Keaki Bryant
The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, and is a day of rest. It is one of the Ten Commandments, but there is no biblical text that states, You shall not keep the Sabbath. In the New Testament, Paul regularly went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, and Jesus kept the Sabbath too. So, why don't Christians keep the Sabbath?
Some Christians would argue that they do keep the Sabbath, referring to Sunday, the day of worship, as the Sabbath. However, the Bible clearly states that the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, not the first. So, Christians do not keep the Sabbath when they worship on Sunday.
The Sabbath was obligatory for the nation of Israel, but not for Christians. The Scriptures are silent on the observance of the Sabbath during the Church Age, and the commandment concerning the Sabbath day is not reiterated in the New Testament.
Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. It is a gift and a blessing, and not keeping it goes against our design. However, it is not a sin not to keep the Sabbath. Paul states that Sabbath is a no-judgment zone, and we are not to judge others on how they keep the Sabbath.
Observing the Sabbath is not a requirement of Christianity. The entire Law of Moses, which includes the Ten Commandments, is obsolete because Jesus Christ fulfills the law. We are not under the Mosaic Covenant; we are under the Law of Christ and the Law of the Spirit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sabbath is obligatory | No |
| Sabbath is a sin not to keep | No |
| Sabbath is a gift | Yes |
| Sabbath is a blessing | Yes |
| Sabbath is a commandment | Yes |
| Sabbath is a no-judgement zone | Yes |
| Sabbath is a shadow of things to come | Yes |
| Sabbath is a promise | Yes |
| Sabbath is a practice | Yes |
| Sabbath is a penalty | Yes |
| Sabbath is a token | Yes |
| Sabbath is a prophecy | Yes |
What You'll Learn
The Sabbath is a day of rest, not work
The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which means to desist, cease, or rest. The Sabbath is a weekly day of rest, from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday. This is the day on which God rested after creating the world.
Observing the Sabbath is about more than just taking a break from work. It's about unity with God, creation, and each other. It's an opportunity to stop and be present with God, to enjoy his presence, and to extend rest to the world around us.
The Sabbath is a gift and a blessing, not a burden. It's a day to step away from the hustle and hardship of everyday life and to set aside time to honour God's rule and dwell in his presence. It's a day to rest and recharge, to spend time with loved ones, and to reflect on the week that has passed.
Observing the Sabbath is not about following a set of rules or regulations. It's about embracing a day of rest and worship as a way to thrive and flourish in your daily life. It's about finding a balance between work and rest, and making time for what truly matters.
While Christians are not required to keep the Sabbath, it can still be a valuable practice. It's a time to step away from the busyness of life and reconnect with God and your community. It's a day to remember that we are created beings, living in the seven-day rhythm that God has established.
Ultimately, the Sabbath is about more than just a day of rest. It's about embracing a lifestyle of rest and trust in God, knowing that he is in control and that we don't have to strive or work constantly. It's about finding true rest and peace in him.
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The Sabbath is a gift from God
The Sabbath is also a gift from God because it is a day to be delighted in and enjoyed. Isaiah talks about those who speak of the Sabbath as a delight, and Jesus Himself said that the Sabbath was made for man. The Sabbath is a gift of time to be enjoyed, a day of unity with God, creation and each other. It is a day to be delighted in and enjoyed, rather than seen as a burden or a rule to be followed.
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The Sabbath is not obligatory for Christians
Jesus himself clarified the true definition of the Sabbath, asserting his role as the promised Messiah and pointing to his divinity. He understood the heart of the Sabbath—what God’s original command was pointing to. To understand Jesus’ point, we have to look at the context in which the Sabbath was established.
The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. It is a gift to us that is a blessing. It is a delight and a gift, and that is clear from the Genesis mandate. It is in the Torah, but it is also woven into the creation narrative, and that means it is almost like this is how it was supposed to be. This is from God’s mind, heart, and design, and it’s a blessing and a gift that we can step into and learn the practice of over many years.
The Sabbath is not a commandment we are bound to; it’s a promise we’re invited to enjoy. Sabbath rest is an invitation to practice for eternity in God’s presence. It is an act of regular and intentional trust in God’s rule on Earth. We shabbat in order to nuakh—when we stop working, we can truly rest in God’s presence.
