1. What Is the Sabbath?
A. Biblical Origin of the Sabbath
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week (Saturday), established by God as a day of rest and holiness. It has its roots in Genesis 2:2-3, where God rested after completing creation:
Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
This was later reaffirmed in the Ten Commandments, where God commanded the Israelites to observe the Sabbath:
Exodus 20:8-11 (NIV)"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
Thus, the Sabbath was not only a day of physical rest but also a sign of God’s covenant with Israel:
Exodus 31:16-17 (NIV)"The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed."
B. Purpose and Observance of the Sabbath
The Sabbath was given as a day of rest, worship, and remembrance of God’s creation and deliverance. It was observed through:
- Ceasing from labor – Work was strictly prohibited on the Sabbath (Exodus 35:2).
- Worship and reflection – It was a time for prayer, study of the Torah, and worship in synagogues.
- A sign of holiness – It distinguished Israel from other nations.
Even Jesus and His disciples observed the Sabbath, though He challenged the legalistic approach of the Pharisees:
Mark 2:27-28 (NIV)"Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’”
2. What Is Sunday (The Lord’s Day)?
A. Biblical Origin of Sunday Worship
Unlike the Sabbath, Sunday (the first day of the week) gained significance in Christianity after Jesus’ resurrection, which occurred on a Sunday:
Matthew 28:1 (NIV)"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb."
Jesus’ resurrection transformed Sunday into a day of new creation and victory over sin and death.
B. Early Christian Practice of Sunday Worship
The early church gradually shifted from Sabbath observance to worship on Sunday, as seen in these passages:
Sunday Gatherings for Worship and Communion
Acts 20:7 (NIV)"On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight."This suggests that Christians gathered on Sundays for worship, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper (Communion).
Offerings on Sundays
1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)"On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."This shows that the early Christians associated Sunday with acts of worship, including giving.
The Lord’s Day in Revelation
Revelation 1:10 (NIV)"On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet."Many scholars believe “the Lord’s Day” refers to Sunday, indicating that by the time of Revelation, Christians were already recognizing Sunday as a special day.
C. Purpose of Sunday Worship
- Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection
- Marks the beginning of a new creation
- Focuses on worship, preaching, and fellowship
By the 2nd and 3rd centuries, Sunday had become the primary day of Christian worship, reinforced by leaders like Ignatius of Antioch (AD 107), Justin Martyr (AD 155), and Emperor Constantine (AD 321), who made it an official day of rest for the Roman Empire.
3. Key Differences Between the Sabbath and Sunday
| Feature | Sabbath (Saturday) | Sunday (The Lord’s Day) |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Foundation | Instituted at creation (Genesis 2:2-3), part of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11) | Established after Jesus' resurrection (Matthew 28:1), practiced by early Christians (Acts 20:7) |
| Observed By | Jews, some Christians (e.g., Seventh-day Adventists) | Most Christian denominations |
| Main Focus | Rest, remembrance of creation and the covenant | Worship, celebration of Christ’s resurrection |
| Commanded for Christians? | No direct New Testament command for Sabbath observance | Encouraged by early Christian practice |
4. Should Christians Keep the Sabbath or Worship on Sunday?
The New Testament does not explicitly command Christians to keep the Sabbath as the Jews did. Instead, Paul emphasizes Christian freedom regarding special days:
Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV)"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."
Paul also acknowledges that some believers regard one day as special, while others see all days as equal:
Romans 14:5 (NIV)"One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind."
Modern Interpretations
- Seventh-day Sabbath Keepers – Some Christian groups (e.g., Seventh-day Adventists) continue to observe Saturday as the Sabbath, believing it remains God’s command.
- Sunday Worshipers – Most Christians worship on Sunday in honor of Jesus’ resurrection.
- Everyday Worship – Some believe that every day should be lived in devotion to God, not just one special day.
The Sabbath and Sunday have distinct biblical and historical foundations. The Sabbath was given to Israel as a day of rest and a sign of God’s covenant, while Sunday became the day of Christian worship in honor of Jesus’ resurrection. While some continue to observe the Sabbath, most Christians view Sunday as a day of celebration and worship. Ultimately, faith in Christ is more important than the day of worship itself.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
