Sunday is not the Sabbath. Nowhere in the Bible do we find any verse that states Sunday to be holy. Nor does it say the Sabbath was changed to Sunday.
People mistakenly believe the Sabbath to be on Sunday due to various non biblical interpretations like Jesus rising from the dead on that day.
The Bible states the Sabbath is Saturday – the seventh day and it was never changed!
Old Testament References to Sabbath
The Sabbath is rooted in the creation narrative, where God sanctified and blessed the seventh day as the day of rest (Genesis 2:2-3).
The Fourth Commandment explicitly commands observance of the seventh day:
“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God:…” (Exodus 20:8-11, KJV).
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 reaffirms this command, remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
The Sabbath’s timing is unambiguous: the seventh day of the week (Saturday) aligns with the biblical week, which runs from Sunday to Saturday.
New Testament References to the Sabbath
Jesus observed the Sabbath on Saturday (Luke 4:16), and His teachings clarified its purpose:
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27-28).
The apostles continued the Sabbath observance (Acts 13:42-44, 17:2).
Early Christians also gathered on the first day of the week (Sunday) for fellowship and breaking bread (Acts 20:7;). However, these gatherings did not redefine the Sabbath as Sunday nor state those days to be worship service.
Early Church Practices
Roman Influence and Constantine’s Sunday Law
In 321 AD, Emperor Constantine declared Sunday a rest day for the Roman Empire, merging pagan sun worship with Christian practice. This political move severed Sabbath observance from its biblical roots.
Council of Laodicea (364 AD)
The Council condemned Sabbath-keeping, decreeing:
“Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday but shall work on that day… honouring the Lord’s Day [Sunday]” (Canon 29).
This marked a formal shift from Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday in mainstream Christianity. But there is no biblical support for this change.
They mistakenly attribute the Lord’s Day to Sunday. Yet the Bible says the Lord’s Day is Saturday! (Isaiah 58:13-14)
Theological Interpretation
Sabbath as the fourth commandment vs. Ceremonial Laws
The Bible states the fourth commandment as Sabbath keeping on the seventh day of the week.
When God wrote the Ten Commandments, He wrote them in stone to emphasize the unchanging nature of them. (Exodus 31:18)
There is a confusion between the Sabbath of the Ten Commandments and the Ceremonial sabbaths.
The Ceremonial sabbaths were nailed at the cross but not the 4th commandment seventh day Sabbath keeping law!
Continuity vs. Abrogation of the Fourth Commandment
While Sunday observance lacks direct biblical support, proponents argue the Sabbath’s moral principle (rest and worship) transcends specific days. However, Scripture never designates Sunday as holy or blessed.
“The Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10
The phrase likely refers to the Sabbath – the seventh day. (Isaiah 58:13-14)
Unfortunately, many attribute this day to Sunday, even though nowhere do we find such a declaration.
The Bible never transfers Sabbath sanctity to Sunday.
Denominational Views
Seventh-Day Sabbath Keepers
Groups like Seventh-day Adventists and seventh day Baptists uphold Saturday as the biblical Sabbath, citing Exodus 20:8-11, Genesis 2:2-3, Luke 4:16, and other verses.
The Sabbath was made for everyone, not only for a certain group of people. (Mark 2:27)
Sunday Keepers
Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox traditions observe Sunday, often citing tradition over explicit Scripture. The Catholic Church acknowledges the change as ecclesiastical authority (Catechism 2175-2176).
Non-Sabbatarian Views
Many Evangelicals reject strict Sabbatarianism, viewing every day as holy. Yet, the Bible is clear, only one day is holy – the seventh day of the week. (Genesis 2:2-3)
Linguistic and Cultural Factors
“Sabbath” vs. “First Day” in Scripture
The Hebrew Shabbat means “seventh day” (Saturday). The Greek mia tōn sabbatōn (“first day of the week”) refers to Sunday but never substitutes for Sabbath.
Cultural Shifts in Observance
Post-Constantine, Sunday replaced Saturday in most Christian cultures. However, linguistic and biblical evidence confirms the Sabbath remains the seventh day.
Practical Implications
Modern Worship Practices
Most Christians worship on Sunday, yet this tradition lacks biblical support.
Sabbath Rest vs. Sunday Observance
Revelation 13 talks about a worldwide enforcement of non biblical worship at the end of time. Those who will follow God and His commandments will worship on the biblical Sabbath, whereas the other group on the first day of the week, Sunday.
Both choices will have consequences. But in the end, John saw the obedient ones as victors and conquerors. (Revelation 20:4)
Conclusion
The Bible unequivocally designates the seventh day (Saturday) as the Sabbath, blessed and sanctified by God. (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 20:8-11).
Sunday observance arose from historical and political shifts, not biblical mandate.
While Christians honor Christ’s resurrection on Sunday, the Bible does not support this practice.
Scripture never redefines the Sabbath or transfers its holiness to the first day.
My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary
The Days of Noah – Powerful Documentary (Video Format)
Bible Studies – Written Format
