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2004 International Scholarship Winners
Every year the BSA conducts an essay contest for the purpose
of providing Sabbath-keeping students with scholarships to
further their college educations. 2004's essay contest was
divided into two categories, one for native English-speakers and
one for those who speak English as a second language. In this
issue of The Sabbath Sentinel we will feature our two
International Contest winners, both from Nigeria.
Each contestant was required to write a maximum 500-word essay in
answer to two questions of three questions:
1) A) Pretend you are at work. Your boss has told you that you
must start working Saturdays or face being fired. The job market
is bad. You probably wouldn't be able to find another job right
away and you have a family at home to feed. What would you do?
What would you say to your boss? How would you handle this
situation?
OR
1) B) You are at college on an athletic scholarship. Your
scholarship is dependent upon your playing at all home games.
Home games end up being on Fright night. Would you play the
games? Why or why not? What would you say to your coach and to
your school in light of your religious beliefs? How would you
handle this situation?
2) There is a movement to change the weekly calendar to make
Monday the first day of the week and Sunday the last day of the
week. While this would enforce the idea that Sunday is the
Sabbath day, what would you say to argue against this change?
What kind of facts would you present to convince the people who
would change this to leave it as it is? If this were to occur,
how could Sabbath keepers continue to teach the truth of the
Sabbath with the calendars being changed? How would you handle
this situation?
First Place Winner Victor Okongor of Nigeria
Victor Okongor is a student at Cross
River University of Technology and is studying political science.
Victor served as youth secretary in the Church of God Seventh Day
and was a member of the football (soccer) club at his high
school. He currently attends Yahweh's People Assembly.
Victor's desire is to become a barrister (lawyer) in order to
advocate for the many poor people who are immigrating into
Nigeria.
Question 1 A
If I am confronted with the issue of my boss telling me to start
working Saturdays or faced being fired. Though the job market is
bad and I probably will not be able to find another job right
away and with my family at home to feed, I will accept the
challenge by not working on Saturdays. This decision may be
frustrating, painful and mind pricking, but then, I ought to obey
Yahweh rather than man. Finally I will pray to Yahweh to provide
me a job that will exempt me working on Saturdays. I strongly
believe that with my heart-touching decision to obey Yahweh
rather than man that he wil1 create a way of escape. But even if
he does not make a way and it pleases Him that I and my family
should die in starvation to Him be the glory.
To my boss, I will attribute it to his ignorance of the
importance, of Saturday, and with the spirit of humility, I will
go telling him that Yahweh ended his work of creation on the
sixth day and the rested on the seventh day and blessed it, Gen.
2:1-3. Yahweh in the same vein, commanded man that He created in
his-image and after his likeness to remember the Sabbath day (the
seventh day of the week) to keep it holy, commanded that work
should be done for six days, Ex. 20:8-11.
Yahshua said I did not come to abolish the law but to
fulfil them,' Matt 5:17. That was why Yahshua in line with
the commandment of his father Yahweh; "Remember the Sabbath
day to keep it holy"' made it his custom to always go to the
synagogue on the Sabbath day to keep it holy, Luke 4:16.
Similarly, Paul made it his custom of observing the seventh day
of the week (Sabbath) Act 17:2. Even the disciples of Yahshua the
Messiah, kept the Sabbath day holy. Yahweh Almighty says,
If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from
doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call my sabbath a delight
the holy day of Yahweh honourable; and shall honour him, not
doing thy own ways, not going after thy own pleasure nor speaking
thine own words; then he will cause you to enjoy the blessings of
Jacob" Isaiah 58:13-14.
Yahweh Almighty so much values the Sabbath day that His anger is
always against those who break or violate the Sabbath day. That
was why the man that was caught gathering sticks on a Sabbath day
was commanded by Yahweh that he should be put to death, Num.
15:32-36.
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of Yahweh. Hence,
Solomon the wisest king says that the conclusion of the whole
matter is to fear Yahweh and keep his commandments for it is the
whole duty of man, Ecclesiastes 12:13; therefore, the Sabbath day
as one of Yahweh's commandment should not be ignored.
To crown it all, in handling this situation, I will pray to
Yahweh almighty to provide one job that forbids my working on
Saturdays (the Sabbath day). In addition to that, I strongly
believe that with my heart-touching decision to obey Yahweh
rather than man. He being the Creator of the heavens and the
earth and all that are there in, will provide another source from
which I can make ends meet.
Question 2
As a Sabbath keeper, having known that there's a movement to
change the weekly calendar to make Monday the first day of the
week and Sunday the last day of the week which I know will boil
down to the fact that Sunday is the Sabbath day. I would first of
all pray lifting up the issue unto Yahweh's throne of grace and
thereafter go on to argue against the change.
