5) The Sabbath in the New Testament
The apostles, the early church, and controversial texts about the Sabbath
Many Christians believe the Sabbath was abolished in the New Testament. Is this true? In this lesson, we will examine how the apostles and the early church related to the Sabbath, and analyze the texts frequently used to defend its abolition.
The Practice of the Apostles
What was Paul's custom on the Sabbaths?
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Answer: According to his custom, he went to the synagogue and reasoned with them
Acts 17:2: "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,"
Paul had the same “custom” as Jesus — to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath. And it was not just to reach Jews; in Acts 13:42-44, the Gentiles ask to hear the preaching “on the next Sabbath.”
Did Paul keep the Sabbath only to avoid offending Jews?
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Answer: No, Gentiles also gathered with him on the Sabbath
Acts 13:42-44: "And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God."
If Paul wanted to change the day of worship to Sunday, why did he not tell the Gentiles: “Come back tomorrow, on Sunday”? Instead, the whole city gathered “on the next Sabbath.”
How does Acts describe Paul's regular practice in Corinth?
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Answer: He reasoned every Sabbath in the synagogue and persuaded Jews and Greeks
Acts 18:4: "And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."
In Acts 18:4, Paul reasoned in the synagogue “every Sabbath.” Verse 11 says he stayed in Corinth for a year and six months. The account shows a regular practice of Sabbath teaching, not an apostolic instruction changing the day of worship to Sunday.
What About References to Sunday?
Does Acts 20:7 prove that Christians met every Sunday?
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Answer: No, it was a nighttime and special farewell meeting, not a Sunday command
Acts 20:7: "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."
Even understanding this meeting as occurring on the first day according to biblical reckoning, that is, Saturday night after sunset, the main point remains: the text describes a special farewell meeting, not a command to keep Sunday.
Does 1 Corinthians 16:2 command Sunday worship?
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Answer: No, Paul asked each one to set aside an offering IN THEIR HOME on the first day
1 Corinthians 16:2: "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."
The text says “each of you set something aside” (at home), there is no meeting mentioned! Paul wanted the collection ready when he arrived, without having to gather offerings in a rush. It was an administrative instruction, not a liturgical one.
Frequently Misinterpreted Texts
Does Romans 14:5 abolish the Sabbath?
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Answer: No, the context deals with food and the evaluation of certain days, not the weekly Sabbath
Romans 14:5: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
The context of Romans 14 deals with food (v.2-3) and the evaluation of certain days (v.5-6), matters of conscience among brothers. The chapter does not present an order to revoke the fourth commandment or to replace the Sabbath with another day.
Does Colossians 2:16 prove the Sabbath was abolished?
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Answer: No, it refers to ceremonial Sabbaths (annual feasts), not the weekly Sabbath of creation
Colossians 2:16: "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 context speaks of ordinances “that were against us” (v.14). The Sabbath of creation was never against us. It was given as a blessing! The “Sabbaths” mentioned are the ceremonial Sabbaths linked to Jewish feasts (see Leviticus 23).
Does Galatians 4:10 condemn keeping the Sabbath?
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Answer: No, Paul condemns the Galatians' return to paganism or Jewish legalism
Galatians 4:10: "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years."
The context of Galatians is about salvation by works of the law vs. grace. The Galatians were returning to previous practices (v.9) — either Gentile paganism or Jewish legalism. Paul is not abolishing the Sabbath, but condemning the misuse of the law as a means of salvation.
“The Sabbath was embodied in the law given from Sinai; but it was not then first made known as a day of rest.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 283, par. 1.
The Sabbath in New Testament Prophecy
What did Jesus say about the Sabbath in relation to the destruction of Jerusalem (70 A.D.)?
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Answer: 'Pray that your flight will not take place on the Sabbath'
Matthew 24:20: "But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:"
Jesus expected His disciples to still keep the Sabbath 40 years after the cross! If the Sabbath would be abolished at the cross, why would Jesus be concerned about fleeing on the Sabbath in 70 A.D.?
And Now?
The evidence from the New Testament is clear:
- The apostles kept the Sabbath: There is no record of change
- Texts about Sunday prove nothing: References are rare and not liturgical
- Texts “against” the Sabbath have another context: Ceremonial feasts, legalism, not the Sabbath of creation
- Jesus expected the keeping of the Sabbath after the cross: Matthew 24:20
The silence of the New Testament about any change is deafening. If something as fundamental as the day of worship were changed, there would be clear instructions!
My Decision
After examining the evidence of the New Testament, I recognize that the apostles continued keeping the Sabbath and that there is no command for change. The texts frequently used against the Sabbath, when analyzed in context, do not abolish it. I desire to base my faith on Scripture, not on traditional interpretations.