Which day is the Sabbath Day?

Question:

Which day is the sabbath according to the bible?

Answer:

Thank you for your question. The Sabbath, according to the Bible, is the seventh day of the week, Saturday.

Genesis 2:2,3 says, “And on THE SEVENTH DAY God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

Exodus 16:25,26 says, “And Moses said, Eat that to day; for TO DAY IS A SABBATH unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. Six days ye shall gather it; but ON THE SEVENTH DAY, WHICH IS THE SABBATH, in it there shall be none.”

The first day of the week is Sunday. The Church does not worship on the Sabbath day, because that was for Israel. Exodus 31:16,17 says, “Wherefore THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL SHALL KEEP THE SABBATH, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. IT IS A SIGN BETWEEN ME AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” The Church began to worship on Sunday, the first day of the week, for at least a couple of reasons.

Number one, a clear break was needed to show that Christians were not under the Law of Moses. Romans 6:14 says, “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE.” Galatians 3:24,25 says, “Wherefore THE LAW WAS OUR SCHOOLMASTER to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But AFTER THAT FAITH IS COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER.” Acts 15:24 says, “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, YE MUST be circumcised, and KEEP THE LAW: to whom WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT.” As long as Christians kept worshipping on the Sabbath day, there was going to be a problem with confusion. So it was necessary to worship on a separate day to show that Christians were no longer under the Law of Moses.

Number two, it was a good opportunity to commemorate a new day and a new work of God. As God had created the heavens and the earth, and rested, even so now Jesus had finished the work of salvation, and now sits at the right hand of the Father. Matthew 28:1-6 says, “In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. HE IS NOT HERE: FOR HE IS RISEN, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Hebrews 12:2 says, “Looking unto JESUS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD.”

Just as Jesus created all things, and then rested (Ephesians 3:9 “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST.”), even so Jesus had accomplished another great work — the work of redemption, and He now sat down. So the church commemorates the day of His resurrection, the first day of the week, Sunday.

In early church writings, they wrote much about worshipping on Sunday, and they called it the “Lord’s Day.” We see that term start to be used as the Bible closes. Revelation 1:9,10 says, “I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit ON THE LORD’S DAY, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet.”

The Sabbath day is the seventh day of the week, Saturday. It commemorates God’s rest after creation. God made that a special day to His people, Israel. We are no longer under the Sabbath day today. Colossians 2:14-16 says, “BLOTTING OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of THE SABBATH DAYS.” The Sabbath days have been blotted on by Jesus, when He died on the cross.

The first day of the week is Sunday. It commemorates God’s rest after providing salvation. The church meets together on that day to worship the Lord, and to commemorate the finished work of Jesus on the cross, as He arose from the grave. The Bible tells us to set aside our offerings to the Lord on that day. I Corinthians 16:1,2 says, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”

I have a question for you. Are you resting in Jesus for your salvation?  Have you trusted Him as your personal Savior? John 6:28,29 says, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?  Jesus answered and said unto them, THIS IS THE WORK OF GOD, THAT YE BELIEVE ON HIM whom he hath sent.”