Definition and Etymology:
Sabbatism refers to the observance and theological understanding of the Sabbath, a day of rest and worship. The term is derived from the Hebrew word "Shabbat," meaning "to cease" or "to rest." In Christian theology, Sabbatism encompasses the principles and practices associated with the Sabbath as instituted by God in the Scriptures.

Biblical Foundation:
The concept of Sabbatism is rooted in the creation narrative, where God rested on the seventh day after creating the heavens and the earth. Genesis 2:2-3 states, "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on that day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished."

The Sabbath commandment is further articulated in the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. Exodus 20:8-11 commands, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your livestock, nor the foreigner within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy."

Theological Significance:
Sabbatism holds significant theological importance as it reflects God's creation order and His covenant relationship with His people. It serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel, as noted in Exodus 31:16-17 : "The Israelites must keep the Sabbath, celebrating it as a permanent covenant for the generations to come. It is a sign between Me and the Israelites forever; for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, but on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

In the New Testament, the Sabbath is seen as a shadow of the rest found in Christ. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For whoever enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His."

Observance in Christianity:
The observance of the Sabbath has been a topic of discussion and variation within Christian traditions. Early Christians, recognizing the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week, began to gather on Sundays, which became known as the Lord's Day. Acts 20:7 notes, "On the first day of the week we came together to break bread."

Despite this shift, the principle of rest and worship remains integral to Christian practice. Many Christians view Sunday as a day to cease from regular labor and to focus on worship, fellowship, and spiritual renewal, embodying the spirit of Sabbatism.

Contemporary Perspectives:
In contemporary Christianity, Sabbatism is understood in various ways. Some denominations, such as Seventh-day Adventists, continue to observe the Sabbath on Saturday, adhering closely to the biblical commandment. Others emphasize the moral and spiritual principles of rest and worship, applying them to Sunday observance.

The essence of Sabbatism in Christian thought is the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, the rhythm of work and rest, and the anticipation of eternal rest in Christ.(n.) Intermission of labor, as upon the Sabbath; rest.4520. sabbatismos -- a sabbath rest
... rest. From a derivative of sabbaton; a "sabbatism", ie (figuratively) the repose
of Christianity (as a type of heaven) -- rest. see GREEK sabbaton. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4520.htm - 6k7677. shabbathon -- sabbath observance, sabbatism
... 7676, 7677. shabbathon. 7678 . sabbath observance, sabbatism. Transliteration:
shabbathon Phonetic Spelling: (shab-baw-thone') Short Definition: rest. ...
/hebrew/7677.htm - 6k

Heavenly Rest
... In my text it is (in the original) called the Sabbatism"not the Sabbath, but the
rest of the Sabbath"not the outward ritual of the Sabbath, which was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly rest.htm

The Opinions
... of the 92d Psalm was thought by those Hebrew masters to have respect to the subject
of the Psalm, and that it ought to be understood of the Sabbatism of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the opinions.htm

On Pentecost.
... For the present sabbatism of our souls can find its cessation there, that a portion
may be given to seven and also to eight [4210] (so some of our predecessors ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xli on pentecost.htm

The Sympathy of the Two Worlds
... A man may have a Sabbath every day, as he ought to have if he be a Christian, and
yet on the first day of the week he will let his Sabbatism come out plainly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sympathy of the two.htm

The Introduction to the Work, with Some Account of the Nature of ...
... What an eternal Sabbatism, when the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation,
glorification, is all finished and perfected for ever! ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter i the introduction to.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... Those who cling to their constitutions go thrice as far as the Jews in the gross
and carnal superstition of sabbatism; so that the rebukes which we read in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

Sabbatism (1 Occurrence)
... rest. Multi-Version Concordance Sabbatism (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 4:9 There
remains then a sabbatism to the people of God. (DBY). ...
/s/sabbatism.htm - 6k

Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)

/s/sabbatical.htm - 16k

Sabbeus

/s/sabbeus.htm - 6k

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