Sabbath in Christianity is the day of rest and worship that was instituted by God after the six literal creation days.
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: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Genesis 2:2-3 KJV
It is the day that was blessed and sanctified by God and is the fourth commandment of the Bible. (Exodus 20:8-11)
It is also a sign between God and His people. (Ezekiel 20:12,20)
How do Christians keep the Sabbath?
Bible-believing Christians keep the Sabbath by preparing themselves for it before Friday sunset when it begins. (Leviticus 23:32)
Then they go to Church or have a worship service at home with friends and family. The next day, on Saturday – the Sabbath Christians meet with fellow believers at Church to worship God together.
They sing hymns to God, read and study together the Bible, pray together, and help the people in need as well.
Some Christians however, are keeping the Sabbath on Sunday, although not biblical. But more on this later.
What is the true Sabbath day according to the Bible?
The true Sabbath day according to the Bible is Saturday, the seventh day of the week.
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: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:8-11 KJV
You may be confused because different calendars display different timing of the days.
But let’s consult the Bible.
Every Church agrees that Jesus died on Friday, “rested” in the tomb on Saturday, and rose on Sunday.
And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Luke 23:53-56 KJV
Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Luke 24:1-3 KJV
As we see from the above verses, Friday is the Preparation Day, Saturday is the Sabbath day or the seventh day of the week, and Sunday is the first day of the week.
Who changed the Sabbath day to Sunday?
The first change of the Sabbath day to Sunday was by Emperor Constantine of Rome in 321 AD.
The next act of change was done by the Catholic Church in the Council of Laodicea in 363 AD.
They came up with the idea that the Sabbath should be changed to Sunday because Jesus rose on that day.
But the Bible does not support such change, and God told us to not change anything from His Word! (Revelation 22:18-19)
Thus this change is not supported by God, and He warned us of a power that will “think to change times and laws”. (Daniel 7:25)
What does Jesus say about the Sabbath?
Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man. (Mark 2:27)
He also kept the Sabbath while He was here on Earth. (Luke 4:16)
He also said that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day!
How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
Matthew 12:12
Did Jesus abolish the Sabbath day?
He did not. He encouraged us to keep the Sabbath day, and He also told us that His laws are eternal.
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
If He had abolished the Sabbath day, why then did He remind His people about the Sabbath foreseeing the destruction of Jerusalem 40 years in the future?
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Matthew 24:20 KJV
What did God say not to do on Sabbath?
God told us to not do our work or our pleasure on His holy day.
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Isaiah 58:13 KJV
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: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Exodus 20:8-11 KJV
Are Christians required to keep the Sabbath?
Yes, as Christians we are required to keep the Sabbath as the Bible teaches, on the seventh day of the week, Saturday.
Is it wrong to cook on Sabbath?
Cooking or other similar activities like shopping, cleaning, or working are not appropriate for the Sabbath, the holy day of God.
Instead, we have 6 other days when we can make time for these activities and to be able to honor God’s holy day.
Conclusion – What is Sabbath in Christianity
Sabbath in Christianity is the day of rest and worship that was blessed and sanctified by God after the six literal creation days.
It is the fourth commandment of the Bible and it is mandatory for us today to keep it and honor it.
Unfortunately, many God-loving and sincere people keep the Sabbath on the wrong day – Sunday that has nothing to do with God or His commandments.
Jesus did rise on Sunday, but He did not establish any new commandment for that event. Instead, He established baptism in honour of His death and resurrection. (Romans 6:3-4)
Sunday keeping is man-made, and has nothing to do with God or His laws!
If we want to follow God, we must obey Him and His commandments, and always test every doctrine with His Word! (Isaiah 8:20)
Jesus told us:
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:15
My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary
The Days of Noah – Powerful Documentary (Video Format)
Bible Studies – Written Format
