Are Christians obligated to keep the Sabbath?

I think what Jesus said about how the Sabbath was made for man, rather than man being made for the Sabbath, sums it up pretty well. As he said, if a sheep fell into a hole people would save it rather than leaving it there until the Sabbath was over and then trying to pull the (likely now dead) sheep out of the hole.

I think it's good that we take a day off each week but not good if it becomes a slavish observance that we must not do anything, even when doing that something is immediately required. I'm not even convinced it has to be the same day for every person or even the same day every week. It's not like a church pastor can take Sunday off when he is expected to lead the service, preach etc. But at the same time if there aren't enough congregation members taking Sunday off to show up at church he might as well take the day off.

The Sabbath makes a lot of sense if we regard it as essentially an instruction to stop and smell the roses, rather than as an unyielding commandment that we must do nothing that counts as work between clearly designated hours regardless of circumstance.

I believe resting in Jesus is the Sabbath

jsimms435 said:

What does resting in Jesus mean?

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In him is the fulfilment of the law. Resting as in being Christian (In Christ) or simply a believer baptised in Christ.

In other words Jesus is our rest

psalms 91 said:

Im sorry it just seems like no matter how straightforward the belief there is always an argument against it here. We cant even agree on salvation let alone the Sabbeth or tithing or just about anything else. I feel very strongly about setting aside time to deraw close to God especially in this day and age where almost everything tries to draw you away from that intimate up close and personal relationship with God. Many say they are saved but have no real relationship with God other than going to church on Sunday and many dont even do that, so yes I feel very strongly about the Sabbeth

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You are secured in the Faith brother, once and for all, you are solid in Gods foundation of Salvation and no wind nor hound of hell can come against it.

psalms 91 said:

Im sorry it just seems like no matter how straightforward the belief there is always an argument against it here. We cant even agree on salvation let alone the Sabbeth or tithing or just about anything else. I feel very strongly about setting aside time to deraw close to God especially in this day and age where almost everything tries to draw you away from that intimate up close and personal relationship with God. Many say they are saved but have no real relationship with God other than going to church on Sunday and many dont even do that, so yes I feel very strongly about the Sabbeth

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I think here you quite aptly demonstrate why many of us believe there is so much more to it than simply "observe the Sabbath".

As you quite rightly say there are people who go to church on Sunday and live the other six days as if God didn't exist. How does observing the Sabbath help them? On the other hand, what of the person who works to support their family for six days and on Sunday spends some time helping at the old folks' home, while making sure to set aside time each and every day to draw close to God? Is that person observing the Sabbath or not? And are they in a better place spiritually than the person who treats church as little more than a glorified social club?

Part of the reason there is discusion and disagreement is because some of the Old Testament is regarded as still being relevant and some is regarded as no longer relevant. Unless you refuse to shave the edges of your beard, wear clothes of mixed fibers and set women aside for seven days during their monthly cycle you can't simply point to a verse in the Old Testament as if it were as simple as "look, it says it right there". If someone believes a verse is cultural and you believe it is universal (or vice versa) I'm not sure why you simply state a belief in a debate forum unless you're willing to back it with more than "I believe what I believe".

Jesus is our Sabbath Rest.

We no longer have to observe special days.

The old law with the ceremonial works and the Sabbath were just a shadow of Jesus.

Jesus is the light and there are no shadows in the light.

We no longer observe shadows; we now have the Man who made that shadow.

The Sabbath was about Jesus.

All holy days were about Jesus. We do not have to observe any special days; we only have to observe Jesus all day every day.

Observing special days as something one believes they have to do are weak and worthless rudimentary notions.

Observing special days were a shadow of what was coming, Jesus Christ.


See Galatians 4:9, 10; Romans 14:5; Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1.

Jesus is our Rest

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

YourTruthGod said:

Jesus is our Sabbath Rest.

We no longer have to observe special days.

The old law with the ceremonial works and the Sabbath were just a shadow of Jesus.

Jesus is the light and there are no shadows in the light.

We no longer observe shadows; we now have the Man who made that shadow.

The Sabbath was about Jesus.

All holy days were about Jesus. We do not have to observe any special days; we only have to observe Jesus all day every day.

Observing special days as something one believes they have to do are weak and worthless rudimentary notions.

Observing special days were a shadow of what was coming, Jesus Christ.


See Galatians 4:9, 10; Romans 14:5; Colossians 2:16, 17; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1.

Jesus is our Rest

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

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Agree! Great first post and welcome!

Andrew said:

Agree! Great first post and welcome!

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Thank you so much. I am glad to have agreement with you.

psalms 91 said:

I totally agree but with this: No matter what day it is we should set aside a day and time to draw close to God and exclude distractions. In this busy world I feel this is very important

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Just like Christmas, if a person wants to celebrate a day for the Lord's birthday then it makes no difference for the good of salvation and not against it.

Usually though, with people who say they observe the Sabbath, most believe God wants them to and they believe those who don't are doing wrong.