One of the most common claims made against the Catholic Church is that it changed the biblical Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Critics argue that this shift is an example of the Church overriding Scripture, while others insist that Sunday worship is a legitimate Christian tradition. So, what’s the truth? Did the Catholic Church really change the Sabbath, or is there more to the story?
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The Biblical Sabbath: A Day of Rest and Worship
In the Old Testament, God established the Sabbath as a day of rest. In Genesis, we read:
“And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.” (Genesis 2:2)
Later, in the Ten Commandments, God instructs His people:
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8-10)
For the Jewish people, the Sabbath was observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening, in accordance with biblical tradition.
Why Do Christians Worship on Sunday?
While the early Christians, many of whom were Jewish, initially observed the Sabbath, they soon began gathering for worship on Sunday instead. Why? Because Sunday is the day of Christ’s resurrection. The Gospels tell us that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). This day became known as the Lord’s Day.
The early Christians saw the resurrection as the central event of salvation history. As a result, they began meeting on Sundays to break bread, listen to the apostles’ teaching, and celebrate the Eucharist. This practice is evident in Scripture:
“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.” (Acts 20:7)
“Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper.” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
These passages indicate that Sunday worship was already a practice in the first-century Church.
Did the Catholic Church “Change” the Sabbath?
It’s important to clarify that the Catholic Church did not “change” the Sabbath. The Sabbath, as established in the Old Covenant, remains Saturday. However, Christians are no longer bound to the Old Covenant in the same way as the Jewish people. The New Covenant, established through Christ, fulfills and transforms the Old Law.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains:
“The Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. ‘Sunday… is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church.'” (CCC 2177)
From the earliest days of Christianity, the Church recognized Sunday as the primary day of worship, not as a replacement for the Sabbath but as a fulfillment of it.
What the Early Church Fathers Said
The shift from Saturday to Sunday was not a medieval invention but a practice upheld by the early Church Fathers.
- St. Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 AD) wrote: “Those who were brought up in the ancient order of things have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in observance of the Lord’s Day, on which also our life has sprung up again by Him and by His death.”
- St. Justin Martyr (c. 155 AD) stated: “We all gather on the day of the sun because it is the first day, the day on which God transformed darkness and matter and created the world, and because Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on that same day.”
- The Didache (1st-century Christian document) also references the practice of gathering on the Lord’s Day.
Clearly, Sunday worship was not an innovation of later centuries but an apostolic tradition.
Understanding the Difference Between Sabbath and Sunday
The Sabbath was a sign of God’s covenant with Israel, while Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is a celebration of the new creation brought about by Christ’s resurrection. The two are not in conflict—Sunday worship fulfills the meaning of the Sabbath in a deeper way.
This understanding aligns with Christ’s own teaching. Jesus often challenged rigid interpretations of the Sabbath (Mark 2:27), emphasizing that it was made for man’s benefit. In Him, we find ultimate rest—not just in a single day of the week, but in the eternal rest of salvation.
Conclusion: Sunday Worship is Biblical and Apostolic
So, did the Catholic Church arbitrarily change the Sabbath? No. The shift from Saturday to Sunday worship was a natural development rooted in Christ’s resurrection and practiced from the earliest days of Christianity. The Catholic Church simply continued the apostolic tradition.
Sunday is not a “replacement” for the Sabbath but a fulfillment of it—a day set apart to honour Christ’s victory over sin and death. For Christians, worshipping on the Lord’s Day is a way of participating in that victory, just as the early Christians did.
In the end, it’s not about debating days but about worshipping God in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Whether Saturday or Sunday, the heart of worship is always the same: to give glory to God and grow in love for Him.
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