What is the Difference Between Sunday and Sabbath?

The difference between Sunday and Sabbath is huge. Sunday keeping is the tradition of man and has nothing to do with the Bible or with God.

The Sabbath is the holy day of rest created by God and the fourth commandment. (Genesis 2:2-3), (Exodus 20:8-11).

The Bible is clear about the Sabbath as being the day of the Lord. (Exodus 20:8-11), (Mark 2:28), (Isaiah 58:13).

But Sunday – it is a normal day like the others despite people trying to exalt it.

The Bible does not teach anything about the holiness of Sunday.

In this post, we are going to explore more the difference between Sunday and Sabbath, and hopefully, there won’t be any more confusion on it.

Table of Contents

Does the Bible say that Sunday is the Sabbath?

No Bible verse teaches us that Sunday is the Sabbath. The Word “Sunday” in the New Testament is not mentioned even once.

Instead the “first day” is mentioned only 8 times in the New Testament.

Five of those times it refers to the women going to the tomb of Jesus on the resurrection day. (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2,9 Luke 24:1, John 20:1)

Another time is mentioned when the apostles were hiding due to the fear of the Jews.

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
John 20:19 KJV

Here is clear that is not a worship service, but they are hiding from the Jews.

The next verse is in Acts 20:7

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
Act 20:7 KJV

This is a verse cited often by many in support of Sunday rest, and for Sabbath being changed to Sunday.

However, this day is not talking about Sunday, but what we call today Saturday evening. This is because biblically a day starts at sunset and ends at sunset. (Leviticus 23:32)

The first day of the week corresponds to what we call Sunday today, but the Jews counted time differently.

The first day for them started on what we call today Saturday evening.

And Paul preached until midnight – what we call today midnight on Saturday.

The GNT translation of the Bible puts it this way:

On Saturday[a] evening we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day.
Acts 20:7 GNT

The Corinthians worshipped on Sunday?

This verse is another one often cited in support of Sunday observance.

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
1 Corinthians 16:2 KJV

Here is not talking about a worship service. The apostle Paul is requesting that Christians from the Church of Corinth lay aside some provisions at home.

He intended to pick those donations up while travelling to Jerusalem. More about this issue is mentioned in Romans 15:25-26.

And because Paul intended to travel a long distance that day, it cannot be the Sabbath, because it is a day of rest.

And that’s it for the mentioning of the first day in the New Testament!

The Sabbath however is mentioned in 55 verses.

In none of those do we find that it was changed. Please look it up for yourself!

Who changed the Sabbath day to Sunday and why?

The earliest recognition of the observance of Sunday as a legal duty is a constitution of Constantine in A.D. 321, enacting that all courts of justice, inhabitants of towns, and workshops were to be at rest on Sunday (venerabili die Solis), with an exception in favour of those engaged in agricultural labour…The Council of Laodicea (363) … forbids Christians from judaizing and resting on the Sabbath day, preferring the Lord’s day, and so far as possible resting as Christians.”
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1899 Edition, Vol. XXIII, page 654

As we can see from the above quotes, the Roman Emperor Constantine in 321 AD was the first to recognize Sunday as a day of rest followed by the Roman Catholic Church in 363 AD.

The truth is that Constantine was a pagan even after his supposed “conversion” to Christianity.

The Roman Catholic Church has also implemented many pagan doctrines and rituals in its teachings. The Sun is especially honoured in their symbolistic objects in the Church.

Why did they change the holy day of God?

Because this Church has fallen from the pure teachings of the Bible. She has fallen from the teachings of Christ. (Revelation 18:1-5).

It has a very dark history as a persecuting power of those who wanted to believe and follow the Bible only. Research the Dark Ages to find out more.

Is the Lord’s day Saturday or Sunday?

The Lord’s day is Saturday. (Exodus 20:8-11, Mark 2:28, Isaiah 58:13).

There is often confusion made by people saying the Sabbath is on Saturday and the Lord’s Day is on Sunday.

But the Bible is clear – there is only one day of the Lord and that is the seventh day of the week, or the Sabbath.

What did Jesus say about the Sabbath day?

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:17-19 KJV

Jesus also kept the Sabbath day!

Luke 4:16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the difference between Sunday and the Sabbath is huge. We have explored together how the Bible shows the Sabbath is on Saturday, the seventh day of the week.

It was never changed. Jesus kept it, and the apostles also.

Sunday was never instituted as a memorial for Christ’s resurrection as many have been taught.

The Bible never exalts Sunday, a normal working day.

God only blessed the Sabbath after His creation (Genesis 2:2-3).

Man changed the Sabbath and not God.

The decision is on us. Whom do we obey and listen to? The Word of God or man’s teachings?

References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Cb_wG5UTA&t=254s → 10 Misunderstood Bible Verses About the SABBATH | The TRUTH will Surprise You!

https://www.finalevents.com/Event2/venerable-day-of-the-sun.asp?p=O

My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary