Why Do You Not Worship On The Sabbath Day?

Why Do You Not Worship On The Sabbath Day?

Mr. Waddey:
I have to wonder why you claim to be a first century Christian? The first century Christians worshiped on the same Sabbath day that Jesus did. They met each Sabbath, either in Synagogue or a home. It wasn't until the next century that people migrated away from the appointed Sabbath to the first day of the week. Lu 4:16, Ac 13:14, Ac 13:44, Ac 15:21,Ac 17:2

As a matter of fact Paul said that the people were to take up a collection on the first day of the week so they would not be collecting when he comes on the Sabbath day. 1 Corinthians 16:1.

First century Christians also observed the annual holy days that God gave to outline His plan of Salvation.

As a person who considers himself a first century Christian I am somewhat shocked that you make this claim.
-Frank

Dear Frank:
The church of the first century was guided by the chosen apostles of Christ. Their faith, worship and practices were the first expressions of the religion of Christ after his ascension to heaven. We look back to them as our examples of what a church should be and do. We strive to the best of our understanding and ability to practice the faith as they did.

We worship on the first day of the week for obvious reasons:

That was the day of Christ's resurrection (John 20:1).

It was the day he appeared to the apostles to assure them of his resurrection and to prepare them for his departure (John 20:19; 26).

It was the day on which the church began (Acts 2:1-47). The Day of Pentecost always was observed on the first day of the week (Lev. 23:15-21).

It was the day when the first gospel sermon of the risen Christ was preached.

It was the day when way of salvation under Christ's administration was announced to sinners.

It was the day on which the church in Troas gathered for the communion (Acts 20:7).

It was the day the church in Corinth brought their gifts and offerings for God's Cause (I Cor. 16:1-2).

We do not observe the seventh day, sabbath because it was a part of the old covenant law that was taken out of the way when nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14-17).

The sabbath law was part of the ministration of death, written and engraven on stones which passeth away (II Cor. 3:7).

We do not keep the sabbath because we are under the reign of Jesus and his New Covenant not Moses and the Old Covenant. We are to obey Christ in all things (Matt. 28:18, 20).

Jesus did worship on the Sabbath day because he was a Jew, who was born under the law and lived and died under it (Gal. 4:4). In his death he freed us from the law (Gal. 5:1). Today, those who seek to be justified by the law are severed from Christ and fallen away from grace (Gal. 5:4).

The Apostles went forth as missionaries bearing the gospel of Christ to lost humanity. Their mission was to go first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (Rom. 1:16). To reach the Jews, they went to their synagogue services which provided a wonderful opportunity for them to preach the message that Christ had come and is now reigning at God's right hand.

The verses you cite tell us that Christ worshiped with his fellow-Hebrews on the sabbath and that the Apostles evangelized in Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath, But not one of them tell us or show us that following the ascension of Christ any congregation of Christians met for worship on the sabbath day. They communed on the first day, memorializing Christ's death and they gave their offerings on the first day. The first day was uniquely the Lord's Day because on that day he was raised. May I ask what your sabbath day observance memorializes?

Sincerely,

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