Sunday vs. Saturday Worship: Understanding the Shift from Sabbath to Sunday
We received a question, asking why Christians don't worship on Saturday, since that is the Sabbath day. Why do we worship on Sunday? This article explores that issue.
Introduction
The question of why Christians gather for worship on Sunday instead of the traditional Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) is one that has intrigued believers and scholars for centuries. To understand this shift, it's important to consider the cultural and historical context of early Christianity. The early church was navigating a world deeply influenced by both Jewish traditions and the transformative events surrounding Jesus' resurrection. While the Old Testament Sabbath was a sacred day of rest for the people of Israel, something significant shifted in the practice of the early church. This change wasn't arbitrary; it was rooted in deep theological meaning and historical context, especially surrounding the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In this article, we will explore why Sunday, the first day of the week, became the primary day of worship for Christians. We'll examine the biblical teachings, the practices of the apostles, and the influence of the early church to understand how Sunday worship came to be. We will also address common questions and misconceptions about the Sabbath and Sunday worship, shedding light on the principles that guided early believers and the freedom we have in Christ today. Join us as we discover the historical and spiritual journey that shaped the worship practices of Christians around the world.
1. The Sabbath in the Old Testament
God's Rest on the Seventh Day
The concept of the Sabbath begins in Genesis 2:2-3, where God rested on the seventh day after completing His work of creation. "And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation." This established a pattern of rest that would become central to the Jewish identity and religious observance.
The Sabbath Commandment
The formal command to observe the Sabbath is found in Exodus 20:8-11 as part of the Ten Commandments. The Sabbath was a day set aside for rest, dedicated to God, and was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel. It symbolized trust in God's provision, as the Israelites were commanded to cease from labor and remember God's acts of creation and deliverance. Deuteronomy 5:15 also connects the Sabbath to God's redemption of Israel from Egypt. Observing the Sabbath was about resting in God’s provision, not merely a physical rest.
The Sabbath served as a reminder of God's power, His goodness, and His role as the provider. It underscored the importance of dedicating a specific time to reflect on the relationship between God and His people. The observance was not just about abstaining from work, but it was an intentional pause to acknowledge the sacredness of time and God’s sovereignty over creation. It was meant to foster dependence on Him rather than on human effort.
2. Jesus and the Sabbath
Jesus' Relationship with the Sabbath
During His earthly ministry, Jesus often challenged the legalistic interpretation of the Sabbath by the religious leaders of His day. In Mark 2:27, Jesus stated, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." This indicated that the Sabbath was intended to be a blessing rather than a burden. Jesus also performed many acts of healing on the Sabbath, demonstrating that doing good and showing mercy was in harmony with God’s intent for the Sabbath (Matthew 12:10-13).
Did Jesus Abolish the Sabbath?
Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath but fulfilled its true meaning. In Matthew 5:17, He declared, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Jesus shifted the focus from strict rule-keeping to the heart of worship and rest in God. He emphasized that He is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), indicating that true rest is found in Him.
Through His teachings and actions, Jesus redefined the purpose of the Sabbath. He showed that compassion and mercy were at the core of God’s intention for this day. By healing on the Sabbath, Jesus demonstrated that acts of love and kindness are never out of place, even on a day of rest. His fulfillment of the Law meant that the emphasis was no longer on legalistic adherence but on understanding the spirit behind the commandments. In Him, believers could find the ultimate rest that the Sabbath foreshadowed—a rest that was spiritual, eternal, and based on grace rather than human works.
3. The Early Church and Sunday Worship
The Significance of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week—Sunday—marked a pivotal moment for early Christians. It signified victory over sin and death and provided a new beginning. Because of this, the early church began gathering on Sundays to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Acts 20:7 mentions, "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them." This passage indicates that Sunday had become a regular day for Christian worship and fellowship.
The choice of Sunday for worship carried profound theological implications. By gathering on Sunday, believers were making a statement about their faith in the risen Christ. It was an acknowledgment of the new life that Jesus brought through His resurrection. Every Sunday gathering became a weekly reminder of the hope and victory found in Jesus. The resurrection was not just an isolated event; it became the very foundation of Christian worship and a source of continual celebration for believers.
Apostolic Practice and Teachings
The apostle Paul also encouraged believers to set aside offerings on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). Additionally, Revelation 1:10 refers to “the Lord’s Day,” which many scholars believe is a reference to Sunday, the day commemorating the resurrection of Jesus. The early Christians’ decision to gather on Sunday rather than the Sabbath was not about disregarding the significance of rest but was about celebrating the new covenant established through Christ’s resurrection.
