When is the Sabbath?
There is a lot of confusion nowadays surrounding the Sabbath. While many keep Sunday as the day of worship, some take it as far as to say it’s no longer necessary to observe on a specific day or time. But, how does God see it? Is there a day set aside? What exactly is the Sabbath? And, what are we supposed to do during Sabbath time?
What does the Bible say? According to John 4:24, we must worship God in spirit and truth. Furthermore, Hebrews 13:8 says He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And if we seek to worship in truth, it’s critical to understand Christ and the Father, and their position on the Sabbath itself. So, what was taught before and what’s expected of us now?
Beginning at Creation
Most people who follow the Bible accept the value of the Ten Commandments. Yet the fourth commandment is often overlooked or reinterpreted. There’s also a common misunderstanding that the Sabbath began at Mount Sinai, when the commandments were given to Israel. However, Scripture shows that the Sabbath was established much earlier, with creation itself (Genesis 2:2–3).
No other day was blessed and set apart in this way. From the very beginning, God established the seventh day as holy time. That designated day is what we now call Saturday. According to the biblical reckoning of time (from sunset to sunset), the Sabbath extends from Friday evening to Saturday evening. And here, in Exodus 20:11, God reminds His people of what He had already established: a sacred, set-apart day..
Remember the Sabbath Day
God did not merely create the Sabbath, He commanded His people to remember and keep it holy. Exodus 20:8-10 and Lev 23:3 both tell us the seventh day is the Sabbath. And not only is it a day of rest, but a time set aside for worship and gathering together in fellowship (Deuteronomy 5:12). But how do we know Saturday is the 7th day?
Since it has become a matter of confusion, it’s important to note that the truth of Saturday as the Sabbath predates Judaism. And, although an entire nation was given the responsibility of managing the calendar, other calendars eventually caused confusion. Throughout history, from Julius Caesar to Pope Gregory XIII, there have been several iterations of the calendar. And while they’ve gone so far to “change” the length of the year, the days of the week still fall in the same fashion.
A time set apart
The Sabbath reflects God’s example (Exodus 20:11) and invites us to pause from our work, reconnect with Him, and focus on what truly matters. The other six days are for labor, but this day is dedicated to spiritual renewal. Jesus emphasized that true worship must be grounded in both sincerity and truth in John 4:24. And if we desire to worship God in truth, it’s important to understand His instructions about the Sabbath. What He established, what He modeled, and what He expects.
The Sabbath as a sign
The Sabbath is described in Scripture as a special sign between God and His people. It was to remain a symbol of their relationship with Him (Exod 31:13 & Exod 31:16-17). It was never presented as optional or interchangeable. God designated a specific day, and honoring that day reflects obedience and commitment to Him. At the same time, Scripture makes clear that God’s people include all who follow Him in Galatians 3:28, “You are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Jesus kept the Sabbath
Jesus did not abolish the Sabbath, and His death did not “fulfill” it, either. His life demonstrated obedience to God’s law (Luke 4:16, Mark 1:21). Likewise, the apostles continued this practice, in Acts 17:2, when Paul “for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,” and he “reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath,” in Acts 18:4. There is no clear biblical statement that the Sabbath was abolished or replaced with another day.
So, how do we keep the Sabbath today?
The Sabbath is more than physical rest, it’s a spiritual gift (Isaiah 58:13–14). It offers us time to worship God, study scripture, pray, and reflect. But also to spend time with family and, most importantly, assemble with other members of the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24–25). When observed as intended, the Sabbath becomes a day of peace, joy, and renewal.
The Sabbath points to the future
The weekly Sabbath also symbolizes God’s greater plan. It foreshadows a future time of peace and rest often referred to as the Millennium. From creation to the time of Christ and the early church, the Bible consistently identifies the seventh day as God’s holy Sabbath. It is a day set apart for rest, worship, and connection with Him.
By remembering and honoring the Sabbath, we not only follow God’s example—we also experience the physical and spiritual renewal He intended for us all along.
