What Is the True Sabbath? Is It Saturday or Sunday? Which Day Should We Worship?

Question:

Is the true Sabbath on Saturday or Sunday? Are Christians required to observe a specific day of worship? What does the Bible really say?

1. The Meaning of Sabbath: A Shadow of Spiritual Rest

The word “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, meaning “rest” or “cease.” In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was the seventh day of the week (Saturday), set apart as a holy day of rest and worship for the people of Israel (see Exodus 20:8–11).

However, the Sabbath command was a shadow—a symbolic pointer to something greater that would come through Christ.

Colossians 2:16–17 (NKJV)
“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.”

 Jesus Christ: Our True Sabbath Rest

Jesus fulfilled the law, including the Sabbath law (see Matthew 5:17). In Him, we find our ultimate spiritual rest—freedom from sin, legalism, and striving for salvation through works.

Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… and you will find rest for your souls.”

Hebrews 4:9–10 (NIV)
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”

True Sabbath for the believer is not merely resting one day a week—it is resting in the finished work of Christ.

 Worshiping God Is Not Limited to a Specific Day

In the New Covenant, worship is no longer tied to a specific day or place. Worship is now a matter of spirit and truth—daily, heartfelt devotion to God.

John 4:23–24 (NIV)
“A time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth…”

The Apostle Paul warned against elevating special days or seasons as requirements for righteousness.

Galatians 4:9–11 (ESV)
“…How can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles… You observe days and months and seasons and years! I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.”

The Example of the Early Church: Worship on the First Day

While Saturday was the Sabbath under the Law, the early Christians began meeting on Sunday, the first day of the week, in remembrance of Christ’s resurrection (see Mark 16:9). It became known as “the Lord’s Day”.

Acts 20:7 (NIV)
“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”

1 Corinthians 16:2 (NIV)
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income…”

This shift shows that the day itself was not the focus—what mattered was gathering in the name of Jesus.

 Do All Days Belong to the Lord? Yes.

Every day belongs to the Lord. Christians are not bound to the Old Covenant Sabbath laws.

Romans 14:5–6 (NIV)
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord…”

The point is this: worship must come from the heart, not from the calendar.

 Should We Still Gather Weekly?

Yes, regular fellowship is important. While we are free in Christ, we are encouraged not to neglect meeting together with other believers.

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Whether that gathering happens on Saturday, Sunday, or another day, it is the spirit and purpose of the gathering that matters most.

In conclusion

So, when is the “real” Sabbath?

• In the Old Covenant: It was Saturday (Exodus 20:8–11).
• In the New Covenant: It is Jesus Christ Himself, in whom we rest daily.
• In practical terms: Christians may gather to worship on any day, but many gather on Sunday in honor of the resurrection.

What matters most is that we worship God sincerely, not which day we do it.

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Conclusion:

You are not more righteous for worshiping on Saturday, nor are you wrong for worshiping on Sunday. Let your worship be constant, your faith be rooted in Christ, and your rest be found in His finished work.

May the Lord bless you as you walk in His freedom and truth.

Print this post