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Sabbath means “a cessation from work”

The Sabbath is an interesting issue and I believe one that goes to the core of the Christian identity. Though Romans 14:22 says to keep our belief on “debatable issues” between ourselves and God I have made this page because, in my experience, this issue is so very poorly addressed in Churches and has been the source of denominational splits even to some believing that our righteousness before God is indicated by our observance of The Sabbath as Israel were required in Old Covenant Law. So if you want to please read on, and then if you still want to set apart a day to the Lord that's perfectly fine (Romans 14:5-6). However, do not make the mistake of trying to be righteous through observance of the Sabbath because you will fail just as Israel did (see Acts 15:10). A Christian's righteousness is solely in Jesus Christ.

Old Covenant
Genesis 2:1-2	God sets apart the seventh day
Exodus 16:21-30 Exodus 20:8 & 23:12	Commandment issued to the children of Israel and subsequently incorporated into the 10 Commandments
Deuteronomy 5:12	Issued again and also repeated again in Exodus 34:21 and 35:2-3 in Leviticus 19:3, 30, 23:3 & 26:2
Exodus 31:12-17	KJV - ¹⁶Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. ¹⁷It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever...

The Gospels
Matthew 12:1-12 Mark 2:23-27 Mark 3:1-4 Luke 6:1-9 Luke 14:1-6 John 5,7,9 +	"for the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath"; It is Lawful to do good on the Sabbath. For the Christian, each day is unto the Kingdom of God therefore good. Mark 15:42 seems to be describing the events as if they pertain to those who are unfamiliar (requiring clarification) - because it's not practiced.

New Covenant ... How did the first Church do it ?
Acts 13:39 Acts 15:5-21 Acts 21:25	A perfect example that is self explanatory. Any requirement to observe the Sabbath as the Israelites were supposed to would have been mentioned here, but is not.
Romans 1:17, 3:19-31	Self Explanatory
Romans 6:14 & 10:4	If you are “in Christ” as John mentions in his letters then the Law is complete in you Matthew 5:17 & 18 fits Romans 10:4 and others
Romans 14:1, 5-6 & 22	Addressed in introduction
Ephesians 2:15	Self Explanatory
Galatians 2 to 4	Galatians 2:15 to 3:14 & chapter 4 especially 2:16, 2:21, 3:7 & 4:10 Again we are children of Abraham and not of Jacob (Justified by faith and not by observance of the Law) verse 3:17 & 29 This is the key.
Philippians 3:9	Self Explanatory
Colossians 2:13-14	Self Explanatory
Hebrews 3 & 4 xref: Psalm 95:11	Moses was a servant of God where as we share in Christ as sons of God. (Romans 8:29, Galatians 3:26 & Hebrews 3:5). We enter “that rest” if we do not have unbelief. Hebrews 4:1-3 says the Sabbath is entered into by faith in Christ, especially potent as this is written to "the Hebrews" who were struggling with the requirements of the Old Covenant Law. Verse 4:9 should not be quoted outside of the context of the other verses as is so often done by those who insist that all Christians should observe the Sabbath as the Israelites were required to.

Who's son are you ?

As Christians, if we are “in Christ” we are the Children of Abraham and not of Jacob (i.e. Israel) We are justified by faith and not by observance of the Law. See Galatians 3:10-11, 3:17 & 29

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. COPYRIGHT© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.