Everyone knows that the first day of the week is Sunday and that the seventh day is actually Saturday. Yet, most worship on Sunday. Why?
Exodus 20:8-11 -
Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God. (9) You have six days to labor and do all your work, (10) but the seventh day is a Shabbat for ADONAI your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work -not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. (11) For in six days, ADONAI made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why ADONAI blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself. People who do not observe Shabbat think of it as a day filled with stifling restrictions. But to those who observe Shabbat, it is a precious gift from G-d, a day of great joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when we can set aside all of our weekday concerns and devote ourselves to higher pursuits.
Shabbat, like all Jewish days, begins at sunset. Because in the story of creation in Genesis Ch. 1, you will notice that it says, "And there was evening, and there was morning, one day." From this, we infer that a day begins with evening, that is, sunset.
Genesis 2:3 -
God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce.By resting on the seventh day, we acknowledge that we do not own our world. Our world is G-d's domain. This is a day for looking at what G-d has created and lent to us for our enjoyment. By setting aside one day for Shabbat, we also proclaim our freedom from daily obligations, commitments, worries and concerns. We declare that one day of the week is for our own rejuvenation.
Why do many Christians worship on Sunday? In 321 CE, while he was a Pagan sun-worshiper, the Emperor Constantine declared that Sunday was to be a day of rest throughout the Roman Empire:
"On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost."
The Church Council of Laodicea circa 364 CE ordered that religious observances were to be conducted on Sunday, not Saturday. Sunday became the new Sabbath. They ruled: "Christians shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that day." There are many indicators in the historical record that some Christians ignored the Church's ruling. Sabbath observance was noted in Wales as late as 1115 CE. Francis Xavier was concerned about Sabbath worship in Goa, India in 1560 CE; he called for the Inquisition to set up an office there to stamp out what he called "Jewish wickedness." A Catholic Provincial Council suppressed the practice in Norway in 1435 CE.
What would happen if you had an important job interview on Monday, but showed up on Tuesday? The answer is that you simply "wouldn't be considered" for the position and you can only hope they will show mercy and reschedule you.
What would happen if your non-refundable airline ticket was for Thursday at 10 a.m., but you showed up ready to fly on Friday at 10 a.m.? The answer is, you just lost the price of your ticket.
What would happen if your job required you to work Monday through Friday, but you showed up on Tuesday to work through Saturday? The answer is, you better hope your resume is up to date because you're fired.
Each of us knows the value we put on a day and how important it is to keep the appointments made on that day. Ask yourself why G-d, who created the cycle of days, and made a divine appointment with mankind each Sabbath, would put less importance on keeping His schedule then you and I would?
Yeshua (Jesus) reinforced the Fourth Commandment when he said, "The Sabbath was made for man" (Mark 2:27). His point was that the Sabbath was made as a blessing for the benefit of mankind- not as an oppressive legal yoke. It was made for man - not just the Jews. Yeshua also proclaimed Himself L-rd of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28) and observed it regularly (Mark 1:2 1; Luke 4:16-22). Though He frequently denounced the Pharisees for their man made-rules, Yeshua always upheld the Sabbath and showed by His positive example how it should be observed as a day of rest, worship, freedom, and joy (Mark 3:4; Luke 13:15-16; Matthew 12:10-12).
Scripture to read about Shabbat - Exodus 31:12-17 and Exodus 35:2-3, Leviticus 19:3 Leviticus 19:30 and Leviticus 23:3 and Numbers 28:9-10. It is referred to directly by the prophets Isaiah 56:4,6, Ezekiel 20:13 Ezekiel 22:8 Ezekiel 23:38 and Nehemiah 9:14.
Do you have a day of Rest? If so, on which day of the week? If not, why not?
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Comments (112)
The gospels in general and John in particular seem to be in part about redefining time, eschatalogically. John is largely about new creation. It is the Christian Genesis. John's intentions are shown pretty clearly by his opening lines, "In the beginning..." As he goes, he draws constant attention to time frames, days, and (of course) the number seven.
