Introduction
There are only 8 verses in the New Testament that mentioned the first day of the week, and they are Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1, John 20:1, John 20: 19, Acts 20:7, and 1 Corinthians 16:2. It is important to study these verses and the context in which the first day is mentioned, whether they venerate the first day of the week as a day of worship, or replaced the Sabbath day. Apart from these verses, we will also study Romans 14:5, Revelation 1:10 since they are also used to support the claim that the Sabbath has been done away with and is no longer binding on Christians.
This study was prepared in form of questions and comments, it is important to study all the scriptural references, make personal notes from them, and then read the comments that followed the question. All scriptural references are taken from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. The keyword or words in the reference verses are highlighted for you to have words to think and meditate upon.
To gain the knowledge God intends, asked Him to open your understanding to the scriptures you read. Remove your mind from any preconceived opinion and focus on what the scriptures say. Be like the Bereans Christians who studied the scriptures to be sure what they heard were true. Believe the Word of God, prove it and hold fast to it, because it is true.
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May your heart be blessed as you study diligently.
Contents
1) What are the main events surrounding the mention of the first day of the week in the gospel, and what lessons can we learn from these events?
2) Is it true that the disciples met on the first day of the week (Sunday) for worship as it is popularly preached?
a) The account of John 20:19
b) The account of Act 20:7 -12
c) The account of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
d) The account of Romans 14:5
e) The account of Revelation 1:10
Conclusion
Questions and Comment
1. What are the main events surrounding the mention of the first day of the week in the gospel, and what lessons can we learn from these events?
Read: Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1, John 20:1, John 20: 19
Comment
The first day of the week is mentioned six times in the gospel and all the verses in the scripture where it is mentioned described the same events. And the events they described are the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. When we put the accounts in Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:1, and John 20:1, 19 together we can understand these events in chronological order. They can be summarized as follows:
After the death of the Messiah, the disciples were still keeping the Sabbath. This is evidently clear from reference passages. After Joseph of Arimathea took the body of the Messiah to the tomb, Mary Magdalene and the other women first located the site of the tomb where He was laid and went to buy spices and fragrant oils and prepared it. Then they rested on the Sabbath day according to the commandment, and after the Sabbath, early on the first day they took the spices and fragrant oils they had prepared to the tomb to apply it on the Messiah, but on getting there, Christ has risen. They did not break the Sabbath even when their master was dead, because they understood God’s commandment.
Some of the important points in all these verses are the following:
1) The day before the Sabbath is called the preparation day. Mark 15:42
“Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,” Mark 15:42
2) The Sabbath is the day before the first day of the week. Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:1-2
“Now, after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” Matthew 28:1
“Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.” Mark 16:1-2
3) The disciples kept the Sabbath according to the commandment. Luke 23:55-56
“And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Luke 23:55-56
4) The Messiah resurrected before sunrise (dawn) on the first day of the week. Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:9
“Now, after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.” Matthew 28:1
“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.” Mark 16:9
“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” Luke 24:1-3
“Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.” John 20:1
5) The main purpose why the Messiah appeared to his disciple was to convince them that he had indeed resurrected as he told them, giving them understand about this from the scriptures. John 20:8-9, Luke 24:25-27, Luke 24:44-45
“Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.” John 20:8-9
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus
“Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” Luke 24:25-27
“Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44-45
2. Is it true that the disciples meet on the first day of the week (Sunday) for worship as it is popularly preached?
Read: John 20:19, Acts 20:7-12, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, Romans 14:5, Revelation 1:10
a) The account of John 20:19
“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
Comment
This verse of the scripture starts with “Then, the same day at evening”, which means certain events had taken place before this. So, what happened prior? The Messiah has been killed, making the disciples fear for their life, they were discouraged and it seems their hope shattered and lost. They were even more hopeless when got the news from the women that the tomb is empty and the body of the Messiah is no more there. The women’s claims were confirmed went they physically went to the tomb. None of the disciples saw the resurrected Messiah at the tomb, because when they confirmed that the tomb was empty, they went home in fear, doubt, and without hope, except for Mary Magdalene who stayed at the tomb crying. The Messiah appeared first to her, who now went again to tell the other disciples that she saw the Messiah. This event leads to the event in verse 9.
Why it is not possible for the disciples’ gathering to be a worship service in celebration of the resurrected Messiah.
1) Not all disciples have seen the resurrected Messiah and putting all the accounts together, the disciples are in doubt and not fully convinced that the Messiah has resurrected. It is not possible to celebrate the resurrected Christ when all of the disciples are not convinced that the Messiah has actually resurrected.
“So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.” Matthew 28:8
“Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.” Mark 16:9-11
“Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.” Luke 24:9-12
“Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.” John 20:8-10
2) The disciples’ assembly was because of the fear of the Jews, making them shut the door. This does not define an atmosphere for celebration or worship.
“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
3) The time they gathered was not Sunday morning, but Saturday evening. Remember all these happened immediately after the Sabbath that ends Saturday evening.
“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19.
4) Again, the main purpose why the Messiah appeared to his disciple was to convince them that he had indeed resurrected as he told them and to make them understand this from the scriptures, to encourage them, and commission them. For the eleven, being personally called and seeing the resurrected Messiah qualifies them as His Apostles, and for the great commission.
“Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
5) At the time of this event, the foundation on which the church will be built has not yet been fully completed. The apostles were still eleven, this foundation was completed by the addition of Matthias as the twelfth apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot.
“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:21-26
6) The formal gathering of the disciples for worship as a church did not take place until after the day of Pentecost when they received the Holy Spirit – the power for boldness to witness the resurrected Messiah. The church did not start before the day of Pentecost, about 50 days after Passover, the time the Messiah was crucified. Between this time, the Messiah spent 40 days appearing to the disciples at different occasions to make sure that they are ready for their mission and are fully convinced of His resurrection. After the ascension of the master, the apostles were praying for the promised of the Holy Spirit and getting ready for the mission ahead of them; they did not receive the promise of the Holy Spirit until the day of Pentecost, which is about 10 days after the Messiah ascended to heaven.
“The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3
b) The account of Act 20:7-12
“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.” Acts 20:7-12
Comment
A diligent Bible student must be aware that some words (usually written in italics) are added to many translations of the Bible by the translators to make them readable. As good as these are, sometimes they change the truth God intends or give a different meaning altogether. Using Acts 20:7, the word “day” was added, meaning, it was not part of the original manuscript.
The verse should have been translated as “Now on the first of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”
The addition of this word to the verse, when you read it, makes it actually appeared that the disciples had a kind of Sunday service. In fact, there are bible versions that stated that the disciples “met on Sunday to worship and celebrate the Master’s Supper”. Is this true?
Another thing to note in this verse is that the Greek word translated as the week is “Sabbaton”. Check Strong’s number G4521. Sabbaton comes from the Hebrew word Sabbath (H7676), which is a weekly rest from regular occupation, calling, or vocation. And the scripture clearly showed that it starts from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, as God counts days from sunset to sunset. With this in mind, it can be deduced that the gathering of the disciples has a connection with the Sabbath.
To make the explanation clearer, let’s put Sabbath where we have the week. The verse will then read “Now on the first of the Sabbath when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” This is the way the Jubilee Bible renders it, “And the first of the sabbaths, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart the next day, and continued his word until midnight.”
First of the Sabbath is translated as Motzael-Shabbat in Complete Jewish Bible, and in Hebrew, it means the departure from the Sabbath. So, the event took place between Saturday night when the Sabbath is ending, and the beginning of another week which starts Saturday night. In verse 8 of the chapter, the scripture says there were many oil lamps (light) in the room where the meeting took place – meaning the event took place at night. Again, the biblical way of counting day is from sundown to sundown.
The most probable event that might have taken place at this time. That is, when the Sabbath was about to end and a new week was about to start, was a ceremony in Jewish culture called “Havdalah”. Havdalah means “separated” and is a ceremony that is carried out when the Sabbath is about to end and a new week is about to start. It involves prayers and devotions that help end the Sabbath in an official way and separating it from the other days of the week. Havdalah helps one resume those activities that were restricted on the Sabbath day starting the first day of the week.
The event can be summarized this way, Paul has been with believers in Traos for a week and was about to leave them. As usual, Paul celebrated the Sabbath with them at the end of that week as he celebrated the Passover and Days of unleaded bread with the believers at Philippi (Acts 20 Vs. 6). Because he will be leaving the brethren the next day (first day of the week), Paul used the last opportunity to encourage the believers at Motzael-Shabbat, during the Havdalah ceremony, but Paul’s speech took a long time until midnight. Within this long speech, Eutychus, who sat by the window fall asleep and then fell down dead. He was then brought back to life by Paul. Paul left Troas for Asso, and then to other places. He also thought of keeping the Pentecost in Jerusalem, if it is possible. This singular chapter pictured Paul to celebrate the Passover, the Days of unleaded bread, weekly Sabbath, and then the Pentecost.
In conclusion, the event that took place in Acts 20:7 was not a Sunday worship service or authorization of Sunday service as many believed. It was a ceremony in Jewish tradition called Havdalah that officially end the weekly Sabbath and mark the beginning of a new week. The event took place on Saturday night when many oil lamps were still on. The event was prolonged till midnight because in it Paul gave a long farewell speech to encourage the believers as he did in vs. 1 and 2 of the same chapter with other believers. The breaking of bread mentioned in this passage was not the Lord’s supper but a regular meal. Even though many bible versions say “the first day of the week”, it was not Sunday morning, but Saturday night (at sundown), this is when the first day of the week (Sunday) starts, according to the bible. And after midnight, Paul used the rest of the first day to travel to other places.
Scriptural References
Acts of Emissaries of Yeshua (Act) 20:7-12 CJB
“On Motza’ei-Shabbat, when we were gathered to break bread, Sha’ul addressed them. Since he was going to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight. Now there were many oil lamps burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting, and there was a young fellow named Eutychus sitting on the window-sill. As Sha’ul’s drash went on and on, Eutychus grew sleepier and sleepier; until finally he went sound asleep and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead. But Sha’ul went down, threw himself onto him, put his arms around him and said, “Don’t be upset, he’s alive!” Then he went back upstairs, broke the bread and ate. He continued talking with them till daylight, then left. So, greatly relieved, they brought the boy home alive.”
c) The account of 1 Corinthians 16:1-4
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.”
