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?

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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 point—he 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