The Missing Text

Certainly if Jesus had instituted a new day of worship, the Bible would say something about it! If Sunday was to be given special recognition, we should be able to find some mention of it in Scripture.

The word “Sunday,” of course, is not in the Bible. The Bible writers simply called it “the first day of the week.” So let’s examine every New Testament reference to the first day of the week, looking for some heavenly authorization to change God’s appointed day of worship. The first day is mentioned only eight times in the whole New Testament, so our task is not very difficult.

Matthew 28:1 This text simply says that it was on the first day of the week that the two Marys went to the sepulcher. It says nothing about Sunday sacredness. It shows that the Sabbath is the day that comes before Sunday.

Mark 16:2 This text is basically the same. No mention of Sunday sacredness.

Mark 16:9 Here we are told that Jesus arose on the first day of the week, but nothing is said about it becoming the special day of worship.

Luke 24:1 Same basic information.

John 20:1 Here we read of Mary Magdalene’s first visit to the tomb “when it was yet dark.” But nothing is said about a change in the fourth commandment.

John 20:19 This was later that same day when Jesus appeared to the disciples. Why had the disciples assembled together? The Bible says it was “for fear of the Jews.” Nothing is said about any special sacredness attached to the day.

The Bible does not support Sunday-keeping in honor of Christ’s resurrection. The only Biblically recognized institution in honor of the resurrection is baptism (See Romans 6). No other memorial of that event is anywhere authorized in Scripture.

Acts 20:7 A group of believers had come together “to break bread,” which, according to Acts 2:46, early Christians did “daily”. While they were gathered, “Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow.” This is the only recorded instance of a formal religious service ever held on the first day of the week. No one would suggest that the conducting of a single service on that day would constitute sufficient evidence for the Sunday worship argument. Especially since in Corinth alone there is record of religious services being held “every Sabbath” over a period of “a year and six months” (Acts 18:4,11).

A closer look at our passage in Acts 20:7 reveals that even here nothing is said about a Sunday morning meeting. It was on the first day of the week, but it was during the dark part of that day (Read the whole context). The Bible reckons days from sunset to sunset, not from midnight to midnight, as is done today (Genesis 1:5, 8, etc.). This meeting was held on Saturday night!

According to the Biblical account, the reason for the meeting was that Paul was “ready to depart” the next morning. He later told the Ephesians, “I know that ye all . . . shall see my face no more” (verse 25). Considering the occasion, we realize the weakness of any attempt to use this passage as a case for the abolition of God’s express commandment, “The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” Exodus 20:10.

At dawn on Sunday morning, Paul set out on an 18-mile journey on foot to Assos, obviously displaying no respect for the day.

1 Corinthians 16:2 This text says nothing about a religious service or gathering of any kind. It certainly says nothing about the veneration of Sunday as a holy day. According to this text, the first day of the week is the day to take care of personal financial matters. At the beginning of each week the Christian is to “lay by him in store” his determined contribution, systematically planning his giving and setting it aside. Figuring out one’s offerings involves a calculation of earnings. If God had transferred the solemnity of the Sabbath to the first day of the week, Paul would not have recommended that such business be done on that day.

You have just seen every New Testament mention of the first day of the week! And, as you can see, there is no instruction for a change in worship from Sabbath to Sunday. It’s just not in the Bible. “I AM THE LORD, I CHANGE NOT.” Malachi 3:6.