What Is the Sabbath?

What is the Sabbath? The word "Sabbath" connotes rest, and it has its origin in Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Genesis 2:2-3 explains that following the six days of creation, God ended his work and blessed the seventh day, setting it aside as a day of rest for mankind. Sabbath was originally practiced on a Saturday but the practice's evolution resulted in Sunday as the observed day of Sabbath in most modern churches.

Early Sabbath practices

The first religious designation concerning the Sabbath occurred in the culture of the early Israelis. The fourth of the Ten Commandments instructed the Israelis to "remember," or set aside, the Sabbath day and to do no work on that day. This mandate concerning rest included the people themselves, their servants and even their working animals. The seventh day of the week was also a day of worship, with the people of God meeting in the synagogue to hear the Holy Writ read to them.

New Testament Sabbath practices

The New Testament book of Acts reveals that the early church met, not on Saturday, but Sunday. The practicing Jews of the day continued to meet in the synagogue on the seventh day, but the Christians (the followers of Jesus Christ) met together on Sunday in honor of the resurrection of Christ following His death. Acts and the New Testament epistles contain numerous references to the early believers gathering for worship and prayer and to give their tithes and offerings on the first day of the week, Sunday, rather than Saturday.

Certain sects within Christendom, such as the Seventh Day Adventists, continue to meet for worship on Saturday, but the vast majority of Christian churches now hold their worship service on Sunday in honor of the resurrection and in accordance with the early church practices. Regardless of the day of rest chosen, this practice certainly benefits the body, mind and soul.