Observing the Sabbath for modern Christians does not mean attending a weekly church service, turning off work emails, or volunteering in the community. It does not matter what day you observe the Sabbath. Sabbath could certainly include those activities, but the whole of the biblical story seems to emphasize the purpose of the Sabbath rather than specific rules for observing it.
As followers of Jesus, God does not expect us to live by Israel’s laws. The wisdom of these laws remains, and the law of the Sabbath is rich with significance for us today. Sabbath is not a commandment we are bound to; it’s a promise we’re invited to enjoy.
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The Sabbath is a shadow of things to come
The Sabbath is first introduced in the creation narrative of Genesis, where God rests on the seventh day after six days of creation (Genesis 2:2-3). This sets the pattern for a weekly rhythm of six days of work followed by a day of rest. The Sabbath is later given as one of the Ten Commandments to the nation of Israel (Exodus 20:8). Keeping the Sabbath was obligatory for the Israelites and was punishable by death if not observed (Exodus 31:14).
However, in the New Testament, we see a shift in the understanding of the Sabbath. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, states that no one should judge others regarding their observance of the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17). He explains that the Sabbath is a shadow of the things to come, with the substance belonging to Christ. This indicates that the Sabbath is no longer a matter of legalistic observance but is instead a gift and an invitation to rest in God's presence.
Jesus himself kept the Sabbath and clarified its true meaning. He taught that the Sabbath was made for man and that he, as the Lord of the Sabbath, fulfilled its true purpose (Mark 2:27-28). Jesus offered rest for the weary and burdened, inviting them to come to him and find true rest (Matthew 11:28-30).
Observing the Sabbath today is not about following a set of rules but about embracing the gift of rest that God has provided. It is a time to cease from work, dwell in God's presence, and find refreshment for our souls. While the day of observance may vary for different individuals and congregations, the principle of setting aside a day for rest and worship remains.
In conclusion, the Sabbath is a shadow of the things to come because it points us towards Christ and the rest that we find in him. It is a reminder of our need for rest and our dependence on God. By observing the Sabbath, we align ourselves with God's design for creation and find refreshment and renewal in his presence.
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The Sabbath is a day of worship
The Sabbath is a day of rest, a day to stop working and be present with God. The word Sabbath comes from the Hebrew word 'Shabbat', meaning 'to stop working'. It is also connected to the Hebrew word 'nuakh', meaning 'to dwell' or 'settle'. In the creation story, God rests on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2-3), and soon after, God creates humans and rests with them in the garden (Genesis 2:15). Sabbath, therefore, is about unity with God, creation and each other.
The Sabbath is a day to honour Jesus' rule, enjoy his presence and extend rest to the world. It is a time to trust God's invitation to come to him and truly rest. By taking a break from the hustle and hardship of the working week, we can set aside a day to honour Jesus' rule and enjoy his presence.
The Sabbath is a day to worship God. The Sabbath is a day to gather with other believers and worship God. It is a day to spend time with God, to pray and read the Bible. It is a day to rest in the work of Christ and enjoy the completion of the work that God has done for us.
The Sabbath is a day to practice for eternity in God's presence. By regularly and intentionally trusting in God's rule on Earth, we can make room for God to take up residence in our individual lives and communities. By observing the Sabbath, we take part in the new creation story, setting the stage for God to make his dwelling place once again on Earth.
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Frequently asked questions
According to some sources, it is a sin not to keep the Sabbath, as it goes against God's design for humanity. However, others argue that while it is not a sin, not taking a Sabbath rest may lead to burnout and exhaustion. Ultimately, the decision to keep the Sabbath is a personal choice, and individuals should not be judged for their decision.
Keeping the Sabbath is about more than just following a commandment; it is about finding rest and delight in God. By taking a break from our regular routines, we can honour God and spend time in His presence, which is beneficial for our well-being.
The Bible includes the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments, instructing people to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. It also mentions that God rested on the seventh day after creating the world, setting an example for humanity to follow.
Christians are not bound by the Law of Moses, which includes the Sabbath commandment. However, they can still find value in setting aside time for rest and worship, not as an obligation but as a choice. Observing a day of rest can be spiritually and physically refreshing.
Some Christians consider Sunday as their Sabbath, as it is the day of Jesus' resurrection. However, others argue that the Sabbath is still Saturday, the seventh day of the week, as established by God in Genesis.