Specifically, Jesus (who John presents as God the creator) completes his work on Friday ("it is finished"), just as God the Father does in Genesis ("God saw all that he had made, and it was very good"). Then, on the seventh day, Jesus rests in the ground, and God rests. But here John adds what takes place on the "eighth day," as early Christians came to call it: new creation. A new eschatalogical time-frame for Christ's followers to move and work in.
Sabbath is important, but as Paul says very explicitly, celebrating it on a particular day is not the core of its meaning (Col. 2:16). And in light of the gospel narrative, Sunday makes as much sense as a set-apart day in the Christian narrative as Saturday did in the pre-Christian Hebrew narrative.
The Church keeps holy the Lord's day on the day of the sun because that is the day Jesus arose from the dead. It also (and not coincidentally) corresponds to the first day of Creation (Genesis).
Saint Ignatius of Antioche from the 1st century and Saint Justin Martyr of the 2nd Century both stated this in their writings.
Keeping the Lord's Day holy in this way is also a teaching of the Catholic Church and has the following Scriptural references:
Matt 28:1 Mark 16:1&2 Luke 24:1 John 20:1
Further,
Sunday is expressly distinguished from the sabbath which it follows chronologically every week; for Christians its ceremonial observance replaces the sabbath. In Christ's Passover, Sunday fulfills the spiritual truth of the Jewish sabbath and announces man's eternal rest in God (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2175).
i think it's more that the christians didn't want their holy rest day to be the same as the jews : P
@SeitekiChibiNeko@xanga - sadly....that is the root of really how it started :( And now most Christians are so rooted into it that they don't want to change it to where it belongs.
@SeitekiChibiNeko@xanga - i think it's more that the christians didn't want their holy rest day to be the same as the jews
Christians are not bigots. The Chosen People, Israel, are spiritual big brothers. They are family.
It is important to understand that Christianity is a unique religion though we are related closely to our Jewish brethren.
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - that is the root of really how it started :( And now most Christians are so rooted into it that they don't want to change it to where it belongs.
The doctrine of Sunday worship goes back to the beginning of Christianity. What you are professing here is erroneous teaching and contradicts New Testament Scripture.
Christian doctrine springs from Christ not bigotry.
@SeitekiChibiNeko@xanga - It's also true that the earliest Christians continued to attend the Jewish temple. They were considered a Jewish sect. Then they also met on Sunday morning, before they went to work, to commemorate the Lord's day with songs and communion. Eventually the synagogue kicked the Christians out. Of course, after Constantine the Christians got their revenge. :-/
Because it is the day Jesus rose from the dead.
In Romans 14:4-6, Paul said :
4Who are
you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or
falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5One
man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers
every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He
who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat,
eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does
so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
So, I believe people should do what they believe is right about this and not worry about what other people do.
Here are a couple of good resources regarding Sunday worship:
http://www.catholic.com/library/Sabbath_or_Sunday.asp
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/sunday_worship.html
because the catholics decided to change it to fit their needs. bunch of pagans. the sabbath recognized by those close religions of ours all celebrate it on saturday because it's supposed to be on saturday! it's in the bible, find it
@QuantumStorm@xanga -
http://www.sabbathtruth.com/
@LoBornlite@xanga - http://www.sabbathtruth.com/
@LoBornlite@xanga - well, i do understand what you are trying to say, but at the same time with all due respect, i don't think it's erroneous or contradictory teaching b/c Jews and messianic Jews are following what it says in the old testament (new also for Messianics). As SirNick stated also, early church followed this also. I think Amesworth said it best as to why Christian churches in general keep Sunday as their chosen day of rest (Pickwick12) .
@MR_GHeTTo_PaNTS@xanga - because the catholics decided to change it to fit their needs. bunch of pagans.
If you read from the Scriptural references Matt 28:1 Mark 16:1&2 Luke 24:1 John 20:1, you will see that each Gospel says almost exactly the same thing concerning Christ's resurrection.
