What does the Bible say about working on sunday?
Bible Topic · WEB
Christians should honor the Lord’s Day by setting aside ordinary work when possible for worship, rest, and deeds of necessity and mercy, while avoiding legalism and trusting Christ rather than rule-keeping for acceptance with God. Exodus 20:8-11 and 35:2 establish the Sabbath pattern of holy rest rooted in God’s creation, and Numbers 15:32-41 shows its seriousness under the old covenant. Yet Jesus says in John 5:17 that his Father is always at work, and he fulfills the Sabbath’s purpose. Colossians 2:16-17 warns believers not to be judged over Sabbath observance, since such things pointed to Christ. Acts 20:7 reflects the church’s first-day gathering.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Exodus 35:2
'Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Yahweh: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death.
- Exodus 20:8-11
[8] "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. [9] You shall labor six days, and do all your work, [10] but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your man-servant, nor your maid-servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates; [11] for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy.
- Numbers 15:32-41
[32] While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. [33] Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. [34] They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him. [35] Yahweh said to Moses, The man shall surely be put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside of the camp. [36] All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones; as Yahweh commanded Moses. [37] Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, [38] Speak to the children of Israel, and bid those who they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue: [39] and it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look on it, and remember all the commandments of Yahweh, and do them; and that you not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute; [40] that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God. [41] I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh your God.
- John 5:17
But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, so I am working, too."
- Colossians 2:16-17
[16] Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, [17] which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.
- Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.
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