Did the early church worship on Sabbath?

[reddogs]

Not only did the Jews come for Sabbath but the Gentiles, and in Acts we see almost the whole city wanted to be there on the Sabbath.

Acts 13:42-44
King James Version (KJV)
42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Now we see the Gentiles keep the Sabbath in Antioch as we see Paul when he came there, meeting with them in the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

We see much the same in the early church in Thessalonica when Paul as was his manner, entered on three Sabbath days and reasoned with them out of the scriptures.

Acts 17:2
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

And we see more of the same in the early church in Corinth were Paul went every Sabbath and we clearly see it says "persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."

Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

And we see it was the same thing that Christ had done when He was in His ministry before Paul.

Mark 6:2
And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Luke 4:31
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

As had Christ, the Paul worshiped in the early church on the seventh-day Sabbath. We clearly see that in his travels Paul attended the synagogue on the Sabbath with Gentiles and Jews, and preached Christ. Even in places where there was no synagogue, he searched for where the early church met for Sabbath worship.

We find much in history that shows the early church observing the seventh day Sabbath which nearly all Protestant, Orthodox, or Roman Catholic theologians agree was true, and showed that the Sabbath was clearly spread throughout the world in the early church.

Josephus
"There is not any city of the Grecians, nor any of the Barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come!" M'Clatchie, "Notes and Queries on China and Japan" (edited by Dennys), Vol 4, Nos 7, 8, p.100.

Philo
Declares the seventh day to be a festival, not of this or of that city, but of the universe. M'Clatchie, "Notes and Queries," Vol. 4, 99

Early Christians
"The primitive Christians had a great veneration for the Sabbath, and spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not to be doubted but they derived this practice from the Apostles themselves, as appears by several scriptures to the purpose." "Dialogues on the Lord's Day," p. 189. London: 1701, By Dr. T.H. Morer (A Church of England divine).

Early Christians
"...The Sabbath was a strong tie which united them with the life of the whole people, and in keeping the Sabbath holy they followed not only the example but also the command of Jesus." "Geschichte des Sonntags," pp.13, 14

2nd Century Christians
"The Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath," Gieseler's "Church History," Vol.1, ch. 2, par. 30, 93.

Early Christians
"The primitive Christians did keep the Sabbath of the Jews;...therefore the Christians, for a long time together, did keep their conventions upon the Sabbath, in which some portions of the law were read: and this continued till the time of the Laodicean council." "The Whole Works" of Jeremy Taylor, Vol. IX,p. 416 (R. Heber's Edition, Vol XII, p. 416).

You can find even more in this study..
at https://www.sabbath.org/index.cfm/l...ath-first-day-during-first-five-centuries.htm

 

[HTacianas]

Not only did the Jews come for Sabbath but the Gentiles, and in Acts we see almost the whole city wanted to be there on the Sabbath.

Acts 13:42-44
King James Version (KJV)
42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

Now we see the Gentiles keep the Sabbath in Antioch as we see Paul when he came there, meeting with them in the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

Acts 13:14
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

We see much the same in the early church in Thessalonica when Paul as was his manner, entered on three Sabbath days and reasoned with them out of the scriptures.

Acts 17:2
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

And we see more of the same in the early church in Corinth were Paul went every Sabbath and we clearly see it says "persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."

Acts 18:4
And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

And we see it was the same thing that Christ had done when He was in His ministry before Paul.

Mark 6:2
And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

Luke 4:16
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

Luke 4:31
And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

As had Christ, the Paul worshiped in the early church on the seventh-day Sabbath. We clearly see that in his travels Paul attended the synagogue on the Sabbath with Gentiles and Jews, and preached Christ. Even in places where there was no synagogue, he searched for where the early church met for Sabbath worship.

We find much in history that shows the early church observing the seventh day Sabbath which nearly all Protestant, Orthodox, or Roman Catholic theologians agree was true, and showed that the Sabbath was clearly spread throughout the world in the early church.

Josephus
"There is not any city of the Grecians, nor any of the Barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come!" M'Clatchie, "Notes and Queries on China and Japan" (edited by Dennys), Vol 4, Nos 7, 8, p.100.

Philo
Declares the seventh day to be a festival, not of this or of that city, but of the universe. M'Clatchie, "Notes and Queries," Vol. 4, 99

Early Christians
"The primitive Christians had a great veneration for the Sabbath, and spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not to be doubted but they derived this practice from the Apostles themselves, as appears by several scriptures to the purpose." "Dialogues on the Lord's Day," p. 189. London: 1701, By Dr. T.H. Morer (A Church of England divine).

