January 1st 2012

Sunday: First Day of the Week and the Year

The start of this year is beginning on Sunday. Which is the Lords Day, the first day of the week. How did you start this year? I hope that you started it worshipping with other Christians and reflecting on the sacrifice of Jesus.

Many people and even some that would call themselves Christians no longer support or give any attention to Sunday as a day of worship. Let's look at the examples we have that show Sunday as being a special day for worship. Here are some important things to consider:

  • Jesus' resurrection took place on Sunday (Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1).
  • Jesus met with the disciples on Sunday (John 20:19,26).
  • The church was established on Sunday. 10 days after the ascension of Jesus.
  • The New Testament churches assembled on Sunday (Acts 20:7).
  • The New Testament churches gave collection on Sunday (1 Corinthians 16:2).
  • The New Testament churches observed the Lord’s Supper on Sunday (Acts 20:7).
  • Due to Revelation 1:10, early Christians began calling Sunday “the Lord’s day”.
We can see from the examples instituded by the apostles and set by the New Testament church’s that Sunday is a authorized and commanded day of worship.

Jesus stated that the Holy Spirit would enable the apostles to implement the teachings of Christ in the establishment of the church (John 14:25-26; 15:26-27; 16:7-15). Jesus also commissioned the apostles to preach the Gospel (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). The early Christians and churches practiced as a direct result of the teachings of Christ as given through the apostles. This is an example of apostolic influence and inspired precedent.

Also we know that the New Testament is silent with regard to the significance of any other day other than Sunday.

So why should Christians meet and give attention to Sunday as a day of worship?

The answer: The disciples and the New Testament churches assembled on Christ’s resurrection day, the first day of the week, to break the bread and to drink the fruit of the vine in the remembrance of Christ’s death, his resurrection, and his promise to come again.