The Sabbath is traditionally observed on the seventh day of the week, which is Saturday. This is based on the biblical account of creation, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the world. The importance of observing the Sabbath is emphasized in the Ten Commandments, where it is listed as the fourth commandment.
However, some religious groups observe the Sabbath on a different day, such as Sunday, due to theological beliefs or historical practices. Ultimately, the specific day of the week is less important than the principle of setting aside time for rest, worship, and spiritual reflection.
What day do Christians observe as the Sabbath and why?
We believe that the Lordโs Day, celebrated on Sunday, the first day of the week, throughout the Christian church, is the Christian sabbath. We reverently observe Sunday as a day of rest and worship, and it is a continuing memorial of our Saviorโs resurrection.
What day does the Bible indicate should be observed as the Sabbath?
According to the Bible, we should observe the seventh day of the week โ Saturday โ from dusk to dusk as the Sabbath of the Lord. Evening is at sunset when one day ends and another begins, and this is the day that has been sanctified for rest. This means that the Sabbath Day begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday.
When did Jesus proclaim Sunday to be the Sabbath day?
Until His Resurrection, Jesus Christ and His disciples kept the seventh day as the Sabbath. After His Resurrection however, Sunday was held sacred as the Lordโs day in honor of His Resurrection on that day, according to Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2.
What is the Jewish holy day observed on Fridays?
Every week religious Jews observe the Sabbath, the Jewish holy day, on Fridays. The Sabbath begins at nightfall on Friday and lasts until nightfall on Saturday. It is a special time for religious Jews in which they keep its laws and customs.
What Christian denominations observe the Sabbath on Saturday?
Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday, differing from many other Christian denominations who observe it on Sunday. This is based on their interpretation of the Bible.
What Christian denomination observes the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening?
Seventh-day Adventists observe the Sabbath from Friday evening to Saturday evening. They observe the Sabbath as a day of worship and rest, beginning at sundown on Friday and ending at sundown on Saturday.
What position does Saturday have in the week according to the international standard ISO 8601 and the three Abrahamic religions?
According to the international standard ISO 8601, Saturday is the sixth day of the week. However, the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) regard Saturday as the seventh day of the week.
What caused the Sabbath to be replaced by Sunday?
While Jesus himself did not make a definitive shift away from the Sabbath, his teachings weakened its significance in the eyes of his followers and they gradually shifted towards worshipping on Sunday, which was a day of joyous freedom due to Jesusโ resurrection. This ultimately caused a change from the Sabbath to Sunday as the primary day of worship.
In Abrahamic religions, what is the purpose of the Sabbath?
In Abrahamic religions, the Sabbath (/หsรฆbษฮธ/) or Shabbat (from Hebrew ืฉึทืืึธึผืช ล abbฤแนฏ) is a day set aside for rest and worship. According to the Book of Exodus, the Sabbath is a day of rest on the seventh day, commanded by God to be kept as a holy day of rest, as God rested from creation. Therefore, the Sabbath is a day of rest and worship.
How did Jesus view the Sabbath?
Jesus viewed the Sabbath as a day of rest for humans as indicated in Mark 2:27. He also claims Himself as the โLord of the Sabbathโ, which does not abolish it, but rather emphasizes its significance in life. Therefore, Jesusโ stance on the Sabbath was to preserve and strengthen its importance.

Joseph Bates is a teacher at the University of Holy Cross. He has served on the staff of Northern Baptist and United Methodist churches in Tampa, Ohio, and Florida.