Early Christians
"...The Sabbath was a strong tie which united them with the life of the whole people, and in keeping the Sabbath holy they followed not only the example but also the command of Jesus." "Geschichte des Sonntags," pp.13, 14

2nd Century Christians
"The Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath," Gieseler's "Church History," Vol.1, ch. 2, par. 30, 93.

Early Christians
"The primitive Christians did keep the Sabbath of the Jews;...therefore the Christians, for a long time together, did keep their conventions upon the Sabbath, in which some portions of the law were read: and this continued till the time of the Laodicean council." "The Whole Works" of Jeremy Taylor, Vol. IX,p. 416 (R. Heber's Edition, Vol XII, p. 416).

You can find even more in this study..
at https://www.sabbath.org/index.cfm/l...ath-first-day-during-first-five-centuries.htm

No one agrees that that is true. The verses you quoted above of the Sabbath are entirely Jewish. The Apostles preached in the synagogues on the Sabbath because that's when the Jews were there. If you read Acts 20:7 you'll see the Apostles gathering on the first day -the Lord's Day- for the Eucharist. Christians have always gathered on the Lord's Day, that day being the first day of the week, i.e., Sunday.

 

[prodromos]

Sunday was a normal workday until Constantine made it a day of rest in the 4th century, so there would have been very few people in the Synagogue to hear preaching on a Sunday. The Gentiles in the verses above are converts to Judaism.

The early Christians sacrificed a great deal in order to gather and worship before dawn on Sunday as they then had to go to work for the remainder of the day.

The Eastern Orthodox Church, which goes back to the Apostles, still honors the Sabbath day in remembrance of God resting in the tomb after His crucifixion on the day of preparation, however we celebrate more His glorious resurrection on the eighth day, which is an eternal day not followed by night.

 

[Freth]

Acts:

• The Sabbath is recorded as being observed:
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
  • Acts 13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
  • Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
  • Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
  • Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
  • Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
• Churches:
  • Acts 16:4-5 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
• Paul's custom was Sabbath observance:
  • Acts 17:2-3 And Paul, as his manner was [NKJV as his custom was], went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
• Acts 20:7:
  • No significance is given to Acts 20:7's first day of the week.
    • The meeting doesn't take place in a synagogue, but in an upper room, on the third floor of a building.
    • No mention of the taking of communion, only the breaking of bread (eating meals together).
      • Acts 2:42 AMP They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together [Lit the breaking of bread] and to prayers.
    • No mention of anyone attending other than Paul, the disciples and the young man that fell out of the third story window.
    • No mention of Sunday sacredness (which, by the way, is nowhere in the Bible, let alone this verse).
    • No mention of Paul or any of the disciples suddenly adopting Sunday as a new Sabbath.
• What did the apostles believe?
  • Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Conclusion:

• Five chapters of Acts chronicle the observance of the Sabbath and apostles preaching in synagogues to Jew and Gentile alike.
• It was Paul's custom to observe the Sabbath, and to preach on the Sabbath (above; Acts 17:2-3), as was Jesus' custom (Luke 4:16).
• If Paul and the disciples were observing the Sabbath as recorded, the churches they delivered decrees to (Acts 16:4-5) did also.
  • decrees (dogma): a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical):—decree, ordinance.
• The statement Peter and the other apostles made in Acts 5:29, that we ought to obey God rather than men, is a rebuke to not put commandments/traditions of men before the commandments of God. Jesus says the same thing in Matthew 15:3-6.

 

[JSRG]

We find much in history that shows the early church observing the seventh day Sabbath which nearly all Protestant, Orthodox, or Roman Catholic theologians agree was true, and showed that the Sabbath was clearly spread throughout the world in the early church.

This heavily depends on what one means by "observing the seventh day Sabbath." If one means as a day of religious assembly, one can indeed find evidence that this was the case in the early church. But in terms of Saturday still being a day of required rest, the evidence you offer seems to come up quite short.

Your post is a bit ambiguous--perhaps intentionally so--as to which you are advocating. As there is little controversy in the assertion that the church had meetings or services on Saturday, I will be focusing on the claim that these show the church "observing" Sabbath in the sense of viewing it as a required rest day. If this was not your intent, I apologize--but as these quotations you copied and pasted (you tend to do a lot of that, I've noticed) are often used by those tho claim it shows Sabbath rest in the early church, an examination on that basis is warranted.

