The New Testament writers used the word “Sabbath” 59 times, always referring to the seventh day, Saturday. In contrast, the phrase “first day of the week” appears only eight times. If Sunday observance had biblical authority, it would have to be found in one of these eight references. Let’s examine them one by one to understand their context and implications.
The Eight References to the First Day of the Week
1. Matthew 28:1
“In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.” This verse simply states that the women came to the tomb after the Sabbath. It makes no mention of holiness being transferred to Sunday. The focus here is on the events following the Sabbath, not on establishing a new day of worship.
2. Mark 16:1-3
“And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.” They came early on the first day of the week to anoint Jesus’ body. Again, there is no mention of Sunday being sacred or set apart for worship. This passage highlights the actions of the women rather than any new observance.
3. Mark 16:9
“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene.” This verse simply records the time of the resurrection. There is no command or suggestion that the first day is holy. It merely marks the moment of Jesus’ resurrection without establishing a new tradition.
4. Luke 24:1-2
“Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre.” Here we see that Jesus rested in the tomb on the Sabbath after completing His work of redemption, just as He rested on the seventh day after creation. The first day is mentioned only as the time of His resurrection, not as a day of worship.
5. John 20:1
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early… and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.” John’s account offers no hint of Sunday being a holy day. It focuses on the discovery of the empty tomb, emphasizing the resurrection rather than a change in worship practices.
6. 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, came Jesus and stood in the midst.” This gathering was not a worship service. The disciples met behind closed doors out of fear, not in celebration of the resurrection. This context shows that their meeting was more about safety than worship.
7. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.” Paul is instructing believers to set aside offerings for the poor. This was a private act of preparation, not a public worship service. The activity of collecting and storing supplies would not have been appropriate on the Sabbath, further indicating that the first day was not designated for worship.
8. Acts 20:6-13
“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.” According to Scripture, each day begins at sundown (Genesis 1:5, Leviticus 23:32). This means the meeting took place on what we would call Saturday night. The New English Bible confirms this by saying, “On the Saturday night in our assembly.” The breaking of bread here was part of a regular fellowship meal, not a new holy observance. Paul’s long sermon was given because he planned to leave the next morning, not because it was a new day of worship.
After examining all eight passages, there is no evidence that Sunday was ever made holy or set apart for worship. These references highlight the significance of the Sabbath and the events surrounding the resurrection without establishing a new observance.
Seventh Day Observance After the Resurrection
The book of Acts shows that the apostles and early Christians continued to observe the seventh-day Sabbath after Christ’s resurrection. This continuity is significant as it reflects the practices of the early church and their understanding of the Sabbath.
Paul Preached on the Sabbath
In Acts 13:42-44 we read, “The Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath… and the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.” Paul accepted their invitation and preached again on the Sabbath, showing that both Jews and Gentiles worshiped on that day. This indicates a communal recognition of the Sabbath as a day for gathering and teaching.
Sabbath Observance Outside the Synagogue
Acts 16:13 records that Paul observed the Sabbath even where there was no synagogue: “And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made.” This shows that the Sabbath was still honored as a day of worship, even among Gentiles. It emphasizes the flexibility of worship practices while maintaining the Sabbath’s significance.
Paul’s Customary Practice
Acts 17:2 states, “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” Likewise, Acts 18:4 says, “He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Paul’s regular practice was to worship and preach on the seventh day, reinforcing the idea that the Sabbath was central to early Christian worship.
Paul’s Personal Testimony
Near the end of his life, Paul testified before the Jewish leaders, saying, “Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers…” (Acts 28:17). If Paul had ever kept Sunday instead of the Sabbath, he could not have made this claim truthfully. His life and ministry demonstrated consistent seventh-day observance, highlighting the importance of tradition in his faith.
The Example of the Early Church
The early Christians followed the same pattern as their Lord and His apostles. The Sabbath was kept in remembrance of both creation and redemption. Jesus said, “The Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28). Nowhere in Scripture is authority given to change the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first. This continuity emphasizes the significance of the Sabbath in the early church.
According to Exodus 20:8-11, the Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” The commandment has never been revoked or replaced. The early church recognized no other weekly holy day, reinforcing the idea that the Sabbath remains a vital part of Christian practice.
Conclusion
After reviewing all eight New Testament references to the first day of the week, there is no biblical evidence for Sunday observance. The New Testament consistently shows that Jesus, His disciples, and the early church kept the seventh-day Sabbath. The Bible presents the Sabbath as God’s appointed day of rest and worship, a memorial of creation and redemption. Sunday observance arose later through human tradition, not divine command. True followers of Christ are called to honor the day that God Himself sanctified at creation and reaffirmed in His law.
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