The Sabbath was originally a command given to Israel under the Old Covenant—a day of rest on the seventh day, rooted in God’s own rest after creation. While it’s part of the Ten Commandments, the New Testament never reaffirms Sabbath-keeping as a requirement for Christians. Instead, Jesus fulfilled the Law, and early Christians gathered on Sunday to celebrate His resurrection. Paul clearly taught that believers are not to be judged over Sabbath observance, emphasizing freedom in Christ rather than legal obligation.
That means you’re not required to keep the Sabbath in the Old Testament sense—but you’re still invited to find rest in Jesus, who offers a deeper, eternal rest. Observing a day of rest can be a good practice, but it’s no longer a law for those under grace. Want to understand how this all fits together biblically? Keep reading for a deeper dive into Scripture, church history, and what Jesus really meant when He said the Sabbath was made for man.
This is a question many Christians wrestle with: Is keeping the Sabbath still necessary? The Bible talks a lot about the Sabbath, especially in the Old Testament. But what about now—after Jesus, after the cross, after the New Covenant?
Let’s dig into it. We’ll walk through what the Sabbath is, what the Bible says about it, how it was practiced, and whether it still applies to you today as a follower of Christ.
What Is the Sabbath?
The Sabbath was originally a day of rest commanded by God. It started with creation:
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested… Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy…” — Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)
Later, in the Ten Commandments, God made it a law:
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… On it you shall not do any work…” — Exodus 20:8-10 (NIV)
Key Facts About the Sabbath:
- Day: The seventh day (Saturday).
- Purpose: Rest and remembrance of God’s creation and deliverance from Egypt (Deut. 5:15).
- Who: Commanded to Israel as part of their covenant with God.
- Penalty: Breaking the Sabbath was a serious offense (Ex. 31:14).
What Did Jesus Say About the Sabbath?
Jesus often challenged the way religious leaders treated the Sabbath. They turned it into a burden rather than a blessing.
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” — Mark 2:27 (NIV)
He healed people on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17). He picked grain with His disciples (Mark 2:23-28). He never broke God’s law, but He did reject the Pharisees’ man-made traditions.
Jesus re-centered the Sabbath’s purpose: rest, renewal, and doing good.
Did Jesus Command Christians to Keep the Sabbath?
This is where it gets important for you. Nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus command His followers to keep the Sabbath in the same way it was commanded under the Old Covenant.
Here’s why:
- The Law Was Fulfilled in Christ
Jesus didn’t come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). That includes the Sabbath. - The New Covenant Changed Things
The Sabbath was part of the Mosaic Law. But believers are no longer under that covenant:
“You are not under law, but under grace.” — Romans 6:14
- The Early Church Didn’t Treat Sabbath as Binding
The early Christians met on the first day of the week (Sunday), not the Sabbath:- Acts 20:7: “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”
- 1 Corinthians 16:2: Paul tells believers to set aside offerings on the first day.
They honored Sunday as Resurrection Day, not Sabbath.
What About the Ten Commandments?
It’s true—the Sabbath is the 4th commandment. But here’s the key difference:
- 9 of the 10 commandments are repeated in the New Testament (e.g., don’t steal, don’t murder).
- The Sabbath command is not repeated for the Church.
That’s not a coincidence.
Paul makes it even clearer:
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you… with regard to a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” — Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV)
The Sabbath pointed forward to Jesus, who gives ultimate rest (Hebrews 4:9-10).
Are Christians Free to Keep the Sabbath?
Absolutely. If you want to rest on Saturday and dedicate it to God, that’s great. But it’s not a requirement.
Paul again addresses this:
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” — Romans 14:5 (NIV)
So, here’s the balance:
- You’re free to observe the Sabbath if it draws you closer to God.
- You’re free not to, and you’re not less holy for it.
What matters is that you rest in Christ and honor Him every day.
What About Sabbath in Hebrews?