Josephus
"There is not any city of the Grecians, nor any of the Barbarians, nor any nation whatsoever, whither our custom of resting on the seventh day hath not come!" M'Clatchie, "Notes and Queries on China and Japan" (edited by Dennys), Vol 4, Nos 7, 8, p.100.

How does this show anything about the practice of the Christian church? Josephus wasn't Christian, and he doesn't say anything about Christians.

Philo
Declares the seventh day to be a festival, not of this or of that city, but of the universe. M'Clatchie, "Notes and Queries," Vol. 4, 99

How does this show anything about the practice of the Christian church? Philo wasn't Christian, and he doesn't say anything about Christians.

Early Christians
"The primitive Christians had a great veneration for the Sabbath, and spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not to be doubted but they derived this practice from the Apostles themselves, as appears by several scriptures to the purpose." "Dialogues on the Lord's Day," p. 189. London: 1701, By Dr. T.H. Morer (A Church of England divine).

A work from 1701 is not something that one would expect up-to-date scholarship from, nor does the author appear to have any credentials outside of apparently being a priest; he cites no sources for his statements, outside of his reference to "several scriptures" which people dispute the interpretation of.

But even if we should conclude we should follow Morer despite these issues, he explicitly states on page 193 that the Sabbath was seen as not seeing as having any force anymore ("the legal force of it they consider'd gone") and it was just to indulge Jewish customs. So if we were to accept Morer as a reliable source, then it means the apostles may have observed Sabbath, but saw no requirement for it at all and that it was no longer in force. Is that your position you are advocating?

Early Christians
"...The Sabbath was a strong tie which united them with the life of the whole people, and in keeping the Sabbath holy they followed not only the example but also the command of Jesus." "Geschichte des Sonntags," pp.13, 14

This work is in German, and thus I cannot comment on it. It is, however, rather old, being from the 19th century (though this still seems to be the most recent of your citations).

2nd Century Christians
"The Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath," Gieseler's "Church History," Vol.1, ch. 2, par. 30, 93.

Statement in full context: "While the Jewish Christians of Palestine retained the entire Mosaic law, and consequently the Jewish festivals, the Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath and the passover (1. Cor v. 6-8), with reference to the last scenes of Jesus' life, but without Jewish superstition." What exactly is this Jewish superstition? Presumably the idea of it being required as a rest day. Thus, your source appears to contradict your claim.

Early Christians
"The primitive Christians did keep the Sabbath of the Jews;...therefore the Christians, for a long time together, did keep their conventions upon the Sabbath, in which some portions of the law were read: and this continued till the time of the Laodicean council." "The Whole Works" of Jeremy Taylor, Vol. IX,p. 416 (R. Heber's Edition, Vol XII, p. 416).

How about we look at what Jeremy Taylor in the paragraph right after that quote?

"At first, they kept both days with this only difference,–that though they kept the sabbath, yet it was after the Christian, that is, after the spiritual manner: in these exuberancies and floods of religion, which overflowed their channels, one day of solemnity was not enough: but besides that they, by their sabbath meetings, had intercourse with the Jews in order to their conversion, and the Jewish Christians, in order to the establishment of their religion, they were glad of all occasions to glorify God: but they did it without any opinion of essential obligation; and without the Jewish rest; and upon the account of Christian reasons."

Your source explicitly denies your claim right after the quote you provide.

So what are your sources? The first two are irrelevant. The third is just a work that a priest wrote in the early 18th century (neither up to date nor by someone with apparent credentials in history as far as I am aware). The fourth is in another language. The fifth appears to contradict your apparent claim. The sixth explicitly contradicts your apparent claim.

 

[Gary K]

This heavily depends on what one means by "observing the seventh day Sabbath." If one means as a day of religious assembly, one can indeed find evidence that this was the case in the early church. But in terms of Saturday still being a day of required rest, the evidence you offer seems to come up quite short.

Your post is a bit ambiguous--perhaps intentionally so--as to which you are advocating. As there is little controversy in the assertion that the church had meetings or services on Saturday, I will be focusing on the claim that these show the church "observing" Sabbath in the sense of viewing it as a required rest day. If this was not your intent, I apologize--but as these quotations you copied and pasted (you tend to do a lot of that, I've noticed) are often used by those tho claim it shows Sabbath rest in the early church, an examination on that basis is warranted.



How does this show anything about the practice of the Christian church? Josephus wasn't Christian, and he doesn't say anything about Christians.



