Sabbath: The Forgotten Commandment

Sabbath The Forgotten Commandment

Freedom, Fulfillment, and the Rhythm of Rest in Christ

I. Introduction

Among the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath is the only one many modern Christians feel comfortable ignoring—and often bragging about it. While no one openly boasts about lying or committing adultery, many dismiss Sabbath rest as unnecessary or even legalistic. But before we go tossing this command into the bin of obsolescence, we must look at what Scripture actually says—and doesn’t say.

II. Origin of the Sabbath: A Gift Before the Law

The concept of the Sabbath predates Sinai. It is introduced not as a burden, but as a divine rhythm of rest and delight:

"On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation."—Genesis 2:2–3 (NLT)

Context Note: This passage sets a precedent for divine rest—not from fatigue, but as a model for humanity to follow. The word used for “rested” is שָׁבַת (shābat) meaning “to cease, to stop.”

Before the Law of Moses, before Israel even existed, God established a rhythm of rest that was woven into the created order.

Exodus 16 reveals the Sabbath as a gift, not a burden. Before Sinai, before the Ten Commandments were even given, God introduced a day of rest in the context of providing manna in the wilderness. He gave double the portion on the sixth day so the people could rest on the seventh—without worry or striving. Verse 29 declares, "They must realize that the Lord has given you the Sabbath" (Exodus 16:29, NLT). The Hebrew verb used here—נָתַן (nātan)—means to give, bestow, or grant. It is not a law imposed, but a gracious provision. The people were not commanded to rest because they were lazy; they were invited to rest because God is generous. This pre-law moment sets the tone: the Sabbath was never meant to be a legalistic test—it was a divine invitation to trust, rest, and receive.

III. The Law and the Fourth Commandment

At Sinai, this principle becomes a command:

"Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God."—Exodus 20:8–10 (NLT)

Context Note: The command is rooted in God’s creative work and rest. It is given as both a reminder of creation (Exodus 20:11) and a sign of deliverance from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:15). It became a distinctive sign of Israel’s covenant identity (Exodus 31:13–17).

IV. Jesus and the Sabbath: Lord Over It

Jesus regularly healed and taught on the Sabbath, challenging man-made traditions without abolishing the heart of the Sabbath:

"The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even over the Sabbath!"—Mark 2:27–28 (NLT)

Greek Insight: The phrase κύριός ἐστιν τοῦ σαββάτου (kyrios estin tou sabbatou) emphasizes Christ's sovereign authority over the Sabbath.

Jesus never abolishes the Sabbath, but He redefines it through Himself. Rest is no longer about a day—it’s about a Person.

V. New Covenant Rest: Fulfilled in Christ

The Sabbath command is not repeated in the New Testament epistles as a binding law on Christians. Instead, we are pointed to a greater rest:

"So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God... For all who have entered into God's rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world."—Hebrews 4:9–10 (NLT)

Context Note: The Greek word for “special rest” here is σαββατισμός (sabbatismos, Strong’s G4520), used only once in the NT, describing spiritual rest in Christ, not merely ceasing from work.

Christ is the fulfillment of Sabbath. We cease striving when we trust in His finished work.

VI. The Lord’s Day: A New Rhythm

While the Sabbath (Saturday) is deeply rooted in the Old Covenant, the early Church began meeting on the first day of the week—the day of Jesus’ resurrection:

"On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned."—1 Corinthians 16:2 (NLT)

"On the Lord’s Day I was worshiping in the Spirit..."—Revelation 1:10 (NLT)

Greek Insight: ἡ κυριακὴ ἡμέρα (hē kyriakē hēmera, “the Lord’s Day”) appears only in Revelation 1:10, referring to Sunday. This became the recognized Christian day of worship, without transferring Sabbath law to it.

Acts 20:7 also confirms that believers gathered to break bread on the first day. While never commanded, this became a natural celebration of the resurrection and a weekly rhythm of worship.

VII. Christian Freedom and Rest Today

Paul makes it clear that Sabbath-keeping is not mandatory for Christians under the New Covenant:

"So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths."—Colossians 2:16 (NLT)

Context Note: Paul is refuting legalistic impositions of Jewish laws on Gentile believers. The next verse says these were “shadows,” but Christ is the reality (v.17).

He repeats this in Romans:

"In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable."—Romans 14:5 (NLT)

VIII. Refuting Seventh-Day Legalism

Seventh-Day Adventists and other Sabbatarian groups claim that Sabbath observance remains binding. However:

• Nowhere in the NT are Gentiles commanded to keep the Sabbath.

• Acts 15 lists four minimal requirements for Gentile believers—Sabbath is not one of them.

• Paul warns against going back under the law in Galatians (Gal. 4:9–10).

• Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). The Sabbath was a shadow; Christ is the substance. See Romans 14 & Colossians 2.

While Seventh-Day Adventists insist that worship on Saturday is a mark of obedience and that Sunday worship is a compromise with paganism, the New Testament does not uphold that rigidity. In fact, it explicitly refutes it. Paul warns the Colossians, “Don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality” (Colossians 2:16–17, NLT). The Greek word for “Sabbaths” here is σαββάτων (sabbatōn), clearly referring to the weekly day of rest—not merely ceremonial festivals. Paul is crystal clear: No Christian is to be judged for Sabbath observance or non-observance, because the Sabbath was a shadow pointing to Christ, who is the substance.

Likewise, in Romans 14:5–6 (NLT), Paul affirms, “In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.” Again, no condemnation is given for honoring one day or another—or for treating every day the same. What matters is honoring Christ in your heart, not checking ritualistic boxes.

To insist on Sabbath observance as a requirement for salvation—or as a mark of true obedience—is not only legalistic, it’s contrary to apostolic teaching. Christ fulfilled the Sabbath (Hebrews 4), and the rest He offers is spiritual and eternal, not tethered to a single day. This does not mean it’s wrong to rest on Saturday—or any day—but to demand it as law is to replace grace with bondage.

IX. What About Acts 16 and Worship Patterns?

Some point to Paul going to the synagogue on the Sabbath in Acts 16. But note:

• Paul is going to reach Jews, not to model Christian worship patterns.

• He also reasons in synagogues on many Sabbaths (Acts 17:2), because that’s where Jews gathered—not because it was commanded for Christians.

X. Application: The Principle Remains

While the command does not bind us, the principle still blesses us. God made us for rest and worship.

“Work six days, rest one” is not legalism—it’s wisdom.

Sabbath reminds us:

• We are not God.

• We need rest.

• Worship is a priority.

• Christ is our ultimate rest (Matthew 11:28–30).

XI. Conclusion

The Sabbath was a gift, not a leash. It pointed forward to Jesus, our eternal Sabbath rest. Christians are not required to observe the seventh day, but we are wise to reclaim the rhythm of rest, reflection, and worship in our lives. Let no one bind your conscience where Christ has set you free. But also—don’t boast in ignoring a pattern God called “holy.”

"So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall."—Hebrews 4:11 (NLT)