The Sabbath
What to Know
The Seventh-Day Sabbath is God’s First Appointed Feast: Established at creation (Genesis 2:2–3), the Sabbath predates Israel and the law given at Sinai, making it a universal institution for all humanity.
The Sabbath was Honored Throughout Scripture: Prophets, Jesus, and the apostles all observed the seventh-day Sabbath. Nowhere in the Bible is it changed to Sunday or abolished.
Jesus Affirmed the Sabbath’s Purpose: Jesus called the Sabbath a gift for mankind (Mark 2:27) and made it part of His moral practice (ethos), using it for worship, teaching, and healing.
The Apostles and Early Church Kept the Sabbath: The book of Acts shows Paul and others observing the Sabbath with both Jews and Gentiles. Hebrews 4:9 reaffirms a “Sabbath-rest” still remains for God’s people.
Sunday Observance Came Later: The shift to Sunday worship developed centuries after Christ due to Roman and ecclesiastical influence — not by biblical command.
Historical and Catholic Sources Admit the Change: The Catholic Church openly states it changed the day of worship to Sunday by its own authority, not based on Scripture.
The Sabbath Remains Central to God’s Plan: Prophets like Isaiah and Ezekiel show Sabbath observance continuing in the Millennial Kingdom, underscoring its eternal relevance.
The Sabbath Reflects God’s Covenant and Redemption: It symbolizes rest, peace, and wholeness in Christ and points to the coming Kingdom of God.
Global Language Supports the Sabbath: Over 30 world languages preserve the word “Sabbath” as the name for Saturday, reflecting its longstanding, universal recognition.
The first Feast of the LORD mentioned in Leviticus 23 is the weekly seventh-day Sabbath, a time appointed by God as a day of rest and worship emphasized throughout the Bible. While some argue that the seventh-day Sabbath (along with the rest of the law) was not instituted until the law was given to Moses at Mount Sinai, Scripture reveals otherwise. God established the Sabbath at creation, blessing and sanctifying the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3). The Sabbath was affirmed throughout the Old Testament, upheld by the prophets (e.g., Isaiah 56:2; Ezekiel 20:12, 20; Ezekiel 44:24), and honored by Jesus and His disciples (e.g., Matthew 12:12; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:16). Even after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles and the early Christian church observed the seventh-day Sabbath (e.g., Acts 13:14, 42-44; Acts 16:13).
There is no scriptural evidence that the Sabbath was ever changed to Sunday. A thorough examination of both the Old and New Testaments, along with historical and scholarly research, confirms that the seventh day (Saturday) remains the biblically endorsed Sabbath for all who seek to follow God and honor His redemptive plan. The practice of Sunday observance arose centuries after the apostolic era and lacks any clear biblical mandate. Recognizing the Sabbath as Saturday is neither an outdated tradition nor a custom exclusive to Judaism; rather, it is a foundational aspect of God’s design for humanity’s spiritual well-being and ultimate redemption.
From the very beginning, the Sabbath was rooted in the creation narrative itself. Genesis 2:2-3 declares, “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” This passage precedes the establishment of the Israelite nation, demonstrating that the Sabbath transcends ethnic and national boundaries. Its significance is not confined to the Mosaic Covenant but is woven into the very fabric of creation, intended as a universal gift for all humanity. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
Throughout the Old Testament, God reaffirmed the importance of the seventh-day Sabbath. The Fourth Commandment, recorded in Exodus 20:8-11, explicitly commands believers to “remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” This commandment is placed on equal footing with the other nine moral laws, none of which most Christians believe have been annulled. Ironically, the Sabbath is often the only commandment claimed to have been abolished, despite its extensive endorsement by the major prophets in the Old Testament and its reaffirmation in the New Testament.
