Sunday worship as Lord's Day; Saturday Sabbath not required for Christians
Calvary Chapel holds that the ceremonial Sabbath law of the Old Testament was fulfilled in Christ and is not binding on New Testament believers in its Saturday form. Christians gather on Sunday, the Lord's Day, in commemoration of the Resurrection. The principle of regular, dedicated worship time is affirmed, but the specific Saturday Sabbath is not required.
This mainstream Protestant position is consistent with Calvary Chapel's broader approach to the Mosaic Law: the moral law (summarized in the New Testament commands) continues, while ceremonial and civil aspects are fulfilled in Christ. Calvary Chapel does not take issue with believers who worship on Saturday, but does not teach Saturday observance as obligatory.
Key Distinctions
- Day observed:
- Sunday (first day of the week / Lord's Day)
- Observance theology:
- worship-focused gathering; not a strict legal rest
- Binding on christians:
- moral principle of rest honored; specific day fulfilled in Christ
Scripture References
Sources
- Calvary Chapel Distinctives (Chuck Smith)
- Calvary Chapel Statement of Faith