Evidence can be seen in the New Testament to show that both the apostles and the Gentiles acknowledged and observed the Sabbath command:

Then they returned to Jerusalem, from the Mount of Olives, which is a Sabbath day’s journey from Jerusalem. (Acts 1:12)

Note: If the Sabbath command was nullified or changed upon the resurrection of Christ, then what sense would there have been in using it as a measure of distance—“a Sabbath day’s journey”?

Now when Paul and his companions left Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But when they left Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. After the reading of the Law and the Prophets had taken place, the rulers of the synagogue inquired of them, saying, ‘Brethren, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, let it be known.’ Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, ‘Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen to what I have to tell you.’ (Acts 13:13-16)

Note: Paul and his party went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down, and were asked at some point if they had something to say. Thus they weren’t merely there to share a message, but to listen to the reading of the Law and the Prophets. In other words, they were there for worship.

And as they were leaving the synagogue, the Gentiles begged to have these words preached to them the next Sabbath. (Acts 13:42)

Note: Interestingly, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. I find this to be interesting because: 1. If Gentiles didn’t have to observe the Sabbath day but had another day to gather on, then why were they there in the first place? 2. If the Sabbath day was changed from the seventh day to the first day of the week, then why didn’t Paul just simply say, “Why wait until next Sabbath when we can gather together to teach you these things tomorrow—the first day of the week, in honor of the resurrection of Yeshua?”

Don’t you find this to be a little peculiar? After all, the Scriptures make it very clear that it was on the next Sabbath that they fulfilled this request; and almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. Hence it doesn’t sound like the Sabbath command was thrown out or transferred to Sunday; rather, it sounds like the Sabbath command was still binding. Not only for the Jews, but also for the Apostles and the Gentiles.

And on the Sabbath, we went out of the city by the riverside, where it was customary for people to pray; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had gathered there. (Acts 16:13)

Note: Here the Sabbath day is still acknowledged. Surely if it was changed there would have been no sense in making mention of it in such a casual way.

And Paul, according to his custom, entered in among them, and for three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them from the Scriptures (Acts 17:2)

Note: It is hardly customary to do something for only three days. For that which is customary is that which is done regularly. Incidentally, it was Yeshua’s custom to go into the synagogue on the Sabbath too: “And He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up; and as was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16). Hence Paul was following in the steps of Yeshua, by living in obedience to the Commandments of God, and we should too.

And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. (Acts 18:4)

Note: Again, we can see that Paul went into the synagogue every Sabbath where both Jews and Gentiles were present. Granted, he sought to persuade them to believe in Yeshua.  But if Paul was only there for this purpose then why didn’t he set an example before the Gentiles that they no longer had to observe the Sabbath command on the seventh day, and give them instruction to gather together to hear him speak on the first day?

In my opinion, it can’t be any clearer that the Sabbath day was not only acknowledged by the Apostles; it was also observed by them and the Gentiles.

• Next Lesson: Under Grace – The Sabbath Part 5
• Previous Lesson
• Main Post