The prophet Isaiah emphasized that the Sabbath was not limited to Israel alone but extended to all who would follow God. In Isaiah 56:2-7, he includes foreign converts and eunuchs among those who would be blessed by keeping the Sabbath. Isaiah’s prophetic vision of the future in Isaiah 66:23 describes humanity worshiping God “from one Sabbath to another,” indicating that Sabbath observance will continue into the Millennial Kingdom. Similarly, the prophet Ezekiel describes the Sabbath as fundamental to God’s future Kingdom. In Ezekiel 44-46, Ezekiel records prophetic visions of the future millennial temple, where the Sabbath is observed alongside Feasts, New Moons, and other appointed seasons. For example, Ezekiel 45:17 states, “Then it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, grain offerings, and drink offerings, at the feasts, the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and at all the appointed seasons…”
Other passages, such as Ezekiel 46:12-14 and Isaiah 66:22-23, reinforce the continued significance of the Sabbath during the Millennial reign of Christ. These prophecies affirm that the Sabbath is not merely a relic of the past but an eternal principle that reflects God’s design for humanity’s worship, rest, and relationship with Him. Its observance is deeply embedded in God’s plan for both the present and the future, making it a timeless practice for those who seek to align with God’s will.
Many argue that Sabbath observance, rooted in the Old Testament, is no longer required under the New Covenant. However, the New Testament provides clear evidence that this argument is incorrect. Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently upheld the seventh-day Sabbath. Luke 4:16 highlights that Jesus kept the Sabbath regularly, as it was “His custom” to attend synagogue on that day. While the English word “custom” might suggest a voluntary habit or tradition specific to a certain time or place, the original Greek word ethos conveys a much deeper meaning. It refers to “the inherent traits or disposition of an individual, reflecting their moral qualities or character.” For Jesus, the Sabbath was not merely a tradition or routine specific to that time and place — it was an intrinsic part of His moral nature and practice.
Jesus used the Sabbath as an opportunity for worship, teaching, and acts of mercy, demonstrating its true purpose and significance. He never suggested that the Sabbath should be abolished or changed. Instead, He clarified its true meaning, declaring in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” If the Sabbath was so integral to Jesus’ character and moral standard, does it not follow that those who claim to follow Him should view it with the same importance? How can those trying to follow Jesus reflect His nature, while neglecting something He so clearly valued and practiced?
Further, the apostles and early Church also continued to observe and honor the seventh-day Sabbath after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Acts 13:42-44 describes Paul preaching to both Jews and Gentiles on the Sabbath, while Acts 17:2 notes that it was Paul’s custom (the same Greek word ethos) to reason from the Scriptures on the Sabbath, just as Jesus had done. Even the book of Hebrews reinforces the enduring nature of the Sabbath. Hebrews 4:9 states, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest (sabbatismos) for the people of God,” affirming that the Sabbath commandment remains relevant for believers under the New Covenant. Nowhere in Scripture is there any record of Jesus or the apostles instituting Sunday as a replacement for the Sabbath. Instead, the historical shift toward Sunday observance emerged over centuries, driven by political, social, and religious influences, not by clear biblical instruction.
Historical research strongly supports the evidence that the shift from Sabbath observance on the seventh day (Saturday) to Sunday worship was not biblically mandated, but arose gradually over centuries. Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi, in his work From Sabbath to Sunday, details how this change was driven by Roman cultural and religious practices, as well as church councils that sought to distance Christianity from its Jewish roots. This transition was later formalized through the influence of the Roman Church and the Roman Empire, not through scriptural instruction.
Additional scholarly resources, such as Sabbath Truth and the United Church of God’s Sunset to Sunset: God’s Sabbath Rest, document how early Christians — both Jewish and Gentile — faithfully observed the seventh-day Sabbath for centuries following Christ’s resurrection. These sources highlight that Sunday observance was later institutionalized through traditions and decrees of the Catholic Church.
Remarkably, the Catholic Church itself openly acknowledges this change. In The Catechism of the Catholic Church and other official publications, it is stated that the Church, by its authority, transferred the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday. The Catholic Encyclopedia, available on their website, emphasizes that this change was not based on biblical instruction but on ecclesiastical authority. For instance, The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine states, “The Church substituted Sunday for Saturday by the plenitude of that divine power which Jesus Christ bestowed upon her.”
This raises a critical question for belivers: If the seventh-day Sabbath was sanctified by God at creation and upheld by Jesus and the apostles, does an institution have the authority to alter what God established? By observing Sunday, are people not affirming a change made by human authority rather than God’s command? Some may argue that the specific day of worship is unimportant. But if the Sabbath was set apart by God and reinforced throughout Scripture, would it not be more meaningful to align with what God ordained rather than with a tradition introduced centuries later by an organization?
Could it be that by observing Sunday, one is unintentionally prioritizing human tradition over God’s eternal standard?
The biblical and historical evidence clearly supports the seventh-day Sabbath as a continuing practice for those seeking to honor God’s design for worship, rest, and spiritual renewal.
The Sabbath’s significance extends far beyond mere legalism. It embodies God’s redemptive plan, symbolizing the rest, peace, and wholeness that come from a right relationship with Him. Just as God completed creation and rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath points believers toward the ultimate spiritual rest and restoration promised through Christ’s redemptive work and the future establishment of His Kingdom. By observing the Sabbath, believers affirm their dependence on God rather than on human effort or cultural norms. Far from being abolished, as many Christians claim today, Jesus enlarged its meaning, emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for humanity’s well-being and to honor God’s intentions.
Critically, there is no scriptural basis to suggest the Sabbath was transferred to Sunday. The Resurrection of Christ, often cited as the reason for Sunday observance, is never biblically connected to a change in the Sabbath day. In fact, closer examination shows that the Resurrection has a stronger connection to the Sabbath itself and did not occur on Sunday, as is widely believed. This makes the seventh-day Sabbath not only biblically sound but also deeply symbolic of God’s covenant with humanity.
If you’re interested in researching more about the Sabbath and the change from Saturday to Sunday, we’ve provided additional references here for your review.
The seventh-day Sabbath stands as a timeless sign of God’s covenantal relationship with His creation (Ezekiel 20:12). Interestingly, its significance is echoed across many cultures and languages around the world. For example, in over 30 languages, the word for Saturday is derived from the word “Sabbath.” This linguistic consistency highlights the enduring acknowledgment of the seventh day’s sanctity, even in cultures that may not recognize its biblical origins. In contrast, no such distinction is made for Sunday in these languages, underscoring the Sabbath’s unique and God-ordained role. This global testament to the Sabbath’s significance serves as a powerful reminder of its place in God’s design for humanity.
Semitic Languages
Hebrew: שבת (Shabbat)
Arabic: السبت (As-Sabt)
Amharic: ሰንበት (Sänbet)
Romance Languages
Spanish: Sábado
Portuguese: Sábado
Italian: Sabato
French: Samedi (from Latin Sabbatum, combined with dies)
Catalan: Dissabte
Galician: Sábado
Romanian: Sâmbătă (derives indirectly from Sabbath)
Occitan: Dissabte
Slavic Languages
Russian: Суббота (Subbota)
Ukrainian: Субота (Subota)
Belarusian: Субота (Subota)
Polish: Sobota
Czech: Sobota
Slovak: Sobota
Bulgarian: Събота (Sǎbota)
Macedonian: Сабота (Sabota)
Serbo-Croatian: Субота / Subota
Slovenian: Sobota
Germanic Influence
Yiddish: שבת (Shabbes) (note: borrowed directly from Hebrew).
Hellenic Languages
Greek: Σάββατο (Sabbato)
Baltic Languages
Latvian: Sestdiena (indirect root via Sabbath)
Lithuanian: Šeštadienis (indirect root via Sabbath)
Non-Indo-European Languages
Georgian: შაბათი (Shabati)
Indic Languages (borrowed from Arabic/Hebrew influence)
Hindi: शनिवार (Shanivaar)
Urdu: ہفتہ )Hafta, indirectly related through Persian influence on "week")
Other Languages with Religious or Historical Borrowing
Maltese: Sibt (direct borrowing from Semitic roots)
Ethiopian Semitic (e.g., Tigrinya): ሰንበት (Sänbet)
Ancient Languages
Latin: Sabbatum
Ancient Greek: Σάββατον (Sabbaton)