Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy.Exodus 20:8

Critics often accuse Christians of hypocrisy for not observing the Sabbath, and many Christians are curious as to what the Bible says. Should we observe the Sabbath? Which day is the Sabbath?

Should Christians Observe the Sabbath?

Why should Christians observe the Sabbath if Christ Himself did not?

Then some of the Pharisees began to say, "This man is not from God, because he does not observe the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner perform such miraculous signs?" Thus there was a division among them.John 9:16

In dealing with a question simliar to this--dietary restrictions in the Church--Paul says not to argue about such things. He then seems to refer specifically to holy days:

1 Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions.
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5 One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. The one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.Romans 14:1,5-6

The issue of food was a specific issue faced by the early Jewish believers who were unsure how to proceed with their new faith. The same is obviously true of the Sabbath. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul makes a similar statement, only this time more explicitly:

Therefore do not let anyone judge you with respect to food or drink, or in the matter of a feast, new moon, or Sabbath daysColossians 2:16

Hebrews suggests that our Sabbath rest is fulfilled in Christ:

4 For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works," 5 but to repeat the text cited earlier: "They will never enter my rest!" 6 Therefore it remains for some to enter it, yet those to whom it was previously proclaimed did not enter because of disobedience. 7 So God again ordains a certain day, "Today," speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, "O, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken afterward about another day. 9 Consequently a Sabbath rest remains for the people of God. 10 For the one who enters God's rest has also rested from his works, just as God did from his own works. 11 Thus we must make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.Hebrews 4:4-11

Thus, Scripture seems to indicate that Christians do not need to observe any particular day of rest. However, it is still beneficial to set aside time for rest and for dedication to God. As Paul said, we should be convinced of our actions in our own mind, and we should not argue with others about their own choices in this matter.

Which Day?

The traditional Jewish Sabbath occurred on the 7th day of the week--Saturday. Some people still believe that Christians should observe the Sabbath on a Saturday (Seventh Day Adventists). However, Scripture seems to indicate that the early church worshiped each Sunday--the day Christ was resurrected:

On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul began to speak to the people, and because he intended to leave the next day, he extended his message until midnight.Acts 20:7

On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income and save it to the extent that God has blessed you, so that a collection will not have to be made when I come.1 Corinthians 16:2

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day when I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,Revelation 1:10 (This does not prove the day, but does show that the Lord's Day, elsewhere identified, was significant)

Furthermore, the historical move from observing the Sabbath to worshiping on a Sunday is considered to be one of the strongest, yet often overlooked evidences for Christianity. If Christ had not been resurrected, we would have to explain how and why the shift took place in a Jewish culture where strict obedience to religious customs was demanded. Justin Martyr records that the early Christians met for worship on Sunday, and that this was the day Christ was resurrected.

However, it is important to note that there is no Scripture that indicates that Sunday was ever considered a Christians Sabbath. It is a special day for Christians, but this does not equate it with the day of rest of Judaism. In fact, if Sunday were simply another Sabbath, Christians would be breaking the Sabbath every Sunday when they travel to church for worship! Not to mention all pastors and teachers who would be working on the Sabbath.