Sabbatarianism is the belief that Christians should observe the Sabbath day, which is Saturday, as a day of rest and worship. This belief comes from the Fourth Commandment given to Moses by God: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8 ESV). The Sabbath was established by God at creation as a day to cease from labor and focus on Him (Genesis 2:2-3).
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a key sign of God’s covenant with the Israelites. God commanded them to keep the Sabbath day holy by not working and to rest (Exodus 20:8-11, Deuteronomy 5:12-15). Violation of the Sabbath brought harsh punishment (Numbers 15:32-36). Keeping the Sabbath was considered a defining characteristic of God’s chosen people.
With the arrival of Jesus, some practices regarding the Sabbath came into question. Jesus often healed people on the Sabbath, which the religious leaders considered work and a violation of the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17, John 5:1-18). Jesus affirmed the moral obligation of the Sabbath but emphasized that doing good was lawful on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14). Jesus also declared that He is “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:23-28).
In the early church, Christians began meeting to worship on Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead, rather than Saturday (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2). The apostle Paul taught that Christians should not judge one another regarding observance of special days like the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17). He made it clear that following rules about food and days are not as important as faith and love (Romans 14:5-6).
Throughout church history, there has been some disagreement among Christians regarding Sabbath observance. Some believe that the Lord’s Day (Sunday) has replaced the traditional Sabbath as the Christian day of worship and rest. Others believe that the fourth commandment requires the observance of Saturday as a Christian Sabbath.
Groups that promote Sabbatarianism include:
- Seventh-Day Adventists – They worship on Saturday and believe that proper Sabbath observance is one of God’s final messages to prepare the world for the second coming of Christ.
- Seventh Day Baptists – They keep the Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset as a day of rest and worship.
- Some Reformed, Presbyterian and Anabaptist groups – They emphasize Sabbath keeping on Sundays as the Christian Sabbath.
- Hebrew Roots Movement – They seek to restore first-century Jewish practices including Sabbath keeping.
- Messianic Jews – They observe the Sabbath along with other Old Testament laws out of respect for their Hebraic heritage.
In summary, Sabbatarianism stems from the Fourth Commandment and has been practiced in various forms throughout church history. Differences arise regarding whether the Sabbath should be observed on Saturday or Sunday. But all Sabbatarians emphasize setting aside the Sabbath each week to cease from work, rest, and focus on God. They aim to obey God’s command for Sabbath keeping, following the example of Jesus.
Theological Basis for Sabbatarianism
Sabbatarians base their theology on several key biblical principles:
- The Sabbath was established at creation for all mankind.
- The Fourth Commandment to keep the Sabbath day holy is an eternal moral law, not just a civil or ceremonial rule for Israel.
- Jesus kept the Sabbath and affirmed its ongoing validity.
- The example of the apostles and early church shows Sabbath keeping on the seventh day.
- Prophecy indicates that Sabbath observance will be important for the end times.
Genesis 2:2-3 describes God blessing and making holy the seventh day at creation, before the existence of Israel. So the Sabbath was not only for Israel but for all people from the very beginning. Exodus 20:8-11 ties Sabbath observance to God’s act of creation, not just the Exodus deliverance. So the Fourth Commandment applies universally.
Jesus kept the Sabbath faithfully throughout his life on earth (Luke 4:16). He rebuked Pharisees for imposing man-made rules on the Sabbath, emphasizing that doing good and saving life are lawful Sabbath activities. But Jesus never annulled the Fourth Commandment or gave any indication that it was temporary.
The apostles like Paul kept the Sabbath day holy according to the commandment (Acts 13:14, 16:13). Nothing indicates they switched the Sabbath to Sunday in the early church. The apostles continued to observe the seventh day Sabbath according to God’s enduring commandment.
Prophecies like Isaiah 66:22-23 predict that Sabbath observance will continue in the new heavens and new earth. Hebrews 4:9 states that a Sabbath rest remains for God’s people. So the Sabbath was never supposed to vanish but remains God’s plan for all eternity.
