In 2017, my search for God led me to a Christian social media influencer named Greg from Bible Flock Box, a Seventh-day Adventist. Seventh-day Adventists believe that Saturday is the true biblical Sabbath, the day of rest God commanded in the Ten Commandments. At the time, I was wrestling with trauma and desperately seeking truth. I wanted to serve God correctly and avoid mistakes in my faith. While in my college town, I decided to attend a Seventh-day Adventist church to explore their beliefs further.
When I returned to my hometown, I resumed attending my Sunday church. However, in 2018, after becoming a reborn Christian, I felt a deep conviction to fully honor God. Greg’s videos convinced me that Saturday was the true Sabbath. He explained how Constantine, the Roman Emperor, had changed the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday in the 4th century. Many Seventh-day Adventists view this change as a deviation from God’s will and believe worshiping on Sunday is incorrect. This left me feeling that I needed to align with God by observing the Sabbath on Saturday.
Discovering the Lunar Sabbath
In 2018, I cried out to God, promising to leave my Sunday church and join a Seventh-day Adventist church. That very same day, I came across a comment on Bible Flock Box that completely shifted my perspective. The commenter introduced a different understanding of the Sabbath, based on the lunisolar calendar. According to this view, the Sabbath isn’t tied to a fixed weekly cycle but instead aligns with the 8th, 15th, 22nd, and 29th days of each month, corresponding to the phases of the moon.
This explanation intrigued me. The commenter referenced Exodus, describing how God instructed the Hebrews to track time using the lunar calendar. The idea resonated with me, especially since the Hebrew calendar is often linked to biblical practices. I felt this was God’s way of showing me that I didn’t have to leave my Sunday church to honor Him.
Wrestling with Complexity
I spent hours researching the lunisolar Sabbath, eager to understand how it worked, and even shared what I learned with others. To my surprise, the calendar method aligned closely with God’s Word. However, I was uncertain about how the extra day in some months was observed. While others provided different explanations, I realized that only the ancient Hebrews knew the answer with absolute certainty.
A year later, I got married. My husband was unfamiliar with the theology of a lunisolar Sabbath, so I shared some of my findings with him. However, I chose not to push the theology because I didn’t want to create confusion or tension in our family, especially since I didn’t have all the answers about its routines. I believed that focusing on unity and peace was more important than rigidly following a practice I didn’t fully understand.
Finding Freedom in Scripture
Through prayer and study, I found comfort in passages like Colossians 2:16-17:
"Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ."
This reminded me that God cares more about the heart behind our worship than the exact day we observe. Worshiping on the lunisolar Sabbath might align with ancient practices, but it wasn’t feasible for me, and I didn’t believe God wanted me to isolate myself from my family or community.
The Spirit of the Sabbath
Over time, I’ve learned that the Sabbath is about more than just rest—it’s about fellowship, reflection, and worship. Hebrews 10:25 reminds us not to forsake gathering together, which reinforced my belief that God values our coming together in love and unity.
I’ve also studied how historical calendar changes, such as those introduced by the Romans, make it impossible to pinpoint the biblical Sabbath on our modern calendar. This helped me see that while the details of Sabbath observance might be blurred, the spirit of the commandment remains clear: to honor God through rest and worship.
A Balanced Perspective
Today, I focus on serving God in spirit and truth. I still find the lunisolar calendar fascinating and occasionally share what I’ve learned, but I no longer debate over the “right” day to observe the Sabbath. Romans 14:5-6 reminds us:
"One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord."
This verse underscores that our sincerity matters more to God than rigid adherence to tradition.
Conclusion: Worship in Unity
Looking back, I see how God has guided me to prioritize relationships and community over isolated practices. I trust that He sees my desire to serve Him faithfully and honors my efforts, even amid historical and cultural confusion.
Someday, the lunisolar Sabbath will become more widely known. But I know we can still worship God together in spirit and truth. What truly matters is the purpose for which God created the Sabbath: gathering in love, unity, and devotion, and bringing these qualities into our worship. God’s grace and love remain constant, guiding us to focus on what truly matters: serving Him together as one body.
