Episode 2: Why Is The First Day Of The Week Important To Christians?

While the Sabbath Day (Saturday, the seventh day of the week) was important under the Old Testament, the first day of the week (Sunday) is important to Christians today. Christ’s new law teaches us the significance of the first day of the week. Let’s consider three specific reasons why this day is so important to Christians. 1) Jesus was raised on the first day of the week. Jesus was crucified on a Friday and hastily put into the tomb to avoid the Sabbath (Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54). Jesus’s body was in the tomb for parts of three days – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Matthew 28:1 marks the timing of Jesus’s resurrection. “After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb.” Of course, Jesus’s body was no longer there. He had risen just as He had promised! So, the first day of the week (Sunday) is important to Christians because it marks the zenith of all that Jesus had come to earth to accomplish. For, without Jesus’s resurrection, there would be no hope of anyone experiencing a resurrection from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). The first day of the week, then, signifies the completion of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection! 2) Jesus’s church began on the first day of the week. The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 (after Jesus’s resurrection) fell on a Sunday (Leviticus 23:15-16). The Holy Spirit (according to Jesus’s promise) came on the apostles on this day and they began preaching to all the Jews who had assembled in Jerusalem for Pentecost. They preached salvation through Jesus Christ, demonstrating that He is now reigning as King. About 3,000 obeyed the gospel that day (verses 36-41). So, the first day of the week (Sunday) is important to Christians because it was the day Jesus’s church (kingdom) was established. This day of Pentecost in Acts 2 was the day all the prophecies concerning the establishment of God’s kingdom were fulfilled. The Lord began adding to the number of people in His church/kingdom from this day forward (Acts 2:41, 47). This is the same church all true Christians are part of today. 3) New Testament Christians assembled on the first of the week. While there is authority for Christians to meet on any day of the week, it is essential for Christians to assemble with the local church on the first day of the week (unless unable to do so). For example, this is when the local church assembles to partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus Christ. Acts 20:7 says, “On the first day of the week, we assembled to break bread….” Then, this is also when the local church assembles to take up a collection. 1 Corinthians 16:2 says, “On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering….” So, the first day of the week is important to Christians because the New Testament pattern shows it to be the day Christians must assemble with the local church and worship God together. Although this should not be the only time Christians worship and may not be the only time the church assembles, it is specified in the New Testament as a day for assembling. And, it is the only day there is New Testament authority to engage in the two acts of worship of the Lord’s Supper and the collection. The first day of the week is important to Christians today for these three reasons. Although it is important to serve and worship God every day, the first day holds a special place. And, there are some added responsibilities Christians have on the first day of the week.