Baptist Pastor in Kingston, Jamaica, Moves Congregation to Saturday Sabbath Services

Jeffrey Shuttleworth, a Jamaican pastor, leads Tarrant Baptist Church and Freedom Come Ministries International in Kingston, Jamaica. The Jamaica Gleaner has described his preaching as ultra-conservative. In a recent presentation, he argued that observing the seventh-day Sabbath is a matter of obedience and biblical alignment rather than manmade tradition.

Shuttleworth said the series was prompted by what he described as guidance from the Holy Spirit. He announced that his fellowship will begin holding full Saturday services from sunset on September 11. He said the church will keep the 24-hour day set aside for God while still allowing time for family as led. He stressed that he is not speaking for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and does not want to force anyone to accept his view. He said his role is to present the teaching and cited John 10, which says that Christ’s sheep hear his voice (Ephesians 4:15).

He treats the fourth commandment as still binding, saying that most Christians accept the other commandments but ignore the Sabbath. In his view, Sabbath-keeping is not itself the basis of salvation, but love and discipleship are tied to obedience. He pointed to Leviticus 23, which places the weekly Sabbath first among the Lord’s appointed times.

Shuttleworth traced the development of Sunday as the main Christian worship day to several events. He cited a 321 decree by Emperor Constantine, along with later church actions, including a ban on “Judaizing” by resting on the Sabbath. He also referred to Pope Sylvester’s naming of Sunday the Lord’s Day and to a claim by Eusebius that Sabbath duties had been transferred to the first day. He linked Sunday to pagan sun worship and said that no person can alter what God has written. He framed the Sabbath as the foundation for aligning practice with Scripture rather than with later human custom.

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