Why do Christians worship
on the first day
rather than on Sabbath?The Acts of the apostles is also known as the 5th Gospel.
Acts 2 v46
And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, v47. praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.Christians met and broke bread at home. Not in congregational hall, church hall, or public places.
Christians actually worship and preach daily unceasingly. Christians also break bread to remember the Lord and His New Covenant daily, at home.
Very significant here; as the bread breaking is not a ritual performed in Church(building, hall), neither is it performed/conducted by certain priests. There is a singleness of heart, just as they were in the temple with one accord.
One temple versus many churches.
Christians praise God in their bread breaking and at home. No reenactment of the crucifixion. No expiation. No vicarious sacrifice of any priest.
Acts 5 v42
And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.Again, here, every day. Everyday Christians worship God, preach and teach matters concerning God in the temple and at home. Not just on the Sabbath.
No mentioning of synagogues or church buildings here.
Acts 10 v40
Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest,Christ, our Lord is not raised on a Sabbath, ie: the 7th day.
But early in the morning of the 1st day, which is Sunday.
Acts 13 v14
But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.Christians also preached to the Jews at the synagogue on the sabbath. Jewish Christians also attend sabbath worship at synagogue/congregation.
Acts 16 v13
And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together.A place of prayer is probably a synagogue, a meeting place.
Jewish Christians went to pray on the sabbath day. They also preach and teach and meet people, gathering them on the sabbath. Its holy work.
Acts 20 v7
And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.Christians right at the beginning of the Church were breaking bread on the first day of the week, rather than just on sabbath. Paul partook in the breaking of bread on the first day.
Paul even preached and taught for long period/s on the first day gathering.
1Cor 16 v2
Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.Christians are also instructed to gather for the church on the first day. It is a day of work for the Lord.
This verse also suggests that Christians throughout the area were worshipping as a church/ekklesia on the first day of the week, that collections for church activities are usually made on that day.
Php 3 v5
circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;Holy ritual is instructed to be carried out on the eighth day.
Col 2 v16
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:It is not significant whether Christians worship the Lord more on any particular feast day. Paul has taught here in scriptures that Christians are not to place emphasis on any sabbath day to the extend of judging the brethren by such feast and ritual.
The reality is Christ our Lord.
Heb 4 v7
he again defineth a certain day, To-day, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), To-day if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts. v8. For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. v9. There remaineth therefore a sabbath rest for the people of God.Turn your hearts to God in worship, in service, in praise, in adoration, in love, in helping the brethren, and not in destroying and hurting them.
Repent right now. No need to wait till/for any sabbath day.
Moses and Joshua did not give Israel rest by the Old Testament Law. Look for the new sabbath of true rest. Worship God with hope.
Another sabbath rest is yet to come. Let us strive hard for the Lord, to gather His people into the Kingdom of God. Let us anticipate a great harvest!
There is no record/mentioning in the Bible that Christians must worship in the temple or synagogues on sabbath, and no mentioning/stipulation that Christians ought to keep sabbath holy and not the first/Lord's day of the week.
All days are holy, suitable for the works of God, if you/we truly do the work of the Lord and find rest in Him.
Remember to Praise the Lord God, for He is Good.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION