1. The Old Testament Sabbath Was a Sign of the Mosaic Covenant — Not Perpetual for All Time
Exodus 31:13-17 (ESV)
> “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you... It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel...’”
The Sabbath was a covenantal sign between God and Israel, not a universal command for all nations or for the church.
The word "forever" in Hebrew ("olam") often means "for a long duration" or "as long as the covenant stands" (cf. Leviticus 16:34, Exodus 40:15) — not eternal in the absolute sense.
Colossians 2:16-17
> “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”
Paul teaches that Sabbath observance was a shadow, now fulfilled in Christ.
This explicitly frees Christians from legalistic Sabbath-keeping.
2. Jesus Fulfilled the Sabbath – He Is Our Rest
Matthew 11:28-30
> “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... and you will find rest for your souls.”
Hebrews 4:9-10
> “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.”
The true Sabbath rest is found in Christ, not in a specific day.
The author of Hebrews sees the Sabbath as typological, pointing to the spiritual rest believers now enter through faith in Jesus.
3. The Church Gathers on the First Day of the Week — the Lord’s Day (Sunday)
Acts 20:7
> “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them...”
This is a clear example of Sunday worship practice in the early church.
The gathering includes breaking bread (the Lord's Supper) and preaching.
1 Corinthians 16:2
> “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper...”
Paul instructs giving to be done on Sunday, showing habitual gathering on that day.
Revelation 1:10
> “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet...”
“The Lord’s Day” was recognized by the end of the 1st century as Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead.
The phrase parallels “the Lord’s Supper” (1 Cor. 11:20) — a sacred day for Christian worship.
4. Jesus Rose on Sunday and Appeared to His Disciples on Sundays
Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1
> “Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.”
John 20:19, 26
> “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked... Jesus came and stood among them...
Eight days later [another Sunday], his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.”
Jesus appeared to the disciples on consecutive Sundays, establishing a pattern.
The resurrection and these appearances sanctified Sunday as a day of victory, joy, and worship.
5. Pentecost Was on a Sunday (50 Days After a Sabbath)
Leviticus 23:15-16
> “You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath... You shall count fifty days... then you shall present a grain offering.”
Pentecost = 7 weeks + 1 day after the Sabbath = always a Sunday.
Acts 2:1 — The Holy Spirit came on Sunday, and the church was born on that day.
This monumental event (birth of the Church) occurred on Sunday, not Saturday.
6. The Constantine Myth Refuted
Constantine did not “change the Sabbath”. By the time of his reign (early 4th century), Christians were already worshiping on Sunday.
Constantine’s Edict of 321 AD made Sunday a legal day of rest in the Roman Empire to reflect existing Christian practice.
Evidence from early Christian writings:
Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 AD):
> “Let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day as a festival, the resurrection-day, the queen and chief of all the days.” (Letter to the Magnesians 9)
Justin Martyr (c. 150 AD):
> “But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God... created the world, and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.” (First Apology, ch. 67)
This confirms that Sunday worship predated Constantine by centuries.
Conclusion
Biblical and historical evidence makes it clear:
The Saturday Sabbath was part of the Mosaic covenant and is now fulfilled in Christ.
Christians are not required to keep the Sabbath as Israel did.
Sunday (the first day of the week, the Lord’s Day) became the day of worship because:
Christ rose on that day.
The church gathered on that day.
The Spirit came on that day.
Early Christians, including the apostles, worshipped on that day.
The idea that Constantine changed the Sabbath is a false myth contradicted by Scripture and early Christian writings.
Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath
This statement by Jesus is central to understanding the true purpose of the Sabbath, and it helps refute legalistic Sabbath observance under the New Covenant. Here's a deeper theological breakdown using that Scripture:
Mark 2:27-28 (ESV)
> “And he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.’”
Theological Significance
1. Sabbath was made for man:
Jesus clarifies that the Sabbath was intended as a gift, not a burden.
It was designed to serve human needs — for rest, reflection, and worship, not to enslave people under rigid rules.
When people elevate the observance of the day above the well-being of the person, they invert God’s intention.
2. Not man for the Sabbath:
The legalistic Pharisees had turned the Sabbath into a harsh law that enslaved people.
Likewise, modern groups who require Saturday worship for salvation or holiness fall into the same trap — exalting the law over the Lord.
3. The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath:
Jesus has authority over the Sabbath.
He is not only redefining its purpose but replacing the shadow with Himself.
In Christ, we enter the true Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9-10), not a strict day of observance but a life of resting in His finished work.
Application to Sunday Worship
Since the Sabbath was made for man, the church is free to gather on a day that reflects the new creation — Sunday, the day of resurrection and Pentecost.
Legalism that binds Christians to a Saturday Sabbath ignores that:
Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath.
The early church gathered on Sunday.
The church’s gathering is not about the letter of the law, but the Spirit of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:6).
Conclusion
Those who insist that worship must be on Saturday are exalting the day above the One who created it. They miss the redemptive shift in Scripture: the Sabbath was made to serve man, not enslave him — and now, in Christ, we are free to gather in the Spirit, especially on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), which commemorates the resurrection, new creation, and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath
When Jesus says, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:28, also in Matthew 12:8 and Luke 6:5), He is making a profound theological claim with several important implications:
1. Jesus Has Authority Over the Sabbath Law
By calling Himself "Lord of the Sabbath," Jesus declares that He has divine authority over how the Sabbath is to be understood and applied.
The Sabbath was instituted by God (Genesis 2:2–3; Exodus 20:8–11).
For Jesus to say He is "Lord" of it is to claim equality with God — an implicit claim to deity.
He is not merely an interpreter of the law like the Pharisees; He is the author of it and can fulfill, redefine, or transform it (cf. Matthew 5:17)
2. The Sabbath Points to Jesus
The Sabbath rest was a shadow of something greater — the true rest that would come in the Messiah.
Colossians 2:16-17 — The Sabbath was a shadow, but the substance is Christ.
Hebrews 4:9-10 — The true “Sabbath rest” for the people of God is found in faith in Christ, not in a day of the week.
Jesus is the fulfillment of the Sabbath, just as He is the Passover Lamb, the temple, and the high priest.
3. Jesus Offers the True Rest the Sabbath Symbolized
Matthew 11:28-30
> “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
This “rest” is not just physical — it’s spiritual, eternal, and redemptive.
Jesus provides what the Sabbath symbolized: peace with God, freedom from the burden of sin, and rest from works-based righteousness.
4. The Legalistic View of the Sabbath Is Obsolete in Christ
When Jesus healed, taught, and allowed His disciples to pluck grain on the Sabbath, He showed that human need and mercy are more important than legalistic restrictions.
The Pharisees accused Him of “breaking” the Sabbath.
But Jesus used these moments to demonstrate that He defines the Sabbath’s purpose, not tradition.
As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus shows that the Sabbath serves God's redemptive plan, not rigid ceremonial law.
Summary: What It Means that Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
He has divine authority to interpret, fulfill, and transform the Sabbath.
The Sabbath law finds its fulfillment in Him — He is our rest.
He frees us from legalistic bondage, offering a better, eternal Sabbath through salvation.
As Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus reorients us from a calendar-based rest to a Christ-centered rest.
So when Christians gather on Sunday, they are not violating a law — they are celebrating the victory of the Lord of the Sabbath, who fulfilled it and invites us into His eternal rest.
Title: The Shift from Sabbath to Sunday: Understanding the Christian Day of Worship
For
centuries, the debate has raged among Christians regarding which day
should be observed as the day of worship – Saturday, the traditional
Sabbath day of the Old Testament, or Sunday, the day of the Resurrection
in the New Testament. While both viewpoints have their merits, a closer
examination of biblical, historical, and theological evidence suggests
that Sunday, not the Old Testament Sabbath day, should be the day of
Christian worship.
### The Significance of Sunday in the New Testament
Central
to the Christian faith is the belief in the resurrection of Jesus
Christ. The New Testament accounts unanimously affirm that Jesus rose
from the dead on the first day of the week, which is Sunday (Matthew
28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). This event transformed the
disciples' understanding of the Sabbath and led them to gather for
worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2).
Furthermore,
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, another
significant event in Christian history, also occurred on a Sunday (Acts
2:1). This further solidifies the theological significance of Sunday as a
day of celebration and worship for Christians.
### Early Christian Practices and Traditions
The
earliest Christian communities, guided by the teachings of the
apostles, established the practice of gathering for worship on the first
day of the week. Historical records indicate that by the end of the
first century, Sunday had become the primary day for Christian
gatherings and worship services.
The Didache,
an early Christian document from the late first or early second century,
instructs believers to gather on the Lord's Day (Sunday) for worship,
emphasizing its distinction from the Jewish Sabbath. Similarly, the
writings of Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr, both early Church
fathers, affirm the observance of Sunday as the Christian day of
worship.
### Theological Shift and Symbolism
The
transition from Sabbath observance to Sunday worship reflects the
theological shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant inaugurated
by Jesus Christ. The Sabbath, with its focus on rest and remembrance of
creation, foreshadowed the rest and salvation found in Christ (Hebrews
4:9-10). However, the resurrection of Jesus brought about a new creation
and a new day of worship.
Sunday, often
referred to as the "Lord's Day," carries profound symbolism as the day
of Christ's victory over sin and death. It symbolizes the fulfillment of
God's redemptive plan and the dawn of a new era in salvation history.
By gathering on Sunday, Christians commemorate not only the resurrection
but also anticipate the future consummation of God's kingdom.
While
the Sabbath holds a significant place in Jewish tradition and history,
the New Testament presents Sunday as the day uniquely associated with
the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the birth of the Christian Church.
Early Christian practices and theological considerations further support
the observance of Sunday as the Christian day of worship.
Ultimately,
the choice of Sunday as the day of worship is not merely a matter of
tradition or convenience but is deeply rooted in the foundational events
and teachings of the Christian faith. As believers gather on the first
day of the week, they proclaim their allegiance to the risen Lord and
participate in the ongoing celebration of God's saving work in Jesus
Christ.
### Is the Sabbath for Christians?
If
recent emails I have received are any true indication, Sabbath worship
among those who claim to be Christians is becoming more and more
popular. Recently, I have heard that the Sabbath was never changed by
God; that we are still under obligation to keep it; that refusal to keep
it is the mark of the beast; that it was invented by Roman Catholics in
order to worship the Sun god. We will go to the Bible and a little
history to get at the truth.
The Heresy of Sabbath-Keeping
The
New Testament teachings of Paul, far from teaching the necessity of the
Sabbath, show that such a teaching is pure heresy. First, consider this
passage:
Colossians 2:16 “Let no man therefore
judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the
new moon, or of the sabbath days:“ 17 “Which are a shadow of things to
come; but the body is of Christ.”
In this passage, Paul says
that the keeping of Sabbath days was only a shadow of things to come. He
told the Colossians not to let anyone judge them concerning the keeping
of the Sabbath days (and other Jewish holy days). Since the Colossians
were saved Gentiles who would not have originally kept the Sabbath, Paul
is referring to those who would judge them for not keeping the Sabbath.
In other words, Paul is clearly saying that the keeping of the Sabbath
is no longer necessary. Those who would judge anyone else for not
keeping the Sabbath are the ones who are wrong. Here is another
important passage:
Galatians 4:9 “But now,
after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye
again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be
in bondage?” 10 "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years." 11
"I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain."
In
Galatians, Paul refers to the observing of days (which would include
the keeping of the Sabbath) as one of the "weak and beggarly elements"
which put men in "bondage." He is fearful (as he says in many ways
throughout the book of Galatians) that they are ready to return to the
bondage of Judaism after Jesus Christ has made them free.
The Sabbath as a Sign for Israel
The
Bible clearly teaches that the Sabbath was given as a gift to the
people of Israel. It was a special sign of God’s covenant between
Himself and Israel. Exodus 31:12-18 teaches this special relationship
between Israel and the keeping of the Sabbath. Note especially verses
sixteen and seventeen:
Exodus 31:16 “Wherefore
the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath
throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.” 17 “It is a
sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the
LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was
refreshed.”
To require Gentiles to keep the Sabbath is to
attempt to make Jews out of them. It is true that in Old Testament times
Gentiles went to the Jew to find the way of salvation. However, in this
age of grace, the Bible is just as clear that Jews must come to the
Gentiles to find the way to God. Peter, in referring to the salvation of
the Gentile Cornelius and his household, said, “But we believe that
through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as
they.” (Acts 15:11). In other words, Jews (like Peter) must be saved
according to the pattern of Gentiles (like Cornelius).
New Testament Worship on the First Day
These
modern Sabbath-keepers teach that worshipping on the first day of the
week was an invention of the Roman Catholics when they assimilated many
pagan practices. First of all, Roman Catholicism was not really
established as such until the fourth century after Christ. Up until that
time, there were some minor moves toward giving an elevated place to
the church at Rome, but there was nothing approaching Catholicism. In
fact, it took several centuries after this time for them to consolidate
their power into one head at Rome.
At any rate, worshipping on
the first day of the week began immediately after the resurrection of
Christ and continued from that time.
Consider the following points:
Jesus Christ Rose From The Dead On The First Day Of The Week (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
The Day Of Pentecost, When The Holy Ghost Came Down In Power, Was On The First Day Of The Week (Acts 2:1; Leviticus 23:15-16).
The Early Church Habitually Met On The First Day Of The Week (John 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).
The
First Day Of Every Week We Remember The Resurrection Of Our Lord As The
Beginning Of A New Dispensation In Which We Are No Longer Under The Law
But Under Grace (Romans 6:14-15; Galatians 4:21; Galatians 5:18).
CONCLUSION:
The Roman Catholic Church Was Not Established Until About Three
Centuries After Christ. Christians Meeting On The First Day Of The Week
Began Immediately After The Resurrection Of Christ.
Historical Support for First Day Worship
Finally,
consider how early Christians began to worship on the first day of the
week according to the historical records. It was mentioned as the day of
worship by the following men or in the following writings:
Ignatius in his Ad Magnesios written about 115AD.
An unknown author in The Epistle of Barnabas probably written between 107 and 120AD.
Justin Martyr who lived from about 100 to 165AD.
Tertullian who lived from about 160 to 220AD.
These
are just some of the earliest examples. The evidence to the contrary
just does not match up. Before the completion of the New Testament and
immediately afterwards, the Christian day of worship was the first day
of the week. On that special day every week we come together to worship
God and to remember that we serve a risen Saviour. Those who teach
otherwise try to bring Christians back under the bondage of the law.
Their false doctrine should be rejected. Let us worship our Saviour
truly on the day of His resurrection.
Sabbath Keepers EXPOSED!
Keeping the Sabbath is evidence of salvation?
There is not the slightest hint in the New Testament that the Sabbath was changed or abolished?
WRONG!
Colossians 2:14,16-17 state quite the contrary... "Blotting out the
handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us,
and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross... Let no man
therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday,
or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things
to come; but the body is of Christ." The Old Testament SABBATH was a
CEREMONIAL LAW, which pictured Jesus Christ, in whom we rest for the
salvation of our souls. This is evidenced by Hebrews 4:2-4, which
state...
"For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto
them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with
faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into
rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into
my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the
world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise,
And God did rest the seventh day from all his works."
This
passage of Scripture clearly evidences the fact that the Sabbath Day
was only symbolic of a person's faith (i.e., solely resting) in Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Mankind attempted to work his way to
Heaven through self-righteousness, but he utterly failed (Romans 3:19;
James 2:10). This is represented by man working 6-days prior to the
Sabbath Day. Today, Jesus is our Sabbath, i.e., He is the fulfillment of
what the Sabbath Day symbolized. In Christ we solely and completely
rest for salvation. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He was buried,
and He resurrected from the dead three days later according to 1st
Corinthians 15:1-4. This is the gospel (good news) message that brings
salvation to them that believe (Romans 1:16). Colossians 2:16,17 state,
"...or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come..." A
shadow is only cast when the sun is afar off in the distance. Once the
sun rises overhead, the shadow vanishes away. Hence, when Jesus Christ
fulfilled His earthly mission, He took the handwriting of ordinances
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the
way, nailing it to his cross (Colossians 2:14). There is NO Sabbath Day
today. It was nailed to the cross. Jesus has become our Sabbath, and in
Him alone we rest for our salvation. As you'll learn from the following
passage of Scripture, the Sabbath was indeed a picture of Jesus Christ,
Who is our Sabbath today in Whom we completely rest for salvation.
Hebrews 4:10, “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased
from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to
enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of
unbelief.” Anyone who adds observing or honoring the Sabbath Day as a
requirement to get to Heaven is putting forth a FALSE plan of salvation.
Adding human effort to the gospel horribly corrupts the plan of
salvation. You cannot experience the new birth unless you acknowledge
that you are a guilty sinner in God's eyes (Romans 3:19), and receive
the gospel (good news) of Christ's death on the cross for your sins, His
burial, and His bodily resurrection from the dead three days later (1st
Corinthians 15:1-4). Thus, Seventh Day Adventism is a satanic religion,
rooted in the New World Order (NWO), and will take you to the Lake of
Fire if you adhere to their errant teachings concerning salvation. SDA's
are sneaky, showing superficially that they are Christians, while at
the same time corrupting the meaning of faith by teaching that a person
must fulfil all the obligations [as they understand it] of being a
Christian in order to be saved (tithing, Sabbath Keeping, good works, et
cetera). SDA's also teach that blatant heresy that Michael became
Jesus, as do the Jehovah's Witnesses. Beware of NWO religions.
Sabbath Keepers Pervert the Scriptures and Worship the Sabbath
Erwin Gane further states...
When
we have true faith in Christ, we will not argue about whether it is
convenient to keep holy His Sabbath day. We will do it because Jesus
asks us to. Our Sabbath keeping will be the result and the evidence of
our faith in Him. We will observe the Sabbath day as a memorial of
creation ad a sign of Christ's work of sanctification in our hearts.
Sabbath keeping will be not only a sign of Christ's work for us, but
also an observance that strengthens our relationship with Him. It will
be a vital part of our Christian walk and a tremendous blessing to us as
we prepare for the seal of God and an eternity with our Lord.
Sabbath
Keepers are idolaters, worshiping the creature more than the Creator.
You'd think nothing else mattered in life except the Sabbath Day from
listening to these heretics. What did God say in Colossians 2:16, "Let
no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an
holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days..." God said not to
become misguided by false prophets would try to lead us away from
Christ. Carefully read Colossians 2:18,19... "Let no man beguile you of
your reward in a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding
into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his
fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by
joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together,
increaseth with the increase of God." The Scriptures are very
clear--only Jesus Christ is to be worshiped! Catholics worship Mary.
Charismatics worship speaking-in-tongues. Sabbath-Keepers worship the
Sabbath. Televangelists worship money. Christians are commanded to
worship the Lord! Sabbath Keepers are "vainly puffed up by his fleshly
mind, And not holding the Head..." (Colossians 2:18,19).
Pray this Prayer 🙏
Here is a heartfelt prayer of repentance and renunciation of Old Testament Sabbath-keeping as a legalistic ritual, and an embrace of the New Testament rest in Christ and worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday):
Prayer of Repentance and Rest in Christ, the Lord of the Sabbath
Heavenly Father,
I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging that I have at times misunderstood Your Word and the fullness of Your grace.
I confess that I have tried to honor You by keeping the Old Testament Sabbath as a religious requirement, believing that it brought me closer to You — but now I see that in doing so, I was holding on to the shadow and missing the substance, who is Christ.
Lord, Your Word says that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath, and that Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.
I repent of placing a day above the Lord who fulfilled it.
I renounce the legalism that bound me to Old Covenant rituals and clouded my vision of the freedom and rest found in Jesus Christ.
Today, I choose to enter into the true Sabbath rest — not by works, not by observing days, but by faith in the finished work of Jesus, who said, "It is finished."
I now understand that the Old Testament Sabbath was a shadow, but the reality is in Christ (Colossians 2:16–17), and in Him I have rest for my soul (Matthew 11:28).
I renounce any teaching, any religious spirit, and any fellowship that demands obedience to the Old Covenant Sabbath as a condition of righteousness or salvation.
Lord, give me the courage to leave any church or group that imposes such bondage and does not exalt the freedom of the New Covenant in Christ.
Lead me to a church that honors the Lord’s Day, celebrates the resurrection, and walks in the joy of the Spirit.
Jesus, You are my Sabbath rest.
You are the Lord of the Sabbath, and in You I cease from my works and rest in grace.
Help me to walk in truth, not tradition; in liberty, not law.
I embrace Sunday as the Lord’s Day, the day You rose, the day You poured out the Spirit, the day Your church gathers in joy and freedom.
Thank You for opening my eyes, for forgiving my ignorance, and for drawing me deeper into the life of grace and truth.
I now rest fully in You — not in a calendar, but in Christ alone, who is my peace, my rest, and my salvation.
In the mighty name of Jesus,
Amen.
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