The Sabbath in the New Testament
Several times now I have seen how pastors teach the Ten Commandments (as they should), but not the Sabbath, because they say that the Sabbath is not in the New Testament.
The Ten Commandments however are a reflection of God's perfect never-changing character. Which raises the question "Why would God change His own commandments?".
Here is a verse that clearly states that the Sabbath-rest remains.
For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
- Hebrews 4:8-10 (KJV)
The word "rest" here comes from the Greek word "sabbatismos" which the NIV translates as "Sabbath-rest".
- Source
Jesus and the early church always kept the Sabbath.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
- Luke 4:16 (KJV)
Under the new covenant, God's laws are written in our mind, and in our heart.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
- Hebrews 8:10 (KJV)
But the law itself hasn't changed. It's still based on the Ten Commandments (which includes the Sabbath commandment).
- No other gods
- No idols
- No blasphemy
- Keep the Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset)
- Honour your father and mother
- No murder
- No adultery
- No stealing
- No lying
- No coveting
For the full version of the Ten Commandments, please click here.
The Sabbath commandment was created for our benefit.
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
- Mark 2:27-28 (KJV)
We should keep it. 