Reason # 3 – Misinterpretation of Sabbath and Sunday

The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) position upholds Sunday observance as a human tradition and the Sabbath as a divine institution, consistent with their theological framework. However, no biblical evidence suggests that the Sabbath serves as the sole litmus test of loyalty to God. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasized the spirit and purpose of the law over strict, rigid observance, famously stating,

“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27–28, ESV)

Paul further reinforced this perspective by teaching that the observance of specific days of worship is a matter of personal conviction rather than a universal requirement, advising believers not to judge one another regarding such practices.

“One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.” (Romans 14:5–6, ESV)

“Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” (Colossians 2:16–17, ESV)

Paul’s comments on these teachings highlight the importance of individual faith and devotion over external ritual, challenging the idea that a particular day of worship could be the decisive mark of allegiance to God or the Beast. Instead, the biblical emphasis remains on the broader principles of worship, faith, and loyalty to God.