The Sabbath
A study of the seventh-day Sabbath as a holy day established at Creation, reaffirmed in God's law, taught and kept by Jesus Christ, observed by the New Testament Church, and designed for mankind's physical and spiritual benefit.
The seventh-day Sabbath is taught and kept holy in accordance with biblical instruction. Instituted at Creation, reaffirmed to Israel as a part of the covenant at Sinai and taught by Jesus Christ who is the Messenger of the New Covenant, the observance of the Sabbath is considered basic to a Christian's relationship with God.
A Day Set Apart by God
The Church of God continues to observe the seventh-day Sabbath as did Jesus Christ and the New Testament Church. The Sabbath was established during Creation week, made for mankind, reaffirmed by Christ, taught by the apostles and observed by faithful Christians through the centuries.
The Sabbath has two foundational functions. It provides needed physical and mental rest, and it gives God's people an appointed time for closer contact with Him through worship, prayer, study and congregational fellowship.
Each weekly Sabbath also serves as a memorial of Creation and a reminder that God is Creator. At the same time, it points forward to the future restoration and spiritual rest associated with the Kingdom of God.
Jesus' statement in Mark 2:27–28 is central to the lesson: the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The day was therefore created for mankind's benefit rather than as an oppressive burden.
The English word “Sabbath” comes from a Hebrew term associated with stopping, resting or ceasing. Genesis records that God ceased from His work on the seventh day, blessed that specific day and sanctified it.
The lesson presents the Sabbath as a definite period of time, reckoned from Friday evening at sunset to Saturday evening at sunset. It was already known before the covenant at Sinai, as illustrated by the manna account in Exodus 16.
Exodus 31 further identifies the Sabbath as a sign between God and His people. It points to God as Creator and Sanctifier and serves as a distinguishing practice identifying those who seek to live according to His way.
By the time of Jesus, additional human traditions had surrounded Sabbath observance with detailed restrictions. The lesson emphasizes that Christ did not abolish the Sabbath; rather, He corrected burdensome interpretations and demonstrated its proper spirit and purpose.
Jesus attended synagogue services on the Sabbath, permitted His disciples to eat grain from the fields, healed the sick and taught that doing good and relieving suffering are fully consistent with Sabbath observance.
The New Testament emphasis therefore concerns how the Sabbath should be kept rather than whether it should be kept. Paul's ministry among Gentiles likewise includes Sabbath preaching and worship.
The lesson does not attempt to create an exhaustive list of permitted and prohibited activities. Instead, the Church teaches biblical principles and encourages individual Christians to apply those principles according to conscience, faith and the spiritual intent of the day.
The Sabbath is to be a day devoted to God, rest, spiritual renewal, family, fellowship and doing good. Ordinary business pursuits and activities that undermine the purpose of the day are presented as inconsistent with its intent.
The Meaning and Purpose of the Sabbath
Established at Creation
God blessed and sanctified the seventh day after completing His work of creation.
Made for Man
The Sabbath provides physical and mental rest while creating time for worship and spiritual renewal.
A Sign Between God and His People
Exodus presents the Sabbath as a sign identifying God as Creator and Sanctifier.
Jesus Kept and Clarified It
Christ's example reveals the Sabbath's spiritual intent rather than a legalistic system of human restrictions.
A Holy Convocation
The Sabbath provides an appointed opportunity for God's people to gather together for worship and instruction.
A Picture of Future Rest
The weekly Sabbath looks forward to the restoration and spiritual rest associated with God's Kingdom.
Keeping the Sabbath in Spirit and in Truth
Rather than an exhaustive rulebook, Lesson Seven emphasizes broad biblical principles that guide the Christian in honoring the day.
The Sabbath is the specific seventh day God blessed and sanctified, not simply any one day out of seven.
Following God's example, Christians cease from ordinary weekly work and business concerns.
The day provides additional opportunity for prayer, Bible study, worship and thinking about spiritual matters.
Leviticus calls the Sabbath a holy convocation, and the lesson connects it with congregational fellowship and worship.
Christ's healings demonstrate that helping others and relieving suffering are in harmony with the Sabbath's purpose.
The Sabbath is presented as a joyful gift, not an oppressive burden or an end in itself.
Individual situations should be evaluated according to faith, conscience and whether an activity supports or undermines the day's spiritual purpose.
Each Sabbath points beyond weekly rest toward the future Kingdom and restoration of all things.
Read These Scriptures in Your Own Bible
Questions
All 38 review questions are displayed in full. Complete them before opening the answer key below.
Which of the following is true regarding the Sabbath:
- a) is Holy.