How does this show anything about the practice of the Christian church? Josephus wasn't Christian, and he doesn't say anything about Christians.



A work from 1701 is not something that one would expect up-to-date scholarship from, nor does the author appear to have any credentials outside of apparently being a priest; he cites no sources for his statements, outside of his reference to "several scriptures" which people dispute the interpretation of.

But even if we should conclude we should follow Morer despite these issues, he explicitly states on page 193 that the Sabbath was seen as not seeing as having any force anymore ("the legal force of it they consider'd gone") and it was just to indulge Jewish customs. So if we were to accept Morer as a reliable source, then it means the apostles may have observed Sabbath, but saw no requirement for it at all and that it was no longer in force. Is that your position you are advocating?



This work is in German, and thus I cannot comment on it. It is, however, rather old, being from the 19th century (though this still seems to be the most recent of your citations).



Statement in full context: "While the Jewish Christians of Palestine retained the entire Mosaic law, and consequently the Jewish festivals, the Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath and the passover (1. Cor v. 6-8), with reference to the last scenes of Jesus' life, but without Jewish superstition." What exactly is this Jewish superstition? Presumably the idea of it being required as a rest day. Thus, your source appears to contradict your claim.



How about we look at what Jeremy Taylor in the paragraph right after that quote?

"At first, they kept both days with this only difference,–that though they kept the sabbath, yet it was after the Christian, that is, after the spiritual manner: in these exuberancies and floods of religion, which overflowed their channels, one day of solemnity was not enough: but besides that they, by their sabbath meetings, had intercourse with the Jews in order to their conversion, and the Jewish Christians, in order to the establishment of their religion, they were glad of all occasions to glorify God: but they did it without any opinion of essential obligation; and without the Jewish rest; and upon the account of Christian reasons."

Your source explicitly denies your claim right after the quote you provide.

So what are your sources? The first two are irrelevant. The third is just a work that a priest wrote in the early 18th century (neither up to date nor by someone with apparent credentials in history as far as I am aware). The fourth is in another language. The fifth appears to contradict your apparent claim. The sixth explicitly contradicts your apparent claim.

I guess if the testimony of scripture means less to you than nonscriptural sources it makes perfect sense. I'll stick to the testimony of scripture.

2Corinthians 7: 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.
7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

So the mystery of iniquity was already at work within the church in Paul's day drawing people away from obeying God. What is not obeying God? Sin, for sin is the transgression of the law.

As the devil is extremely cunning how does He deceive people? By mixing a little bit of error with a lot of truth. People won't take pure poison, but if it is disguised inside something good people will accept it. That's what the devil did in Eden and he's been doing it ever since.

 

[trophy33]

As the devil is extremely cunning how does He deceive people? By mixing a little bit of error with a lot of truth.

And telling you its the other person that has a little bit of error with a lot of truth, not you. You got everything 100% right, therefore you are not open to correction.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

Acts:

• The Sabbath is recorded as being observed:
  • Acts 13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
  • Acts 13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.
  • Acts 13:42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
  • Acts 13:44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.
  • Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
  • Acts 18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
• Churches:
  • Acts 16:4-5 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
• Paul's custom was Sabbath observance:
  • Acts 17:2-3 And Paul, as his manner was [NKJV as his custom was], went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
• Acts 20:7:
  • No significance is given to Acts 20:7's first day of the week.
    • The meeting doesn't take place in a synagogue, but in an upper room, on the third floor of a building.
    • No mention of the taking of communion, only the breaking of bread (eating meals together).
      • Acts 2:42 AMP They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together [Lit the breaking of bread] and to prayers.
    • No mention of anyone attending other than Paul, the disciples and the young man that fell out of the third story window.
    • No mention of Sunday sacredness (which, by the way, is nowhere in the Bible, let alone this verse).
    • No mention of Paul or any of the disciples suddenly adopting Sunday as a new Sabbath.
• What did the apostles believe?
  • Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Conclusion:

• Five chapters of Acts chronicle the observance of the Sabbath and apostles preaching in synagogues to Jew and Gentile alike.
• It was Paul's custom to observe the Sabbath, and to preach on the Sabbath (above; Acts 17:2-3), as was Jesus' custom (Luke 4:16).
• If Paul and the disciples were observing the Sabbath as recorded, the churches they delivered decrees to (Acts 16:4-5) did also.
  • decrees (dogma): a law (civil, ceremonial or ecclesiastical):—decree, ordinance.
• The statement Peter and the other apostles made in Acts 5:29, that we ought to obey God rather than men, is a rebuke to not put commandments/traditions of men before the commandments of God. Jesus says the same thing in Matthew 15:3-6.

