QUESTION:
DO CHRISTIANS NEED TO OBSERVE THE SABBATH?
ANSWER:
The Sabbath pointed to a greater rest—now fulfilled in Jesus Christ—so while a day of rest remains wise, believers are no longer bound to observe the Sabbath as a law.
The Sabbath has become a topic of fierce discussion, debate, and misunderstanding—even among Christian believers. Some think we must still observe the Sabbath or at least worship on it. Others completely ignore it. Still others are confused: if the Sabbath is Saturday, why do Christians gather for worship on Sunday? This article answers those questions by laying down the spirit of the commandment, the subjects of the commandment, the fulfillment of the commandment, and the reality of the new covenant.
1. The Origin of the Sabbath
The Sabbath began not with Moses but with God Himself. It was not only commanded; it was demonstrated. When God created the world, He worked for six days and then rested on the seventh:
“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)
Before the Law was given, the principle of Sabbath was already established. This shows that the Sabbath is not merely ceremonial—it holds a foundational role in the rhythm of life. God instituted the Sabbath before sin entered the world, indicating its practical value for all humanity, i.e., we should always take a day of rest..
2. The Sabbath Command: A Sign Between God and Israel
The command to observe the Sabbath was later codified in the Law given to Israel:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8–10)
This commandment was more than a suggestion—it was a covenantal sign:
“It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever.” (Exodus 31:17)
And the Law as a whole was given specifically to Israel:
“These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.” (Leviticus 27:34)
It’s important to note that during creation, the Sabbath served a practical purpose—rest. In the Law, however, it became a spiritual sign. Also, according to Jewish tradition, the Sabbath begins at sunset Friday and ends at sunset Saturday.
3. The Purposes of the Sabbath
Practical Purpose:
The Sabbath was given for human benefit. We are not machines. Our bodies and minds need rest. God designed us for a rhythm of work and rest:
“On the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:17)
Working seven days a week without rest is unwise. Even modern health experts advise a weekly day off. Sabbath, in its practical sense, is about recharging physically and mentally.
Spiritual Purpose:
God also gave the Sabbath as a reminder of redemption:
“And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out… therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15)
Here, the Sabbath takes on a spiritual meaning—rest in God’s salvation. It commemorates the freedom God gave Israel from slavery.
4. The Lord Jesus Fulfilled the Sabbath
Jesus Christ fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the Law—including the spiritual Sabbath.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Jesus is the true Sabbath rest. He is the ultimate fulfillment of what the Sabbath pointed to.
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16–17)
He also clarified its practical purpose:
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
This means the Sabbath serves humanity—not the other way around. The goal is rest, not bondage to rules.
“For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Matthew 12:8)
Jesus, as Lord of the Sabbath, taught that doing good and showing mercy on the Sabbath aligned with God’s heart.
5. Do Christians Need to Observe the Sabbath?
Under the new covenant, Jesus instituted new commandments. He fulfilled the old Law, including the Sabbath.
Therefore, Christians are not required to observe the Sabbath as the Jews did.
“Let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths… which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16–17)
The Sabbath was a shadow; Christ is the substance. On the practical side, a day of rest is still wise. But spiritually, our rest is now in Christ—not in a calendar day.
6. But Why Do Christians Worship on Sundays and Not Saturdays?
Here we need to clarify a very important teaching first: worship is not confined to a single day:
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17)
We are to worship God every day with our lives in everything that we do and not just in one gathering singing worship songs.
However, the early Christians met on Sunday, the first day of the week—the day Jesus rose from the dead:
“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7)
They gathered not to “worship God” (as if Sunday alone is holy), but to fellowship, pray, break bread, and study the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42). They also sang hymns and encouraged one another through spiritual songs:
“Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:19)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16)
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
Sunday gatherings are not a replacement Sabbath, but a celebration of the resurrection of Christ.
Final Thought
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
On the practical side, every human being should take a rest day. But on the spiritual side, believers are not bound by the Old Testament law to observe the Sabbath.
And those who insist on keeping the Sabbath spiritually should remember—it begins Friday at 6:00 PM and ends Saturday at 6:00 PM. That’s the biblical Sabbath, not just 3-4 hours of church service.
But we are no longer bound to the shadow. We now look to the substance—Jesus Christ:
“Come to Me… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
True rest—for the soul—is found in Him alone.
