26: The Lord’s Day and Early Christian Worship

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  • Acts 20:7
  • 1 Corinthians 16:2
  • Revelation 1:10

Theme: From Sabbath to the Lord’s Day – Resurrection Worship and the Fulfilment of Sacred Time

1. Introduction

By the late first century, the early Church had begun gathering on the first day of the week—the day of Christ’s resurrection—known as the Lord’s Day (Kyriakē hēmera, Revelation 1:10). This shift did not abolish the Sabbath principle but signified the new creation inaugurated in Christ’s resurrection. These texts illustrate how the early Christians reoriented sacred time, celebrating Christ as the true Sabbath rest while gathering for worship, fellowship, and breaking bread.

2. Biblical Text and Summary

📖 Acts 20:7 (NKJV)

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

📖 1 Corinthians 16:2 (NKJV)

“On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.”

📖 Revelation 1:10 (NKJV)

“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet…”

3. Context and Practice

A. The First Day Gathering

  • The Church gathered on the first day (Sunday) to commemorate Christ’s resurrection (cf. Matthew 28:1; John 20:1).
  • This became the standard day for breaking bread (the Lord’s Supper) and teaching (Acts 20:7).
  • Paul encouraged believers to set aside offerings on this day as part of communal worship (1 Corinthians 16:2).

B. The Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10)

  • John refers to “the Lord’s Day”, a term understood by his readers as the weekly resurrection day.
  • It is a day marked by spiritual focus, worship, and communion with the risen Christ.

4. Theological Themes

A. Resurrection and New Creation

  • The first day of the week recalls the new creation inaugurated by Jesus’ resurrection (2 Corinthians 5:17).
  • It marks a new covenant reality—life in the Spirit, not bound to the old calendar system (cf. Romans 14:5–6).

B. Fulfilment of the Sabbath in Christ

  • The Church no longer observed the Sabbath as a legal requirement (Colossians 2:16–17).
  • Instead, believers celebrated the Lord of the Sabbath (Mark 2:28), entering His completed rest (Hebrews 4:9–11).
  • Weekly gatherings on Sunday expressed the truth that Sabbath rest is fulfilled in Christ.

C. Freedom and Celebration

  • The early Christians did not impose the Lord’s Day as a new Sabbath law.
  • Rather, it was a joyful commemoration of the resurrection and a weekly foretaste of the eternal rest to come (Revelation 21:1–5).

5. Spiritual and Discipleship Implications

  • Believers are called to delight in the Lord’s Day as a time of worship, rest, and reflection on Christ’s work.
  • Gathering with the body of Christ is essential for spiritual health and mission (Hebrews 10:25).
  • Observance should be shaped by freedom and grace, not legalism—pointing to the gospel reality of rest in Christ.

6. Scholarly Perspectives

  • Ignatius of Antioch (early 2nd century) wrote that Christians “no longer observe the Sabbath, but live in observance of the Lord’s Day” (Letter to the Magnesians 9:1).
  • F.F. Bruce notes that the first-day gatherings were rooted in the resurrection event and represented “the earliest Christian tradition of sacred time.”
  • Tom Schreiner emphasises that the Lord’s Day is a celebration of Christ’s work, not a continuation of Mosaic Sabbath law.

7. New Testament Reflection

The NT consistently affirms:

  • Freedom from Sabbath legalism (Romans 14:5–6; Galatians 4:9–11).
  • Rest in Christ as the true Sabbath reality (Matthew 11:28–30; Hebrews 4:9–11).
  • The importance of regular corporate worship (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25).

The Lord’s Day expresses all three: freedom, rest, and gathering.

8. Conclusion

The early Church’s practice of gathering on the Lord’s Day reflects the resurrection-centred identity of the people of God. It marked a deliberate shift from Sabbath observance as a legal command to a celebration of new creation life in Christ. Believers today are invited not into a new legal code, but into the joyful rhythm of worship and rest, anticipating the eternal Sabbath in the presence of God.

9. Cross-References

  • Matthew 28:1; John 20:1 – Resurrection on the first day
  • Mark 2:27–28 – Christ as Lord of the Sabbath
  • Colossians 2:16–17 – Sabbaths as shadows fulfilled in Christ
  • Hebrews 4:9–11 – Sabbath rest remains for God’s people
  • Revelation 21:1–5 – Eternal Sabbath rest in the new creation
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