Why was the Sabbath day changed from Saturday to Sunday?
Question
Gramps,
I was out on my splits last week with the missionaries and one of the new members had a question regarding the Sabbath day. He stated that the sabbath day is Saturday, the last day of the week. He was wondering why we call Sunday the Sabbath. Since he is a new member, someone I am very familiar with, I do not want to lead him astray. Could you please help me with this question, so I can relay him the correct information. Thank you.
Brother Wallace
Answer
Dear Brother Wallace,
From the beginning of time the Sabbath was observed on the seventh day of the week.
And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made (Genesis 2:2-3).
The Savior was crucified on a Friday, his body lay in the tomb over the Sabbath day and he was resurrected on Sunday morning, the first day of the week.
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him (Mark 16:2-6).
From that time on, the Sabbath day was changed from Saturday to Sunday, in commemoration of the resurrection of the Lord, as indicated by this passage from Acts.
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight (Acts 20:7).
Gramps
Dear Brothers in Christ:
Where in the Bible is stated that the Sabbath was changed from the Seventh to the First day
of the week? And where in the Bible do we find authorization for a man to do this? If you are
keeping the first day as the Sabbath because the Lord was risen on that day, why not keep
Friday since on that day he died buying thus our redemption? We are warned in the Word of God
not to add our own ideas to it: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” Please, be careful. Study God’s word and what He requires from us. He clearly
states in His word that it is the Seventh day the day He sanctified, how could we mortals take away that
sanctification and put it upon another day? Our Lord bless you.
Dear Brothers in Christ:
Where in the Bible is stated that the Sabbath was changed from the Seventh to the First day
of the week? And where in the Bible do we find authorization for a man to do this? If you are
keeping the first day as the Sabbath because the Lord was risen on that day, why not keep
Friday since on that day he died buying thus our redemption? We are warned in the Word of God
not to add our own ideas to it: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. 19And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.