Bible Questions and Answers

Must Christians keep the Sabbath? If not the seventh day Sabbath, which day should we keep?

The short answer is no – Christians are not instructed to observe the Sabbath.

The long answer is as follows:

There are two covenants.The Old Covenant was made with Israel at Sinai after Moses brought them out of Egypt.Under the Old Covenant Israel was commanded to keep the seventh day of the week — the Sabbath — in a special way.

God’s days go from sundown to sundown.Genesis 1:5 The seventh day, called the Sabbath, begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday.Exodus 20:8-11; Exodus 31:14-16;Exodus 35:2,3

Israel failed to keep the Covenant and so God promised a New Covenant which would be different from the Old. Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-12

The New Covenant replaces the Old. Hebrews 8:13

Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant. Hebrews 12:24

The Law of Moses was a tutor to bring God's people to Christ. Galatians 3:24 In Christ we are no longer under the tutor (the Law of Moses). Galatians 3:25 When we believe the gospel and are baptised into Christ we come under the New Covenant.

Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law in its entirety. He was the only one who could. In fulfilling it, he took it out of the way.In Christ we are ‘dead’ to the Law of Moses. Romans 7:4-6; Galatians 2:19

Circumcision and the rest of the Mosaic ordinances (including Sabbath observance) no longer apply. Galatians 3:13. We are required to obey the commandments of Jesus Christ, not the Law of Moses. John 15:14

Jesus commands us to remember him in a particular way. Luke 22:19,20;1 Corinthians 11:23-29

From this we understand that baptised believers are to share bread and wine in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and use the opportunity for self-examination.We are not commanded to do this on the Sabbath. We are commanded to do it ‘often’ and no day is specified.

The early Church found it convenient to meet and ‘break bread’ on the first day of the week – that is – Sunday. Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2

Meeting on Sunday became the Church tradition.What we need to remember is that no day is specified but it must be done ‘often’.The first day of the week is not the Sabbath. It has nothing to do with the Sabbath.We can meet to share bread and wine in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice on any day.The important thing is to do it regularly.

The ‘carnal ordinances’ of the Law of Moses are no longer in force for those who believe and obey the gospel. We are not under the Old Covenant and the Law of Moses, which cannot save us. Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:10-12

We are under the New Covenant and live by the commandments of Jesus Christ and his apostles.The commandments of Christ are the rock upon which we build our faith.Luke 6:46-49; Colossians 2:16,17

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn