At first glance, the question, “What Is The Sabbath?” might seem straightforward. Exodus 20:8–11 describes the Sabbath as the seventh day of the week, a day of rest for the Israelites, commemorating God’s creation of the universe in six days followed by His rest on the seventh. However, varying interpretations have led to some confusion regarding the Sabbath’s meaning and observance.
Some Christian denominations, such as Seventh-day Adventists, consider the Sabbath as a day specifically designated for worship and attending church services. While they often advocate for abstaining from work on the Sabbath, the emphasis can sometimes lean towards the “day of worship” aspect more than the “day of rest.” Historically, the Sabbath was fundamentally a day of rest, a purpose maintained within the Mosaic Law (Exodus 16:23–29; 31:14–16; 35:2–3; Deuteronomy 5:12–15; Nehemiah 13:15–22; Jeremiah 17:21–27).
In the Old Covenant, daily sacrifices were performed at the tabernacle/temple, signifying continuous worship. Special instructions were also given to Israel concerning a “sacred assembly” on the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3; cf. Numbers 28:9). The Sabbath served as a covenant sign between Israel and the Lord (Exodus 31:13). The New Testament mentions Jews and converts meeting in synagogues on the Sabbath (Mark 6:2; Luke 4:31; Luke 13:10–16; Acts 13:14, 27, 42–44; 15:21; 16:13; 17:2; 18:4). With no work permitted, the Sabbath naturally became a suitable day for organized worship. However, the New Testament doesn’t explicitly mandate the Sabbath as a worship day for believers. The Christian church operates under the New Covenant, not the Mosaic Law.
The New Covenant, established through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, shapes the church’s understanding of worship. The Bible does not depict Christians specifically setting aside the Sabbath for worship. References to Christians meeting on the Sabbath in the New Testament generally refer to evangelistic activities in Jewish synagogues, which traditionally met on that day. Acts 2:46 notes that early Christians met daily. The Bereans engaged with Scripture daily (Acts 17:11). Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2 mention Christians gathering on the first day of the week, Sunday. There’s no indication in the New Testament that the apostles or early Christians observed the Sabbath as a prescribed day of worship.
Traditionally, Christian congregations have held their primary worship services on Sundays, the first day of the week, to celebrate Christ’s resurrection, which occurred on a Sunday (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
However, it’s important to recognize that Sunday is not a biblically mandated day for corporate worship either. No explicit biblical command designates either Saturday or Sunday as the required day for worship. Verses like Romans 14:5–6 and Colossians 2:16 grant Christians the freedom to observe a particular day or to consider every day as special. God desires continuous worship and service, every day, not limited to Saturday or Sunday.
In conclusion, the Sabbath holds deep historical and religious significance, rooted in the Old Testament as a day of rest and covenant between God and Israel. While some Christian traditions maintain Sabbath observance, the New Testament emphasizes daily worship and service, granting believers freedom in how they observe special days. The core message is a continuous commitment to God, transcending any specific day of the week.
Further Exploration:
To delve deeper into this topic, consider exploring resources on the relationship between the Sabbath day and Christian practice.
