The Biblical Truth About Sabbath and Sunday Laws

A Sunday law is a human enactment that stands in direct opposition to the commandments of God, as the Bible identifies the seventh day, not the first, as the only day sanctified by the Creator. 📖

Hello! It is a joy to share this Bible study with you. To understand the truth about Sunday laws, we must look at what God has spoken in His Word and compare it with the claims of men. Let us explore the Scriptures together to see how God defines His holy day and warns us about human attempts to change His law.

1. The True Sabbath of the Lord

The foundation of this study is the fact that God has already designated a specific day for rest and worship. He did not leave the choice to human legislation.

• The Creator's Signature: The fourth commandment identifies the seventh day as the Sabbath. It serves as a sign of His authority because He is the Creator of all things Exodus 31:17.

• A Perpetual Sign: God gave the Sabbath to be a sign between Him and His people forever, that they may know He is the Lord who sanctifies them Exodus 31:13+1.

• The Seventh Day is Holy: The Commandment is explicit: "the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work" Exodus 20:10.

2. Sunday in the New Testament

Many claim that Sunday, the first day of the week, became the new Sabbath in the New Testament. However, the Bible consistently distinguishes between the Sabbath and the first day of the week.

• The Sabbath is Past: The Gospels show that the Sabbath is finished before the first day of the week even begins. For example, the women came to the sepulcher "when the sabbath was past," which was "very early in the morning the first day of the week" Mark 16:1-2+1.

• Common Work Days: In the New Testament, the first day of the week was used for common activities, such as traveling or secular business, rather than holy rest Acts 20:7+1.

• The Lord’s Day: While some apply this title to Sunday, the Scripture identifies Jesus as the "Lord even of the sabbath day" Matthew 12:8. Therefore, the "Lord's day" mentioned by John is the seventh-day Sabbath Revelation 1:10.

3. The Warning Against Human Traditions

A Sunday law is an attempt to enforce a tradition that has no scriptural basis. The Bible warns that following human commandments in place of God's law is vain worship.

• Vain Worship: Following the traditions of men while laying aside the commandments of God renders worship useless Mark 7:7-8.

• A Changing Power: Prophecy warns of a power that would "think to change times and laws" Daniel 7:25. Enforcing Sunday rest is an attempt to change the "time" God set at creation.

• The Seal vs. The Mark: God’s "seal" or "sign" is found in His Sabbath Ezekiel 20:20. In contrast, the Bible warns against a "mark" that involves the worship of a beast power and the rejection of God's commandments Revelation 14:9-11.

4. The Final Conflict and Our Choice

The issue of Sunday laws eventually leads to a final test of loyalty: will we obey God or man?

• The Patience of the Saints: In the final crisis, God’s people are identified as those who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" Revelation 14:12.

• Victory Over the Mark: Those who refuse to submit to human laws that contradict God's law are seen standing in victory on the sea of glass Revelation 15:2.

• The Promise of Blessing: There is a special blessing for those who do His commandments, as they will have the right to the tree of life Revelation 22:14.

By studying these scriptures, we see that Sunday laws are not of divine origin but are a "breach" in God's law that He calls His people to repair Isaiah 58:12-13. May you find peace in hallowing the day He has truly blessed! ✨