Have you ever heard that certain verses in the New Testament—like Colossians 2:16 or Hebrews 4—do away with the seventh-day Sabbath? It’s a common teaching in many churches today, suggesting the Sabbath was nailed to the cross or became optional under grace. But what if a closer look at these passages, in light of the apostles’ own practices, reveals something different? Let’s examine the Scriptures thoughtfully, letting the words of Paul and others guide us. This journey might just prompt you to rethink long-held assumptions and relearn what the early church truly lived out.
Understanding the Context: No Explicit Abolition in Scripture #
The New Testament doesn’t contain a single command from Jesus or the apostles to stop observing the Sabbath or switch it to another day. Instead, we see continuity: Jesus kept the Sabbath as His custom (Luke 4:16), healing and teaching on it while emphasizing mercy over legalism (Mark 2:27-28). After His resurrection, the apostles continued gathering on the Sabbath for worship and preaching (Acts 13:42-44; 17:2; 18:4). Paul, who addressed many controversies like circumcision and food laws, never mentions a debate over changing or abolishing the day of rest.
This silence is telling. If the Sabbath had been revoked, wouldn’t it have sparked explosive discussions among Jewish believers? The lack of any such record challenges us to evaluate why mainstream teachings often claim it was abolished, when the biblical evidence points to its enduring role as a memorial of creation and God’s rest (Exodus 20:8-11).
Colossians 2:16-17: Shadow or Substance? #
One frequently cited passage is Colossians 2:16-17: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”
At first glance, this might seem to dismiss Sabbath-keeping. But let’s dig deeper. Paul warns against ascetic, human philosophies infiltrating the church (Colossians 2:8, 18-23)—not against God’s law. The “sabbath days” here likely refer to ceremonial sabbaths tied to feasts, new moons, and sacrifices (Leviticus 23), which pointed forward to Christ.
Paul further says in Colossians 2:22, “These are all destined to perish with use, founded as they are on human commands and teachings.” The fact of the matter is, the new moon and the sabbath are established by God, not human beings. Therefore, we can conclude that Paul is referring to the man-made laws or ceremonies.
The weekly seventh-day Sabbath, rooted in creation (Genesis 2:2-3), isn’t a shadow—it’s a perpetual sign (Exodus 31:16-17). Paul himself kept it faithfully (Acts 17:2). Question to ponder: If this verse abolishes the Sabbath, why did the apostles continue observing it without apology? Perhaps it’s a call not to let others judge our joyful keeping of God’s commands, rather than permission to ignore them.
Hebrews 4: Entering God’s Rest #
Hebrews 4:4-11 speaks of rest: “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.”
Some interpret this as the Sabbath being fulfilled in Christ, making literal observance unnecessary. Yet the chapter affirms the seventh-day rest as ongoing—”there remaineth a rest” (sabbatismos, meaning Sabbath-keeping). It urges believers to enter this rest by faith, avoiding Israel’s unbelief. The weekly Sabbath pictures the ultimate spiritual rest in Christ, but it doesn’t replace the physical day God sanctified.
Jesus offered rest to the weary (Matthew 11:28-30), yet He still observed the Sabbath. The apostles did too, showing that faith enhances, not eliminates, obedience. Challenge yourself: If Hebrews portrays the Sabbath as a remaining blessing, why do many teachings suggest it’s obsolete? Relearning this could deepen our experience of God’s grace.
Romans 14:5-6: Esteeming Days #
Romans 14:5-6 says: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
This is often used to argue that days of worship are optional. But the context is about doubtful disputations—personal convictions on eating meat offered to idols or fasting (Romans 14:1-3, 21). It doesn’t address the commanded Sabbath. Paul upholds God’s law as “holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12) and says circumcision is nothing, but “keeping the commandments of God” matters (1 Corinthians 7:19).
The apostles’ example shows no such flexibility with the Sabbath—they kept it consistently. Thought-provoking: If Paul meant the Sabbath is a matter of preference, why didn’t he say so clearly, especially amid other debates?
Galatians 4:9-10: Weak and Beggarly Elements #
Galatians 4:9-10 warns: “But now, after that ye have known God… how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements… Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.”
Paul combats legalism—Judaizers insisting on circumcision and ceremonies for salvation (Galatians 5:1-6). The “days” refer to pagan or ceremonial observances, not the moral Sabbath command. Paul, a Sabbath-keeper, wouldn’t contradict his own practice.
Evaluating this: Mainstream views often blend these with the weekly Sabbath, but the apostles’ lives tell a different story. What if these passages protect against misuse, not abolition?
Rethinking Abolition: A Call Back to Apostolic Truth #
History shows the shift to Sunday came centuries later, influenced by anti-Jewish sentiment and pagan sun worship, not New Testament teaching. Constantine’s edict in 321 AD formalized Sunday observance, but the Bible records no such change. The apostles’ unwavering Sabbath-keeping invites us to relearn: Obedience flows from love (John 14:15), and the Sabbath remains a delight (Isaiah 58:13-14).
Do these passages truly abolish God’s holy day, or have interpretations evolved to fit traditions? At Yovel Ministries, we’re exploring these questions to align with Scripture. What insights have you gained? Share below—let’s grow together in truth.
