The word Sabbath is derived from the Hebrew word shabbat, which means ‘to have rest from labor’.
From the story of creation found in Genesis 1 and 2, we learn that God created the universe and all that is in it for six days, and He rested on the seventh day, the Sabbath.
Let’s examine some critical questions.
Did God change the Sabbath?
In the Old Testament, even before the nation of Israel was handed over the Ten Commandments, God commanded the nation of Israel to observe keenly the Sabbath without fail.
Exodus 16:23—Then he said to them, “This is what the Lord has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.’”.
God later reminded the nation of Israel about the Sabbath commandment when He called His servant Moses and handed to him The Ten Commandments, which He himself wrote. The Sabbath commandment is the fourth commandment in the Ten Commandments.
The Sabbath commandment states “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8). God therefore didn’t change the Sabbath.
In fact, the bible states that God does not change.
Malachi 3:6—For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Did Jesus Christ change the Sabbath?
When Jesus Christ was born, the bible says that He was born under the law. (Galatians 4:4).
He publicly declares that He has not come to do away with the Law of Moses but to fulfill it.
Mathew 5:17-19—Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore Jesus Christ, who was born under the law, didn’t change the day of worship from the Sabbath so as to fulfill the law.
Did the disciples make a change to the Sabbath?
In the New Testament, the disciples never changed the Sabbath, as it would have resulted into being stoned to death, if the scribes and the Pharisees could have heard of that.
There are many incidences recorded in the book of Acts where Apostle Paul used to meet on the Sabbath.
The scripture below shows Paul and Barnabas, while speaking at the synagogue, were invited to speak again on the next Sabbath:
Acts 13:42-44—So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
Did Constantine make a change to the Sabbath?
Emperor Constantine, who was a pagan sun-worshipper, reigned from AD 306 to AD 337. During his reign, he legalized Christianity and made a law known as the first Sunday-keeping law.
The law read like this: “On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.”
This is the law that changed the day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday and therefore Constantine is responsible for the change of the Sabbath.
Conclusion
Therefore, you should make an informed decision concerning the day of worship. Should you worship on the Saturday – the true Sabbath day, or should you worship on Sunday as directed by Emperor Constantine?
Make the right choice and always aim to follow God’s commandments as a sign of love for His saving grace.