The apostles were clear that the focus of Christian worship was no longer bound by the constraints of the Mosaic Law. Instead, it was centered on the freedom and grace found in Jesus Christ. The shift from Saturday to Sunday was a natural progression that reflected the transformational power of the resurrection. It was a declaration that the old order had been fulfilled, and a new order had begun—a new covenant sealed by the blood of Christ and celebrated in His resurrection.
4. Did God Change the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday?
No Explicit Command to Change the Day
There is no explicit biblical command that changes the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. The shift in worship day arose organically from the early Christians' desire to commemorate Jesus' resurrection. Sunday became known as the Lord's Day, distinct from the Jewish Sabbath. This was not an official replacement of the Sabbath but rather a new day of worship reflecting the new reality brought about by Jesus’ resurrection.
A New Covenant Understanding
Under the new covenant, the focus was no longer on adhering strictly to the Mosaic Law but on experiencing freedom in Christ. Colossians 2:16-17 states, “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” The emphasis was on the spiritual rest that Christ provides, rather than legalistic observance of a particular day.
The change from Sabbath observance to Sunday worship was not about dismissing the importance of rest but rather embracing the greater spiritual reality that Jesus brought. The early church recognized that the substance of the Sabbath—rest, reflection, and worship—was fulfilled in Christ. In Him, they found rest for their souls, and their worship became an expression of gratitude for the salvation He provided. The day itself became less significant compared to the Person it honored.
5. The Sabbath Rest in Christ
What is the True Sabbath for Christians?
The concept of rest in the New Testament goes beyond the physical observance of a particular day. Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a “Sabbath rest” that remains for the people of God: "So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his." This rest is spiritual, signifying the believer’s trust in the finished work of Christ. It is an invitation to cease striving for righteousness through our own efforts and to rest in the salvation provided by Jesus.
In Christ, believers enter into a perpetual Sabbath rest—a rest characterized by peace, assurance, and the absence of striving. This rest is not confined to a single day of the week but is available every day, as believers are called to live in the grace and freedom that Jesus offers. The physical rest of the Old Testament Sabbath was a foreshadowing of the deeper, spiritual rest that is now fully realized in Christ. It is a rest that gives comfort, knowing that salvation is not based on our works but on His grace.
Freedom in Worship
Romans 14:5-6 further emphasizes that each believer must be convinced in their own mind about which day to observe: "One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." This freedom allows Christians to worship God on any day, with the understanding that the true rest is found in Christ, not in the legalistic observance of a specific day.
This freedom highlights the transformative nature of the new covenant. Worship is no longer about adhering to a prescribed day but about the continuous expression of love, devotion, and reverence to God. Believers are encouraged to gather regularly, but they are also called to live lives of worship every day. The true Sabbath rest is not limited to a designated time but encompasses the entire life of a follower of Christ.
6. Historical Context and the Development of Sunday Worship
The Role of the Early Church Fathers
Early church writings, such as those by Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr, confirm that Sunday worship was an established practice by the second century. Ignatius referred to Christians as those who no longer observed the Sabbath but lived in accordance with “the Lord's Day.” He wrote, “If, therefore, those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death…” (Epistle to the Magnesians, Chapter 9). Justin Martyr also described Sunday as the day when believers gathered for worship, breaking of bread, and instruction in the Scriptures, stating, “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits.”(First Apology, Chapter 67).
The early church fathers played a crucial role in shaping Christian worship practices. They provided theological insights and practical guidance, helping to solidify the significance of Sunday as the day of communal worship. Their writings reflect the continuity of the apostolic tradition and demonstrate how the early church sought to honor the resurrection of Jesus while maintaining the spirit of worship and rest.
Constantine's Influence
In the fourth century, Emperor Constantine formalized Sunday as a day of rest across the Roman Empire. This official recognition further solidified the practice of Sunday worship, although it had already been well established among Christians. Constantine’s edict helped unify Christian worship practices and provided a public acknowledgment of the importance of Sunday as a day of celebration and rest.
Constantine's influence brought about a societal shift that allowed Christians to openly practice their faith without fear of persecution. By establishing Sunday as a day of rest, he not only affirmed the existing tradition of the church but also facilitated a cultural environment in which Christian worship could flourish. This contributed to the broader acceptance of Sunday as the primary day for Christian worship, reinforcing its theological and communal significance.
7. Addressing Common Questions and Misconceptions
Is It a Sin to Worship on Sunday Instead of Saturday?
Some argue that worshiping on Sunday rather than observing the traditional Sabbath is wrong. However, the New Testament makes it clear that what matters is not the specific day but the heart of worship. Believers are called to honor God every day. Paul’s words in Colossians 2:16-17 and Romans 14:5-6 underscore the freedom Christians have in choosing when to gather for worship.
