A popular, up-and-coming 30-year-old goalkeeper has announced to Brazil’s
sporting world that he will no longer be playing matches from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown in honor of the biblical Sabbath. The move has created quite a stir in his country, where soccer is wildly popular. Some fans have been sympathetic, but others were shocked and have even expressed outright anger.
Recently named player of the year, Carlos Vítor da Costa Ressurreição was even offered a job in a higher-level championship soccer league that would have doubled his salary, but he turned it down. Why? Because the new career opportunity meant playing games on Friday night and during the day on Saturday, meaning it would be impossible for him to keep the Sabbath as outlined in the fourth commandment.
Carlos’ mother-in-law had told him about the Sabbath years before, but it was only a year ago that he became convinced that he needed to study the Bible and keep the Sabbath holy. As a result, his contract with his current team will soon expire and will not be renewed.
Still, undeterred, Carlos has started a Bible study with his teammates. When a reporter recently pressed him on the rationale behind his decision, the player affirmed. “Without any doubt, I choose my faith.” Carlos’ commitment is an inspiration to all Sabbath-keepers.
What are your thoughts? Let us know if the comments below and share this example of faith in action with others!
More Sabbath news this week …
Letter to the editor pleads for Sabbath observance … on Sunday. When is the Sabbath?
Rev. Lou Tiscione of Weatherford, Texas, says Christians
observe Sabbath because of Christ’s resurrection. Should we keep Sunday in honor of the resurrection?
Click here to learn more about the change from Sabbath to Sunday in this clear and powerful documentary called
Revelation: The Bride, the Beast & Babylon.