The question of whether God requires Sabbath-keeping of Christians is an important one that deserves careful examination of Scripture. The Sabbath was a key part of God’s law given to Israel, as one of the Ten Commandments states: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). However, with the coming of Christ and the establishment of the new covenant, some argue that the Old Testament laws like the Sabbath no longer apply. So what is the evidence from the Bible on this issue?
The Sabbath in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was commanded by God for the people of Israel as a day of rest and worship. The command to observe the Sabbath day is found in Exodus 20:8-11 as part of the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God. Leviticus 23:3 also affirms that “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the LORD in all your dwelling places.” The penalty for breaking the Sabbath was death (Exodus 31:14-15). The Sabbath was a sign between God and the people of Israel to remind them that God is the one who sanctifies them (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12). Observance of the Sabbath set Israel apart from the other nations.
In addition to abstaining from work, the Sabbath was also a day for God’s people to gather for worship and celebrate (Leviticus 23:3). The Sabbath was a reminder to the Israelites that God is the Creator of all things (Exodus 20:11). Honoring the Sabbath by not working showed their trust in God to provide for them six days of the week (Exodus 16:22-30).
Jesus and the Sabbath
Did Jesus do away with Sabbath observance for his followers? A careful look at the Gospels shows that Jesus had great respect for the Sabbath, even though he had disagreements with some of the extra Sabbath regulations added by the religious leaders. Jesus said that “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28). By saying this, Jesus affirmed the importance of the Sabbath while also emphasizing that meeting human needs takes priority over strict Sabbath rules.
In Mark 3:1-6, Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and provokes the anger of the Pharisees who had confronted him previously about supposed Sabbath violations. Jesus responds by saying “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4). Christ asserts his authority over even the Sabbath law, stating that doing good and saving life takes precedence.
At the same time, Jesus kept the Sabbath and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath as was his custom (Luke 4:16). He did not abolish the Sabbath, but challenged the legalistic and hypocritical ways in which some of the religious elite observed it.
The Sabbath in the Early Church
After Christ’s death and resurrection, the early church continued to observe the Sabbath along with gathering on the first day of the week. In Acts 13:13-15, Paul and his companions go to the synagogue on the Sabbath and it says “after the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” This shows the practice of gathering on the Sabbath for worship continued.
In addition, the first day of the week quickly emerged as an important day of worship for the early believers to commemorate Christ’s resurrection. In Acts 20:7 it says “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” This shows that the early church incorporated both Sabbath worship on the seventh day and worshipping together on Sunday, the day Christ rose from the dead.
Colossians 2:16-17
One important passage about the Sabbath is Colossians 2:16-17, which states: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” Some interpret this to mean that the Sabbath was merely part of the Old Testament law that was nailed to the cross.
However, the overall context of Colossians 2 is combating the false “philosophy and empty deceit” (verse 8) of certain teachers who promoted asceticism and the worship of angels (verses 18, 23). Paul’s message here is to not let anyone judge or condemn Christians regarding food, festivals, Sabbaths, etc. He affirms their freedom in Christ. But this does not necessarily mean the Sabbath has been completely abolished, particularly since we see evidence elsewhere that the early church continued to keep it.
Hebrews 4 and Rest in Christ
The book of Hebrews has some very important teaching about the Sabbath rest. The author states that “although God’s works were finished from the foundation of the world…there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God” (Hebrews 4:3,9). Entering God’s “Sabbath rest” is linked with salvation by grace through faith, not through works (Hebrews 4:10).
This passage shows that the Sabbath symbolizes our eternal rest in Christ. Just as God entered His rest after Creation, we now can find ultimate spiritual rest through faith in Christ (Hebrews 4:3). While weekly Sabbath-keeping is not explicitly mentioned here, this passage does not rule it out either. It shows the theological meaning behind the Sabbath, but does not negate the idea of still setting aside one day in seven for rest and worship.
Jesus said he is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8). He has authority over it. Hebrews 4 reinforces that our Sabbath rest in Christ is not about legalistic observance of rules but about trusting and depending on Jesus’ finished work on our behalf.
The Lord’s Day in Revelation 1:10
Revelation 1:10 says “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” Some believe this is evidence the early church considered Sunday the “Lord’s Day” in honor of Christ’s resurrection. The exact phrase “Lord’s day” is not found anywhere else in Scripture, so there is debate about what day this refers to. But Jesus declared Himself “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8). So it is certainly plausible that the apostle John and the early believers designated Sunday, the day Christ rose, as the Lord’s Day.
Romans 14 – Freedom Regarding Sacred Days
Romans 14 provides wisdom for how Christians should handle disputed issues like sacred days. Verse 5 says, “One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” Paul instructs believers to be considerate of each other and not force their opinions on others.
The main point is to act in love (Romans 14:14-19). Rather than mandating a certain day, Paul emphasizes Christian freedom to follow one’s conscience. This would presumably apply to the Sabbath. While God’s Word provides principles to guide us, it allows for diversity in how believers apply Sabbath teachings.
The Early Church Fathers on the Sabbath
Looking at early church history provides some helpful insights on how the first few generations of believers after the apostles handled the Sabbath. The Didache, an early second century church manual, instructs Christians to gather together on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) for fellowship, the Eucharist, and teaching (Didache 14). This reflects the practice mentioned in Acts 20:7 of gathering to worship on the first day.
Justin Martyr, writing around AD 155, described Sunday worship gatherings following a portion of Scripture read, a sermon, prayer, and the Eucharist (First Apology, Ch 67). He said Sunday was the day “on which we all hold our common assembly”.
However, these same early church fathers indicate that some level of Sabbath observance continued. The Didache instructs believers to still keep the Sabbath “as far as you are able” (Didache 14). Justin Martyr considered the Sabbath simply as one of the days Christians gather, not abrogated but perhaps observed with less strictness (Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, 12-13, 18, 21-24). Irenaeus (late second century) similarly describes the Decalogue commandments including the Sabbath as enduring moral laws for believers (Against Heresies, Book IV, Chaps 12–15).
So the evidence indicates the early post-apostolic church valued the Fourth Commandment and held worship services on the Sabbath while also gathering on Sundays. This shows continuity with the apostles’ practice.
Principles for Christians Regarding the Sabbath
In light of all the biblical evidence, what principles can guide Christians in determining whether or how to observe the Sabbath?
- The Sabbath remains a biblical principle grounded in Creation and the Fourth Commandment. It was made for mankind’s benefit.
- Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath in Himself on our behalf and declared Himself Lord of the Sabbath. We find ultimate rest in Christ.
- The apostles kept the Sabbath but began also gathering on Sunday to celebrate Christ’s resurrection as the “Lord’s Day.”
- The moral law contained in the Ten Commandments still instructs Christians, but we are not saved by law-keeping.
- Passages like Romans 14 and Colossians 2 emphasize liberty in matters of sacred days. Christians should not judge each other in non-essential issues.
- How a Christian applies Sabbath principles will vary. Some congregations gather on Saturdays, others on Sundays, some do both.
- The main focus should be resting from work and gathering for worship while providing for urgent needs, as Christ taught.
In conclusion, Scripture does not definitively answer whether strict seventh day Sabbath observance is obligatory for Christians. God’s word indicates there is freedom for conscientious believers to apply Sabbath commands in various ways, focused around worship of Christ.
The Sabbath remains a blessing and gift of God to all humanity. While we are not saved by keeping it, as disciples of Jesus we still have opportunity to honor God and practice Sabbath principles in ways that uplift the body of Christ.