Posted on 07/26/2025 8:05:32 AM PDT by Cronos
Question: Seventh-day Adventists insist that the Catholic Church has no scriptural warrant for changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. Is this true? Answer: Not by a long shot. This question has been addressed by Catholic Answers Magazine before, but perhaps I, as a convert to the Catholic Church from Seventh-day Adventism, can offer a fresh perspective on the matter.
While it is true that there is no New Testament record of a voice from the heavens instructing the infant Church, “Thou shalt change the day of thy worship and rest from Saturday to Sunday,” Adventists are mistaken in their belief that there is no New Testament evidence that supports such a change by the Catholic Church. Quite apart from the biblical proof of the apostolic Church’s authority to teach in God’s name (Mt 16:18–19, 18:17–18, Lk 10:16) and of God’s guarantee that this teaching would never fall into error (Mt 28:19–20, Lk 22:32, Jn 16:13), there is an impressive amount of evidence from Scripture that Christ and the apostles changed their day of corporate worship from Saturday to Sunday.
The Old Testament Sabbath commandment contains two elements. The primary element, and the one that binds Christians as it does Jews, is the moral obligation to set aside adequate time for the purpose of divine worship. This could never be abrogated, as it is rooted in the natural law.
The secondary element was ceremonial and therefore could be abolished—and was abolished by Jesus’ death on the cross (Col 2:12–17). This secondary, ceremonial element was that the particular day chosen to meet the moral obligation of the law was Saturday, so that the Jews would remember and memorialize the creation of the earth.
Jesus, during his earthly ministry, began to prepare the way for changing Sabbath worship from “the letter of the law” to “the spirit of the law.” Remember that one of his greatest arguments with the Pharisees concerned Sabbath worship. He constantly rebuked them for placing the rigid observance of mere details above the spirit of setting aside a day to rest from unnecessary servile work and to worship God. By this Jesus made it clear that the Sabbath may be changed to meet the needs of man. By effecting these changes as “the Son of Man,” Jesus used his human authority to show us that he is “Lord even of the Sabbath” (Mk 2:28).
As Frs. Rumble and Carty point out in Radio Replies, special honor is shown to Sunday throughout the New Testament. Christ rose from the dead on Sunday, and he first appeared to his disciples that Easter Sunday evening (Jn 20:19). One week later—and from the context we can see that this meant the following Sunday—Jesus appeared to them again when Thomas was present (John 20:26). Luke records that Sunday was observed by the Christian community from the very beginning: “On the first day of the week when we gathered to break bread” (Acts 20:7). To “break bread” refers to the celebration of the Eucharist (Mt 26:26, Mk 14:22). Paul ordered the Corinthians to gather their offertory collections on Sunday (1 Cor 16:2); that set the scriptural precedent we follow today of gathering our offerings on Sunday during Mass. John records in Rev. 1:10 that he was granted a vision of heaven’s own worship while he was at worship (“caught up in spirit”) on “the Lord’s day.” John’s disciple Ignatius of Antioch tells us in his Letter to the Magnesians that “the Lord’s day” is not the ancient Sabbath; therefore, “the Lord’s day” must refer to Sunday. (See This Rock, September 1994, “The Fathers Know Best.”)
Put this question to your Seventh-day Adventist friends: Jesus, being God, knew whether or not his Church would apostatize by changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. If Adventists are correct that Christians are still obliged to keep Saturday as their day of corporate worship, isn’t it strange that Jesus underscored exactly the opposite by appearing to his disciples after his Resurrection nearly exclusively on Sunday?
Instead, Colossians 2:16-17 calls Sabbaths shadows pointing to Christ, our true rest (Hebrews 4:9-11). Romans 14:5-6 grants freedom in choosing worship days.
