The Change to Sunday | The Sabbath

If the Sabbath was instituted at creation, confirmed in the Ten Commandments, and kept by Jesus and His disciples, how did most Christians come to keep Sunday? In this lesson, we will examine the historical and prophetic evidence for this change.

The Great Question

Is there any biblical command to keep Sunday?

Yes, Jesus transferred the holiness of the Sabbath to Sunday Yes, the apostles established Sunday There is no biblical command to keep Sunday Sunday is implicitly ordered

This is a surprising reality for many: there is not a single verse in the Bible that transfers the holiness of the Sabbath to Sunday or commands the keeping of Sunday. The change came from another source.

Did Jesus ever indicate that another day would replace the Sabbath?

Yes, in the resurrection Yes, in the Sermon on the Mount No, He said not one dot will pass from the law He suggested that any day is valid

The Prophecy of Daniel

What did Daniel prophesy that a power would attempt to do?

Destroy the Bible Change the times and the law of God Create a new religion Abolish all feasts

Centuries before Christ, Daniel prophesied that an arrogant power would attempt to “change the times and the law.” The only commandment that involves “time” is the fourth — the commandment of the Sabbath!

Who has authority to change the law of God?

The Church Ecclesiastical councils Only God, who is the sole Lawgiver Any religious leader

Only God has authority to change His own law. Any human attempt to alter the Ten Commandments is a usurpation of divine authority.

“The sign, or seal, of God is revealed in the observance of the Sabbath of the seventh day, the memorial of creation… The mark of the beast is the opposite — the observance of the first day of the week.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 117

The Historical Change

When did the transition from Saturday to Sunday begin historically?

In the time of the apostles, by order of Jesus Gradually in the first centuries, especially after 313 A.D. In the Old Testament In the Protestant Reformation

The change was gradual. Initially, some Christians began to honor Sunday along with the Sabbath (not in place of it). Over time, especially after Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire (313 A.D.), Sunday gained prominence.

Which Roman emperor decreed the first Sunday law?

Nero Constantine, in 321 A.D. Caesar Augustus A Christian apostle

In 321 A.D., Emperor Constantine decreed: “On the venerable Day of the Sun, let magistrates and the people of the cities rest.” This was a civil law, not a divine command.

What the Catholic Church Admits

Does the Catholic Church acknowledge that it changed the day of worship?

No, it denies any change Yes, it openly affirms that it made the change by its authority It says Jesus made the change It affirms that the Bible orders Sunday

Catholic catechisms openly declare:

“The Church… transferred the rest of the Sabbath to Sunday, the first day of the week… This shows that the Bible alone is not sufficient as a guide, and that the Church has authority to legislate.” — Catholic Catechism for Converts

For what reason does the Church affirm it made the change?

By biblical command By its own ecclesiastical authority, not by the Bible Because Jesus rose on Sunday By request of the apostles

Catholic honesty is notable: they do not claim biblical basis for Sunday. They argue that their ecclesiastical authority is sufficient to make changes.

What About the Resurrection of Jesus?

Does the Bible command keeping Sunday in honor of the resurrection?

Yes, clearly No, the memorial of the resurrection is baptism, not Sunday There are implicit texts The apostles taught this

The Bible already establishes a memorial for the resurrection: baptism! We are “buried with Christ” and “risen with Him” in the baptismal waters. There is no command for another memorial.

Does the fact that Jesus rose on the first day of the week authorize its weekly observance?

Yes, automatically No, a specific command would be necessary to change God's law The resurrection abolished the Sabbath Yes, by apostolic tradition

“Protestants often cite Christ’s resurrection as authority for keeping Sunday. But nowhere does the Bible say that we should keep the first day of the week in honor of the resurrection.” — Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, p. 52

The Question of Authority

What is the central issue in the Sabbath vs. Sunday debate?

Which day is more convenient Tradition vs. Scripture; human authority vs. divine authority Personal preference Cultural differences

At its core, the issue is: will we follow God’s Word or human traditions? The authority of God or the authority of ecclesiastical institutions?

And Now?

The facts are clear:

There is no biblical command for Sunday: The change has no basis in Scripture
Prophecy announced the attempt to change: Daniel 7:25 predicted this
History confirms: The change was gradual, culminating in imperial and ecclesiastical laws
The Church that made the change admits it: It does not claim biblical authority, but ecclesiastical
The issue is one of authority: God or human tradition?

Each Christian must decide: will we follow God’s Word or human traditions?

I recognize that there is no biblical command for keeping Sunday and that the change was made by human authority, not divine. I desire to follow God’s Word as my only rule of faith and practice, even when it differs from human traditions.

4) The Change to Sunday