Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Kevin Riley" <klriley AT alphalink.com.au>]

You have left out one of the more contentious issues - the need to
differentiate the Christians from the Jews - particularly in the climate of 
Jewish unrest that occupied the minds of the Roman leaders for most of the
first 100 years of Christianity's history, but particularly from about
AD70-150.  
 
The problem with this issue - as with many to do with Christian worship - is
that evidence is not abundant.  There is no clear evidence of any group of
Christians worshipping regularly on Saturday *or* Sunday in the New
Testament.  Sabbatarians point to Paul's meetings on Sabbath, but in each
case it is with Jews or with "God-fearers" already meeting on Sabbath. 
There is also no clear mention of a 'normal' Christian gathering on Sunday. 
By the time we do get records, it seems that both the Sabbath and Sunday
were being observed in many places.  There also needs to be a distinction
made between the idea of Sunday as a day of worship, and Sunday as a Sabbath
  The first is definitely old in Christian practice, the second is not. 
Until recently, the idea of Sunday as a Sabbath replacing the "Jewish"
Sabbath was mostly a Protestant idea, particularly found in Reformed
churches.  
 
As a Seventh-day Adventist, I would like to point out that the dispute with
other Christians is not over historical facts, but what they mean.  I think
we all agree that the NT church started out as Sabbath keepers (for how long
this continued - days, weeks, years, none of us know) and by the C2nd the
observance of worship services on Sunday in commemoration of the
resurrection is widespread, as is the observance of the Sabbath in most
places.  The debate is over how this happened and whether it was a good
thing.  Fortunately, that whole topic is off-limits to this list, as it has
been, and continues to be, a very tedious debate based mainly on assumptions
by both sides.
 
Kevin Riley
 
-------Original Message------- 
 
From: Bryant J. Williams III 
Date: 27/04/2008 11:26:25 AM 
 
Dear Yigal, 
 
What you say about the Christians worshiping on Sunday is correct as far as 
It 
Goes. But in Acts "The Way" as it was originally known (also the Nazarenes) 
Met 
Daily (Acts 2:46a). Acts 3:1 also indicates that the Apostles went up to the

 
Temple at the hour of prayer (3PM, daily is implied). This went on for 
Several 
Years after that. Eventually, the church gravitated to Sunday for several 
Reasons. 
 
First, since the gradual introduction of the "god-fearers" (Gentiles) into 
The 
Church it became apparent that the meetings on the Sabbath (sundown 
Friday-sunset Saturday) in the synagogue would not be a good idea. Second, 
As 
You mentioned, Jesus was raised on the First Day of the Week, Sunday. Third,

 
Paul commanded the Corinthian believers to meet concerning the collection 
That 
Was to go to help the church in Jerusalem, " Now concerning the collection 
For 
The saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

 
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as 
God 
Hat prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come (I Corinthians 
16:1-2). Fourth, is the view that Christ is the end of the law to those who 
Believe for Christ made one sacrifice for all (Hebrews 9-10). 
 
Of course, Constantius, son of Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire, 
Made 
Christianity the official state religion and made Sunday the official day 
(it 
Was already the day of worship in the churches before the official 
Announcement, 
But ...) 
 
There are some within Christianity that would disagree (SDA- Seventh Day 
Adventist; Seventh Day Baptist; etc.), but that is the basic outline. 
 
Rev. Bryant J. Williams III