To anyone responsible for this change I would say that the idea
is devilish, degrading and disobedient to the word of Yahweh to
really convince the people who would change this to leave it as
it is. I will go on presenting the following facts: that Yahweh
worked for six days during creation and rested on the seventh day
(Sabbath day) of the week. Yahweh himself in his commandment,
commanded man to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. That
it is a day of rest and worship. The almighty did not leave man
in ignorance about which day is the seventh day of the week;
hence he created light in the firmament of heaven to divide the
day from the night and let them be for signs and for seasons and
for days and years. Gen. 1:14. I would furthermore remind the
people that which the Scripture says in the book of Daniel 7:25
and I quote, "And he shall speak great words against the
most high and shall wear out the saints of the most high and
think to change time and laws and they shall be given into his
hand until a time and times and the dividing of times;" do
they want this prophesy to be fulfilled on their heads?
Yahweh is not a man that the should make mistake. His do's and
don'ts are encoded on the two tablets of stones engraved with his
fingers. Why should the Sabbath day interest people to change?
The scripture tells us that for whosoever shall keep the whole
law and yet of offend in one pointhe is guilty of all
(James 2:10).
Who has hardened himself against Yahweh and prevailed? None.
Pharaoh tried it but Yahweh ended it in the Red Sea.
Nebuchadnezzar did the same and was made by Elohim to dwell among
the beast of the field and lots more.
If the change will be allowed, it will be a difficult task for
Sabbath keepers to teach the truth of the Sabbath with the
calendar being changed as many will really find it difficult to
believe the truth.
In handling such a situation, as I said earlier, I will take it
first to Yahweh in prayer in accordance with what the Scripture
says, "commit your ways into my hands and I will make them
come to pass," and ask for His intervention in the matter.
Also, I will go on to encourage as many Sabbath keepers who are
within my reach to fervently seek the face of Yahweh for His
divine intervention. Yahweh who gave the Israelites victory over
their enemies will fight for Himself and with him on our side
victory shall be ours. ?
Second Place Winner Israel Bassey of Nigeria
21 -year-old Israel Bassey is a student
at Cross River University of Technology and is pursuing Christian
Religious Studies. In high school Israel served as youth provost
and was very active in football (soccer) where he recognized as
the school's top player.
Israel's college studies in Christian Religion allow him to learn
a lot about the Scriptures. He hopes to use his education and
experience to teach others about God. Israel would particularly
like to receive a teaching position so that he could pass his
knowledge of God and the Scriptures to his students.
Question 1 A
Now if My boss had told me that I must start working Saturdays or
faced being fired, I having faith in the commandment of Yahweh,
the scripture is my yard stick where in my faith encouragement
and endurance is based. First and foremost, I will examine the
scriptures, holding that Yahweh watches over his word to see that
he fulfill it. After judging and examining the scripture then and
there I take my stand.
As it is written, Yahshua knew the Joy that was ahead of him, he
suffered unto death that he may receive the crown of glory (Hab.
12:1-3). He also advised Smyrna Assembly "Suffer you unto
death, for I will give you a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10).
The Holy spirit through Apostle Paul admonished Lystra, Iconium
Assembly that through much tribulation you shall enter the
kingdom of Yahweh, (Acts 14:22). He also admonished the Romans
Assembly that they should be encouraged for the glory awaiting
them cannot be compared to the suffering of today (Rom. 8:17). To
the Corinthians the spirit also said through Apostle Paul,
"There has no temptation taken you but such as common to
man, but Yahweh is faithful, he will not suffer you to be tempted
above that you are able; but will with the temptation make a way
of escape that you may be able to bear it."
Furthermore, elder and the leader of the apostles, Peter
admonished the Jews." But the Elohim of all grace who has
called us to eternal glory by Yahshua the messiah after that you
have suffered a while make you perfect, establish, strengthen and
settle you." From these scriptural encouragement (Rom 15:4)
there I stand.
I will therefore tell my boss that the Sabbath is a memorial
holyday of Yahweh's creation that he rested, blessed, and
sanctified. He also commanded man (one of his creatures) to
remember it and keep it holy, for he made it a sign between him
and his people. I will go on telling him (my boss) that I will
not be able to defile the Sabbath because it is a sin that is
worthy of death (Num. 15:32-36).
In handling this situation, I will tell my family of the
development, then encourage them to be courageous for the
scripture says, "all things worketh together for good to
them that fear Yahweh." Using the case of Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego during the reign of king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel
chapter 3, I will tell my family to take the challenge since our
Maker loves challenges. Record has it that Nebuchadnezzar made a
golden image for Babylonians to worship, but these three Hebrews
that knew the commandment of Yahweh which says "thou shall
not make for yourself any image of any form and you shall not bow
down unto such". They all stood by the law to defend it.
Please note that verse 16-18, the response of these three Hebrews
to Nebuchadnezzar, "we are not careful to answer you this
matter, if so our Elohim whom we serve is able to deliver us out
of your hand, O king, but if not, be it known to you, 0 king that
we will not serve your god nor worship the golden image which you
have made." Due to the provisions of this competition, I
will open the book of Daniel, verses 24 and 29 -30, which talks
of the victory the three Hebrew men had in the long run and show
them. After this step I will go to the elder and pastor of my
church and explain the situation to them and ask of them that
they pray for me.