- b) instituted at Creation.
- c) reaffirmed to Israel at Sinai.
- d) taught by Jesus Christ.
- e) basic to a Christian’s relationship with God.
- f) all of the above
The weekly Sabbath celebration serves as a reminder that:
- a) Association with others is fun.
- b) God is Creator
The New Testament discussions about the Sabbath revolve around how to keep it not whether to keep it. True or False?
The basic New Testament scripture on how to keep the Sabbath is_____ .
The Hebrew word translated “Sabbath” means to rest, stop or cease. True or False?
The Sabbath is from:
- a) midnight going into Saturday to midnight going into Sunday.
- b) sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
- c) noon Friday to noon Saturday.
- d) Saturday morning to Sunday morning.
The weekly Sabbath predated the covenant with Israel. True or False?
What verse tells us that God hallowed the Sabbath by resting on it?
The Sabbath was created only for the tribes of Israel and not the rest of the world. True or False?
Where do we hear God speaking to Moses saying, “How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?”
Exodus 20:8 says, “_________ the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”
Exodus 31 says that the Sabbath is a _________ [what?] between Him and His people?
Finish this sentence: The Sabbath is the one commandment of the ten that will maintain a _____ _____ to God.
Romans 9:6-8 says that in these New Testament times the seed of Abraham and the promises go to the followers of Christ, not physical Israel. (See Gal. 3:29.) Is this an accurate understanding of the New Testament? Yes or No?
The Sabbath is no longer a sign between God and His people. True or False?
Jeremiah 17 speaks to dire consequence of negligence in regard to the Sabbath. True or False?
The nations went into captivity, in part, because of their Sabbath breaking. True or False?
The Sabbath is clearly done away with in the New Testament times. True or False?
Secular history of the 1st century cannot be used to support the idea of Sabbath-keeping at that time. True or False?
The ministerial conference of Acts 15 did not discuss the abolition or altering of the Sabbath. Why?
- a) It was an unforgivable oversight.
- b) It was never an issue.
The Sabbath transcends the covenant at Sinai. True or False?
What scriptures in Acts record the Gentiles asking Paul to preach to them again on the next Sabbath?
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, was constantly being attacked by other Jews who said he was teaching against the Law. Acts 21:20-21 clearly indicates that these accusations were false. Why then, if he taught another Sabbath day, was he not accused by other Jews of Sabbath breaking?
- a) They never discovered that all these churches started by Paul were keeping the wrong day (Sunday).
- b) Because Paul vigorously kept all the laws of God including the Sabbath.
The Greek word translated “esteem” [Krino] is never used for Sabbath-keeping. True or False?
The Sabbath day has two great overall purposes according to the Bible:
- a) It looks back as a witness to the ________ _________ [what?]
- b) It looks forward as a shadow to the spiritual rest of the _______________ [what?]
In what verse in Isaiah do we read, “…and from one sabbath to another shall all flesh come to worship before me.”
What 9 chapters in Ezekiel describes Israel and the future Temple in prophetic vision and specifically mentions Sabbath-keeping:
- a) 1-9
- b) 14-22
- c) 30-38
- d) 40-48
In polar regions where the sun does not set for 24 hours, 7 days a week, and in outer space, the Sabbath day has no meaning. True or False?
The church…
- a) teaches broad principles regarding Sabbath-keeping.
- b) provides specific lists of what cannot be done on the Sabbath.
Today, Sabbath teaching includes:
- a) the letter of the Law.
- b) the spirit of the Law.
- c) both.
- d) neither.
Which of the following are true about the Sabbath:
- a) it is God’s day.
- b) it is a day devoted to Godly activities.
- c) it is holy.
- d) it is a joy and delight.
- e) not a day for doing thine own business.
- f) all of the above
The phrase “nor finding thine own pleasure“ is better rendered:
- a) feeling good physically and emotionally.
- b) looking for a joyous time.
- c) plying your trade.
True or False? The following are inherently wrong on the Sabbath: watching TV; swimming; listening to music; marital relations; reading the weekly comics
What is wrong is any activity which interferes with or detracts from the joy, rest and spiritual intention of the day. True or False?
It is the duty of the ministry to:
- a) provide the member with basic guidelines for making their own decisions.
- b) spell out and rule on every last kind of activity.
Which of these activities would seem not in the spirit of keeping the Sabbath?
- a) participating in football or basketball.
- b) digging up the garden or plowing a field.
- c) harvesting a crop or entire garden.
- d) doing the week’s shopping.
- e) none of the above.
- f) all of the above.
