The Sabbath commandment talks of rest but not worship. Should we attend church on Sabbath?

The Sabbath command talks of rest and worship.

The Bible teaches that the Sabbath is a time for holy assemblies or worship services. “Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings” (Leviticus 23:3 also Exodus 20:8-11). The word “convocation” is from the Hebrew word miqrâ’ (מקרא), which means a public meeting, assembly, or gathering.

Also, Isaiah the prophet wrote about worship on the Sabbath. He said “It shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 66:23).

The main reason we associate the Sabbath with worship is the example of Jesus.

• “They went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught” (Mark 1:21).
• “when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, from whence hath this man these things? …” (Mark 6:2).
• “He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read” (Luke 4:16).
• “It came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered” (Luke 6:6).

Over and over again, we see Jesus in the synagogue on the Sabbath. We’re even told that it was His custom to be there on that day.

The disciples also followed the example of Jesus.

• “When they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down” (Acts 13:14).
• “When the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath” (Acts 13:42).
• “He (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks” (Acts 18:4).

Finally, the Lord admonishes, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24,25). This is a reference to Christian gatherings for the purpose of worship and mutual encouragement.

For more on the Sabbath, please check (Lessons 91-102) of the Bible Lessons.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team