One more to add...

Timothy a Gentile Christian was also keeping the Sabbath.

Acts 16:13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.

 

[SabbathBlessings]

No one agrees that that is true. The verses you quoted above of the Sabbath are entirely Jewish. The Apostles preached in the synagogues on the Sabbath because that's when the Jews were there. If you read Acts 20:7 you'll see the Apostles gathering on the first day -the Lord's Day- for the Eucharist. Christians have always gathered on the Lord's Day, that day being the first day of the week, i.e., Sunday.

Acts 20:7 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.

Could you please point out where this says the first day is now God's holy day, the Lord's Day, the Sabbath was transferred over to the first day, the first day is a commandment of God?

It says they came together to break bread- something they did daily which is having a meal together. Does not mean every day is now God's new holy day and we can disregard God's written and spoken commandment. Exo 20:8-11

Acts 2:28 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

 

[HIM]

No one agrees that that is true. The verses you quoted above of the Sabbath are entirely Jewish. The Apostles preached in the synagogues on the Sabbath because that's when the Jews were there. If you read Acts 20:7 you'll see the Apostles gathering on the first day -the Lord's Day- for the Eucharist. Christians have always gathered on the Lord's Day, that day being the first day of the week, i.e., Sunday.

Not so. Don't what is not.

 

[reddogs]

This heavily depends on what one means by "observing the seventh day Sabbath." If one means as a day of religious assembly, one can indeed find evidence that this was the case in the early church. But in terms of Saturday still being a day of required rest, the evidence you offer seems to come up quite short.

Your post is a bit ambiguous--perhaps intentionally so--as to which you are advocating. As there is little controversy in the assertion that the church had meetings or services on Saturday, I will be focusing on the claim that these show the church "observing" Sabbath in the sense of viewing it as a required rest day. If this was not your intent, I apologize--but as these quotations you copied and pasted (you tend to do a lot of that, I've noticed) are often used by those tho claim it shows Sabbath rest in the early church, an examination on that basis is warranted.



How does this show anything about the practice of the Christian church? Josephus wasn't Christian, and he doesn't say anything about Christians.



How does this show anything about the practice of the Christian church? Josephus wasn't Christian, and he doesn't say anything about Christians.



A work from 1701 is not something that one would expect up-to-date scholarship from, nor does the author appear to have any credentials outside of apparently being a priest; he cites no sources for his statements, outside of his reference to "several scriptures" which people dispute the interpretation of.

But even if we should conclude we should follow Morer despite these issues, he explicitly states on page 193 that the Sabbath was seen as not seeing as having any force anymore ("the legal force of it they consider'd gone") and it was just to indulge Jewish customs. So if we were to accept Morer as a reliable source, then it means the apostles may have observed Sabbath, but saw no requirement for it at all and that it was no longer in force. Is that your position you are advocating?



This work is in German, and thus I cannot comment on it. It is, however, rather old, being from the 19th century (though this still seems to be the most recent of your citations).



Statement in full context: "While the Jewish Christians of Palestine retained the entire Mosaic law, and consequently the Jewish festivals, the Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath and the passover (1. Cor v. 6-8), with reference to the last scenes of Jesus' life, but without Jewish superstition." What exactly is this Jewish superstition? Presumably the idea of it being required as a rest day. Thus, your source appears to contradict your claim.



How about we look at what Jeremy Taylor in the paragraph right after that quote?

"At first, they kept both days with this only difference,–that though they kept the sabbath, yet it was after the Christian, that is, after the spiritual manner: in these exuberancies and floods of religion, which overflowed their channels, one day of solemnity was not enough: but besides that they, by their sabbath meetings, had intercourse with the Jews in order to their conversion, and the Jewish Christians, in order to the establishment of their religion, they were glad of all occasions to glorify God: but they did it without any opinion of essential obligation; and without the Jewish rest; and upon the account of Christian reasons."

Your source explicitly denies your claim right after the quote you provide.

So what are your sources? The first two are irrelevant. The third is just a work that a priest wrote in the early 18th century (neither up to date nor by someone with apparent credentials in history as far as I am aware). The fourth is in another language. The fifth appears to contradict your apparent claim. The sixth explicitly contradicts your apparent claim.

Its all over history if you just look, but then would you be convinced is the question..

