Q59. Which day has God set apart as the weekly Sabbath?
From the beginning of the world until Christ rose from the dead, God set apart the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath. Since Christ’s resurrection, the first day of the week is the Christian Sabbath, and it will be until the end of the world.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Genesis 2:2–3
“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.”
Psalm 118:24
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Matthew 28:1
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.”
Mark 16:2
“And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.”
John 20:19, 26
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. … And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.”
Acts 20:7
“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.”
Revelation 1:10
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Which day of the week is the Christian Sabbath?
- 2
Why did the Sabbath day change from the seventh day to the first day of the week?
- 3
What happened on the first day of the week that changed everything?
Illustration
Before Jesus rose from the dead, God's people rested on Saturday, the seventh day. When Jesus came out of the tomb on Sunday morning, everything changed. The early Christians began gathering on the first day to celebrate the resurrection. Sunday became the Lord's Day.
Application
Because Christ rose on the first day, every Sunday is a reminder that death has been defeated. Ask God to help you see Sunday worship not as a chore but as a celebration of what Jesus has done.