Also from the writings Saint Ignatius of Antioche and Saint Justin Martyr we know that Sunday worship for Christians was an ingrained practice.
I recommend reading anything from the Catholic Catechism. Though you may not agree with the doctrines you will find that Catholicism is thoughtful, well defined, consistent and embodies Christ's love and mercy.
@YouTOme@xanga - well, i do understand what you are trying to say, but at the same time with all due respect, i don't think it's erroneous or contradictory teaching b/c Jews and messianic Jews are following what it says in the old testament.
The doctrine of Sunday worship comes from the New Testament. Christianity is not Judaism. Sunday worship celebrates the Resurrection from the dead of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Sunday worship goes back to the beginning of Christianity. Whether early Christians went to Synague on Saturday is irrelevant.
Early Christians celebrated the Resurrection on Sunday. Sunday worship included Eucharist, the eating and drinking of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ under the appearance of bread and wine (read about the Last Supper in the New Testament).
What if at some point our calendar got thrown off by 1 day and our weeks have shifted by 1 day! Â What if we were observing the Sabbath on the true Sabbath day?
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - When you get the chance, have a look at my sites. I took a look at your site, and among other things, it said -
"It is true that Jesus rose on the first day of the week, but nowhere is
there the slightest intimation in the Bible for anyone to keep that day
holy."
Bullshit. My provided resources show exactly to the contrary. My provided sites do a good job addressing some of the other issues regarding Sabbatarian worship, too.
@Kristenmomof3@xanga -
Truly the sabbath was made for man. This means that all men no matter what race, creed or nationality must find rest in God.
Sunday worship replaced the Jewish sabbath for Christians. Christians celebrate the Lord's Day, Sunday in commemoration of the Resurrection which occured on the day following the Jewish sabbath.
Since Jesus was God, this doctrine is true and replaces the old Jewish practice of Saturday sabbath.
i am with SirNickDon@xanga here, as that has been my understanding of this subject.
i also do not think that most Christians are intentionally defying the Sabbath, as it seems you are insinuating. I think they are doing what they have been taught.
i can appreciate your thought behind this post, however, i would add that you cannot expect everyone to hold to your own convictions and understanding of the Jewish culture. I think as Gentiles we fit somewhere into both the Jewish and Christian customs, as it was pointed out that is how it began but later became divided.
i also think it is funny that you rec'd your own post..
@oneazn2nv@xanga - What if at some point our calendar got thrown off by 1 day and our weeks have shifted by 1 day! What if we were observing the Sabbath on the true Sabbath day?
The Jewish calandar goes back a long, long, long, ways. The entire world has a 7 day week because of the Jews.
And even if a day got missed somewhere along the line, the relative position the Jewish Sabbath and the Christian Lord's day would still be the same.
Christ arose from the dead on the day following the Jewish sabbath. The celebration of Christ's Resurrection is the Lord's day. That day is Sunday.
@quiet_strength - I recommended my post because I know some of my friends who would be interested in seeing it on here but they do not subscribe to Revelife.
@Kristenmomof3@xanga - I always rec my own posts. I think it's cool.
@LoBornlite@xanga - i've been reading through your comments and it seems like you are trying to correct everyone who doesn't follow the Catholic Cathecism. It also seems like you have an issue with Judaism. I would point out that our Lord Jesus was a Jew, who also observed all of the Jewish holidays...I am not saying that we need to follow every Jewish law or holiday, but I do not think we should discount them, either. If we are partaking in salvation through Jesus, we are adopted children and therefore adopted into the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob..
@quiet_strength - i also do not think that most Christians are intentionally defying the Sabbath, as it seems you are insinuating. I think they are doing what they have been taught.
Kristenmomof3 has said clearly that Christians practice Sunday worship out of ignorance (they are simply doing what they have been taught).
Nothing could be further from the truth. The doctrine of Sunday worship forms the bedrock of Christian faith: Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day he arose from the dead.
ON SUNDAY!
i think too much is being made of what day we worship and too little given to the One deserving our worship.
Everyone would benefit far more by looking at the heart of the matter rather than the form.