We are told the Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday because His resurrection was on the first day of the week. We honor Him on the day of the week that He rose from the dead.
Here’s the truth: There is NOT a verse in the Bible that says the Sabbath changed to any other day. Ask any Jewish person nicely what day the Sabbath is. The Saturday Sabbath has been accurately observed farther back than 1,000 B.C
Yeshua observed the Sabbath by reading in the synagogue. (Mark 1:21) (Mark 6:2) (Luke 4:16) (Luke 13:10) Yeshua taught at Capernaum on the Sabbath. (Luke 4:31)
Yeshua said the Sabbath was made for man, and He is the Lord of the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27, 28) Everybody still observed the Sabbath when Yeshua was in the tomb. (Mark 16:1) (Luke 23:56)
The New Testament church still observed the Saturday Sabbath.
Paul observed the Sabbath in the synagogue at Thessalonica. He used “three Sabbaths” to describe the three weeks length of time he was there. (Acts 17:1-3)
Paul went to Antioch and was asked to speak in the synagogue for the Sabbath service. (Acts 13:14, 15)
The whole city gathered to hear the Word of the Lord on the “next” Sabbath. (Acts 13:44) Does this imply they had done the same on the previous Sabbath?
Moses is preached in synagogues in every city on the Sabbath from the earliest times. (Acts 15:21)
Paul and his group spoke to women gathered at a place of prayer on the Sabbath. (Acts 16:13)
Paul reasoned with Jews and Greeks in the synagogues EVERY Sabbath. (Acts 18:4)
There is NO indication in the Bible that the Sabbath has passed away. Men have changed the Sabbath to Sunday, NOT God. Here are a few official statements from leaders of different denominations about the Sabbath.
Baptist: There is nothing in Scripture that requires us to keep Sunday rather than Saturday as a holy day. Harold Lindsell, (former editor) “Christianity Today”, Nov. 5, 1976
Episcopal: The Bible commandment says on the seventh day thou shalt rest. That is Saturday. Nowhere in the Bible is it laid down that worship should be done on Sunday. Philip Carrington, Toronto Daily Star, Oct. 26, 1949.
Methodist: The reason we observe the first day instead of the seventh is based on NO positive command. One will search the Scriptures in vain for authority for changing from the seventh day to the first. Clovis G. Chappell, Ten Rules for Living, page 61
Catholic: Sunday is a Catholic institution, and its claims to observation can be defended only on Catholic principles. From beginning to end of Scripture there is NOT a single passage that warrants the transfer of weekly public worship from the last day of the week to the first. Catholic Press
If this is common knowledge, why is everybody still going to church on Sunday? The Orthodox Jews still observe the Sabbath on Saturday. The Messianic Jews still observe the Sabbath on Saturday. How did this change from Saturday to Sunday come about?
The Catholic Church changed worship from Saturday to Sunday at the Council of Laodicea. The Convert’s Catechism of Catholic Doctrine, Third Edition, page 50.
Of course the Catholic Church claims the change was her act. And the act is a “MARK” of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters. (H.F. Thomas, Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons.) Isn’t it interesting this change is referred to as a “mark” of the papacy’s authority!
This reminds me of a verse about a False Church religious leader who speaks against the Most High, who thinks to change “times and laws”. (Dan. 7:25) Is this Sabbath change just one more fulfillment of prophecy from Rome? (The one who sits on seven hills? Rev. 17:9)
I do NOT get the impression the Sabbath has changed in the Lord’s eyes. You may try to eliminate the Ten Commandments. But the Two Commands the Lord gave still cover the previously established Ten. The first, “love the Lord your God”…involves the first four Commandments to God, including keeping the Sabbath Holy. The second command, “love your neighbor as yourself”…encompasses the last six Commandments for fellow man.
Should we be observing the Sunday Sabbath changed by the Roman Catholic Church? Or should we be worshipping on the Saturday Sabbath the Lord God of Israel instituted? Why don’t we worship on the same Saturday Sabbath that Yeshua did? The same Sabbath the disciples and Paul continued to observe? Draw your own conclusions, but I get the impression there will even be a Sabbath to observe in the new heavens and the new earth. (Isaiah 66:22-24)
For more, read my book “LIES A Preacher Told me”, available at: http://www.djmercer.com/liestoldme.htm Also, listen to our radio program “LIES A Preacher Told me”, every Sunday at noon 1180am, Lakewood WA Copyright June 2009 by Peter B.
