Why is sabbath on sunday for christians

The basis for the command to observe the Sabbath, as stated in Exodus , is that God rested on the seventh day after six days of work, and that God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.

The Sabbath day was instituted as a day of rest and worship. The people of God were to follow God's example in His pattern of work and rest. However, as Jesus said in correcting the distorted Sabbath view of the Pharisees ,. The point Jesus made is that the Sabbath was not instituted to enslave people, but to benefit them.

The spirit of Sabbath observance is continued in the New Testament observance of rest and worship on the first day of the week. However, because the Resurrection and the beginning of Creation had both occurred on the first day of the week Sunday , the church soon observed that day instead.

More Gentiles were becoming Christians as well, which contributed to a desire to shake off Jewish customs. By the end of the first century, Sunday worship was the norm. We can assume the change caused some friction, for in Colossians Paul admonishes, "Therefore do no let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. It's important to note that the Sabbath was not simply moved; Christians altered the observance as well as the day.

Hallmarks of the early Christian "Lord's day" celebration, according to Justin Martyr ca. By Jewish standards, Christians don't keep the Sabbath at all. To ask CHB editors a church history-related question, send an e-mail to cheditor christianitytoday.

In the Church the matter of Sabbath-day observance can be settled quite effectively from the fact that the twelve successive Presidents of the Church from the Prophet Joseph Smith to President Spencer W. Kimball have all seen fit to observe Sunday as the proper day, and have thus set the pattern.

When rare exceptions to the established day have seemed necessary, as noted above, the proper priesthood authority is able to make the decision.

January Should I do schoolwork on the Sabbath? Henry B. Why do we observe the Sabbath on Sunday? Elliott D. Kathie Johnston Brough. Why is so much of the Book of Mormon given over to military accounts? Douglas Phillips. Mormon Sundays William G. This is the intention of the first, original Sabbath. It was so God and his people could rest in their relationship. Will Sabbath rest ever be restored? The Gospel tells us that Jesus had a lot to say about the Sabbath and the true rest that God intends for his people.

Jesus responds with an argument that redefines the Sabbath, asserts his role as the promised Messiah, and points to his divinity Matthew The Pharisees are understandably upset by this.

But to Jesus, Sabbath observance pointed to something greater. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

All this talk of rest right before a passage that deals with Sabbath? This is no mistake. What is Matthew trying to communicate here? The people were in need of rest, both in ceasing from hard work shabbat and being present together with God nuakh. Jesus ushered in the promise and reality of both. Jesus taught that the Sabbath was about mercy and was purposeful. When followers of Jesus observe the Sabbath, we live as if this restoration has already taken place. We take a break from the broken rhythms of hustle and hardship to set aside a time of submission to his rule and enjoyment of his presence and to extend these things to the world around us.

So what does this look like practically? Does it mean attending a weekend church service, or turning off work emails, or volunteering at a soup kitchen?