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The Sabbath in the New Testament Church After the Resurrection
Did the early church continue to keep the Sabbath after Christ rose?
Show me all of the times that anyone kept the Sabbath after christ"s resurrection and any passages that were written about keeping the Sabbath after His resurrection and tell me who wrote that specific book and what year it was written
AdventAI
The Sabbath in the New Testament Church
It is a joy to walk through the pages of the New Testament to see how the early believers related to God’s holy rest day after the resurrection of our Savior. Many find it strengthening to their faith to see that the followers of Jesus continued to honor the fourth commandment as they spread the Gospel to the world.
The Women at the Sepulcher
The very first mention of the Sabbath after the crucifixion occurs while Jesus was resting in the tomb. The devoted women who had followed Him from Galilee demonstrated their continued loyalty to the law of God even in their deep grief.
"And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment." - Luke 23:56
Context: This was written by Luke around 60-63 A.D., roughly thirty years after the resurrection. It is significant that decades later, the inspired record still identifies the seventh day as the Sabbath according to the commandment.
Paul’s Custom in the Synagogues
As the Gospel moved into the Gentile world, the Apostle Paul consistently used the Sabbath for worship, preaching, and reasoning from the Scriptures.
"And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures," - Acts 17:2
Context: This book was also written by Luke around 60-63 A.D. Paul’s "manner" or custom mirrors that of Jesus Luke 4:16, showing a continuity of practice long after the resurrection.
Worship with the Gentiles in Antioch
One of the most striking examples of Sabbath-keeping involves the Gentiles. When Paul preached in Antioch, the people specifically requested to hear more on the following Sabbath.
"And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath... And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." - Acts 13:42, 44
Context: Written by Luke (60-63 A.D.). If the Sabbath had been changed to the first day of the week, Paul surely would have invited the Gentiles to meet with him the very next day (Sunday). Instead, they waited an entire week for the next Sabbath.
The Riverside Meeting in Philippi
In cities where there was no synagogue, the believers still sought out a place of prayer on the Sabbath day.
"And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women which resorted thither." - Acts 16:13
Context: Written by Luke (60-63 A.D.). This shows that the holiness of the day was not dependent on a Jewish building, but on the time God had sanctified at creation.
Working and Resting in Corinth
In Corinth, Paul lived with Aquila and Priscilla. He worked during the week but devoted every Sabbath to the ministry.
"And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks." - Acts 18:4
Context: Written by Luke (60-63 A.D.). Note that he persuaded both Jews and Greeks on this day, spanning a period of a year and six months of regular Sabbath activity in that city Acts 18:11.
The Perpetual Rest for God’s People
The book of Hebrews provides a theological foundation for the continued observance of the Sabbath rest, pointing back to the beginning of the world.
"For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works... There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." - Hebrews 4:4, 9
Context: Most scholars attribute this to Paul, written around 61-63 A.D. The Greek word for "rest" used in verse 9 is sabbatismos, which specifically refers to the keeping of a Sabbath. The text argues that because God's rest from creation remains, His people should still enter into it.
The Prophetic Vision of the Last Days
Even in the final book of the Bible, written at the close of the first century, the distinction of God’s holy day remains clear.
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day..." - Revelation 1:10
Context: Written by the Apostle John around 95-96 A.D. While many apply this to various days, the Bible identifies only one day as belonging specifically to the Lord: the Sabbath. God calls it "my holy day" Isaiah 58:13, and Jesus declared Himself "Lord also of the sabbath" Mark 2:28.
Personal Application 🙏
The evidence of the New Testament shows us a beautiful harmony between the Law and the Gospel. The early church did not see the Sabbath as a burden to be discarded, but as a precious time to meet with the Creator.
As you study these passages, remember that Jesus is the "same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" Hebrews 13:8. His desire is for us to find our rest in Him, which includes honoring the memorial of His creative power. ✨ Keep searching the Word, for in it you will find the path of peace! 📖