not Sam Shamoun. This channel edits and shares clips from his teachings with permission in order to make his content more accessible and help spread the Word of God. All credit for the teaching belongs to Sam Shamoun.
