Is the Fourth Commandment Still Relevant?
Does it make any difference which day we observe—or whether we even keep one at all? Does the Bible establish Sunday as the Lord's Day? Was the Sabbath given for the Jewish people only—while Christians are commanded to keep Sunday as the Lord's Day?
Without a doubt, most professing Christians accept Sunday as the New Testament Lord's Day. Muslims observe Friday. Some religions observe no day. But there are those who insist the seventh-day Sabbath is still binding. Few take the Sabbath seriously—in fact, the vast majority of Christians have never looked into this question. Most never question Sunday-observance, unwittingly following the traditions of men rather than the clear command of God!
Matthew 18 New International Version (NIV) The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, 'Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' 2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Version 1.8.18: Fixed: Issues where icon view may not show the correct content after searching. An issue where Keep It may crash during iCloud updates if icon view in use. An issue where Finder tags removed while Keep It isn't running could be restored when Keep It starts up (if using iCloud). Wesley's Notes for 1 Peter 5:8. 5:8 But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care. As a roaring lion - Full of rage. Sign in - Google Accounts.
Few people realize that the Sabbath vs. Sunday controversy raged during the first three centuries of the Christian era, and thousands were tortured and put to death over this question both before and after the Emperor Constantine supposedly 'resolved' the heated debate in his Sabbatical edict in AD 321. If so many chose death over observing a day not commanded by God, could not this dispute be more significant than we may have thought?
What does the Bible really say about the Sabbath? It is generally assumed that Sunday is the correct day. Is it possible that all of these churches are wrong on this fundamental doctrine? And, after all, does it make any difference? Do we not have to adjust our religion to the changing times? Was not the law—including the Sabbath—'nailed to the cross' when Christ died? What about scriptures like Galatians 4:10 or Colossians 2:16—do they not prove that it does not matter which day we keep? Was not Christ resurrected on Sunday, thus His day is the 'Lord's Day?'
Such questions must be answered!
Next: Who Decides What Sin Is?
The Australian government is recommending we stay 1.5 metres away from each other, one of several social distancing moves designed to limit spread of the coronavirus.
Why 1.5 metres? Is this our best, practical estimate? Or is there any solid scientific evidence to back it?
Read more: Social distancing: What it is and why it's the best tool we have to fight the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spread from person to person when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes. So people in close contact are at high risk.
Respiratory droplets can land in your mouth or nose. Alternatively, droplets could land on your face, and the next time you touch your face, and then rub your eye, you could infect yourself.
We know the influenza virus is spread in a similar way. One study shows when healthcare workers are within 1.8 metres of patients with influenza, their risk of being infected is increased.
Read more: Health Check: why do I have a cough and what can I do about it?
A quick search online will find lots of videos showing droplet expulsion from a sneeze. But there is a lack of good evidence to know for sure how far infectious droplets travel, and what is a 'safe' distance.
Research is often laboratory based and doesn't automatically translate to real-life situations. Then there are the variables about the number of infectious particles; their airborne survival; the humidity; and the speed of expulsion of the 'turbulent buoyant clouds' (tornadoes of germs).
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises flu can spread up to 6 feet (1.8 metres). The key message is, the closer you are, the bigger the spray.
Similar research is yet to be done on the coronavirus. But the similarity with the way influenza is spread means we can apply what we know about influenza to the coronavirus.
What do others recommend?
The recommendation of 1.5 metres is not only based on our knowledge of influenza, it is also a practical distance that allows us to go about our daily lives.
Obviously it's not a precise measurement, nor is it absolutely guaranteed to prevent spread. But that approximate distance is better than no distance.
The lack of scientific rigour behind these recommendations is borne out in the varied advice from around the world.
The UK's National Health Service recommends people with symptoms stay at least 2 metres away from others.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everybody should 'put distance between yourself and other people'.
Finally, the World Health Organisation advises to keep at least 1 metre between you and anyone coughing and sneezing.
So you get the general idea. Don't get close.
Keep It 1 5 8 Equals
What does this mean in practical terms?
So, how do we keep 1.5 metres apart, short of carrying around a tape measure?
It's about two arms lengths, but don't stress about it. A little bit less is OK, a little bit more is good.
Keep It 1 5 85
In a nutshell
Keep It 1 5 8 =
Keep It 1 5 8 Equals
What does this mean in practical terms?
So, how do we keep 1.5 metres apart, short of carrying around a tape measure?
It's about two arms lengths, but don't stress about it. A little bit less is OK, a little bit more is good.
Keep It 1 5 85
In a nutshell
Keep It 1 5 8 =
Right now, avoiding close contact with others is important, and keeping 1.5 metres away from each other is not an exact science. It's about keeping some sensible and practical distance between you and others.
Keep It 1 5 80
It is just one of the strategies we can easily use to help slow down the spread of this virus. And please, wash your hands, and if you have symptoms, stay at home and seek medical advice.
Read more: Coronavirus: why are we cancelling large gatherings? Parallels desktop 10 1 4 (28883) download free. And what other 'social distancing' options are left?