Sabbath day? Which day is that?

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Where in the bible does it establish which day is the Sabbath? What scripture(s), exactly. How do we know which day of the week the "sabbath" was to be recognized? Where in the new testament does it say anything about the sabbath day being changed? What do you think GOD thinks about this subject? Where in the bible does it show HIS thinking on it? Please explain. I am in search of the Sabbath and bible versus that support the exact day of the week to which we should observe. Thank you!

-- Lonnie Peterson (lonniejo1@yahoo.com), July 06, 2004

Answers

The Old Testament establishes which day is the Sabbath, the Jewish day of worship. It was Saturday in Old Testament times, and it is still Saturday today. Therefore it has not been "changed" in any way.

The New Testament establishes the Christian day of worship as Sunday, the day of the Resurrection. The Christian Church met on Sunday to celebrate the Eucharist from earliest times (see Acts 20:7). Why would Christians celebrate during the time Christ lay dead in the tomb?? The establishment of the Christian day of worship was not a "change". It was the institution of something brand new.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), July 06, 2004.


This is a great question. As a Catholic who is studying Judaism, I have learned that many well intentioned Catholics create incorrect linkages between the two religions. Although Paul’s answer is very good—the answer we all learned in Religious Ed—may I offer you a Jewish perspective regarding the Sabbath?

Jews celebrate Shabbat, which is the Hebrew word for the Sabbath, Jews use a Lunar, rather than a Solar Calendar. Therefore, Shabbat begins on Friday at sundown, and it does not end until three stars appear in the sky or Saturday evening, or what Jews regard as early Sunday morning. Shabbat is celebrated weekly within all branches of Judaism (Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform). There is considerable variation in Shabbat observances among each branch of Judaism, each Jewish community and each individual Jew. Shabbat, for most Jews, is a significant Holy Day (second only in importance to Yum Kippur: the Jewish Day of Atonement.

Neither Shabbat nor anything in modern Judaism should be compared with anything in Christianity, Christian liturgy, theology, or Christology. Such doctrinal connections, while convenient for Christians to make, are often incorrect and troublesome to the Jewish mind. They should be avoided. In this regard, perhaps it is best for Christians to think of Shabbat as having a uniquely Jewish character of celebration, rest, and thanksgiving and pray for understanding between our two religious faiths.

-- Dan Webster (danweb@comcast.net), August 18, 2004.


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