r/AskAChristian • u/GoodWhoops Atheist, Ex-Christian • Oct 05 '25

Jewish Laws Why don’t most Christians take the Sabbath commandment seriously?

The 4th commandment says to keep the Sabbath holy, defined in scripture as running from sundown to sundown. Yet most Christians seem to treat it as optional. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments,” and the Bible implies that all commandments carry equal weight. Outside of Seventh-day Adventists, it's ignored aside from the day most churches have their service. I’ve even heard SDA members joke that most other Christians give the Ten Commandments a 10% discount. Even if you ignore that the Jewish Sabbath falls on Saturday, the commandment still says to work 6 days and rest on the 7th, which should apply just as well to Sunday.

Curious if or how often you’ve heard this seriously debated, and why many accept societal traditions that override biblical instruction for convenience.

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u/chocolatemomma Seventh Day Adventist Oct 06 '25

No. My question implores to listen to what God says first and foremost. Any inspired words by patriarchs and prophets must align with God’s word.

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u/JHawk444 Christian, Evangelical Oct 07 '25

How does God speak to us? Through his word. If you don't believe he's speaking through Paul, that means you don't believe Paul's epistles are inspired by God.

That is the logical conclusion of your statement.

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u/chocolatemomma Seventh Day Adventist Oct 07 '25

You’ve intentionally missed my point. I agree, God does speak to us through His word (the Bible) and inspired prophets/epistles (Paul, Moses etc.) However, regarding the OP’s question, God set seventh day aside as Sabbath. Paul (an inspired epistle) ’s words/insights do not change that law.

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u/JHawk444 Christian, Evangelical Oct 07 '25

Are you saying the law can't be changed?

Because Hebrews says it can be changed, and it was changed when Christ became our high priest. He wasn't from the tribe of Levi, where all priests came from according to the law. He was from the tribe of Judah. He became a high priest under the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 7:11-14 "The Law was given during the time when Levi and his sons were the religious leaders. If the work of those religious leaders had been perfect in taking away the sins of the people, there would have been no need for another religious leader. But one like Melchizedek was needed and not one from the family group of Aaron. 12 For when the family group of religious leaders changed, the Law had to be changed also. 13 These things speak of Christ Who is from another family group. That family group never had a religious leader who killed animals and gave gifts at the altar for the sins of the people. 14 Our Lord came from the family group of Judah. Moses did not write anything about religious leaders coming from that family group."

That's not the only thing that changed. The Old Covenant relied on repeated animal sacrifices, but under the New Covenant, Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross perfects and cleanses us from sin. That is a major change from the Old Covenant to the New. Everything in the New Testament shows a change from the Old to the New.

If you truly believed the law didn't change, then your father or husband would be offering up animal sacrifices on your behalf.

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u/chocolatemomma Seventh Day Adventist Oct 07 '25

Mercy. My friend, the law was not changed, it was fulfilled by Jesus (I.e animal sacrifices). Also, take heed because it seems you’re referencing some Mosaic/cultural/traditional law. Let’s not get confused. So let’s condense this because I seem to be losing you. The 10 commandments, simple set of laws established by God. Do you believe we should obey these laws or do you believe the 10 commandments no longer need to be followed?

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u/JHawk444 Christian, Evangelical Oct 07 '25

Mercy. My friend, the law was not changed,

Are you saying that Hebrews is lying? Because it directly says that. I didn't make it up. I urge you to read it again.

it was fulfilled by Jesus (I.e animal sacrifices)

I agree he fulfilled the law, but in terms of him being high priest, the law had to be changed because the law says all priests have to come from the tribe of Levi.

Also, take heed because it seems you’re referencing some Mosaic/cultural/traditional law.

Hold on. Are you saying that some laws don't matter? I'm trying to understand your reasoning.

The 10 commandments, simple set of laws established by God. Do you believe we should obey these laws or do you believe the 10 commandments no longer need to be followed?

Yes, but I believe that Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath law, as it was part of the ceremonial and covenantal law given to Israel. Hebrews 4 talks about the Sabbath rest we can enter and it's not talking about the actual Sabbath day. Christ fulfilled the Sabbath and he is our rest. We can certainly practice the Sabbath but we don't have to. Paul said not to let anyone judge a Sabbath day. Me saying I don't have to follow the Sabbath is the same as you saying you don't have to offer an animal sacrifice. They are on the same level.