Sabbath day in new testament
In the New Testament, the Sabbath day is mentioned several times, and its significance is discussed in various passages. Here are some key points:
- Continuity with the Old Testament: The New Testament writers assume that the Sabbath day is still in effect, just like in the Old Testament. Jesus and his disciples observed the Sabbath, and the early Christian church continued to do so (Luke 4:16, Acts 13:14, 16:13, 18:4).
- Jesus' teaching: Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath, but rather reinterpreted its purpose. He emphasized that the Sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27). He also taught that the Sabbath was a day for rest, worship, and spiritual refreshment (Matthew 11:28-30).
- The Lord's Day: After Jesus' resurrection, his followers began to gather on the first day of the week (Sunday) to celebrate the Lord's Supper and worship (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2). This day became known as the Lord's Day, and it eventually replaced the Sabbath as the primary day of worship for Christians.
- The Sabbath in the Epistles: In the Epistles (letters) of the New Testament, the Sabbath is not explicitly mentioned, but the concept of rest and worship is still present. For example, Paul writes about the importance of rest in God (Hebrews 4:9-11) and encourages believers to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
- The Sabbath in the Book of Hebrews: The Book of Hebrews contains a significant discussion about the Sabbath and its significance. The author argues that Jesus is the true Sabbath rest for believers, and that they should rest in him (Hebrews 3:7-4:11).
Some key passages related to the Sabbath in the New Testament are:
- Matthew 12:1-14: Jesus and his disciples are accused of breaking the Sabbath, but Jesus defends his actions and emphasizes the importance of doing good on the Sabbath.
- Mark 2:23-28: Jesus teaches that the Sabbath was made for humans, not humans for the Sabbath.
- Luke 4:16-21: Jesus attends a Sabbath service in his hometown of Nazareth and reads from Isaiah 61:1-2, emphasizing the importance of proclaiming the good news to the poor.
- Acts 13:14-15: Paul and Barnabas attend a Sabbath service in Antioch and preach to the Jews.
- Acts 16:13: Paul and Silas attend a Sabbath service in Philippi and preach to the women.
- Acts 18:4: Paul attends a Sabbath service in Corinth and reasons with the Jews.
In summary, the New Testament presents the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship, but also emphasizes that Jesus is the true Sabbath rest for believers. The Sabbath is not abolished, but its significance is reinterpreted in light of Jesus' teachings and the establishment of the Lord's Day.