The Truth about the Sabbath Day: Saturday or Sunday?

The Truth about the Sabbath Day: Saturday or Sunday?hould be observed on Saturday, while others believe that Sunday is the appropriate day of worship. To understand the truth about the Sabbath, it is essential to examine the historical and biblical evidence surrounding this topic.

The Sabbath in Biblical Times

In the book of Genesis, it is stated that God instituted the Sabbath on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). However, there is no biblical record of the Sabbath being observed before the children of Israel left Egypt. The commandment to observe the Sabbath was given to the Israelites as a sign of their covenant with God (Exodus 31:16-17). It was a day of rest and remembrance of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15).

Throughout the Old Testament, there are numerous references to the observance of the Sabbath by the Israelites. Breaking the Sabbath was considered a serious offense, punishable by death (Exodus 31:15; Numbers 15:32-35). The Sabbath was a central part of Jewish religious practice and was strictly observed by the Israelites.

The Sabbath in the New Testament

In the New Testament, there are several important points to consider regarding the Sabbath. Firstly, whenever the day is mentioned in relation to Christ's resurrection, it is always referred to as the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, 9, 10; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1, 13, 15; John 20:19, 26). This indicates a shift in focus from the seventh day to the first day.

Secondly, the only times the Sabbath is mentioned in the New Testament after the resurrection of Christ is in the context of Jewish evangelism and gatherings in synagogues (Acts 13-18). The apostle Paul, who was primarily responsible for spreading Christianity to the Gentiles, did not emphasize Sabbath observance. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:20, "To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews." His focus was on preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, rather than enforcing Sabbath observance.

Furthermore, in Colossians 2:16-17, Paul states that the observance of religious festivals, including the Sabbath, is a shadow of things to come, with the reality found in Christ. This implies that Sabbath observance is not a requirement for Christians.

The Change from Saturday to Sunday

The shift from Saturday to Sunday as the day of worship can be traced back to the early centuries of Christianity. During this time, there was a conflict between Christianity and the Roman religion. The Romans, who worshiped multiple gods, struggled to understand the monotheistic beliefs of the Jews and Christians.

In an effort to differentiate Christianity from Judaism, the Church in Rome began to observe Sunday, the day of worship for the Roman sun god Mithra, as the Christian day of worship. This was done to appease the Roman authorities and avoid persecution. The Roman Emperor Constantine, who played a significant role in the development of Christianity, also enforced Sunday rest by law.

Over time, Sunday worship became the norm in mainstream Christianity, while those who continued to observe the Sabbath on Saturday were considered to be "judaizing" and were deemed heretical by the Catholic Church. The authority of the Church and the influence of pagan sun worship played a significant role in the change from Saturday to Sunday.

The Sabbath Today

Today, the majority of Christians worship on Sunday as the first day of the week, regarding it as the Christian Sabbath. However, it is important to note that the biblical Sabbath is Saturday, not the seventh day of the week. The Sabbath was given to the Israelites, not the Church, and is still observed by Jewish communities.

The Sabbath, as a day of rest and worship, holds great significance in Jewish tradition and continues to be observed by those who adhere to the Old Testament laws. Christians, on the other hand, are not bound by the Old Testament laws but are called to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of the New Testament.

While the shift from Saturday to Sunday as the day of worship may have historical and cultural reasons, it is essential to remember that our relationship with God is not determined by the day on which we worship. As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 14:5-6a, "One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord."

In conclusion, the truth about the Sabbath is that it is Saturday, the seventh day of the week. However, the shift to Sunday worship was influenced by historical and cultural factors, as well as the authority claimed by the Catholic Church. Ultimately, the day on which we worship is a matter of personal conviction, and what truly matters is our relationship with God and our faith in Jesus Christ.