“Fulfill” means Christ completed the Law’s purpose (Romans 10:4), not perpetuated its rituals. Colossians 2:16-17 calls Sabbaths “shadows” of Christ; Hebrews 4:9-11 names Him our rest. No New Testament verse commands Saturday worship for Christians (Romans 14:5-6, Acts 15:28-29)
Early Christians, like Ignatius (*Letter to the Magnesians*, c. 110 AD, Ch. 9), worshipped on Sunday, not Saturday
Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2 show apostolic practice on the “first day,” and Revelation 1:10 calls it the “Lord’s Day.” The Church, with Christ’s authority (Matthew 16:18-19), regulates worship (Matthew 18:18, CCC 2174-2176), fulfilling the Sabbath (Colossians 2:16-17), not defying it
Colossians 2:16-17 deems Sabbaths “shadows” of Christ; Romans 14:5-6 grants worship-day freedom; Acts 15:28-29 omits Sabbath for Gentiles.p>
| Claim | Biblical Proof | Historical Proof | Logical Proof | Linguistic Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. The Church Did Not Change the Sabbath | Colossians 2:16-17: “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” This shows the Sabbath, as part of the Old Covenant, is fulfilled in Christ, not altered by the Church. Matthew 5:17: “I have not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it” indicates completion, not human revision. | Early Christians, like Ignatius of Antioch (*Letter to the Magnesians*, c. 110 AD, Ch. 9), worshipped on Sunday to honor the resurrection, not as a Sabbath change. The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) regulated Sunday without mentioning a Sabbath shift—Sunday was already apostolic practice (Didache, c. 50-70 AD, Ch. 14). | If the Church changed the Sabbath, why no New Testament mandate for Saturday (Romans 14:5-6, Acts 15:28-29)? The shift to Sunday reflects Christ’s fulfillment (Hebrews 8:6-13), not a human fiat, aligning with divine intent to establish a new covenant worship day. | The Hebrew *Shabbat* (Exodus 20:8) denotes the seventh day, but the Greek *Kyriake* (Lord’s Day, Revelation 1:10) emerges in Christian texts for Sunday, indicating a new term for a fulfilled practice, not a changed command. |
| 2. Christians Since the Apostles Have Worshipped on Sunday | Acts 20:7: “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.” 1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money.” Revelation 1:10: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” shows apostolic Sunday worship, post-resurrection (c. 30-33 AD). | Justin Martyr (*First Apology*, c. 155 AD, Ch. 67) describes Sunday gatherings for Eucharist, 120 years after the Apostles. The *Didache* (c. 50-70 AD, Ch. 14) mandates Sunday assembly, reflecting immediate post-apostolic practice. Constantine’s 321 AD edict formalized this existing custom. | If Sunday worship began later, why no early Christian debate over abandoning Saturday? The seamless shift from Jewish feasts to Sunday (e.g., Pentecost to Lord’s Day) logically follows Christ’s resurrection as the new covenant’s center (1 Corinthians 15:14). | Greek *Kyriake Hemera* (Lord’s Day, Revelation 1:10) replaced Jewish *Shabbat*, coined by the Apostles to signify Christ’s victory, evident in early Christian writings (e.g., Pliny the Younger, *Letter to Trajan*, c. 112 AD). |
| 3. Sunday is the English Word, in Latin it is the Lord’s Day | Revelation 1:10: “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” uses *Kyriake Hemera*, later Latinized as *Dies Dominica*, linked to Sunday worship. No verse ties Saturday to a “Lord’s Day” post-resurrection. | Latin *Dies Dominica* appears in early Christian texts (e.g., Tertullian, *Apology*, c. 197 AD) for Sunday, distinguishing it from pagan *Dies Solis* (Day of the Sun), adopted in English as “Sunday.” This reflects apostolic naming. | Logically, “Lord’s Day” honors Christ’s resurrection (Mark 16:9), not a pagan day. The English “Sunday” evolved from Anglo-Saxon *Sunnandæg*, but its Christian use aligns with *Dies Dominica*, not a Sabbath shift. | Latin *Dominica* (Lord’s) derives from *Dominus* (Lord), tied to Christ, contrasting Hebrew *Shabbat* (rest). Early translations (e.g., Vulgate) use *Dies Dominica*, cementing Sunday’s Christian identity. |
| 4. Adventist Belief on Saturday Worship is Wrong | Colossians 2:16-17: “Sabbaths… are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality… is found in Christ.” Romans 14:5-6: “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” No mandate for Saturday in the New Covenant (Acts 15:28-29). | Adventism’s Saturday focus began with White post-1844 (*The Great Controversy*, p. 605-612), absent in early Christian practice (e.g., Justin Martyr). The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15, c. 50 AD) omitted Sabbath requirements for Gentiles. | If Saturday were mandatory, why no apostolic enforcement or New Testament command? The shift to Sunday fulfills Christ’s rest (Hebrews 4:9-11), making Saturday observance a human tradition, not divine law. | Hebrew *Shabbat* (Exodus 20:8) is Old Covenant-specific; Greek *Kyriake* (Revelation 1:10) marks the new era. Adventist insistence on *Shabbat* ignores linguistic fulfillment in *Dies Dominica*. |
It should also be mentioned that Loma Linda canned soybean hot dogs are heretical.
The Sabbath is the Seventh Day, a Day given to us as a rest day. The Sabbath will always begin at the beginning of the Seventh Day. I am not a Seventh Day Adventist, but I do try to keep the Sabbath Holy as it is written in the Book. What Catholics believe is their business, right or wrong. But I go by what the Bible says. Not commentary.
