The Seventh Day Sabbath Part 4: A Holy Convocation

When it comes to the seventh day sabbath some may not be aware or may even argue over the necessity or lack thereof for fellowship. Am I required to or not? Is it man’s will or God’s? And what qualifies as an acceptable holy convocation? This article will dive into these things and more.

Leviticus 23:3

3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

The seventh day sabbath is a holy convocation. Holy being separated and dedicated unto The Most High God. As for convocation, let us get the definition using the Strong’s Concordance:

4744. מִקְרָא miqraʾ, mik-raw´; from 7121; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal:—assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

A convocation is a meeting, assembly or gathering. We are to have a gathering dedicated to the Most High God. With a focus on reading or learning about him through his word. Let us look at a historical account as to how our forefathers and foremothers observed this day as a holy convocation.

(61) And the works meant are those enjoined by precepts and doctrines in accordance with virtue. And in the day he exhorts us to apply ourselves to philosophy, improving our souls and the dominant part of us, our mind. (62) Accordingly, on the seventh day there are spread before the people in every city innumerable lessons of prudence, and temperance, and courage, and justice, and all other virtues; during the giving of which the common people sit down, keeping silence and pricking up their ears, with all possible attention, from their thirst for wholesome instruction; but some of those who are very learned explain to them what is of great importance and use, lessons by which the whole of their lives may be improved. (63) And there are, as we may say, two most especially important heads of all the innumerable particular lessons and doctrines; the regulating of one's conduct towards God by the rules of piety and holiness, and of one's conduct towards men by the rules of humanity and justice; each of which is subdivided into a great number of subordinate ideas, all praiseworthy.

The Works of Philo The Special Laws, II The Second Festival XV

This is how our sabbath days should be. We focus less on the physical or carnal and more on the spiritual. Disconnecting from the thoughts most heavy to us concerning the cares of this world. Turning our minds and spirits towards the world to come and what is needed of us to get there. We have teachings going on wherever our people are. Various leaders in the places we are scattered. Giving lessons on various topics. Teaching different concepts to help us be better and do better. While the people come ready and willing to be instructed and learn. This is how your convocations should be where you are. Utilizing a similar format or layout.

Zephaniah 2:1-2 KJVS

Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; [2] Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD'S anger come upon you.

The Most High God finds it important for us to gather and come together. Why? Well, how else are we supposed to build a nation? And a nation is made of a collection of individuals working together. We may not all be unified under one banner but rather small communities slowly uniting together under Christ. And it seems of great importance to do so before The Most High God returns to this world for judgement. Which means I would not follow a doctrine that teaches one that it is of no consequence to fellowship. And if I teach that doctrine, let me repent and do no more. But let us see if something changed in the New Testament.

Hebrews 10:25

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Some would forsake the holy convocations, choosing rather to isolate themselves or neglecting what they feel to be carnal or lesser commandments. But we are taught not only to assemble ourselves but reminded to do so before judgment day. The same sentiment being reiterated here as it was in the Old Testament. Again, expressing the severity for us to choose to fellowship with one another both in general and as commanded on his holy days. And that we choose not to take on a mindset that is against fellowship, assembly, or gathering together regardless of the reasoning. Find a camp, congregation or church that you prefer.

Now, keep in mind that this does not mean one is wicked because you do not fellowship every Sabbath day. It is understandable that there may be a number of reasons as to why one may miss a sabbath occasionally. But your attendance should not be one that is riddled with absences. To the extent that one finds you absent more than present. Unless, your situation is one where you are an exception to the rule due to rare and more extreme circumstances. Need that be due to incarceration, hospitalization, lack of transportation, no congregation near you etc. There are circumstances that can make your fellowship time little to none existent. This is understandable and reasonable given the circumstances.

Matthew 18:20 KJV

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

There is hope! It is acceptable if all you have are two or three people. You have an assembly, you have a camp or congregation. You don’t have to have twenty or fifty people to qualify. Christ said he accepts two or three. Therefore, one is not considered an assembly. However, there is grace and mercy if one is in a situation where it is just them for a time. Need they be incarcerated, hospitalized, single or something similar. Just don’t put yourself in a place where you are adverse to congregations that are like large named brand organizations because you favor small mom and pop shop type situations. You can go without a formal name and still be a camp or congregation. Two or three families coming together is more than enough to be a congregation that can have a name. You would just be a smaller camp.

Acts 13:26-27

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. 27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

We see here that it was customary that the prophets were read every sabbath day. The prophets representing the scriptures or books of the Bible, as the books are named predominantly named after the prophets. So, once we gather together, we now have the responsibility to ensure that we are reading the scriptures on the sabbath day. If you don’t read any other day of the week, ensure you read the scriptures on the sabbath day.

Luke 4:16-21, 31

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. 17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. 20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. 31 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

We see through the example of Christ, that he read and taught the people on the sabbath days. Within your group or organization, this is something that should be being done. The sabbath day should be prioritized as the day to teach the people. And that can be done Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday Afternoon, or a combination of the three. You have some wiggle room to choose your method of execution that works best for you and your congregation. Some may have the resources to have multiple classes, others may choose one time frame or time slot to devote to gathering for sabbath class. And these needs may even change over time.