Should Christians keep the Sabbath, or was that only a rule for people in Old Testament times? Let’s go through seven facts about the Sabbath to answer this question. By the way, the Sabbath is on Saturday (the seventh day), not Sunday as some believe.
Should Christians observe the Sabbath? It's a personal choice.
One person considers every day alike; another considers one day as more sacred than the other. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.
Christians are free to keep the Sabbath if they feel led to do so. But under the new covenant in Christ, we are not obligated to keep the Sabbath.
Sabbath keepers should not judge
Therefore, do not let anyone judge you by...a Sabbath day. These things were a shadow of the things to come; the reality is found in Christ.
The Sabbath was part of the Old Testament law
The law includes both moral and ceremonial aspects. The moral part of the law addressed things like lying, cheating, stealing, murder, and other kinds of immorality. Jesus affirmed and repeated everything in the moral law in the New Testament.
Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial law on the cross, doing away with dietary restrictions, circumcision, sacrifices, and the Sabbath requirement. The only one of the 10 Commandments not repeated in the New Testament was the one about the Sabbath.
The early church did not observe the Sabbath
The early church worshiped on Sunday, rather than Saturday on the Sabbath.
Sabbath-keeping was for Jews, not Gentiles
Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you…’
There is no record of Gentiles observing the Sabbath or being judged for not doing so.
By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Respect those who do observe the Sabbath
But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
If there are people who observe unnecessary laws, don’t try to influence them not to observe them, thereby making them go against their conscience.
We should observe the principle of rest
Just because there’s no mandate to rest on Saturday, doesn’t mean we should work around the clock without any time to rest, reflect, and connect with God.
Some will point out that Jesus observed the Sabbath, but it’s important to remember that He lived in the flesh as a Jewish man, and the law wasn’t fulfilled until He gave His life on the cross.
We don’t have to observe a Saturday Sabbath, but it’s permissible to do so, and it is wise to make sure to find time to rest.
