The Christian Sabbath.
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Society -> subcategory Religion.
The Christian Sabbath: Understanding Its Origins and Observance
The seventh day Sabbath, as sanctified by God, serves as a testament to His role as the Creator of Heaven and Earth. This is highlighted in Exodus 20:8-11: "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, 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."
The Shift from Saturday to Sunday
The question arises: if the Sabbath was ordained from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday, why do most Christians attend church on Sunday?
The Role of Jesus and the Scriptures
Did Jesus change this day? Is there scriptural evidence of a new commandment amending the original one? While some suggest Sunday is kept in honor of Christ’s resurrection, historical records indicate otherwise.
The books of Matthew and Luke, written between 60 and 80 AD, do not document a change in the Sabbath. Instead, Luke mentions in Luke 23:56, "And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment," underscoring the continued observance of the seventh day.
In Matthew 24:20, during a prophecy about the destruction of the temple, Jesus states, "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath," indicating the persistence of Sabbath observance long after the crucifixion.
Historical Insights
Until around 120 AD, both Jews and Gentiles observed the seventh day. However, Christians in certain regions began keeping Sunday to distinguish themselves from Jews who faced persecution. Some justified this change by honoring the resurrection, although there was no scriptural foundation for it. Meanwhile, Christians outside the Roman Empire adhered to the traditional Sabbath.
In 321 AD, Constantine, a former pagan, enacted a law enforcing Sunday worship as he shifted power towards the Church. Known as the day of the Sun god in paganism, Sunday gradually became associated with Christian worship. By 400 AD, it was referred to as the "Lord's Day."
The Influence of the Roman Catholic Church
The Roman Catholic Church has openly claimed responsibility for transferring the sanctity of Saturday to Sunday, asserting its authority over scriptural directives. Several documents confirm this:
- Our Sunday Visitor (1950): Protestants follow Sunday worship based on Catholic Church authority, not scriptural mandate.
- Henry Gibson, Catechism Made Easy: The Church's authority in interpreting commandments extends to changing the day of rest from Saturday to Sunday, a practice accepted universally.
- Monsignor Louis Segur: Observance of Sunday by Protestants acknowledges Catholic authority, despite theological differences.
- Catholic Record of London (1923): The Church's authority surpasses the Bible, demonstrated by changing the Sabbath to Sunday.
The Importance of Observing the True Sabbath
Following the seventh day Sabbath aligns with God's command, whereas Sunday observance follows human tradition. Does this distinction matter?
In Mark 7:6-9, Jesus highlights the importance of adhering to divine commandments over human traditions, criticizing those who prioritize man-made teachings.
Ultimately, this calls for steadfast adherence to scriptural teachings, as intended by Jesus, rather than adapting to religious traditions established by human institutions.
All Bible references are from the King James Version.
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