The Reformation and the Sabbath

Home
Free Resources
The Sabbath Blog

As the Reformation began to spread throughout Europe and as the Bible was translated into common languages, people began to discover the Sabbath truth. Reformers such as Calvin, Knox, and Luther recognized that Sunday observance was based on traditions rather than on Scripture. However, the perceived connection between the Jews and the seventh-day Sabbath kept them from completely embracing the biblical Sabbath.

Andres Carlstadt, a controversial character in Germany during the Reformation and an associate of Martin Luther, became a devout Sabbath keeper. He was well versed in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew and taught the paramount authority of the Scriptures above tradition. The 16th-century historian D’Aubigné said about Carlstadt, “Endowed with great powers of mind he sacrificed to his convictions fame, station, country, and even his bread.”

Luther and Carlstadt were educated within the Catholic system. Yet as they studied the Scriptures, they recognized serious errors in the church and desired to bring reformation. However, church leaders rejected their ideas and urged them to recant.

Luther was more cautious in making changes in church traditions. He agured that if something is not expressly forbidden in the Scriptures, then it did not need to be condemned. Carlstadt, however, maintained, “We are bound to the Bible, and no one may decide after the thoughts of his own heart.”

After a time, Carlstadt and Luther parted ways. Carlstadt moved to Switzerland, where he continued to preach and teach. His enemies condemned his strong belief in the relevance of the Old Testament and accused him of “Judaizing.” Still, as the Reformation continued, groups of Sabbathkeeping believers across Europe and Russia began to form and grow. Many of the leaders came from a long line of ancient Sabbathkeeping churches and found a ready audience among those who were searching for spiritual truth.

Today we are surrounded by many competing voices about the Sabbath, but the Scriptures are still the foundation of our faith; thus, we can know with certainty that the Sabbath is still God’s holy day. Click here for a free resource to share with your friends about the blessing and restoration we find each week in the Sabbath.

Creation and the Seventh Day

The Day of the Sun

We should keep the spirit of the law but not the letter.

Is it possible to obey the law?

Comments

When you post, you agree to the terms and conditions of our comments policy. Click here to read it.

If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. Due to staff size, we are unable to answer Bible questions posted in the comments.

To help maintain a Christian environment, we closely moderate all comments.

Please be patient. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. Comments made on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday may not be approved until the following Monday.

Comments that include name-calling, profanity, harassment, ridicule, etc. will be automatically deleted and the invitation to participate revoked.

Comments containing URLs outside the family of Amazing Facts websites will not be approved.

Comments containing telephone numbers or email addresses will not be approved.

Comments off topic may be deleted.

Please do not comment in languages other than English.

Please note: Approved comments do not constitute an endorsement by the ministry of Amazing Facts or by Pastor Doug Batchelor. This website allows dissenting comments and beliefs, but our comment sections are not a forum for ongoing debate.

Articles

Related Articles

Comments

Articles

7 Facts About the Seventh ...

Doesn’t Hebrews 4 mean Jesus ...

Early Christians Kept Sunday ...

When Does The Sabbath Start?

Sabbath-Keeping Christians ...