Comment
This is another bible account that is used to validate the Sunday worship service, but without the influence of any preconceived opinion, does this account really authorize the Sunday service. Does it say that? We will study this account by the way of question and answer.
1) What is the main subject of this passage?
It was about the collection for the saints, verse 1. It was not about Sunday service, or Sunday collection or offering.
2) What was this collection for?
The collection was meant to support the believers in need in Jerusalem, verse 3.
3) On what day did Paul ask them to start putting their gift aside?
On the first of the week or first of the Sabbath. Just as in Acts 20:7, the word “day” was added by the translators. The Jubilee Bible puts it this way “Each first sabbath let each one of you set aside in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no collections when I come.
4) What does the “first of the Sabbath mean?
First of the Sabbath is translated as Motzaei-Shabbat in Complete Jewish Bible, and in Hebrew, it means departing from Sabbath. That is, after the Sabbath is ending, and another week is about to begin which is Saturday night. So, Paul was telling them to begin to get their gifts ready as soon as the Sabbath ends. Again, the collection is to begin after the believers had observed the Sabbath, beginning Saturday night, which according to the biblical reckoning of time is the beginning of the week.
5) Did Paul ask that the collection should be brought to Sunday service as some claim?
No. Paul asked each person (not as a group) is to lay aside something in a store (in their house), until the person approved by letter comes around to gather the gifts to Jerusalem. This means there was no gathering of the believers for any Sunday service. It was just a simple instruction for believers to start to keep gifts for the needy believer in Jerusalem, starting after the Sabbath.
6) Is there any clue in the chapter that proved Paul to celebrate other feasts of the Lord?
In verse 8, Paul will stay in Ephesus until the Feast of Pentecost.
d) The account of Romans 14:5
“One-person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”
Comment
Many use these verses to say that the day we keep as holy does not really matter and that Christians are free to choose any day to keep holy, but what are the main subjects of this passage.
In this passage, Paul was addressing the church about the Gentile Christians who had just entered the body of believers that they should be accepted without getting into arguments over personal opinions. This is the subject of discussion of Paul’s address to the church. Verse 1 clearly indicates that these gentile Christians are still babes in the faith (weak in faith) and the instruction of Paul was to avoid arguments over personal convictions of these young believers regarding two things – vegetarianism and Fasting.
These are then the discussion of the verses that followed verse 1. “Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.” Romans 14:1
Vegetarianism (verses 2-4)
“For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:2-4
The verses show personal opinion regarding what to eat and what not to eat. The older believers believed that they can eat all things, but the weak in faith (young believer) believed they can only eat vegetables. Paul admonished the believers who believed they can eat all things not to judge the believers that only eat vegetables, that is a believer who is a vegetarian. This a just a personal conviction regarding vegetarianism and not a requirement of the law, that’s why Paul said that decision should be left for Christ (master) to judge. Also, this verse is not saying that the food laws have been abolished. The main reason why this young believer refrains from meat maybe because they believed the meat sold in the market are offered to idols. Read 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13, and 1 Corinthians 10: 23-33, Romans 14: 14-23.
Fasting (verses 5-6, 10)
“One-person esteems one day above another; another esteem every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:5-6, 10 NKJV
The second personal convictions mentioned in verses 5 to 6 is about the day one chooses to abstain from food (fast), as some believed some days are more special to fast than others. To fast or not to fast is the subject of this verse, and Paul again told the church, not to judge anyone on the day he chooses to abstain from food.
In summary, the biblical passage is all about believers accommodating and not judging one another because of personal opinions or convictions on vegetarianism and the day one considers special for fasting. The subject of the passage is not about the Sabbath or holy days, or dietary laws. Paul was promoting unity, love, and tolerance in the church.
e) The account of Revelation 1:10
“I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,”
Comment
Many Bible commentators believed that John received the vision in the book of Revelation on Sunday. They say the Lord’s day is Sunday but is that what the bible says? The truth is that the Bible never mentions the exact day of the week the revelation was given to John; it can be any day of the week. When you check the bible from Genesis to Revelation, there is nowhere God, the Messiah, his apostles, or the prophets ever said that Sunday is the Lord’s day. The only day the Bible records that belong to God is the Sabbath, the day he blessed and set apart for His holy use.
Conclusion
Going through all the biblical references, we see that there is nowhere any command was given by the Messiah or his apostles that the first day has replaced the Sabbath. All of the biblical references used to support the observance of Sunday service are all quoted out of context, not considering the whole event surrounding them. And if there is no verse in the bible that authorizes Sunday worship, how does it begin, and why do almost all professing Christians choose to observe this day? Please study the Bible Study booklet “The Origin of Sunday Worship.” Note, man cannot make anything Holy except what God made Holy. The Sabbath is the only day God, the creator of the universe, made Holy and blessed for the purpose of rest from labor, public worship, family and personal devotion to Him.
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