I think this is the page I got it from....https://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/sabbath-through-the-centuries/id/3rd-century#history

Early Christians-C 3rd​

"Thou shalt observe the Sabbath, on account of Him who ceased from His work of creation, but ceased not from His work of providence: it is a rest for meditation of the law, not for idleness of the hands." "The Anti-Nicene Fathers," Vol 7,p. 413. From "Constitutions of the Holy Apostles," a document of the 3rd and 4th Centuries.

Africa (Alexandria) Origen​

"After the festival of the unceasing sacrifice (the crucifixion) is put the second festival of the Sabbath, and it is fitting for whoever is righteous among the saints to keep also the festival of the Sabbath. There remaineth therefore a sabbatismus, that is, a keeping of the Sabbath, to the people of God (Hebrews 4:9)." "Homily on Numbers 23," par.4, in Migne, "Patrologia Graeca," Vol. 12,cols. 749, 750.

Palestine to India (Church of the East)​

As early as A.D. 225 there existed lallrge bishoprics or conferences of the Church of the East (Sabbath-keeping) stretching from Palestine to India. Mingana, "Early Spread of Christianity." Vol.10, p. 460.

India (Buddhist Controversy, 220 A.D.)​

The Kushan Dynasty of North India called a famous council of Buddhist priests at Vaisalia to bring uniformity among the Buddhist monks on the observance of their weekly Sabbath. Some had been so impressed by the writings of the Old Testament that they had begun to keep holy the Sabbath. Lloyd, "The Creed of Half Japan," p. 23.

taly AND EAST-C 4th​

"It was the practice generally of the Easterne Churches; and some churches of the west...For in the Church of Millaine (Milan);...it seems the Saturday was held in a farre esteeme... Not that the Easterne Churches, or any of the rest which observed that day, were inclined to Iudaisme (Judaism); but that they came together on the Sabbath day, to worship Iesus (Jesus) Christ the Lord of the Sabbath." "History of the Sabbath" (original spelling retained), Part 2, par. 5, pp.73, 74. London: 1636. Dr. Heylyn.

Italy - Milan​

"Ambrose, the celebrated bishop of Milan, said that when he was in Milan he observed Saturday, but when in Rome observed Sunday. This gave rise to the proverb, 'When you are in Rome, do as Rome does.'" Heylyn, "The History of the Sabbath" (1612)

Orient And Most Of World​

"The ancient Christians were very careful in the observance of Saturday, or the seventh day...It is plain that all the Oriental churches, and the greatest part of the world, observed the Sabbath as a festival...Athanasius likewise tells us that they held religious assembles on the Sabbath, not because they were infected with Judaism, but to worship Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, Epiphanius says the same." "Antiquities of the Christian Church," Vol.II Book XX, chap. 3, sec.1, 66. 1137,1138.

Abyssinia - Remnants of Philip's Evangelism​

"In the last half of that century St. Ambrose of Milan stated officially that the Abyssinian bishop, Museus, had 'traveled almost everywhere in the country of the Seres' (China). For more than seventeen centuries the Abyssinian Church continued to sanctify Saturday as the holy day of the fourth commandment." Ambrose, DeMoribus, Brachmanorium Opera Ominia, 1132, found in Migne, Patrologia Latima, Vol.17, pp.1131,1132.

Arabia, Persia, India, China​

"Mingana proves that in 370 A.D. Abyssinian Christianity (a Sabbath keeping church) was so popular that its famous director, Musacus, travelled extensively in the East promoting the church in Arabia, Persia, India and China." "Truth Triumphant,"p.308 (Footnote 27). (Page numbers vary in this Online version of Truth Triumphant)

Spain - Council Elvira (A.D.305)​

Canon 26 of the Council of Elvira reveals that the Church of Spainat that time kept Saturday, the seventh day. "As to fasting every Sabbath: Resolved, that the error be corrected of fasting every Sabbath." This resolution of the council is in direct opposition to the policy the church at Rome had inaugurated, that of commanding Sabbath as a fast day in order to humiliate it and make it repugnant to the people.

Spain​

It is a point of further interest to note that in north-eastern Spainnear the city of Barcelona is a city called Sabadell, in a district originaly inhabited. By a people called both "Valldenses" and Sabbatati."

Persia-A.D. 335-375 (40 Years Persecution Under Shapur II)​

The popular complaint against the Christians-"They despise our sungod, they have divine services on Saturday, they desecrate the sacred the earth by burying their dead in it." (Truth Triumphant, Online Version p. 261)

Persia-A.D. 335-375​

"They despise our sun-god. Did not Zorcaster, the sainted founder of our divine beliefs, institute Sunday one thousand years ago in honour of the sun and supplant the Sabbath of the Old Testament. Yet these Christians have divine services on Saturday." O'Leary, "The Syriac Church and Fathers," pp.83, 84.

