[K] 7th Day Sabbath vs 1st Day Sunday

11/19/2024|Gospel Senders|

The debate between the 7th Day Sabbath (Saturday) and the 1st Day Sunday centers on the significance of the day of rest in different religious traditions, primarily between Judaism, Christianity, and their varying interpretations.

7th Day Sabbath (Saturday)

The 7th Day Sabbath is rooted in the Jewish tradition, where it is observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening. It is a day of rest, following the creation story in Genesis, where God rested on the seventh day. The Sabbath is seen as a commandment in the Hebrew Bible (Exodus 20:8-11), where it is declared as a holy day of rest, and it is an integral part of Jewish law and life.

Key Points about the 7th Day Sabbath:

  • Biblical Origin: Instituted in the creation account (Genesis 2:2-3) and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11).
  • Jewish Tradition: Observed strictly by Jews as a day of rest, worship, and reflection.
  • Christian Observance: Some Christian groups, such as Seventh-day Adventists, observe the Sabbath on the 7th day, considering it a divine commandment for all Christians.

1st Day Sunday (Christian Tradition)

The practice of worshiping on Sunday, the 1st day of the week, became common in Christianity as the day to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which is believed to have occurred on a Sunday. Early Christians, particularly in the Roman Empire, began gathering for worship on Sundays, a practice that was later formalized by Church authorities.

Key Points about Sunday Observance:

  • Resurrection Celebration: The New Testament describes the resurrection of Jesus happening on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-9).
  • Apostolic Tradition: Early Christians began meeting on Sundays for worship, which was seen as a distinct Christian practice, separate from the Jewish Sabbath.
  • Church Authority: Over time, Church leaders (such as the Council of Laodicea in 364 AD) affirmed Sunday as the primary day of Christian worship. This was partly to distinguish Christianity from Judaism.
  • Rest and Worship: While Sunday became the primary day of worship, many Christian traditions do not emphasize a strict day of rest as the Sabbath does.

Theological and Historical Differences

  • Theological Difference: For many Christians, Sunday is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection and is seen as fulfilling the Sabbath, symbolizing the new covenant in Christ. This view often emphasizes freedom from the strict law of the Old Testament (such as the literal observance of the Sabbath).
  • Historical Shift: The shift from the 7th day to the 1st day of worship occurred gradually. Early Christians were often still observing the Sabbath on Saturday, but over time, Sunday became more central to Christian worship, especially as Christianity spread through the Roman Empire.
  • Different Christian Views: While most Christians observe Sunday as a day of worship, some, such as Seventh-day Adventists, continue to emphasize the 7th day Sabbath based on their interpretation of biblical commandments.

Summary

  • 7th Day Sabbath: Observed on Saturday, rooted in Jewish law and tradition, focusing on rest and worship as a commandment from God.
  • 1st Day Sunday: Observed by most Christians as a day of worship to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, emphasizing the new covenant, and gradually replacing the Sabbath observance in Christian tradition.

Each tradition has its theological reasoning for choosing their respective day of worship, with differing views on whether the Sabbath is a timeless commandment or if the Christian faith has fulfilled and replaced the need for the Saturday Sabbath with Sunday worship.