A fundamental Bible truth
> The essential difference for Christians on this subject is found in understanding first that the Church is the "Bride" of Christ by a spiritual new birth (note John 3:36; Rom. 7:4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-32; 1 Pet. 2:2; Rev. 19:7-8; Rev. 22:17), and not by religious works and ordinances as the Old Testament religion of Israel; and this is firmly based on the truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, who rescued real believers from eternal condemnation by rising on the first day of the week ---a new beginning; a holy day; a time set for worship and thanksgiving for what He accomplished by His sacrifice.
> Faithful Christians have always referred to the first day for collective worship as "the Lord's Day" for the first day of the week ---since "Sunday" is a pagan name (designation); and we are to be worshipping "in spirit and in truth" on that day (Jn 4:24; Acts 20:7). The apostle John spoke of the "the Lord's Day", and said that he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" (Rev 1:10).
> Since Christ rose on the first day of the week, it is the Lord's Day for the Church (Bride of Christ) and commemorates His resurrection --- that great event in the history of mankind for hope and assurance (Mt 28:1; Mk 16:2; Lk 24:1; 1 Cor. 15:17-20). It is a designation of THE NEW BEGINNING from the original beginning in Genesis, and a new beginning after the Flood (AD 2448) and the days of the Israelites which followed. The first church gatherings after the dispensation (administration) of grace in circa AD 33 (Acts 2: 41-42) met on "the first day of the week" to "break bread" (Acts 20:7). The "Breaking of bread" is another term for the Lord's Supper. This was therefore a weekly remembrance time or collective communion at the Lord's Table (1 Cor 11: 23-34).
> The apostolic churches brought their offerings to God on "the first day of the week" (1 Cor. 16:2). Thus the Lord's Day ---the first day of the week, was the day of Christian worship in apostolic churches, and is also reportedly confirmed by Justin Martyr who lived in the first century and wrote about it.
> The Day of Pentecost was called "the morrow after the Sabbath". The Holy Spirit was sent down from Heaven on the day of Pentecost and about 3,000 souls were saved on "the first day of the week" (Acts 2). Thus it is also a day of Gospel preaching for the salvation of souls.
> Christ was worshipped on the first day of the week when He appeared to Thomas and showed him His hands and His feet (Jn 20:19-29). Thus this is also the day not only to remember His one great sacrifice for sins for ever, but to worship Him as our Lord and our God.
> Because of Christ's finished work of redemption, saints have entered into His eternal Sabbath (rest) ---NEW BEGINNING (Heb 4:9-11). Therefore the Sabbath is no longer to be observed on earth (Col 2:16,17) because the Jewish Sabbath was in regard to the creation beginning, and only a "shadow" of Christ's eternal rest.
> When a decision had to be made regarding the observance of the Law of Moses by Christians, there were just four commandments which were to be observed by Gentiles, and the Sabbath was not one of those commandments (Acts 15:1-31). This was a decision of the Holy Spirit.
> It is sad to see that evangelical and fundamentalist churches generally do not teach on the reasons why Christians worship on the Lord's Day, or why it should properly be called "the Lord's Day" and not a "Sun day". It is to be primarily a day of worship, but also a day for godly works such as preaching the Gospel message. Christ did good works on the Sabbath days, and our good works are really His good works through us (note Luke 6:1-5).
> Some thoughts to add: is the Sabbath (seventh day) for collective worship or is the Resurrection day for worship --victory?; 1 Cor. 16:2; Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:2 and Mk. 2:27-28; Lk. 24:1. Sabbath was a day of rest for Israel; and they worshipped and sacrificed on certain days as given --not the Sabbath. It is worthy to note: we can see all of the principles of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament are found in the New Testament for standards (not as law) to be kept, except the Sabbath, which was only for Israel ---which they were to keep to remember God's creation beginning at creation time. Thank God we have now a NEW BEGINNING in Christ for the Church universal. -RLD
Sabbath And First Day
[The difference in a collective worship time in this age, between the biblical reference to Sabbath and the First Day of the week, can be understood by studying the Word of God in whole, I believe, which may help in viewing these special days. The following notations are also some statements from several sources. - R. L. DeWitt] > The essential difference for Christians on this subject is found in understanding first that the Church is the "Bride" of Christ by a spiritual new birth (note John 3:36; Rom. 7:4; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-32; 1 Pet. 2:2; Rev. 19:7-8; Rev. 22:17), and not by religious works and ordinances as the Old Testament religion of Israel; and this is firmly based on the truth of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, who rescued real believers from eternal condemnation by rising on the first day of the week ---a new beginning; a holy day; a time set for worship and thanksgiving for what He accomplished by His sacrifice.
