The concept of the Sabbath originates from the biblical account of creation, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. This day of rest was later codified in the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The commandment to observe the Sabbath is found in Exodus 20:8-11 : "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

In the New Testament, the observance of the Sabbath is addressed in various contexts. Jesus Christ, during His earthly ministry, often engaged with the Pharisees regarding the true intent of the Sabbath. In Mark 2:27-28 , Jesus states, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." This highlights the principle that the Sabbath was intended for human benefit and spiritual renewal, rather than as a burdensome legal requirement.

The early Christian church grappled with the question of Sabbath observance, especially as Gentile converts joined the predominantly Jewish community of believers. In Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council addressed the issue of whether Gentile Christians should be required to observe the Mosaic Law, including the Sabbath. The council concluded that Gentile believers were not obligated to follow the entirety of the Jewish law, focusing instead on a few essential practices (Acts 15:28-29).

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the matter in his epistles. In Colossians 2:16-17 , he writes, "Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ." Paul emphasizes that the ceremonial aspects of the law, including the Sabbath, were a foreshadowing of Christ and are fulfilled in Him.

Today, the observance of the Sabbath varies among Christian denominations. Some, such as Seventh-day Adventists, continue to observe Saturday as the Sabbath, adhering to the original seventh-day rest. Others, including most Protestant and Catholic traditions, observe Sunday as the Lord's Day, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This shift from Saturday to Sunday is rooted in the practice of the early church, as seen in Acts 20:7 : "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread."

For many Christians, observing the Sabbath or the Lord's Day involves attending worship services, engaging in rest and reflection, and refraining from regular work. The focus is on spiritual renewal, family time, and acts of mercy and service. The principle of rest and worship remains central, reflecting the original intent of the Sabbath as a gift from God for human well-being and spiritual growth.