Based on these biblical foundations, Sabbatarians assert that the Fourth Commandment remains obligatory for Christians today. They keep the seventh day Sabbath holy as a celebration of creation and Christ’s redeeming work.
History of Sabbatarianism
Sabbatarian ideas have circulated since apostolic times, but organized Sabbatarian movements arose much later. Key highlights include:
- 1200s – Small groups of European Christians kept seventh day Sabbath.
- Reformation – Some Anabaptists promoted Sabbath keeping.
- 1600s – English Separatists began keeping seventh day Sabbath.
- 1664 – First Seventh Day Baptist church formed in America.
- 1800s – Several Sabbatarian Adventist groups arose that became Seventh-day Adventists.
- 20th century – Sabbatarian teachings spread through Herbert W. Armstrong and Messianic Jewish groups.
During the Middle Ages, isolated groups of Christians throughout Europe emphasized strict observance of the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath commandment. Some Anabaptists in 16th century Switzerland and Germany practiced Sabbath keeping on Saturdays. English Separatists began keeping the seventh day Sabbath in the early 1600s.
The first Seventh Day Baptist church in America was founded in Newport, Rhode Island in 1664. A few other Seventh Day Baptist churches formed in colonial America over the next century. Then in the early 1800s, a number of Sabbatarian Adventist groups arose, influenced by William Miller’s end-times movement. These included the Seventh-day Adventist church established in 1863.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, some Sabbatarian churches adopted staunch anti-Catholic attitudes and rejected Christian holidays as pagan corruptions. Other groups promoted Sabbatarian ideas included the Worldwide Church of God founded by Herbert W. Armstrong and various Hebrew and Messianic Jewish groups that arose in the 20th century.
So while Sabbatarian groups have always been a minority, Sabbath keeping has endured throughout church history as a practice among diverse Christian groups. The Seventh-day Adventist church and Seventh Day Baptists continue to promote Sabbath observance into the 21st century.
Key Differences Between Saturday and Sunday Sabbatarians
There are significant theological differences between those who believe Christians must keep the seventh day Sabbath on Saturdays versus first day Sabbath keepers on Sundays:
Seventh Day Sabbatarians
- Believe the Fourth Commandment requires keeping the seventh day Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
- Emphasize the Sabbath was established at creation for all people.
- Believe the switch from Saturday to Sunday worship was an unauthorized change, not based on biblical mandate.
- View first-day Sunday worship as a tradition lacking biblical basis.
First Day Sabbatarians
- Believe Christ’s resurrection on Sunday fulfilled and superseded the Old Testament Saturday Sabbath commandment.
- Emphasize New Testament passages suggesting the first day of the week took on special significance in early church worship (Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2).
- View the Sabbath as a ceremonial law for Israel that Christians are no longer bound to keep literally.
- Believe Sunday is the Christian Sabbath day based on apostolic practice and church tradition.
So Saturday Sabbatarians claim Sunday worship lacks biblical support, while Sunday Sabbatarians often view seventh day observance as legalistic. This gets to the heart of differences over Sabbatarian theology and practice.
Common Sabbatarian Beliefs and Practices
Despite some differences, Sabbatarians share core beliefs and observances based on the Fourth Commandment:
- Ceasing regular work and labor – Sabbatarians avoid work, business, commerce and other activities pursued during the rest of the week. Exceptions may be made for works of necessity and mercy.
- Rest and refreshment – The Sabbath offers needed rest and renewal after six days of toil. God commands His people to enjoy this weekly period of rejuvenation.
- Corporate worship – Sabbatarians gather for worship, prayer, preaching and fellowship on the Sabbath.
- Spiritual disciplines – Reading Scripture, singing hymns, prayer, acts of service and giving offerings characterize Sabbath observance.
