Aug 59 min read

Must Christians Keep the Sabbath?

The Bible's Perspective on Observing the Sabbath

The New Testament clarifies that Christians are not obligated to observe a weekly Sabbath. Instead, Christians are under “the law of Christ,” which does not mandate Sabbath observance (Galatians 6:2; Colossians 2:16-17). To understand this fully, we must first explore the origin and purpose of the Sabbath.

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What is the Sabbath?

The term "Sabbath" is derived from a Hebrew word meaning "to rest" or "to cease." It appears first in the Bible in the context of commands given to the ancient Israelites (Exodus 16:23). The fourth of the Ten Commandments instructed: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it sacred. You are to labor and do all your work for six days, but the seventh day is a sabbath to Jehovah your God. You must not do any work" (Exodus 20:8-10). The Sabbath lasted from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, during which Israelites could not travel, light fires, gather wood, or carry burdens (Exodus 16:29; 35:3; Numbers 15:32-36; Jeremiah 17:21). Violating the Sabbath was a capital offense (Exodus 31:15).

Other days in the Jewish calendar, as well as the seventh and fiftieth years, were also designated as Sabbaths. During these Sabbath years, the land was to lie fallow, and debts among Israelites were forgiven (Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:6-7, 32; 25:4, 11-14; Deuteronomy 15:1-3).

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Jesus' Sacrifice and the Obsolescence of the Sabbath Law

Why the Sabbath Law Doesn't Apply to Christians

The Sabbath law was specific to the people under the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 5:2-3; Ezekiel 20:10-12). God never required non-Israelites to observe the Sabbath. Furthermore, with the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, even Jews were "released from the Law" of Moses, including the Ten Commandments (Romans 7:6-7; 10:4; Galatians 3:24-25; Ephesians 2:15). Christians are instead guided by the superior law of love (Romans 13:9-10; Hebrews 8:13).

Understanding the Sabbath in the Old Testament

The Origin of the Sabbath

The Sabbath, derived from the Hebrew word meaning "to rest" or "to cease," is first introduced in the Bible within the context of the commands given to ancient Israel. Exodus 16:23 records: "Tomorrow is a day of solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Jehovah." This command is later formalized in the Ten Commandments: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Jehovah your God. On it, you shall not do any work" (Exodus 20:8-10). The Sabbath, lasting from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, required the Israelites to abstain from labor, travel, kindling fires, gathering wood, and carrying loads (Exodus 16:29; 35:3; Numbers 15:32-36; Jeremiah 17:21). Violating the Sabbath was a serious offense, punishable by death (Exodus 31:15).

The concept of the Sabbath extended beyond the weekly day of rest. Specific days in the Jewish calendar and the seventh and fiftieth years were also designated as Sabbaths. During these Sabbath years, the land was to remain uncultivated, and debts among Israelites were forgiven (Leviticus 16:29-31; 23:6-7, 32; 25:4, 11-14; Deuteronomy 15:1-3).

Sabbath as a Sign Between God and Israel

The Sabbath served as a covenant sign between Jehovah and the nation of Israel. Exodus 31:16-17 states: "The sons of Israel must keep the Sabbath, so as to carry out the Sabbath during their generations. It is a covenant to time indefinite. Between me and the sons of Israel, it is a sign to time indefinite." This clearly establishes the Sabbath as a distinctive marker of God's covenant with Israel, not a universal requirement for all humanity.

The Fulfillment and Obsolescence of the Sabbath Law

Christ's Sacrifice and the End of the Mosaic Law

The New Testament reveals that with the coming of Jesus Christ, the Mosaic Law, including the Sabbath, was fulfilled and thus rendered obsolete for Christians. Romans 10:4 declares: "Christ is the end of the Law, so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness." This signifies that the righteousness required by God is now achieved through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic Law.

Paul further elaborates in Colossians 2:13-16: "[God] kindly forgave us all our trespasses and blotted out the handwritten document against us, which consisted of decrees and which was in opposition to us. Therefore, let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a festival or of an observance of the new moon or of a Sabbath." This passage indicates that the obligations of the Mosaic Law, including the Sabbath, are no longer binding on Christians.

The Law's Role and Its Completion in Christ

Galatians 3:24-25 explains: "The Law has become our tutor leading to Christ, that we might be declared righteous by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor." The Mosaic Law served to lead people to Christ by highlighting the need for a savior. With Christ's advent, the Law's role was completed.

The Theological and Practical Implications of the Sabbath for Christians

The Law of Christ and the Sabbath

Christians are guided by the law of Christ, which emphasizes love and faith over ritual observances. Romans 13:9-10 summarizes the moral teachings of the Law: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law."

Hebrews 8:13 declares the new covenant, making the old one obsolete: "In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away."

Spiritual Rest in Christ

The New Testament teaches a spiritual rest found in Christ, surpassing the physical rest of the Sabbath. Hebrews 4:9-10 states: "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." This rest is characterized by faith in Christ rather than physical cessation of labor.

Freedom in Observance

Christians have the freedom to decide whether to set aside specific days for rest and worship. Romans 14:5-6 advises: "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. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord."