Hebrews 4 speaks of a “Sabbath rest” for God’s people. But this isn’t about a day of the week—it’s about eternal rest in Christ.
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God… anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” — Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV)
This rest is about trusting in Jesus, not your own efforts. It’s about the gospel, not the calendar.
Summary: Is the Sabbath Required Today?
Let’s break it down simply:
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Sabbath part of the Ten Commandments? | Yes |
| Are Christians still under the Old Covenant law? | No |
| Did Jesus fulfill the Sabbath? | Yes |
| Are Christians required to keep the Sabbath? | No |
| Can Christians choose to observe it? | Yes |
What Should You Do Now?
Here’s the practical takeaway:
- Rest is still important. God designed us to rest. You don’t need to call it “Sabbath,” but make time to step away from work, reflect, and reconnect with God.
- Honor Christ every day. Worship, serve, and follow Jesus in all you do—Monday to Sunday.
- Don’t judge others. Whether someone keeps Saturday, Sunday, or treats every day alike—don’t divide over it. Christ is what matters most.
Final Thoughts
The Sabbath was a gift. But it was never meant to be a chain. Jesus is your rest now. If you’re in Him, you’ve already entered the ultimate Sabbath.
So the answer is: No, the Sabbath isn’t required for Christians today—but the rest and relationship it pointed to is still very much alive in Christ.
And that’s the point.
FAQs: Is the Sabbath Still Required for Christians Today?
1. Is the Sabbath still required for Christians today?
No, Christians are not required to observe the Sabbath as a law. The Sabbath was part of the Old Covenant given to Israel, and the New Testament makes it clear that believers in Christ are no longer bound to keep it as a legal requirement (Colossians 2:16-17, Romans 14:5).
2. Did Jesus keep the Sabbath?
Yes, Jesus kept the Sabbath as a Jew living under the Law (Galatians 4:4). However, He also clarified its purpose and corrected the Pharisees’ legalistic interpretations, saying, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
3. Why don’t Christians worship on the Sabbath (Saturday)?
After Jesus’ resurrection, early Christians began gathering on Sunday—the first day of the week—to celebrate His resurrection (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2). Sunday worship is not a replacement for the Sabbath, but a tradition rooted in celebrating Christ.
4. What did Paul say about the Sabbath?
Paul taught that Christians should not be judged for observing—or not observing—the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16). He emphasized freedom in Christ and encouraged believers to be convinced in their own minds about such matters (Romans 14:5).
5. Is the Sabbath one of the Ten Commandments?
Yes, the Sabbath is the fourth commandment. However, it’s the only one not reaffirmed in the New Testament for the Church. Christians follow the spirit of the law through resting in Christ, not by legal observance of a specific day.
6. What does Hebrews 4 mean by ‘Sabbath rest’?
Hebrews 4 speaks of a spiritual rest found in Christ—a rest from works-based righteousness. This “Sabbath rest” is not about a weekly day but about entering God’s eternal rest through faith in Jesus.
7. Can Christians choose to observe the Sabbath?
Yes, Christians are free to rest or dedicate a specific day to God, including Saturday, if they choose. The key is not treating it as a legal obligation or judging others who do differently (Romans 14:5-6).
8. What is the difference between the Sabbath and Sunday worship?
The Sabbath (Saturday) was a command under the Old Covenant. Sunday worship is a New Testament practice rooted in celebrating Jesus’ resurrection. Sunday is not the “Christian Sabbath,” but a tradition of gathering for worship and teaching.
9. Is Sabbath-keeping necessary for salvation?
No. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Sabbath-keeping was never a means of salvation, and it’s not required for Christians today. Christ is our ultimate rest.
10. What should Christians do instead of keeping the Sabbath?
Christians are called to live in daily relationship with God, find rest in Christ (Matthew 11:28), and regularly gather with other believers (Hebrews 10:25). While physical rest is wise, your ultimate rest comes from trusting in Jesus, not following Old Testament rituals.
