The First Day of the Week The Significance of The First Day of the Week

Introduction The first century church assembled and communed every first day of the week The subordinate clause indicates this assembly was habitual Paul waiting for five days indicates this habit was well established (Acts 20:6) Acts 20:7 (KJV 1900) 7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. “when the disciples came together to break bread” is a subordinate clause which serves as an adjunct providing information such as “why”

Introduction This habit was universal among the churches “on the first day of every week” ESV “Others ... suppose that the sun is the god of the Christians, because it is well-known that... we regard Sunday as a day of joy” (Tertullian, To the Nations [1.13]) 1 Corinthians 16:2 (KJV 1900) 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Introduction 1 Corinthians 16:2 (KJV 1900) 2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. Why was the first day of the week so significant to first century Christians? Should every first day of the week be significant to us today?

The First Day of the Week… Matthew 28:1, 6 (NKJV) 1 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb… 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. the day when Christ rose from the dead

The First Day of the Week… Luke 24:1 (NASB95) 1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. the day when Christ rose from the dead Luke 24 is very precise in identifying Sunday as the third day (Luke 24:1, 13, 21; cf. 24:7). a. Luke 24:1, “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.” b. Luke 24:13, “And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.” c. Luke 24:21, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.”

The First Day of the Week… Mark 16:9 (NASB95) 9 Now after He had risen early on the first day of the week, He first appeared to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. the day when Jesus appeared to His Disciples

The First Day of the Week… John 20:19 (NASB95) 19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” the day when Jesus appeared to His Disciples the 11 minus Thomas

The First Day of the Week… John 20:26 (NASB95) 26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” the day when Jesus appeared to His Disciples He appeared the next Sunday to Thomas (John 20:26–29; cf. Matthew 17:1 and Luke 9:28). The count began with the current day and included the day of thus: Sunday - day 1 Mon - day 2 Tuesday - day 3 Wed - day 4 Thurs - day 5 Friday - day 6 Saturday - day 7 Sunday - day 8

The First Day of the Week… Acts 2:1–4 (NASB95) 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. … 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. The Holy Spirit came from heaven

The First Day of the Week… Acts 2:32–36 (NASB95) 32 “This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. 33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear. … 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” The Holy Spirit came from heaven The Holy Spirit came down from Heaven on the first day of the week giving undeniable proof that Jesus is Lord and Christ (Romans 1:4; Acts 2:32–36). The Holy Spirit could not come until Christ returned to the Father and was glorified (John 7:37–39; 16:7–11). b. The coming of the Holy Spirit signaled the coronation of the King of Kings (Mark 9:1; Matthew 19:28; Hebrews 1:1–8; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; I Peter 3:22; Ephesians 1:20).

The First Day of the Week… Acts 2:1–4 (NASB95) 1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. … 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance. the day when the Gospel was first proclaimed

The First Day of the Week… Mark 9:1 (NASB95) 1 And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.” the day when the church was established

The First Day of the Week is Still Significant Command and example require our meeting in order to execute certain commands which Christ has given his church Only the first day of the week conveys the significance associated with the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:24–26). Only the first day of the week conveys the significance associated with our giving (II Corinthians 8:8; I Corinthians 16:1–2).