Understanding the Broader Context of Sabbath Observance

Historical Context of Sabbath Observance

Historically, the Sabbath was given specifically to Israel as a sign of their covenant with God. Exodus 31:16-17 clarifies: "The sons of Israel must keep the Sabbath, so as to carry out the Sabbath during their generations. It is a covenant to time indefinite between me and the sons of Israel."

The Role of the Sabbath in the Mosaic Law

The Sabbath was an integral part of the Mosaic Law, which served as a temporary covenant until the coming of Christ. Galatians 3:24-25 explains that the Law was a tutor leading to Christ, but with the arrival of faith in Jesus, the role of the Law was fulfilled.

Transition from Mosaic Law to the Law of Christ

Romans 7:6-7 emphasizes that Christians are released from the Law: "Now we have been discharged from the Law, because we have died to that by which we were being held fast. What, then, shall we say? Is the Law sin? Never may that become so! Really I would not have come to know sin if it had not been for the Law; and, for example, I would not have known covetousness if the Law had not said: ‘You must not covet.’”

Practical Implications for Christian Worship

While the Mosaic Law, including the Sabbath, is no longer binding on Christians, the principles of love and faith that underpin the Law remain central to Christian worship. Christians are encouraged to express their faith through love and obedience to Christ's teachings.

Additional Thoughts on Sabbath Observance

The Spiritual Significance of Rest in Christ

The true rest for Christians is found in their faith in Christ, which provides a deeper spiritual rest beyond the physical rest of the Sabbath. This spiritual rest is continuous and not confined to a specific day of the week.

Freedom and Individual Conscience

Christians are free to decide how they observe days of rest and worship, guided by their conscience and faith in Christ. Romans 14:5-6 supports this individual freedom in worship practices.

The New Covenant of Grace

Under the new covenant, Christians live by the grace and love of Christ, not by the ritualistic observances of the old covenant. This new way of living is characterized by a heartfelt obedience to God's commands and a deep-seated faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

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Common Misconceptions About the Sabbath

Misconception: God Instituted the Sabbath When He Rested on the Seventh Day

Some believe that the Sabbath was established when God rested on the seventh day of creation. However, Genesis 2:3 states: "God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." This verse describes God's rest, not a command for humans to observe the Sabbath. There is no mention of Sabbath observance before the time of Moses.

Misconception: The Israelites Were Under the Sabbath Law Before Receiving the Law of Moses

The Bible records that Moses informed the Israelites: "Jehovah our God made a covenant with us in Horeb" (Deuteronomy 5:2), which included the Sabbath law. The Israelites' initial experience with the Sabbath indicated its novelty to them. If they had observed the Sabbath while in Egypt, it would not have served as a reminder of their deliverance from bondage as stated in Deuteronomy 5:15. Moreover, the Israelites had to be instructed not to gather manna on the seventh day (Exodus 16:25-30), and they were unsure how to deal with the first recorded Sabbath breaker (Numbers 15:32-36).

Misconception: The Sabbath Is a Perpetual Covenant and Thus Still Required

Some translations refer to the Sabbath as a "perpetual covenant" (Exodus 31:16). However, the Hebrew word translated "perpetual" can also mean "lasting into the indefinite future," not necessarily forever. This same term is used to describe the Israelite priesthood, which God ended approximately 2,000 years ago (Exodus 40:15; Hebrews 7:11-12).

Misconception: Christians Must Keep the Sabbath Because Jesus Kept It

Jesus observed the Sabbath because He was born under the Law of Moses (Galatians 4:4). After Jesus' death, the Law covenant, including the Sabbath requirement, was nullified (Colossians 2:13-14).

Misconception: The Apostle Paul Observed the Sabbath as a Christian

Paul attended synagogues on the Sabbath not to participate in Jewish observance but to preach the gospel to those gathered (Acts 13:14; 17:1-3; 18:4). He preached "every day," not exclusively on the Sabbath (Acts 17:17).

Misconception: The Christian Sabbath Is on Sunday

There is no biblical command for Christians to observe Sunday as a day of rest and worship. Early Christians treated Sunday like any other workday. The notion of Sunday taking on Sabbath characteristics did not emerge until the 4th century under Emperor Constantine (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

Passages that seem to suggest Sunday was special, such as Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, are often misinterpreted. Paul met with believers on the first day of the week because he was departing the next day, and setting aside funds on the first day was a practical suggestion for budgeting, not a command for worship.

Misconception: Setting Aside One Day for Rest and Worship Is Wrong

The Bible allows each Christian to decide whether to set aside a specific day for rest and worship (Romans 14:5).

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Theological and Practical Implications of the Sabbath

Theological Context

The Sabbath law was part of the Mosaic covenant, designed specifically for the Israelites. As Christians, we live under the new covenant established by Jesus Christ, which emphasizes faith and love over the ritualistic observances of the old covenant (Hebrews 8:6-13).

Spiritual Rest in Christ

The New Testament shifts the focus from physical rest to spiritual rest in Christ. Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a "Sabbath rest" for the people of God, indicating a deeper, spiritual rest found in Jesus, who provides rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30).

Personal Devotion and Freedom

Christians have the freedom to choose how to express their devotion to God. Fasting, prayer, and rest are personal decisions, and the New Testament encourages believers to be fully convinced in their own minds about their practices (Romans 14:5-6). Thus, there is no obligation to keep the Sabbath.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).