1. The Jewish Sabbath
The Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:12-16). On the seventh day Israel was to refrain from ordinary work, burdens, extended travel, kindling fires, gathering wood or manna and commerce (Exodus 35:3, 16:22-26, Nehemiah 13:15-22). Only works of necessity, mercy, or piety were permitted (Matthew 12:1-13, Numbers 28:9-10, Leviticus 24:5-8). Israel was to rejoice in the Sabbath (Isaiah 58:13-14), while Sabbath breakers were to be judged (Exodus 31:14, Numbers 15:32-36). Israel’s abuse of the Sabbath was a common topic with the prophets.

2. The Lord's Day
Following the resurrection of Christ the early saints began to worship on the first day of the week. This was, of course, a definite alteration from Old Covenant practice. Evidence of the above is as follows:
a. Apostolic Example
The New Testament teaches by both precept and example. Christ Jesus and His apostles set a clear precedent as to observance of the first day of the week. See the following verses:
(1) Matthew 28:1
(2) John 20:19 & 26
(3) Acts 20:6-7
(4) I Corinthians 16:1-2
(5) Acts 2:1-47 (The day of Pentecost occurred on a Sunday)
b. Historical Testimony
Philip Schaff, in his famous work on Church History (Volume 2, page 201), writes:
The celebration of the Lord’s Day in memory of the resurrection of Christ dates undoubtedly from the apostolic age. Nothing short of apostolic precedent can account for the universal religious observance in the churches of the second century. There is no dissenting voice.
c. The Lord's Day
Historically there has been great unity of consent in seeing Revelation 1:10 as a reference to the first day of the week.

3. A Difficult Question
Having briefly looked at both the Old and New Testament day of worship we are now ready to consider the point of controversy. What is the relationship between the Sabbath and the Lord's Day? Some believe that the Sabbath was moved to the first day of the week so Sunday is now the "Christian Sabbath." Others see the Sabbath as abolished at Calvary and the Lord's Day as having no relation to it.
This question really concerns the nature of the Fourth Commandment. Was it part of the unchangeable moral law or was it totally ceremonial and positive in nature? Moral laws are commands that reflect the nature of God and the unchanging distinction between right and wrong (compare Exodus 20:16 with Titus 1:2). Positive laws, on the other hand, are commands of God that may be abrogated by God when their purpose is fulfilled. The Levitical sacrifices or baptism and the Lord's Supper are examples of positive law. Let us now examine both sides of the debate concerning the Sabbath.

4. Arguments Used To Affirm the Sabbath Was Purely Positive In Nature.
a. The Sabbath is said to be a sign of the covenant with Israel and is, therefore, strictly Old Covenant in nature.
b. The Fourth Commandment is the only one never reaffirmed after Calvary and was thus part of the ceremonial law. No Christian in the New Testament was ever rebuked for Sabbath breaking. Sunday is never called the Sabbath.
c. No Christian is to be judged on the basis of Sabbath observance (Romans 14:5-8). On this same topic, Colossians 2:16-17 covers the entire Old Covenant system of Sabbaths and holy days.
d. If the Sabbath were changed it would seem that the book of Acts and the epistles would record the discussion concerning this. Surely the Jewish saints would have debated this matter. No such discussion is recorded.
e. Apostolic churches founded their observance of Sunday on Christ's resurrection. They never connected it with, or referred to it as, the Sabbath.

5. Arguments Used To Affirm the Fourth Commandment Was Part of the Moral Law
Before we proceed it should be understood that even those who recognize a "Christian Sabbath" realize the Fourth Commandment contained some matters of a positive nature; otherwise, it could not have been changed in any way. They understand that the matter of the seventh day or the laws referring to National Israel were temporary in nature. That said, let us proceed to the proofs offered for the moral nature of the Fourth Commandment.
a. The institution of the Sabbath harks back to creation. The moral principle was incorporated into the Old Covenant but did not begin there (Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 20:11). This is further confirmed by the fact that man has always reckoned time using a week of seven days. Unlike the twenty four hour day, based on the earth's rotation, the seven day week finds no basis in nature. The Sabbath is a creation ordinance and reflects God's will that man set aside one day in seven for rest, reflection and worship.
b. All of the Ten Commandments were written in stone and reflect God’s holy nature and will for man. Why would a law merely positive in nature be placed among them?
c. Christ made it plain that the Sabbath was given for man's benefit (Mark 2:27, Exodus 20:8-11). Seeing man has this need, surely the law is permanent that meets this need.
d Under the New Covenant Christians set one day out of the seven aside to worship God. Does not this reveal the underlying Sabbath principle?
e. Did not God often reveal His will by Apostolic example? Could not this apply to the change of the Sabbath day?

1. The Fourth Commandment is clearly unique in that it contains at least elements of positive law.
Hence the difficulties men have in interpretation of it.

2. In difficult questions let us exercise charity toward those who differ from us.
a. We should be careful to avoid extreme positions that fail to account for the whole body of scriptural information given on the subject. For instance, while there is strong evidence for elements of a moral nature in the Fourth Commandment, it would be very easy to fall into legalism not compatible with the New Testament record.
b. While the debate over terminology may not be settled in our age, yet is not our duty clear? Sunday is the Lord’s Day and should be observed in conformity with apostolic example.