Friday, January 6, 2023

Those 8 Sunday Texts SERIES: Seventh Text

"The first day of the week is mentioned in the New Testament only eight times, and is not in a single instance spoken of as a Sabbath, a day of rest, or a sacred day. It is simply called the first day of the week. 
On the other hand, inspiration gives the seventh day of the week in the New Testament the sacred title of the Sabbath fifty-nine times.
Seventh Text
Acts 20
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.
 
It is asserted that the disciples after the ascension of their Lord, assembled on the first day of the week to commemorate His resurrection by the breaking of bread. 
We reply that the  communion does not commemorate the resurrection, but the crucifixion of our Lord.  
--Here is apostolic example for labor on the first day of the
week.
 
*If it be said that the meeting at Troas was held on Sunday night, and that the disciples started on their journey Monday morning, we reply that in that case the meeting was held on the second day of the week; and those who with this position plead apostolic example from Acts 20:7, should keep Monday as the Christian Sabbath.
 
But leaving the question in regard to what night this meeting was held, there is an important fact which places the subject beyond all controversy. 
*The first part of each of the seven days of the week is night, the last part is the day
The disciples held a meeting in the first part of the day at Troas, and journeyed on the last part of the same day. 
If, then, 
 --this day received the stamp of sacredness by this meeting of the apostles in the first part of it, 
--their journeying in the last part of it removed the stamp of sacredness from it." 
James White