> Faithful Christians have always referred to the first day for collective worship as "the Lord's Day" for the first day of the week ---since "Sunday" is a pagan name (designation); and we are to be worshipping "in spirit and in truth" on that day (Jn 4:24; Acts 20:7). The apostle John spoke of the "the Lord's Day", and said that he was "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day" (Rev 1:10).
> Since Christ rose on the first day of the week, it is the Lord's Day for the Church (Bride of Christ) and commemorates His resurrection --- that great event in the history of mankind for hope and assurance (Mt 28:1; Mk 16:2; Lk 24:1; 1 Cor. 15:17-20). It is a designation of THE NEW BEGINNING from the original beginning in Genesis, and a new beginning after the Flood (AD 2448) and the days of the Israelites which followed. The first church gatherings after the dispensation (administration) of grace in circa AD 33 (Acts 2: 41-42) met on "the first day of the week" to "break bread" (Acts 20:7). The "Breaking of bread" is another term for the Lord's Supper. This was therefore a weekly remembrance time or collective communion at the Lord's Table (1 Cor 11: 23-34).
> The apostolic churches brought their offerings to God on "the first day of the week" (1 Cor. 16:2). Thus the Lord's Day ---the first day of the week, was the day of Christian worship in apostolic churches, and is also reportedly confirmed by Justin Martyr who lived in the first century and wrote about it.
> The Day of Pentecost was called "the morrow after the Sabbath". The Holy Spirit was sent down from Heaven on the day of Pentecost and about 3,000 souls were saved on "the first day of the week" (Acts 2). Thus it is also a day of Gospel preaching for the salvation of souls.
> Christ was worshipped on the first day of the week when He appeared to Thomas and showed him His hands and His feet (Jn 20:19-29). Thus this is also the day not only to remember His one great sacrifice for sins for ever, but to worship Him as our Lord and our God.
> Because of Christ's finished work of redemption, saints have entered into His eternal Sabbath (rest) ---NEW BEGINNING (Heb 4:9-11). Therefore the Sabbath is no longer to be observed on earth (Col 2:16,17) because the Jewish Sabbath was in regard to the creation beginning, and only a "shadow" of Christ's eternal rest.
> When a decision had to be made regarding the observance of the Law of Moses by Christians, there were just four commandments which were to be observed by Gentiles, and the Sabbath was not one of those commandments (Acts 15:1-31). This was a decision of the Holy Spirit.
> It is sad to see that evangelical and fundamentalist churches generally do not teach on the reasons why Christians worship on the Lord's Day, or why it should properly be called "the Lord's Day" and not a "Sun day". It is to be primarily a day of worship, but also a day for godly works such as preaching the Gospel message. Christ did good works on the Sabbath days, and our good works are really His good works through us (note Luke 6:1-5).
> Some thoughts to add: is the Sabbath (seventh day) for collective worship or is the Resurrection day for worship --victory?; 1 Cor. 16:2; Mt. 28:1; Mk. 16:2 and Mk. 2:27-28; Lk. 24:1. Sabbath was a day of rest for Israel; and they worshipped and sacrificed on certain days as given --not the Sabbath. It is worthy to note: we can see all of the principles of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament are found in the New Testament for standards (not as law) to be kept, except the Sabbath, which was only for Israel ---which they were to keep to remember God's creation beginning at creation time. Thank God we have now a NEW BEGINNING in Christ for the Church universal. -RLD