Sabbath commandment

“We keep all of the 10 commandments but the Sabbath, why is that?”

This was a question I was asked by Bob. Bob had given in to a particular Jewish Christian group that believed we should observe the Sabbath day, besides other views like only the writings of Moses were inspired Scripture.

I gave 2 reasons why we do not recognize the Sabbath day like we do the other 9 commandments.

One reason is because the 10 commandments are part of the whole Mosaic Law, and the Mosaic Law was for Israel as a nation, not the Church, which is not a nation, but exists as assemblies of believers within nations. And only those laws of the Mosaic law that are moral and not social or ceremonial are universal—the moral laws are contained in the Mosaic Law along with the uniquely ceremonial and social laws for Israel. The Sabbath is more of a ceremonial law, unlike the other laws within the 10 commandments.

The other reason is because the Sabbath is never made an issue in the moral requirements of the New Testament. Surely, if the Gentile believers had to be exhorted to not lie and steal and covet, etc., they would need to be exhorted to keep the Sabbath holy. Nowhere does any of the New Testament authors exhort anyone to keep the Sabbath. Would not Gentiles have failed in this practice as they did with everything else? Especially since they were not Jews and did not practice it before conversion. There were several kinds of Sabbath rests for the Jews, but the Church did not replace Israel, and they are not a nation among nations like Israel was. The Church is not under the laws of Moses like Israel was. The Church is only to fulfill the moral requirements that are universal and timeless, moral laws that are included in the law of Moses. But the Law of Moses included social and ceremonial laws that do not apply to the Church.

Some will suggest that the Sabbath was fulfilled in Christ, but I'm not sure if that is a sufficient argument, since it appears that the Sabbath will be observed in the Millennial Kingdom.  Though the Apostle Paul did say to the Colossians,  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. Colossians 2:16-17   Paul also said, One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.  Romans 14:5-6   

The Sabbath will be again observed by Israel in the Millennium: For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me, says the LORD, So shall your descendants and your name remain. And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the LORD. Isaiah 66:22-23 The difference will be that Israel will be a nation again, and they will be under laws that govern them as a People and Nation. And they will be a People who have believed in Christ who saved them, both individually and nationally. But they will be a theocracy again in the land promised to Abraham. 

 Revised 4/2/2025