A Condensed History of the Sabbath

By George Card

The Beginning.

God created the Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3) during the first week of creation

In Accadian times.

It was known as a 'dies nefastus,' a day on which certain work was forbidden to be done.

Pre-patriarchal times.
In ancient Babylon it was known as the Sabattu, 'day of rest for the soul,'

In patriarchal times.

The patriarchs new about the 7 day week so it is quite obvious they were familiar with the Sabbath (Genesis 7:4, 8:10, 8:12, 29:27, 50:10)

It was kept by Abraham (Genesis 26:5) for it is quite clear that there was some knowledge of God’s precepts before it was codified at Mt Sinai.

Pre-law times.

It was kept by the Israelites, before the law existed. (Exodus 16:23)

Law times

It was added to the Ten Commandments when the law was given (Exodus 20:8-11.)

From the conquest to the captivity.

The Sabbath was often broken; this brought the Babylonian captivity. (Jer 17:20-27)

After the Babylonian captivity.

There was a restoration of keeping the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:17, 18).

The Maccabean times

It was so strictly kept, that some died rather than defend themselves from their enemies.

Pre-Jesus times

By this time so many rules had been added to the Sabbath that it was a burden.

Jesus times

Jesus proceeded to restore the Sabbath to its original purpose. (Mark 2:23-28)

Apostolic times

It was kept by Jews, gentiles, all the apostles, even Paul (Acts 13:42, Acts 17: 2.)

Post-Apostolic times

It was kept by all the Christians well into the fourth century

From apostasy to reformation.

Outside the Roman Catholic Church many Christian groups were Sabbath keepers.

From reformation to present

As more religious liberty was gained, more Christians begun to keep the Sabbath.

4^th Century

Sozomen is one of many writers who wrote that Christians still kept the Sabbath.

6^th Century

Sabbath keeping was diminishing by this time (Ancient Christianity Exemplified)

From the 7^th century till the 10th Century
The Celtic churches and the Nestorians were known Sabbath keepers.

From the 11^th till the 13^th Century

The Paulicians, Petrobusinas, Passaginians and Insabbatati were Sabbath-keepers.

From the 14^th Century till the 15^th Century

Sabbath keeping groups sprouted in many areas and regions. The Nazarenes, Cerinthians, Hypsistari, Cathari, Toulousians, Albigenses, Passagii, Waldenses and other sects.

The 16^th century till 19^th Century
Sabbath keeping Anabaptists, Quakers, puritans and other groups abounded.

The 20^th Century

In this last century Sabbath keeping has continued. Groups that keep the Sabbath are the Adventists, Church of God, some Baptists, some Pentecostals and some other groups.

Eternity

According to (Isaiah 66:22-23) the Sabbath will be kept forever.