....All the way to present day.....

Roman Catholic​

“It is well to remind the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, and all other Christians, that the Bible does not support them anywhere in their observance of Sunday. Sunday is an institution of the Roman Catholic Church, and those who observe the day observe a commandment of the Catholic Church.” Priest Brady, in an address, reported in the Elizabeth, NJ ‘News’ on March 18, 1903.

"The Church, on the other hand, after changing the day of rest from the Jewish Sabbath, or seventh day of the week, to the first, made the Third Commandment refer to Sunday as the day to be kept holy as the Lord's Day. The Council of Trent (Sess. VI, can. xix) condemns those who deny that the Ten Commandments are binding on Christians." The Catholic Encyclopedia, Commandments of God, Volume IV, © 1908 by Robert Appleton Company - Online Edition © 1999 by Kevin Knight, Nihil Obstat - Remy Lafort, Censor Imprimatur - +John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York, page 153.

'Deny the authority of the Church and you have no adequate or reasonable explanation or justification for the substitution of Sunday for Saturday in the Third - Protestant Fourth - Commandment of God... The Church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact.'' Catholic Record, September 1, 1923.

“If Protestants would follow the Bible, they would worship God on the Sabbath Day. In keeping the Sunday they are following a law of the Catholic Church.” Albert Smith, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, replying for the Cardinal, in a letter dated February 10, 1920.

 

[HTacianas]

Acts 20:7 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.

Could you please point out where this says the first day is now God's holy day, the Lord's Day, the Sabbath was transferred over to the first day, the first day is a commandment of God?

It says they came together to break bread- something they did daily which is having a meal together. Does not mean every day is now God's new holy day and we can disregard God's written and spoken commandment. Exo 20:8-11

Acts 2:28 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,

If we read Acts:

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Are we to assume that the Apostles' doctrine included simply having lunch? But if we read this in the Peshitta:

Acts 2:42 - And they were faithful in the doctrine of the apostles, and participated in prayer and in the breaking of the eucharist.

And then back up to Acts 20:7:

Acts 20:7 - AND on the first day in the week, when we were assembled to break the eucharist, Paulos discoursed with them, because the day following he was to depart; and he prolonged his discourse until the dividing of the night.

Now, we're supposed imagine -once again- that the entire Church fell into some sort of apostasy then someone came along all these years later to straighten everyone out. Now all we have to do is guess at which one of the countless thousands to come along and make the claim are right. And even though it says:

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

One -maybe more- of those countless thousands comes along and judges me in meat and drink and the keeping of Sabbaths.

 

[Gary K]

If we read Acts:

Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Are we to assume that the Apostles' doctrine included simply having lunch? But if we read this in the Peshitta:

Acts 2:42 - And they were faithful in the doctrine of the apostles, and participated in prayer and in the breaking of the eucharist.

And then back up to Acts 20:7:

Acts 20:7 - AND on the first day in the week, when we were assembled to break the eucharist, Paulos discoursed with them, because the day following he was to depart; and he prolonged his discourse until the dividing of the night.

Now, we're supposed imagine -once again- that the entire Church fell into some sort of apostasy then someone came along all these years later to straighten everyone out. Now all we have to do is guess at which one of the countless thousands to come along and make the claim are right. And even though it says:

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

One -maybe more- of those countless thousands comes along and judges me in meat and drink and the keeping of Sabbaths.

You missed an important detail, The Jewish day began and ended at sundown. Thus they were meeting on the first day of the week theu were meeting on Saturday night.

Acts 20: 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

So Eutychus fell into such a deep sleep on Sunday morning he fell out of the window and broke his neck and the room needed many lights so people could see? And Paul preached from morning to midnight? Your theory doesn't jibe with the passage.

 

[HTacianas]

You missed an important detail, The Jewish day began and ended at sundown. Thus they were meeting on the first day of the week theu were meeting on Saturday night.

Acts 20: 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

So Eutychus fell into such a deep sleep on Sunday morning he fell out of the window and broke his neck and the room needed many lights so people could see? And Paul preached from morning to midnight? Your theory doesn't jibe with the passage.

That is not my theory. The disciples gathered on the first day of the week for the Eucharist. It really doesn't matter what time it was.

