Dear Good Newspaper,
Praise God. We have a debate concerning whether observance of the Sabbath is the true sign of God’s believers worldwide. If it is not, what is the true sign? –Bilton Mawanda
Thank you, Bilton.
To answer your question directly, the Sabbath was an exclusive covenant sign given to Israel. It was not established in Scripture as a universal identifying sign for all believers throughout the world. The Bible specifically presents it as a covenant marker between God and the nation of Israel.
An exclusive mosaic covenant sign
Exodus 31:13-17 states:
“Tell the Israelites: ‘You must observe my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between you and me throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you… Therefore, the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between the children of Israel and me forever.'”
Several observations are important here:
- Although the Sabbath appears in the creation account (Genesis 2:2-3), its role as a covenant sign was formally established at Sinai.
- In Galatians and Colossians, Paul treats Sabbath observance as part of the old covenant system that pointed forward to Christ. These practices were shadows whose fulfilment is found in Him (Colossians 2:16-17).
- Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 describe the Mosaic Covenant as having been superseded by the New Covenant. Consequently, its covenant signs were fulfilled rather than simply carried forward.
The Sabbath therefore functioned as a covenant sign for Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, just as circumcision served as the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant in its national and ethnic context.
Ezekiel 20:12 reinforces this truth:
“Also, I gave them my Sabbaths to be a sign between them and me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.”
The repeated phrases “between them and me” and “the children of Israel” indicate that the Sabbath served as a distinctive marker separating Israel from the surrounding nations.
In Ezekiel 20, the audience is clearly national Israel. The chapter reviews Israel’s history of covenant unfaithfulness, including:
- The generation in Egypt (verses 5-9)
- The generation in the wilderness (verses 10-17)
- The second wilderness generation (verses 18-26)
- The generation in Canaan (verses 27-29)
Throughout the chapter, God recalls how He gave His Sabbaths to Israel and how successive generations repeatedly profaned them. The people in view are the covenant community bound to God through the covenant made at Sinai.
What is the universal sign of believers?
Christians should not regard seventh-day Sabbath observance as the defining mark of believers.
The New Testament teaches otherwise.
Colossians 2:16-17 says:
“Therefore, do not let anyone judge you… concerning a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Romans 14:5 states:
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.”
Furthermore, Acts 15:19-20 records the decision of the Jerusalem Council regarding Gentile believers. Sabbath observance was not included among the requirements imposed upon them.
The Sabbath pointed forward to Christ; its ultimate fulfilment is found in Him.
The true signs of believers in Christ
1. Baptism, the new covenant sign
Colossians 2:11-12 presents baptism as the New Covenant counterpart to circumcision:
“In him you were also circumcised… having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God.”
Baptism publicly identifies believers with Christ and His covenant people.
2. Circumcision of the heart, the inward reality
Romans 2:28-29 teaches:
“A person is not a Jew who is one outwardly… Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not by the letter.”
Galatians 5:6 adds:
“The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”
3. The Holy Spirit, God’s seal
Ephesians 1:13-14 declares:
“When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.”
The Holy Spirit is God’s mark of ownership upon every believer.
4. The Fruit of the Spirit, visible evidence
Jesus taught:
“A tree is recognised by its fruit” (Matthew 12:33).
Believers are known by the evidence of transformed lives expressed through love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Conclusion
The Sabbath served as a covenant sign for Israel under the Mosaic Covenant. The New Testament does not present seventh-day Sabbath observance as the identifying mark of Christians.
Instead, believers in Christ are identified by baptism, the inward transformation of the heart, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and a life marked by faith expressing itself through love and spiritual fruit. Ultimately, the reality to which the Sabbath pointed is found in Christ Himself.
