Why Don’t Christians Keep The Sabbath?

Christians don’t keep the Sabbath, because the Catholic Church changed the Sabbath to Sunday in the Council of Laodicea.

The Church came up with the idea that the Sabbath should be on Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on that day.

Yet, the Bible does not teach such things! Instead, it tells us that we should not change anything from the Word of God! (Revelation 22:18-19)

Another reason why Christians don’t keep the Sabbath is because they are being told they are not under the Law anymore but under grace quoting Romans 6:14.

However, the very next verse says:

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Romans 6:15 KJV

What is the biblical definition of sin? “Transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4)

What is the law? The Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath! (Exodus 20:1-17)

Table of Contents

What is the Sabbath?

The Sabbath is the fourth commandment of the Bible that was instituted after the 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

When is the Sabbath?

The Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week.

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God:
Exodus 20:10

The seventh day is Saturday despite many different calendar interpretations.

We can find this in the book of Luke:

Luke 23:53-56 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 24:1-3 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.

Who is the Sabbath for? Is it only for the Jewish people?

The Bible says the Sabbath was made for everyone!

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mark 2:27 KJV

When God instituted the Sabbath the Jewish nation was not even in existence. Hence, He made the Sabbath for all of us, for mankind!

Why Don’t Christians Keep The Sabbath?

Christians don’t keep the biblical Sabbath because they’ve been told the Sabbath was transferred to Sunday, the first day of the week.

But there is no Bible verse to support this claim.

If the Sabbath was transferred on Sunday, why then Jesus when He predicts the destruction of Jerusalem 40 years in advance mentions the Sabbath?

But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
Matthew 24:20 KJV

He also said the following about the Law:

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.
Matthew 5:17-18 KJV

God does not contradict Himself, He is the same today, tomorrow and forever!

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Hebrews 13:8 KJV

Not under Law but under grace

Another popular doctrine told to Christians is that they do not need to keep the Sabbath anymore because we are not under law but under grace.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14 KJV

This verse does not mean that we are free to break God’s law! In the very next verse we find the following:

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Romans 6:15 KJV

Not being under law, and being under grace simply means not being condemned. After you confess and repent of your sins, and accept Jesus into your heart and life, God gives you His grace!

You are not condemned anymore for your sins, they are going into Jesus’ account and you receive His righteousness!

But this does not mean we are free to sin just because we are under grace!

Remember, that the Son of God came on this Earth and died for our sins because His Law was broken, and the Law is eternal!

What does the Bible say about keeping the Sabbath in the New Testament?

The Bible says in the New Testament that we are also to keep the Sabbath and the other commandments as well.

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

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Did Jesus Keep the Sabbath?

Of course Jesus kept the Sabbath.

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.

Matthew 5:17-19 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.

Did Paul Keep the Sabbath?

Paul also kept the Sabbath.

Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

Acts 17:2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Why is the Sabbath not mentioned in the New Testament?

It is mentioned. See the verses above from the book of Acts. It is also mentioned in Hebrew 4:4.

What about the apostles gathering on the first day of the week?

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

Some believe this is proof for the Sabbath being changed into the first day of the week – Sunday.

This was not a worship service, and the apostles were breaking bread every day! (Acts 2:46)

If this were true than Jesus would contradict Himself, and this is not the case!

Conclusion

In conclusion, Christians do not keep the real Sabbath because they’ve been told to honor Sunday, a normal working day not blessed and sanctified by God.

Another unbiblical doctrine is that we do not need to keep the Law anymore because we are under grace.

In the end, if we really want to follow God and if we truly love Him, then we must obey Him. (John 14:15)

His Word says the Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week, Saturday, and it was never changed nor will be. (Isaiah 66:23)

It all comes down to our decision, each one of us must make a choice! Who do we listen to? God’s commandments or man’s traditions?

My Letter To A Sunday Keeper – Sabbath Documentary