Journal: Journal of the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies
Volume: JIRBS 05:1 (NA 2018)
Article: The Feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths of Colossians 2:16 in Old Testament and Ancient, Non-Biblical Literature: A Case for an Old Covenant Colloquialism
Author: Timothy L. Decker

JIRBS 5 (2018) p. 45

The Feasts, New Moons, and Sabbaths of Colossians 2:16 in Old Testament and Ancient, Non-Biblical Literature: A Case for an Old Covenant Colloquialism

Timothy L. Decker*

* Timothy L. Decker is an elder candidate at Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in Boones Mill, VA, as well as a professor of New Testament at the Blue Ridge Institute for Theological Education in Roanoke, VA. He is currently a Ph.D. student at Capital Seminary.

The Sabbatarian practice of the Puritan era has gone by the way to near extinction in the modern era of the evangelical church. Many cite Romans 14:6, Galatians 4:10, and Colossians 2:16 as proof texts for the passing away of the weekly Sabbath day, either Saturday or Sunday/Lord’s Day. However, only one of these passages explicitly uses the term “sabbath” (σάββατον) making it the locus classicus: “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths [σαββάτων], which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ” (Col. 2:16–17 NKJV).

The Puritans argued that this passage has to do, not with the passing away of the weekly Sabbath day instituted at creation, but rather with the ceremonial observances that were part of other feasts and festivals under the old covenant.1 As Colossians 2:17 emphasizes,

JIRBS 5 (2018) p. 46

these things “are shadows of things to come” or typological in nature with the ceremonial elements passing away but the moral law remaining.2 This was a very popular interpretation up until the early to mid-twentieth century.3 For those thoroughgoing Reformed in line with the Puritan tradition who still uphold the confessional standards of their forbears, not much has changed.4 Even in modern commentaries and scholarly works, this view remains prominent.5

JIRBS 5 (2018) p. 47

Therefore, it is not the intention of this article to give an exegetical case for this interpretation of Colossians 2:16. However, in order to strengthen that understanding and perhaps shore up some of the assumptions of those in the Re...