Did Jesus Change the Sabbath to Sunday?
Jesus did not explicitly change the Sabbath to Sunday. Instead, He fulfilled the purpose of the Sabbath, inviting believers to find their ultimate rest in Him. The early church’s practice of gathering on Sunday was a reflection of their desire to honor the resurrection and the new life found in Christ, rather than a command from Jesus to alter the Sabbath observance.
The Importance of Rest
While Christians are not bound by the Old Testament Sabbath law, the principle of rest remains important. God’s design for rest is a gift, allowing time for physical rejuvenation and spiritual renewal. Whether on Saturday, Sunday, or any other day, setting aside time for rest and worship is a vital practice for believers.
Rest is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and others. It allows believers to step away from the demands of daily life and focus on spiritual growth, reflection, and communion with God. The principle of rest is a reminder that our ultimate reliance is on God, and by taking time to rest, we acknowledge His sovereignty and provision.
Conclusion
Christians gather for worship on Sunday because it is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, the practice of the early church, and the freedom found in the New Covenant. Sunday worship is a celebration of the new life we have in Christ, a weekly reminder of His victory over sin and death, and a time for believers to gather in unity, worship, and encouragement. It reflects the shift from the old covenant, which emphasized the law, to the new covenant of grace, where our rest is found in Jesus. While the Sabbath was a day of physical rest, Sunday worship is about spiritual renewal, community, and rejoicing in the hope of the resurrection. In gathering each Sunday, we are reminded that our faith is not about rules and rituals, but about a relationship with a living Savior who conquered death and offers us eternal life. Thus, Sunday worship is a meaningful tradition that honors the risen Christ, encourages the body of believers, and points us forward to the eternal rest we will one day enjoy in His presence.
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NOTE FROM WISDOM INTERNATIONAL
Here is the English translation of this content. (We do not agree that Christians are bound to the OT Sabbath laws. ) "The human race has no authority to change the law written by the hand of God. Although it is good to gather together for something else, it is an unforgivable sin to violate the sanctity of the Sabbath."
As much good intentions our early fathers may have had, still, there is no recorded message from God through the apostles to inform us of a change in God's law.
Just like when the Jews had Moses give them a writing of divorce, and Christ told them it was because of their hard hearts, pointing them back to God's original desiire for mankind.
No, there's nothing wrong with worshipping God at any time. The problem comes with the way Christians treat God's true Sabbath. They do not keep it holy.
This: "13 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
Did you get the part where God says to honor Him by honoring His Sabbath? it's still part of God's 10 commandments. The idea that just because it wasn't mentioned after the four Gosples, it no longer applies to Christians is a lie. Because there were time when Paul used some of the 10 commandments, but not all of them. And not all of the books of the Bible were written at the same time. So, if just because they aren't mentioned they no longer apply, then there are a few of the other commandments which would no longer apply.
Plus God tells us in Isaiah 66:23 "And it shall come to pass that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me,” saith the Lord." So, why would God tell us to forget what He embedded within His holy law, just to have us keep it once we get to heaven.
As I said, sunday was a day of celebration. Just as we would do for Chrismass. There is no holy significance placed on them by God.
And when you consider what God does to make something, (OR SOMEONE), holy, it should reshape your understanding of the Sabbath.
This can begin by remembering what God said when Moses approached the burning bush. He told Moses to remove his shoes, because the ground Moses was standing on, was holy. And it was because God's prescence was there at that time.
And we are made holy because God's Spirit is within us.
So, when God made the Sabbath holy, it was because He placed His prescence into that block of time.
There is no biblical reason for us to not keep God's Sabbath holy. It is a sin not to do so. And God tells us that the wages of sin is death. So, we need to repent and turn around and begin to remember to keep holy God's Sabbath.
If any disciple had told the people to forget keeping God's Sabbath, they would be contradicting God's Word, and Paul warned them to turn from those who would teach to reject God's Word.
According to Jesus, the Ten Commandments and all the moral principles in the Old Testament Scriptures are not subject to change; they are to continue to guide His followers:
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-19). Jesus faithfully honored and observed the Sabbath. He is our example in Sabbath-keeping. “He [Jesus] came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” (Luke 4:16).
Looking to the future, Jesus wanted His disciples to continue experiencing the joys of true Sabbath-keeping. He instructed them to pray that, during the siege, they would not have to flee from Jerusalem on the Sabbath. “Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:20).
While we disagree with you, and your assessment of how we are being led, we're glad you took the time to engage with our content.
Name one Apostle that talked about that change!
whenever you find yourself trying to alienate the Old Testament from the New Testament be quick not to call our God a liar and a hypocrite (this is even absurd to write).
