Why Christians Are Not Required To Keep The Sabbath

Householder: Most Christians observe the weekly Sabbath. But I heard Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t. Why?

Shalom: Yes, I know many who go to church observe the weekly Sabbath. We don’t observe the Sabbath because it’s an institution between Jehovah and the Israelites. If you don’t mind, can I show you what it says here at Exodus 31:16,17?

HH: Sure.

Shalom: Thanks. Could you please read it?

HH: (READ)

Shalom: Here it says: “Between me and the sons of Israel it is a sign to time indefinite.” Notice that Sabbath observance was a sign between Jehovah and Israel, this would not be the case if everyone else were also obligated to keep the Sabbath.

HH: But Jesus kept the Sabbath. If we say we are followers of Jesus, then we should also keep the Sabbath.

Shalom: It’s true that Jesus observed the Sabbath. He was born an Israelite and was under Law and that included the Sabbath Law. When Jesus died, the Law Covenant was taken away.

HH: I can’t understand. Could you please explain more?

Shalom: Ok. We can read this scripture to get the point. Romans 10:4. Can I ask you to read this?

HH: (READ)

Shalom: This scripture says: “Christ is the end of the Law.” Sabbath keeping was a part of the Law mentioned here. God used Jesus Christ to bring that Law

to its end. If we want to have a righteous standing with God, it depends on faith in Christ, not on keeping a weekly Sabbath.

HH: Oh, I see. So why do most Christians view Sunday as a holy day and as the principal day of worship?

Shalom: That’s a good question. Many of them observe Sunday as a holy day because they believed that the resurrection of Jesus occurred on that day. But the Bible contains no instruction to set aside that day of the week as sacred. As we read from the Bible, observing a weekly holy day is not in itself a key to worship that pleases God. Do you remember what is required of us if we are to please God?

HH: We need to have faith in Jesus.

Shalom: Yes. We demonstrate our faith in Jesus when we worship God based on Jesus’ teachings and do what pleases God everyday. Around the world Jehovah’s Witnesses closely follow the pattern of worship observed by Jesus’ early followers. The days on which our meetings are held are determined by local circumstances. I would like to invite you to a Special Talk that will be held this coming Sunday at 10 am. It is entitled “Why Would A Loving God Permit Wickedness?”

HH: Thank you.