But the best refutation of Seventh-day Adventism is their history of false prophesy.
IMHO, people need a break from a week of wrestling with antagonists: Pride, Temptation, failures, lack of exercise, lack of rest/sleep, noisy neighbors, what “experts say” (in the “news”), and AI FRENZY.
Saturdays and Sundays are good choices, and may offer better occasions for: praying for being forgiven.
Jesus pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath. To make too much of which day we rest is antithetical to this point.
I am not a Seventh Day Adventist, but I do try to keep the Sabbath Holy as it is written in the Book. ...
...
According to His Creation and His Scriptures, yesterday was His 7th Day Sabbath.
A big one actually, to Old Covenant Israel and New Covenant Israel.
The Saturn Day vs Sun Day argument was ‘none of the above’ this past biblical month.
By tradition, we attend Sunday services, but if a person wants to call Saturday the Sabbath and worship on Saturday, I don’t have a problem with that, and I doubt God does either. Btw, doesn’t the Catholic church have a mass on Saturday evenings to meet the weekly obligation for those who don’t want to get up on Sunday morning to attend?
What exactly was this prophesy?
If everyone were so reasonable, what would the religionists here fuss with one another over?
I’ve never made a big deal about this and I do go to church on Sunday. However, the question that I’ve always had is that the commandment to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy is not part of the ceremonial law. It’s part of the moral law. We don’t tweak any of the other ten commandments, why should we tweak this one?
That means the Sabbath was made for you.
This was a gift to mankind to strengthen ties to our Creator.
This was commemorated at Creation as recorded in Genesis, therefore it was for ALL of mankind not just OT people or Jews.
It was wrote by the Finger of God in stone as a command from God.
It is the only command by God that starts with the caution of "Remember" as if the world would forget/ignore it.
By refusing this gift of God to worship Him as He wished, when He wishes is rebellion against God.
Calculating the date of the return of Christ.
Afterward they said their calculations were correct, but (so sorry) the appointed date was of something other than the return of Christ.
Same dodge also used multiple times by Jehovah's Witnesses and other assorted false prophets.
Who the hell is the seventh dayers to tell catholics
This article discusses whether Saturday was established as the day of worship.
Old Testament Laws: Is Leviticus 23:3 a Command to Have Worship Services on the Weekly Sabbath?
Their conclusion is that it is not.
The article points out that the Bible designates the tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem as the only place of worship. The Seventh Day Adventists claim to be abiding by God's Sabbath laws, so their Saturday services can't be biblically correct.
We can see an explicit instruction about the place to worship in Deuteronomy: “You are to seek the place the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go…” (12:4). See also verses 11, 14, 17-18, and 26. This command to worship only at a designated location is also seen in Deuteronomy 16, which lists the annual festivals. See verses 5, 7, 11, and 16, among others.
The essence of Sabbath-keeping was physical rest. In Exodus 20:8-11 and Deuteronomy 5:12-15, the Sabbath command specifies rest from labor as the way to keep the day “holy.” There is no mention of going to a worship service each Sabbath. Other passages in the Old Testament also define the Sabbath by rest, not by attendance at worship services. See Exodus 31:12-17, Numbers 15:32, Nehemiah 13:15-22 and Jeremiah 17:19-27. The latter two passages, though they refer to Jerusalem, do not mention anything about failure to attend worship services or “sacred assemblies,” but only work on the Sabbath as a desecration of this day.
An interesting study is to look up the word “Sabbath” in a concordance, find all the Old Testament references and then read those passages to see how this day was kept “holy.” The conclusion will be that rest from labor is what made the Sabbath sacred time, not attendance at a worship service. Most Israelites lived too far from the tabernacle to attend a worship service every Sabbath – and there is no evidence in the Old Testament that they did. And the law did not allow them to assemble anywhere else for worship.
With all the flaws in the Catholic churches theology and process, it’s kind of interesting to see them take apart another sect.
The phrase “those that live in glass houses should not throw stones” comes to mind.
Sunday worship is how Satan separates many from God’s commandment to keep the Sabbath holy.
The Sabbath is about rest. Period. See my post #15.
Surely we can’t use history as a reason, in view of some of the history the Catholic church. (I say this as an example, not as a barb against Catholicism).
So, it was not a prophesy as such but a miscalculation as you said. They did the math and come up with the wrong answer. That happens. People interpret the Bible different ways so they can’t all be right, can they? I’m not sure why this was such a big deal. The world looks so hard to discredit the SDAs because they don’t like the core message of Jesus is our Redeemer and we are saved by His sacrifice and we are to follow Gods Commandments. They don’t like the last part.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.