 

[Gary K]

That is not my theory. The disciples gathered on the first day of the week for the Eucharist. It really doesn't matter what time it was.

That doesn't fit the passage either. The Eucharist takes from morning until midnight to celebrate? It doesn't fit the Jewish day of those times either.

 

[HTacianas]

That doesn't fit the passage either. The Eucharist takes from morning until midnight to celebrate?

No one said that it did. You're being facetious now.

Ignatius of Antioch wrote of gathering on the first day of the week for the Eucharist. He was a man who knew the Apostles. So I have a man who knew the Apostles saying to gather on the Lord's Day, and someone else two thousand years later saying their idea is not to. Now who do I go with here? A man who knew the Apostles or someone that came along much later?

 

[Gary K]

No one said that it did. You're being facetious now.

Ignatius of Antioch wrote of gathering on the first day of the week for the Eucharist. He was a man who knew the Apostles. So I have a man who knew the Apostles saying to gather on the Lord's Day, and someone else two thousand years later saying their idea is not to. Now who do I go with here? A man who knew the Apostles or someone that came along much later?

I didn't say anything of the sort. You did. You said it made no difference as to the time of day and scripture says it happened on Saturday night according to the Biblical day that went from sundown to sundown. So you'll take the word of an uninspired man over scripture?

 

[Bob S]

Throughout the entire time of the covenant given to Israel there is no history of any other nation that observed the Sabbath. Even before the Sabbath requirement was given to the Israelites there is no mention of such a day for man.

The New Testament has plenty to say about the Law given Israel at Mt Sinai. One great example is 2Cor3:6-11 where Paul tells the Jews that the ministry of death (ten commandments) are no longer the guide for them. All mankind are now under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The KJV tells us that the ten commandments were done away. Gal 3 is another fine example of Paul telling the Jews that they are not under the Laws of the Sinai covenant. Eph2: 10-15 tells us in plain words that Jesus, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations, has made two groups one.

The early church my have observed the Sabbath and probably did a lot of other culminated Jewish rituals. Many were not exposed to the writings of Jesus' ambassador, the Apostle Paul.

 

[Lukaris]

The risen Lord was worshiped on Sunday ( Matthew 28:9) and He pronounced the great commission right afterwards ( Matthew 28:19). See Matthew 28:1-20 for full context. Sunday is the Lord’s Day ( Revelation 1:10) and the early church understood this around that time as attested to in the ancient Didache:




Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord's Day. But every Lord's day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one who is at odds with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: "In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations."

Didache. The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (translation Roberts-Donaldson).

Didache. The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (translation Roberts-Donaldson). On Early Christian Writings.

www.earlychristianwritings.com

Didache

 

[Freth]

Acts 20:7

Even if you could somehow prove that "breaking of bread" means they took communion, it still lends no significance whatsoever to that first day signifying that Sunday is a day of rest, and flies in the face of the fact that the apostles were observing the Sabbath as has been shown many times over in the book of Acts.

Colossians 2:16 - Context is Key

The surrounding verses bring context to verse 16.

Colossians 2:14-15 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.​

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Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:​

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Colossians 2:17-22 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men?​

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Where else do we find mention of meat, drink, new moons and sabbath days?

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1 Chronicles 23:31 And to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the Lord in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number, according to the order commanded unto them, continually before the Lord.​

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2 Chronicles 2:4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.​

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2 Chronicles 8:12-13 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the Lord on the altar of the Lord, which he had built before the porch, even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.​

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2 Chronicles 31:3 He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.​

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Nehemiah 10:33 For the shewbread, and for the continual meat offering, and for the continual burnt offering, of the sabbaths, of the new moons, for the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and for all the work of the house of our God.​

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Ezekiel 45:17 And it shall be the prince's part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the new moons, and in the sabbaths, in all solemnities of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the house of Israel.​

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Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts.​

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Also see Numbers 28:1–29:40, which is too long to post here.​

The verses above show the context of Colossians 2:16, pointing to sacrifices and offerings, to feast days, to handwriting of ordinances that were blotted out, nailed to the cross.

Conclusion

Acts 20:7 is not evidence of Sunday sacredness.

Colossians 2:16 is not a blanket statement. It specifically refers to the handwriting of ordinances which were nailed to the cross. Paul is not giving me free license to eat and drink what I want, nor to break the Sabbath commandment.

In Colossians 2:8, Paul also warns against philosophy and vain deceit after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, after the commandments and doctrines of men, which just so happens to point to the very issue concerning Sabbath commandment.