Keeping the sabbath in the new testament

The Sabbath in the New Testament:

The Sabbath, or the day of rest, is a topic of great importance in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Sabbath is still observed, but its significance and observance undergo significant changes. Here's a brief overview:

The Early Church's Observance of the Sabbath

In the early Christian church, the Sabbath was still observed, but it was not as rigidly enforced as it was in the Old Testament. The apostles and early Christians continued to observe the Sabbath, but they also began to emphasize the importance of the Lord's Day (Sunday) as a day of worship and celebration.

The Shift from Sabbath to Lord's Day

The shift from Sabbath to Lord's Day is attributed to the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week (Sunday). The early Christians began to celebrate the Lord's Day as a day of worship, recognizing Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28). This shift is evident in the writings of the apostles, particularly in the book of Acts and the Epistles.

The New Testament's Teaching on the Sabbath

The New Testament teaches that the Sabbath is a shadow of the things to come (Colossians 2:16-17). Jesus, as the Lord of the Sabbath, has fulfilled the Sabbath's purpose by becoming the ultimate rest for humanity (Hebrews 4:9-11). The Sabbath is no longer a day of physical rest, but a day of spiritual rest in Christ.

The Sabbath in the New Testament Writings

Here are some key passages that highlight the Sabbath in the New Testament:

  1. Matthew 5:17-18: Jesus teaches that He has not come to abolish the Law, including the Sabbath, but to fulfill it.
  2. Mark 2:23-28: Jesus justifies His disciples' actions on the Sabbath, emphasizing that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not humanity for the Sabbath.
  3. Luke 6:1-5: Jesus heals on the Sabbath, demonstrating His authority over the Sabbath.
  4. John 5:1-18: Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath. Jesus responds by emphasizing His authority over the Sabbath and His role as the Lord of the Sabbath.
  5. Colossians 2:16-17: The Sabbath is a shadow of the things to come, and believers are no longer bound by its observance.
  6. Hebrews 4:9-11: Jesus has become the ultimate rest for humanity, and believers are called to enter into this rest through faith in Him.

Conclusion

In the New Testament, the Sabbath is still observed, but its significance and observance undergo significant changes. The Sabbath is no longer a day of physical rest, but a day of spiritual rest in Christ. The early Christian church continued to observe the Sabbath, but they also began to emphasize the importance of the Lord's Day (Sunday) as a day of worship and celebration. The New Testament teaches that the Sabbath is a shadow of the things to come, and believers are no longer bound by its observance.