The debate over the observance of the Sabbath day has been a contentious issue within Christian circles for centuries. While some denominations continue to observe the traditional Sabbath day of Saturday, others have adopted Sunday as their day of worship. One of the most influential works on this topic is Samuele Bacchiocchi’s book, “From Sabbath to Sunday,” which presents a comprehensive historical and theological analysis of the shift from Sabbath observance to Sunday worship.
In the early Christian church, there is evidence that many believers continued to observe the Sabbath day. The New Testament records Jesus and his disciples attending synagogue services on the Sabbath (Luke 4:16, Acts 13:14), and the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, writes about the importance of not judging others regarding Sabbath observance (Colossians 2:16). However, as Christianity spread and Gentile converts increased, a gradual shift towards Sunday observance began to emerge.
One of the most significant factors contributing to the shift from Sabbath to Sunday observance was the influence of Constantine, the Roman Emperor, who converted to Christianity in the 4th century. Constantine, seeking to unify his empire under a single day of worship, designated Sunday as the day of rest and worship (Codex Theodosianus, 2.8.2). This edict, issued in 321 CE, effectively made Sunday the official day of worship for Christians.
For those interested in exploring this topic further, Bacchiocchi’s book is available in PDF format online. However, it is essential to ensure that any digital copies are obtained from reputable sources.
Samuele Bacchiocchi’s research, as presented in “From Sabbath to Sunday,” provides a comprehensive understanding of the historical and theological factors that contributed to the shift from Sabbath to Sunday observance. While the debate over Sabbath observance continues, Bacchiocchi’s work serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of this issue.
The Sabbath, as instituted in the biblical account of creation, is a day of rest and worship, commanded by God to be observed on the seventh day of the week, Saturday (Exodus 20:8-11). The Sabbath was a fundamental aspect of Jewish tradition and was observed by Jesus and his disciples (Luke 4:16, Acts 13:14). However, with the rise of Christianity, a subtle yet significant shift began to take place.
Samuele Bacchiocchi, a renowned theologian and historian, presents a thorough examination of the historical and theological factors that contributed to the shift from Sabbath to Sunday observance in his book, “From Sabbath to Sunday.” Bacchiocchi argues that the early Christian church observed the Sabbath day, but as the church became more Gentile in nature, Sunday gradually replaced the Sabbath as the day of worship.
The shift from Sabbath to Sunday observance has significant theological implications. Some argue that Sunday observance is a departure from the biblical commandment to observe the seventh-day Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11). Others suggest that the Lord’s Day, as Sunday came to be known, was a natural evolution of Christian worship, reflecting the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week (John 20:1).
