Many Christians wonder whether the Sabbath still has a place in the life of a believer today. Does God still call His people to rest, or was the Sabbath only for ancient Israel? This study takes a clear, Scripture‑based look at what the Bible teaches about Sabbath rest, obedience, and how followers of Christ should understand this command in the New Covenant.
Last updated: April 2026
What is the Sabbath day, and how should a Christian keep it holy? Should Christians rest on Saturday, or is Sunday the correct day? Does the Bible teach that believers must still keep the fourth commandment after being saved by grace?
It’s important to note that this study is not about whether Christians may worship on Sunday. Scripture does not forbid worship on any day, and the early disciples often gathered on the first day of the week. Worship is not the issue here. The question is about rest — the day God set apart for physical rest from labor.
The fourth commandment says nothing about a worship day. It speaks only of ceasing from work:
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work." (Exodus 20:8–10)
Before dismissing the Sabbath as “only for the Jews,” it helps to look at where Scripture first introduces it. The Bible says God Himself created the seventh‑day rest at creation:
"And on the seventh day God finished his work... and he rested... So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy." (Genesis 2:2–3)
Scripture does not say Moses created the Sabbath. It does not say it was made only for Israel. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy long before there was a Jewish nation.
Jesus later affirmed this when He said:
"The sabbath was made for man." (Mark 2:27)
Not “for the Jews,” but for mankind. And Jesus also said:
"If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)
For Christians who love Christ, this includes the fourth commandment — resting on the day God made holy.
Many churches teach that Christians keep the fourth commandment “in principle” by worshiping on Sunday. But the fourth commandment is not about worship — it is about rest. Scripture never says the Sabbath was changed to Sunday, nor does it say that resting on the seventh day was only for Israel.
Jesus said, "the Scripture cannot be broken" (John 10:35). No church or tradition has the authority to change what God has declared holy.
Paul wrote:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…" (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Genesis and Exodus plainly teach that the seventh day — not the first — is the day God blessed and sanctified.
"Remember THE sabbath day… THE seventh day is THE sabbath of the Lord your God." (Exodus 20:8–11)
Scripture never commands Sunday as a day of rest or worship. Only God can make something holy, and He made the seventh day holy at creation.
Some point to Colossians 2:16 as proof that Christians no longer need to keep the Sabbath:
"Let no man therefore judge you in the Sabbath day."
But Paul was not abolishing the Sabbath. He was encouraging Gentile believers not to be discouraged by criticism from the surrounding pagan culture. The Colossian Christians were already keeping the Sabbath. If they were not, there would be no reason for anyone to judge them for it.
Paul continues:
"Which are a shadow of things to come…" (Colossians 2:17)
He does not say the Sabbath was a shadow. He says it is — present tense — pointing forward to the future rest of the Millennium. A shadow cannot exist unless the object casting it still exists.
Romans 14:5 is often quoted to argue that Christians may choose any day for rest:
"One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike…"
But reading the entire chapter shows that Paul is addressing disputes about fasting, not the Sabbath. The words “Sabbath” or “Sunday” do not appear anywhere in the chapter. The words “eat,” “eats,” and “food” appear repeatedly.
Paul was dealing with disagreements among new converts about whether to fast on certain days. This had nothing to do with the weekly Sabbath rest, which was not in dispute among early Christians.
Understanding the context makes the meaning clear: Romans 14 is about fasting practices, not about changing God’s command for the seventh‑day rest.
Some argue that the Sabbath was part of the ceremonial law and was abolished when Jesus came. But Scripture never connects the Ten Commandments with the ceremonial sacrifices. The Sabbath stands as part of God’s moral law, not the temporary rituals given to Israel.
Stephen said that Moses received the “lively oracles” — God’s words — for all of us (Acts 7:38). Paul wrote that the Jews were entrusted with the “oracles of God” (Romans 3:1–2). They have preserved the seventh‑day Sabbath faithfully throughout history.
Jesus said:
"Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law…" (Matthew 5:18)
Heaven and earth are still here. The law still stands. The fourth commandment remains part of God’s moral law.
Christians are free to worship on Sunday or any day — but Scripture teaches that the day of rest God made holy is the seventh day.
"I and my Father are one." (John 10:30)
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." (Exodus 20:8)
For further study, see: What Does The Bible Really Say Is The True Lord’s Day?
Without interpretation, Scripture plainly says the seventh day is the Sabbath. Christians may worship on Sunday according to tradition, but the Bible instructs believers to rest on the seventh day.
If you want to know how to keep this special time, read the study on “Practical Suggestions” at the link below for related Bible studies.
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No. Scripture never records Jesus changing the Sabbath. Sunday worship developed later as a tradition, not a command.
No. Christians may worship on any day. The question is not worship but rest — the day God set apart for ceasing from labor.
No. The Sabbath was created at creation, long before Israel existed. Jesus said it was made for “man,” meaning all humanity.
No. Paul was addressing criticism from the surrounding culture, not abolishing God’s command.
No. Romans 14 is about fasting practices, not the weekly Sabbath.
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