What is the Sabbath?

March 2
Recently, I was discussing the issue of whether or not Jesus’ followers should be worshipping on the seventh day (Saturday, the real Sabbath) or on the first day of the week (Sunday), the traditional day the early church began meeting in honor of Jesus’ resurrection (Jn. 20:19; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 16:2). The first thing we should consider when arguing for one or the other is that the bible does not demand either. As a matter of fact, what it demands is that no one be judged one way or another for his choice (Romans 14:5, 6; Col. 2:16, 17). The second thing we must consider is the biblical evidence that the first century churches met every day of the week (Acts 2:46, 47; 5:42). It seems when the church moved from the home church structure to meeting in huge buildings (about A.D. 386), it decided to establish the first day of the week as the traditional time to meet together corporately. As it moved further from its Jewish roots, it lost contact with the need to honor the Sabbath in any way.


Probably the strongest argument against any need to honor the Sabbath today comes from Hebrews 3 and 4. On the one hand, Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:18 not an iota of the law shall pass away except it be fulfilled, on the other hand it seems His death on the cross fulfilled the requirement of resting on the Sabbath. The writer of Hebrews tells us the Sabbath day of rest was a figurative reference to the rest we enter when we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and become part of the New Covenant with Jesus as Lord.

Next we need to consider the Abrahamic Covenant. The requirement to observe the Sabbath was specifically part of the covenant between God and the Jews (Ex. 31:13-17). It was the way they specifically and uniquely honored the God of Creation who had called them to be different. It is important to also understand the Hebrews had several days a year besides the Sabbaths when they were required cease from any kind of work. We would be remiss, however, if we ignored Isaiah 56:6, 7; 58:13, 14 where we read that God promised blessing for anyone of any generation who honors the Sabbath.

Finally, I believe the fact that the council at Jerusalem did not mention anything to the early churches that indicated they were expected to honor the Sabbath kind of puts the proverbial nail in the coffin (Acts 15:19-21; 28, 29). That instruction was meant to correct some suggestions brought to the new churches by false representatives of the Jews at Jerusalem who were trying to insist they had to observe Jewish traditions to be saved. It’s inconceivable the issue of the Sabbath would have been left out incidentally.

In conclusion, as members of the body of Christ, we are actually supposed to be honoring every day alike, making sure we meet together corporately as often as we can for fellowship, prayer, breaking of bread (meaning both communion and eating meals together), and studying the apostles’ doctrine. If one church insists on meeting corporately on Saturday, that’s okay. If another decides it wants to meet on Sunday, that’s okay. If another church decides it wants to meet on Tuesday, that’s okay too. That’s the whole point of Paul’s teaching in Romans 14. The issue is certainly not one that should divide any one follower of Jesus from another. And the really sad things is, that most believers today should be meeting two or three times a week for two or three hours of intense bible instruction each time they meet from one who is called to teach God’s word to His flock. That’s what first century churches did because they realized one can’t be a vital part of the church and witness powerfully to the resurrection of Christ unless he thoroughly knows His word. And one cannot ever come to a thorough knowledge of His word hearing a half hour sermon once a week. Now, go and tell someone today what great things God has done for you.