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[[Image:Girl on hill.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The spirit of the Sabbath is joy, refreshment and mercy, arising from remembrance of God's goodness as Creator and as the Deliverer from bondage.]]

[[Image:Girl on hill.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The spirit of the Sabbath is joy, refreshment and mercy, arising from remembrance of God's goodness as Creator and as the Deliverer from bondage.]]

{{Bible}}

{{Bible}}

<small>''This article is about the [[Christian]] day of rest. For the Sabbath in [[Judaism]] see [[Shabbat]].''</small><br>The '''Sabbath''' ([[Hebrew]]: שַׁבָּת‎ ''shabbat'' "the day to cease/rest"), is the seventh day of the week, the day being counted from sunset to sunset, that is, from Friday evening to Saturday evening. The Sabbath was instituted to provide God's people with an interruption in their work and ambitions so as to turn their hearts and minds to their Maker.  

<small>''This article is about the primarily [[Judaism|Jewish]] day of rest. For the Christian day of rest and worship, see [[Lord's Day]].''</small><br>The '''Sabbath''' ([[Hebrew]]: שַׁבָּת‎ ''shabbat'' "the day to cease/rest"), is the seventh day of the week, the day being counted from sunset to sunset, that is, from Friday evening to Saturday evening. The Sabbath was instituted to provide God's people with an interruption in their work and ambitions so as to turn their hearts and minds to their Maker.  

The Sabbath is introduced in the creation week when God ceases for 24 hours from His work of creating time, space and matter, <blockquote> "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."</blockquote>

The Sabbath is introduced in the creation week when God ceases for 24 hours from His work of creating time, space and matter, <blockquote> "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made."</blockquote>

==Seventh day==

==Seventh day==

Many churches observe Sunday as their day of rest and worship, and most Christians celebrate the Sabbath on Sunday. However, according to Jewish tradition Saturday is the seventh day of the week, and Sunday is the first day of the week. Despite many modifications of calendars through the centuries, the seven-day weekly cycle has remained intact throughout history. The days of the week have always remained in their proper order, with Sunday as the first day of the week and Saturday as the seventh.<ref>''Which Day Is the Sabbath?'' [http://www.ucg.org.uk/UCG_BI_Literature/booklets/SS/daysabbath.htm UCG]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>  

Many churches observe Sunday as their day of rest and worship, and most Christians celebrate the Lord's Day on Sunday. However, according to Jewish tradition Saturday is the seventh day of the week, and Sunday is the first day of the week. Despite many modifications of calendars through the centuries, the seven-day weekly cycle has remained intact throughout history. The days of the week have always remained in their proper order, with Sunday as the first day of the week and Saturday as the seventh.<ref>''Which Day Is the Sabbath?'' [http://www.ucg.org.uk/UCG_BI_Literature/booklets/SS/daysabbath.htm UCG]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>  

When the [[Julian calendar]] was replaced by the [[Gregorian calendar]] in 1582 AD, ten days were deleted in order to bring the calendar in synchronism with the seasons. But the sequence of the days remained the same. Thus, 1582-OCT-4 (a Thursday) was followed by 1582-OCT-15 (a Friday), and the Sabbath of 1582-OCT-16 happened exactly 7 days after the previous Sabbath of OCT-9.<ref>''Has the Calendar been Changed?'' "Christian holy days: The weekly Sabbath: is it to be Saturday or Sunday?" [http://www.religioustolerance.org/sabbath.htm#move Religuious Tolerance.org]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>

When the [[Julian calendar]] was replaced by the [[Gregorian calendar]] in 1582 AD, ten days were deleted in order to bring the calendar in synchronism with the seasons. But the sequence of the days remained the same. Thus, 1582-OCT-4 (a Thursday) was followed by 1582-OCT-15 (a Friday), and the Sabbath of 1582-OCT-16 happened exactly 7 days after the previous Sabbath of OCT-9.<ref>''Has the Calendar been Changed?'' "Christian holy days: The weekly Sabbath: is it to be Saturday or Sunday?" [http://www.religioustolerance.org/sabbath.htm#move Religuious Tolerance.org]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>