So, here's 5 ways for "Wisdom International" to get some "Scriptural Wisdom" about the Sabbath ;-
1. The Sabbath in Creation: A Day Instituted by God
The foundation of the Sabbath can be traced back to the creation of the world. In Genesis 2:2-3, it is written: "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." It is evident that the Sabbath, which falls on the seventh day, is not a human invention but was established by God Himself. He rested, blessed, and sanctified this day, setting it apart as holy. There is no mention of a change in this divine institution throughout the Old or New Testament.
The seventh day was not only a day of rest but also a symbol of the perfect creation. By resting on this day, humanity is invited to recognize God’s sovereignty as Creator. Changing the Sabbath to another day would be an alteration of a divine order that God Himself put in place at the dawn of time. God sanctified the seventh day (Sabbath/Saturday), not the first day (Sunday) of the week, as the day of rest and worship.
2. The Ten Commandments: A Perpetual Covenant
The Sabbath is more than just a tradition; it is embedded in the heart of the moral law — the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:8-11, the Fourth Commandment explicitly states:
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it." The wording here is clear: the seventh day is the Sabbath, not the first. Furthermore, this commandment is tied to creation, reaffirming the divine origin of the Sabbath as established in Genesis. The use of the word “remember” suggests that this was a practice that was already known and had been followed since the time of creation. God commands His people to remember and observe the seventh day as holy. The Ten Commandments represent God's unchanging moral law, a law that remains binding upon humanity. Psalm 111:7-8 states:
"The works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, plus they are done in truth and uprightness."
God’s commandments are eternal, and there is no biblical evidence to suggest that the Sabbath commandment was abolished or transferred to another day. Observing the seventh-day Sabbath is a direct acknowledgment of God’s authority and His eternal covenant with His people.
3. The Example of Jesus: Faithful Sabbath Observer
Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, consistently observed the Sabbath. In Luke 4:16, it says:
"So 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 to read."
Jesus’ example is significant because it shows that even the Son of God kept the Sabbath. Despite being accused of breaking the Sabbath by the religious leaders (mostly due to misunderstandings of Sabbath laws), Jesus never broke the commandment itself. Instead, He clarified its proper observance by declaring, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27). This statement highlights that the Sabbath was created for the benefit of humanity — for rest, restoration, and fellowship with God — and was not intended to be a burden. Jesus also declared Himself as “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28), reaffirming the sanctity of this day. Nowhere in the Gospels is there any indication that Jesus instructed His disciples to transfer the observance of the Sabbath to the first day of the week. His entire life on earth was a model of Sabbath observance on the seventh day.
4. The Apostles and Early Church: Continuing Sabbath Observance
The apostles and the early church also continued to observe the Sabbath after Jesus' resurrection. In Acts 17:2, it is written:
"Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures."
Paul’s custom was to worship and teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Similarly, Acts 18:4 states that Paul “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.” The Sabbath was not only a day for Jews but also for Gentiles, as evidenced by the growing number of non-Jewish believers who attended these meetings. The apostles did not institute Sunday as a replacement for the Sabbath; instead, they continued the biblical tradition of seventh-day Sabbath observance. It wasn’t until later centuries, particularly under the influence of Roman Emperor Constantine and the Roman Catholic Church, that Sunday was elevated as a day of worship in place of the Sabbath. However, this change was not based on biblical instruction but on human tradition.
5. The Sabbath as a Sign of Covenant and Future Rest
The Sabbath is described as a sign between God and His people. In Exodus 31:13, God tells Moses:
"Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.’"
The Sabbath is a perpetual covenant, a sign that God sanctifies His people. It sets apart those who honor God’s commandments from those who follow human traditions.
Additionally, the Sabbath foreshadows the ultimate rest that believers will experience in the Kingdom of God. Hebrews 4:9-10 states:
"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His." This passage emphasizes that the Sabbath rest is not only a memorial of creation but also a foretaste of the eternal rest in God’s presence. Observing the Sabbath, therefore, is an act of faith in God’s promise of future redemption and eternal rest.
Therefore, it is without a doubt biblically clear that the seventh day (Saturday) is the Sabbath, instituted by God at creation, enshrined in the Ten Commandments, observed by Jesus, and continued by the apostles. There is no biblical basis for replacing the Sabbath with Sunday. Keeping the Sabbath holy is a recognition of God’s creative power, His moral law, and His eternal covenant with humanity. By observing the Sabbath on the seventh day, believers honor God’s unchanging Word and look forward to the eternal rest that He has promised
So stop misleading people you could easily be who Paul foretold when writes to the Romans saying; -
" I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive." (Romans 16:17-18 ESV)