- Quality family time – The Sabbath provides opportunities for family Bible study, catechism review, wholesome recreation and relationship building.
By devoting a full day to spiritual pursuits and fellowship, Sabbatarian Christians aim to follow the Fourth Commandment and honor God as Creator and Redeemer. Their Sabbath activities foreshadow the eternal rest that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9).
Arguments Against Sabbatarianism
Some of the main biblical arguments leveled against Sabbatarianism include:
- Colossians 2:16 – This verse says not to let anyone judge Christians regarding Sabbath days. So New Covenant believers are not required to keep the Jewish Sabbath.
- Romans 14:5 – Paul says each person should be fully convinced about keeping sacred days. This implies Sabbath keeping is not an absolute requirement.
- Hebrews 4:9-11 – The author argues Christian rest in Christ has come, so there remains no obligation for literal Sabbath keeping.
- The Lord’s Day – The phrase “Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10 refers to Sunday, showing the first day of the week has replaced the old Sabbath.
- Church tradition – The consistent witness of the apostles and early church was to worship on Sundays, not Saturdays, based on the resurrection.
In summary, opponents of Sabbatarianism deny that the Fourth Commandment requires literal Sabbath keeping for Christians. They say it imposes an unnecessary obligation not taught or practiced by Jesus and the apostles.
Responses to Arguments Against Sabbatarianism
Here are some responses defenders of Sabbatarianism give to common critiques:
- Colossians 2:16 refers to human traditions added to the Sabbath, not the Fourth Commandment itself established by God.
- Romans 14:5 promotes tolerance, not the abolition of the Sabbath, which would violate the moral law of God.
- Hebrews 4 links Sabbath rest to this world, not just future salvation rest. It does not cancel God’s command to keep the Sabbath holy.
- “Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10 lacks evidence it means Sunday. The phrase nowhere appears in early church writings.
- Apostolic example indicates continued seventh day observance. Scripture never assigns Sabbath functions to Sunday or abolishes the literal Sabbath.
Sabbatarians argue that proper biblical interpretation shows God’s enduring command to keep the seventh day Sabbath. Claims about abolishing or altering the Sabbath lack clear scriptural support.
The Importance of Sabbath Rest
Whether the Sabbath is Saturday or Sunday, Sabbatarian Christians emphasize God’s blessing of holy rest. Possible benefits include:
- Weekly renewal of body, mind and spirit
- More time for prayer, Bible study and worship
- Strengthened family bonds and fellowship with other believers
- Less anxiety through trust in God’s provision and grace
- A witness to the world of Christ’s Lordship over all of time
By setting aside daily concerns and focusing on spiritual realities, Sabbath observers experience refreshment and engage with God’s Kingdom. This foretaste of eternal rest offers motivation to persevere in following Jesus.
Some also argue societies benefit when periods of rest are built into life’s rhythms. Ceasing from commerce curtails unchecked materialism. Extended work hours can increase stress and reduce human flourishing. So whether mandated or not, practicing regular Sabbath rest can be wise stewardship.
Concluding Summary
Sabbatarianism teaches that Christians have an obligation to keep the Sabbath day holy, based on the Fourth Commandment and the example of Jesus. The two major forms are seventh day Sabbatarianism on Saturdays and first day Sabbatarianism on Sundays. Sabbatarian practices include corporate worship, avoiding work, and focusing on spiritual renewal and fellowship.
Sabbatarians offer biblical arguments for their position, while opponents claim New Covenant believers are not required to keep any literal Sabbath. But all agree that making space for rest and spiritual nourishment is valuable for personal wellbeing.
Overall, Sabbatarian Christians seek to honor the Lord’s Day, whether Saturday or Sunday, as holy time devoted to the knowledge and worship of Jesus Christ as Lord of the Sabbath and all creation. Their observance testifies that life is more than work and the world’s pressures. By resting in Christ, they enjoy a taste of the eternal Sabbath rest awaiting all of God’s people.