The four Gospels mention the first day of the week six times, and in these texts those who observe the first day must find their warrant for such observance. The passages in the Gospels which refer to the first day are Matthew 28: 1; Mark 16:1, 2, 9; Luke 23:56 and 24:1; John 20A, 19. Here, if anywhere, must be sought whatever authority there is for Sunday sacredness. These texts speak of “the first day of the week.” They unite in declaring that the resurrection of our Lord took place on that day. Sunday observers claim that the occurrence of this event on that day brought about a change of the Sabbath from the seventh day to the first. If this is so, these passages should make it clear. But an examination of these passages reveals that they say nothing whatever about a change of the Sabbath. They speak of the Sabbath, it is true, but they most carefully discriminate between the Sabbath and the first day of the week, making it plain that the Sabbath of the New Testament is the day before the first day. They give no sacred title to the first day. They do give such a title to the seventh day. They do not say that Christ rested on the first day, which would have been essential to its becoming a Sabbath. They say nothing about any blessing being placed upon the first day. They do not tell us that Christ ever said anything about the first day, either as a holy day or otherwise. They give no precept or command regarding its observance. There is nothing in these passages declaring that the first day is to be looked upon by the followers of Christ as anything more than the ordinary weekday that it is called-just “the first day of the week.” pdf.amazingdiscoveries.org/Doctrine/Sabbath-to-Sunday-Haynes.pdf
Posted on: Mon, 16 Sep 2013 20:44:57 +0000