Did Christians Keep The Sabbath in New Testament?
New Testament Examples: Key Passages Where Gentiles Engaged with the Sabbath
1. Acts 13:42–44 – Antioch in Pisidia
After Paul and Barnabas preached in the synagogue, the Gentiles requested that the message be shared with them on the next Sabbath:
“As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.”
The following Sabbath, nearly the entire city gathered to hear the word of God.
2. Acts 16:13 – Philippi
In Philippi, lacking a synagogue, Paul and his companions went to a place of prayer by the river on the Sabbath:
“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer.”
Here, they spoke to women gathered there, including Lydia, a Gentile who became a believer.
3. Acts 17:2–4 – Thessalonica
Paul reasoned in the synagogue on three Sabbaths, persuading both Jews and God-fearing Greeks:
“As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.”
A number of God-fearing Greeks and prominent women were among those who believed.
4. Acts 18:4 – Corinth
Paul continued his practice of teaching in the synagogue every Sabbath, addressing both Jews and Greeks:
“Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.”
New Testament Continued….
Note: You can’t pick & choose which verses to follow
Hebrews 4:9–11
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His.”
(Foreshadowing the Sabbath as eternal rest when we go to heaven. We’re going to be keeping the Sabbath in heaven, what makes you think we should disobey and not keep it now when it was commanded eternally in Exodus 31:16 (and 113 times other places)?)
Exodus 31:16
“Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed (The Sabbath is forever.)
Yeshua (Jesus Christ):
Matthew 5:17–19
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
He did NOT come to END the 10 Commandments, but came to fulfill / restore / realize / make full (G4137 – πληρόω (Verb) pléroó) and magnify the covenant at Horeb, the 10 Commandments and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.”