Question 2
There is a movement to change the weekly calendar to make Monday
the first day of the week and Sunday the last day of the week.
While this would enforce the idea that Sunday is the Sabbath day,
what would you say to argue against this change? What kind of
facts would you present to convince the people who would change
this to leave it as it is? If this were to occur, how could
Sabbath keepers continue to teach the truth of the Sabbath with
the calendars being changed? How would you handle this situation?
In a case of such where there is a movement to make Sunday the
seventh day, eventually the Sabbath day, I would not be shaken at
all but will believe that in all temptations there is always a
way of escape.
To the body who is proposing to change the weekly calendar I will
advice such body to withdraw it proposal for it against the will
of Yahweh and then go on to presents the following from the
scripture.
The Sabbath day is the most unique and special in all the days of
Yahweh. It is a memorial of Yahweh's creations of all things on
the sixth day, and the seventh day was blessed, sanctified, and
separated from the rest. No other day was placed under such
priority, it is peculiar and ultimate of all the days (Gen.
2:1-2).
Yahweh sanctified the Sabbath day before the children of Israel
when they came out of Egypt by giving them manna all the six
working days but making the field void of manna on the seventh
day. And in addition to that, there was a specific measurement to
be picked by each family and if any family picks above that omer,
it would stink and produce worms. (Exo. 16:1 5-30). But double
portion was picked on the sixth day against the Sabbath hence
none was found in the field on Sabbath.
Sabbath is a peculiar day, it is the only day that was engraved
in the fingers of Yahweh in the ten commandments (Exo. 20:8-11).
The first day the house of Israel heard the voice of Yahweh
speaking to them from heaven, Sabbath was mentioned.
"Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy, it is a Sabbath
of Yahweh not man, you shall not do any work nor your house hold,
Yahweh rested on that day, blessed and hallowed it.
Yahweh said to Moses, my Sabbath you shall observe and it shall
be a sign between me and my people throughout your generations
that you may know that I am-I AM HE that sanctifies you. Any one
who defiles it shall surely be put to death; so Sabbath is
unaltered (Exo.31:12-17).
Our master Yahshua said, "I have not come to destroy the law
and the prophet, if anyone breaks one of the least commandment
and teaches men so, he shall become the least in Yahweh's
kingdom."
Witnesses of Sabbath by prophet Isaiah:
"If anyone who call the Sabbath delight, then Yahweh will
cause such one to ride upon the high places of the earth and eat
of the heritage of Jacob, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken
it" (Isa. 54:13-14).
"...strangers and eunuchs that keep the Sabbath and do not
pollute it, they shall be more than sons" Isa. 56:1-7).
"From one new moon to another and one Sabbath to another
shall all flesh come to worship Yahweh." This is future in
the regeneration of the son of man when the kingdom comes.
Israelites who were captives that returned back to the land
restored Sabbath and decided neither to sell nor to buy on the,
Sabbath day, to restore all the commandments (Neh. 10:29-31).
During the days of our master Yahshua, all classes of Jews kept
the Sabbath holy, and those who failed to do were regarded very
low and considered as them that do not know Yahweh (John 9:16).
To add, Yahshua our master, example and our shepherd, made it his
custom by going to the synagogue on Sabbath days (Lk. 4:16).
Apostles in the acts of their ministration, acknowledged Sabbath
(Act. 17:2; 13:42-44).
Finally, to the body responsible for this change, I will tell
them that the scripture has not given us any authority to change
the sacred Sabbath to Sunday. Therefore anyone who dares is
worthy of the punishment of death. In the book of Mark 8:35-38,
Yahshua says therefore, let us remain to defend the word and
commandment of Yahweh, even Sabbath.
To as many who believe in Sabbath, I will say to them that they
should seek Yahweh the more. Go further to open Genesis 1:14
which talks of the significance the light of the firmament, and
ask them to be courageous the more knowing too well what the
Bible in Daniel 7:25 says, "and they shall speak great words
against the most high, and shall wear out the saints of the most
high and shall seek to change times and laws," and in the
light of this tell them that it is a mere fulfillment of the
Scriptures, but in all, Yahweh will make a way of escape for his
people and the very Elohim that intervened for the three Hebrews
in Daniel 3 will do the same for his people.
Update on a Prior Scholarship Winner
Hannah Bassey Akpan
Hannah is now in college in Nigeria and studying marketing.
Scholarship Essay Contest 2005
We are now taking applications for our 2005 Scholarship Essay
Contest. If you are a college student or are planning to attend
college in the near future, write us for a contest application
and rules for this year's contest.
For 2005 the amount of scholarship money has been increased to
$1500 for first place, $1000 for second, and $500 for third.
There will only be three prizes given in 2005, and native English
speakers and those who speak English as a second language will
have an equal chance of winning.
If you as a BSA member or reader of The Sabbath Sentinel would
like to donate specifically to our scholarship contest fund, just
write on the check "Scholarship Fund," and your
donation will be separated into a fund designated only for our
scholarship essay contest.
TSS
January
- February 2005 The Sabbath Sentinel
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