Zambia Hunt

One frequently asked question here in Zambia concerns the “proper” day of worship: Should Christians gather on Saturday or Sunday? Those asking that question usually are influenced by the Seventh-day Adventists, or the small group of Seventh-day Baptists here in Kitwe.

Here is a brief biblical answer to this question.

The Sabbath in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, Jews were commanded under the Law of Moses to keep the Sabbath on the seventh day. However, in the New Testament, Gentile Christians were never given this command. The Jewish leaders sought to kill Jesus because “He had broken the Sabbath” (John 5:18).

God declared in Ezekiel 20:10-12 that the Sabbath was given as a sign between God and the Jewish people. Exodus 31:12-13, 16-17 reiterates this: “It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever.”

The Sabbath and the New Covenant

In the New Testament, Christians are warned against keeping the Sabbath as a requirement. Colossians 2:14-17 tells us that Christ “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us” and removed it by “nailing it to the cross.” The passage continues: “Let no one therefore judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths.”

The Sabbath: Rest, Not Worship

The Sabbath day was not primarily a day of worship in the Old Testament. “Sabbath” means rest (Exodus 20:10). Worship occurred at the Tabernacle seven days a week. The Sabbath of Moses was purely a day of rest, not a designated day of worship or church attendance.

As Christians, we follow the example of the early church, which gathered for prayer, fellowship, and instruction on “the first day of the week” (also called the Lord’s Day).

The Problem with Sabbath Observance Today

If God intended all people to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest, we would be required to obey all Old Testament rules concerning the Sabbath. For instance, Exodus 35:3 prohibits lighting any fire in any house on the Sabbath day. This might be manageable in Palestine’s temperate climate, but what about people who live in regions with harsh winters, snow, and ice? No modern Sabbath observers follow this rule.

The Real Issues of Worship

The issue is not which day of the week believers assemble for worship. The real concerns are twofold:

First, God forbids us to forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). We are to faithfully attend church and worship God.

Second, God requires that our worship aligns with His Spirit and His truth (John 4:23-24). We are to worship God from our hearts, according to the guidelines of Scripture.

A Warning

Do not be deceived (Colossians 2:13-17). The Sabbath Law was never given to those of us who are Gentiles. Remember that it was the Pharisees and religious leaders—those who vigorously defended the Sabbath—who crucified our Lord. They maintained an external religious observance but denied the power of Jesus Christ in their hearts. Let us avoid making the same mistake.