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The issue of the Sabbath is a big issue for some people. Generally, people who make a big issue out of keeping the Old Testament Sabbath are empty when it comes to holiness, thus, like the Pharisees before them that were Godless, they resort to exalting works that require no holiness of heart and life. The Sabbath is one of these type things. Any sinner can keep the Sabbath, and yet still have a heart full of hate and bitterness toward God and man. Sabbath-keeping was not commanded in the entire New Testament, and all arguments ever made for New Testament believers keeping the Sabbath are based on false assumptions and ignoring the context of certain key verses.

In this study we will look at some of the main arguments of the Sabbath-keepers and what the Scriptures plainly teach regarding the Sabbath and its relation to us as New Testament believers. It should not be too surprising that people who are set on keeping the Sabbath in disregard for the teachings of God in the Scriptures generally suggest tapes and books from their favorite Sabbath-keeping gurus. This is because they cannot ask one to study the word to find out the truth regarding the Sabbath, because then no one would believe their false teachings on the Sabbath. Yet, we, as Holy Ghost baptized, Bible beliving Christians, will simply take the word of God for what is says.

The majority of the people teaching that we should keep the Sabbath today twist the original giving of the Sabbath and the reason for it. Here is what one such person told me:

The seventh-day is not the Jewish Sabbath. The Sabbath was instituted at Creation for all mankind, thousands of years before there ever was a Jewish race, and thousands of years before it was inscribed on tablets of stone at Sinai. Genesis 2:1-3. It was a memorial of God's creative power. It had nothing to do with becoming one race's belief. If mankind would have remembered the Sabbath as God commanded, we wouldn't have theories such as evolution. The Sabbath reminds us of God as Creator. Notice what God did with the Sabbath. vs 3; "and God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Blessing and sanctifying has nothing to do with Jews or any other race. God did this before man was made. The seventh-day is special, hallowed and set apart for man. God rested as an example. Is His example not good enough for us to follow? Or is His example only for the Jews?

While this sounds good on the surface, the context of Genesis 2:1-3 is thoroughly destroyed and is made into nonsense by such teachings. Here is what Genesis 2:1-3 says:

Genesis 2:1-3
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

From verse two what "seventh day" was being talked about? The seventh day of God's restoring the earth back to a habitable state. From THE CONTEXT then what seventh day was blessed and sanctified? Obviously if we simply take these verses for what they say we must conclude that the only day blessed and sanctified here was the seventh day in regards to the recreation and not every seventh day from then on. Verse 3 even explains why He blessed this one seventh day, "because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." God is not resting on every seventh day, for the Lord Jesus said on the Sabbath day, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). The only seventh day recorded that God rested on was the one that followed the six days of restoration that are given in Genesis 1-2.

The Bible does tell us why God actually commanded the Jews to keep the Sabbath (after many, many centuries of no command to keep the Sabbath).

Deuteronomy 5:15
15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

The sabbath day keeping was commanded for the Jews to remember that they were a servant in the land of Egypt and that the Lord had brought them out with a mighty and and by a stretched out arm. Sabbath keeping was not because God rested on the seventh day of Genesis 2:1-3 as we can clearly see if we believe Deuteronomy 5:15.

Today many people think that the first day of the week (Sunday) is the Sabbath, or some of the Jewish cultists believe that the last day of the week (Saturday) is the Sabbath. This is incorrect. The seventh day sabbaths that Israel observed occurred on two different days each and every year because of an additional Sabbath at Pentecost. Let me explain:

Let's say that the first sabbath fell on a Saturday. The fifttieth day, would be Sunday and would also be the extra sabbath day of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-16). Thus, the next sabbath day would be seven days later and would fall on Sunday (because Sunday would be the seventh day from the last sabbath day, the day of Pentecost). This would be the case until the next Pentecost in which the seventh-day sabbath would change again (to Monday) and so on. The Sabbath day was never one set day of the week that was unchaging, rather it changed each year with Pentecost. So a Saturday Sabbath or Sunday Sabbath only is erroneous and based on the traditions of men. Either way, we, as New Testament believers, are not bound by any Sabbath command.

Another argument by those who do not believe the Bible alone is, "Jesus kept the Sabbath until His death, even resting in the grave on the Sabbath. Matthew 5:17, 'Think not that I have come to destroy the law, I have not come to destroy but to fulfill.' Jesus fulfilled the law."

Of course they fail to quote this verse in its context. Here is what it says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled" (Matthew 5:17-18). Notice that this person says that Jesus fulfilled the law, which is correct. Yet, if one believes that Jesus fulfilled the law then why do they not believe what He said here. He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets. His coming was to fulfill them. Only through His fulfilling them could He then abolish it and establish a new law. Notice the last part of verse 18, the abolishing of the Old Testament law could not be done "till all be fulfilled."

Another argument is that the Old Testament law, and in particular the ten commandments, were not done away with. Well, the Scriptures are so clear that the entire Old Testament law, including the ten commandments, were done away with. The main reason anyone would try to keep the Sabbath is due to a rebellion and refusal to line up with the New Testament. There is no salvation for people who refuse to line up with the New Testament because they are bound to the Old Testament law (including Sabbath keeping) for they are fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4). Here is what the Scriptures say in regard to the abolishment of the Old Testament Law:

Jeremiah 31:31-34
31   Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
32   Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD:
33   But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34   And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

Matthew 5:17-18
17   Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18   For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 11:12-13
12   And from the days of John the Baptist until know the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
13   For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Luke 16:16
16   The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of heaven is preached, and every man presseth into it.

John 1:17
17   For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:20-21
20   Moreover the law entered that offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21   That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:1-4
1   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2   For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3   For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4   That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:4
4   For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

2 Corinthians 3:5-17
5   Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
6   Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7   But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8   How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9   For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10   For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11   For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
12   Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13   And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14   But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ.
15   But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart.
16   Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
17   Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Galatians 3:19-25
19   Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20   Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21   Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22   But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23   But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24   Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25   But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Galatians 4:21-31
21   Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22   For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23   But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24   Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25   For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26   But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27   For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28   Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29   But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30   Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31   So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Galatians 5:4
4   Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:18
18   But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

Ephesians 2:13-16
13   But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14   For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15   Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16   And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Colossians 2:13-17
13   And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14   Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15   And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Hebrews 7:11-28
11   If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12   For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13   For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the alter.
14   For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15   And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16   Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17   For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
18   For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19   For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20   And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21   (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22   By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23   And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24   But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25   Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26   For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
27   Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
28   For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Hebrews 8:6-13
6   But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7   For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8   For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9   Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10   For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me my people:
11   And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12   For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
13   In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 9:8-10
8   The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9   Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10   Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

Hebrews 9:14-22
14   How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
15   And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16   For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17   For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
18   Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood.
19   For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
20   Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21   Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all of the vessels of the ministry.
22   And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood is no remission.

So the above Scriptures are very clear that the Sabbath and all the Old Testament law was done away with. If one is saved by the blood of the Lord Jesus then they need to obey His New Testament laws and not forsake His blood for Old Testament laws that were abolished through His work on the cross and His New Testament.

Romans 14:5-6
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

This should be plain enough that we should not try to put people in bondage to a certain day or any type sabbath keeping practices.

Isaiah 1:10-15
10 Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

Hosea 2:11
11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.

God fulfilled this promise in His making of a New Covenant. He made no command to keep any days, feasts, new moons, or sabbaths in this New Covenant, rather provision is made for "every man be fully persuaded in his own mind" whether he will esteem one day above another or all days alike. God places no demands or commands upon the New Testament saints in regard to Sabbath keeping, feast keeping, etc.

It all comes down to whether one is truly saved and following the New Covenant they are saved under, or if they are playing games with God and trying to keep a mixture of the abolished covenant along with the New Covenant. If we believe the above Scriptures teaching the Old Testament law was abolished then it becomes clear that we must equally reject the Sabbath command especially in light of Scriptures like the previously presented ones.

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