God’s fourth Commandment says, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Ex. 20:8). Moses said, “Six days ye shall gather it (manna); but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath . . .” (Ex. 16:26). God said, “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath . . .” (Ex. 20:9-10). The seventh day of the Jewish week is Saturday. The Bible clearly states that God told the Jews to worship on Saturday.
One day, Jesus was walking through a corn field with His disciples and they were hungry. They started plucking ears of corn to eat and the Pharisees accused them of not keeping the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-2). It’s a controversy that comes up in the Church today. The vast majority of Christians worship on Sunday, but there is a minority that accuses them of not keeping the fourth Commandment about the Sabbath.
It’s important to know that the Old Testament contains Ten Commandments, but the New Testament contains only nine. The New Testament tells the church not to kill, not to steal, not to bear false witness, etc., but the New Testament never tells the church to keep the Sabbath day holy. God is not forgetful. So many Christians believe He left the fourth Commandment out for a reason and they believe that reason is because He placed the church under grace not the Law
One reason why God set aside the seventh day for the Jews to worship is because He wanted them to remember the Creation. He said, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (Ex. 20:11).
The Creation is important. Without it, none of us would be here today. But there is something else to remember. We must be re-created in the image of Christ (II Cor. 5:17). Jesus said it this way, “Ye must be born again” (Jn. 3:7). Without it, we would be better off if God had never created anything.
So instead of worshipping on the seventh or Sabbath day and remembering the Creation, many Christians worship on the first or Lord’s day and remember what Jesus did so we can be re-created. There are many reasons why they chose to remember Jesus on the Lord’s Day and a few of them are given in the remainder of this article.
One, Jesus arose from the grave on the Lord’s Day (Matt. 28:1). Two, the church began on Pentecost which always falls on the Lord’s Day (Acts 2:1). Three, the church is instructed to give on the Lord’s Day (I Cor. 16:2). Four, the church was given the Book of Revelation on the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10). Five, the church took communion on the Lord’s Day (Acts 20:7). Six, the Bible records at least five different appearances of Jesus between His resurrection and ascension and all of them were on the Lord’s Day. Seven, the early church leaders were the disciples and it is clear that they often met on the Lord’s Day.
Worship the Lord every day and, if you are able, attend church because the Lord wants you to do it. The Scriptures stress the importance of attending especially as we see the day of His coming approaching (Heb. 10:25). Many experts in Bible prophecy believe that day is right on top of us. And don’t forget: It is not enough to attend church. You MUST be born again.
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck