For many years now, I have encountered people who believe that the Sabbath was God's unchanging law for all of humanity and that only the Jewish people correctly observed it. Despite the fulfillment of the Old Testament through Jesus, some argue that Christians today must still follow certain aspects of the Levitical or Mosaic law. However, I aim to demonstrate in this article that this belief is biblically unfounded.
The concept of rest as a gift from God is deeply ingrained in human nature. It's not just about following a set of rules but about honouring the needs of the body and soul. The idea of a day of rest is written on man's heart, and to deny oneself of that rest is to go against what is right. However, from the perspective of the New Testament, this idea of a day of rest being a requirement is irrelevant. What is emphasized is the importance of finding rest in Jesus and living in His grace. As Jesus Himself said, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. It is a gift that God has given us, and it is up to us to use it to honour and glorify Him.
A day of rest was not unique to the Jews
The concept of taking a day of rest was not exclusive to the Jewish people. Many ancient cultures, such as the Babylonians, Assyrians, and Egyptians, had similar practices. It was a common belief that the gods needed rest and that people should follow their example.
The Babylonians, for example, had a day of rest called "shappattu," observed on the 15th day of the lunar month. Shappattu, is related to the moon's cycles. The word "shappattu" is derived from the Akkadian word "sabattu," which means "day of rest."
Similarly, the ancient Egyptians had a day of rest and observance known as the "festival of Ptah," observed every nine days. Ptah was a god associated with craftsmen, and during the festival, people abstained from work and engage in religious observances. The exact nature of these observances is not well documented, but it is believed that they may have involved offerings of food and drink, as well as prayers and hymns.
The Greeks also had a day of rest and observance called "hemerai tou sabbatou," which means "Sabbath days" in Greek. This day was observed every seventh day, similar to the Jewish Sabbath. During hemerai tou sabbatou, the Greeks would abstain from work and engage in religious and leisure activities. They often visited temples to offer sacrifices, participate in athletic contests, and enjoy social events.
Despite these examples of ancient cultures having a day of rest, it is important to note that Gentiles do not have to follow the Jewish Sabbath. The statement regarding this matter can be found in Romans 2:14-15, where Paul writes that Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires. They are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.
In this passage, Paul emphasizes the universality of God's moral law, which is not confined to a particular people group or religious tradition. He acknowledges that Gentiles, who did not benefit from the Mosaic law as the Jews did, still have a sense of right and wrong ingrained in their nature. This natural moral law is sufficient for Gentiles to be held accountable for their actions before God.
Christians and the Sabbath
The Sabbath commandment in the Old Testament instructs the Israelites to observe the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant between them and God. However, this commandment is not binding on Gentile believers in Christ. While Christians need to have one day a week of rest, that day doesn’t need to be on a Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. Instead, the true Sabbath rest for Christians is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ, as emphasized in Hebrews 4:9-10. This passage declares that there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, which involves resting from one's own works, and those who have faith in Christ have entered into this rest.
Additionally, Jesus Himself declares in Mark 2:27-28 that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath and that He is the Lord of the Sabbath. This emphasizes that the true Sabbath rest is found in a relationship with Jesus and not in observing specific religious rituals.
In conclusion, as Christians, we must be guided by what the Scriptures say and respect the consciences of others. While it is acceptable for someone to worship on the Sabbath, it is important not to let anyone impose the notion that Saturday or the Jewish Sabbath is the only acceptable day. As Paul states in Romans 14:5-6,
Christians can choose which day to observe as a day of rest and worship if it is done in honour of the Lord. Let us, therefore, respect each other's choices and strive for unity in Christ.
Acts 17:11
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