When Was the Sabbath Changed to Sunday?

Q: When was the Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday?

The change occurred gradually over centuries, not at one moment. Key dates include Constantine's Sunday law (321 AD) and the Council of Laodicea (364 AD) which forbade Sabbath rest. The change was fully enforced through papal Rome's 1,260-year reign (538-1798 AD). There is no biblical record of the change.

Q: Who changed the Sabbath to Sunday?

The Roman Catholic Church officially claims responsibility for the change. Catholic sources openly state that they changed the day by their own authority, not by biblical command. The change was enforced through church councils and civil legislation, not apostolic teaching.

The rhythm of rest is older than civilization. For thousands of years, the seventh day marked the boundary between labor and peace. Then an emperor issued a decree, councils passed canons, and the day shifted. The Roman Catholic Church claims this change as proof of its authority over Scripture.

The transformation did not happen overnight. Constantine's Sunday law came in 321 AD. The Council of Laodicea forbade Sabbath rest in 364 AD. By the medieval period, the original day was nearly forgotten, but not entirely.

Historical Timeline

31 AD — Crucifixion

Jesus Keeps the Sabbath

Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath, rose on Sunday. His disciples "rested the sabbath day according to the commandment" (Luke 23:56).

31-100 AD — Apostolic Era

Apostles Keep the Sabbath

Paul's "manner" was Sabbath worship (Acts 17:2). He met with Gentiles on the Sabbath (Acts 13:42-44). No command for Sunday worship exists.

100-300 AD — Early Church

Mixed Practice Develops

Some Christians in Rome and Alexandria begin honoring Sunday alongside the Sabbath. Anti-Jewish sentiment drives some toward Sunday. Sabbath-keeping continues throughout the East.

321 AD — Constantine's Sunday Law

First Civil Sunday Law

"On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest." This was civil legislation, not biblical command. The law honored the sun, not the resurrection.

364 AD — Council of Laodicea

Sabbath Rest Forbidden

Canon 29: "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day." This church council forbade Sabbath rest and required Sunday observance.

538-1798 AD — Papal Supremacy

Sunday Enforcement

The papacy enforced Sunday observance throughout medieval Europe. Sabbath-keepers (Waldenses, others) were persecuted. This period fulfills Daniel's 1,260-year prophecy.

The Catholic Admissions

The Roman Catholic Church openly claims responsibility for changing the Sabbath. These are not accusations from critics. They are official statements from Catholic sources:

"The Church changed the observance of the Sabbath to Sunday by right of the divine, infallible authority given to her by her Founder, Jesus Christ. The Protestant claiming the Bible to be the only guide of faith, has no warrant for observing Sunday."

— The Catholic Universe Bulletin, August 14, 1942

"Sunday is our mark of authority... The church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact."

— The Catholic Record, September 1, 1923

"Question: Have you any other way of proving that the Church has power to institute festivals of precept?

Answer: Had she not such power, she could not have done that in which all modern religionists agree with her — she could not have substituted the observance of Sunday, the first day of the week, for the observance of Saturday, the seventh day, a change for which there is no Scriptural authority."

— A Doctrinal Catechism, Stephen Keenan (1876), p. 174

For more documented admissions, see Appendix C: Catholic Admissions or explore the Interactive Quote Wall.

The Prophecy

Daniel prophesied that a power would attempt to change God's law:

"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."

Daniel 7:25

This power would:

Speak against God — claiming divine authority
Persecute the saints — targeting commandment-keepers
Think to change times and laws — altering the Sabbath commandment
Rule for 1,260 years — fulfilled 538-1798 AD

Only one power fits this description: the papal system that changed the Sabbath, persecuted dissenters, and ruled for precisely 1,260 years.

For the complete prophetic analysis, see The 1260-Year Timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the Sabbath changed from Saturday to Sunday?

The change occurred gradually over centuries. Key dates include Constantine's Sunday law (321 AD) and the Council of Laodicea (364 AD). There is no biblical record of the change.

Who changed the Sabbath to Sunday?

The Roman Catholic Church officially claims responsibility. Catholic sources openly state they changed the day by their own authority, not by biblical command.

Did Constantine change the Sabbath?

Constantine's Sunday law of 321 AD was the first civil legislation requiring Sunday rest. However, he did not claim biblical authority. His law honored "the venerable day of the Sun."

Does the Catholic Church admit changing the Sabbath?

Yes. Multiple Catholic sources explicitly state that the Church changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday by its own authority. These admissions are documented in official catechisms and Catholic publications.

Go Deeper

Interactive Studies

The 1260-Year Timeline — Interactive prophecy fulfilled
Quote Wall — Catholic admissions with sources
Sabbath-Keepers Through History — 2,000 years of witnesses

Full Chapters

Enter the Rest

The Sabbath was made for you.

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