We have been reared in a Sunday observing world. Naturally, we have taken Sunday observances for granted. Naturally, the idea of a different day as the true Sabbath day strikes us as fanatical and absurd.

Yet today some are telling us SATURDAY is the right day. They insist the SEVENTH day is the only day the Bible anywhere commands us to keep. They even claim we are sinning (that we have the "Mark of the Beast" and shall suffer the seven last plagues) if we observe Sunday instead of keeping the seventh day.

Many False Prophets

Jesus warned that many false prophets would appear, deceiving many. So what is the TRUTH How can we know?

Let all remember each of us shall stand before the judgment seat of Christ! We shall be JUDGED, not by our sincerity in what we have always believed through careless assumption, nor by our sincerity in following some NEW teaching without proof! We shall be judged by the BIBLE, God's Word!

How to PROVE the Truth

"All Scripture," we read in 2 Tim. 3:16, "is given by inspiration of God, and is Profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction." Again, the command to us is "PROVE ALL THINGS."

We must be willing to be corrected, if wrong. We must be careful not to be blown about "with every wind of doctrine." We must free our minds of all prejudice.

We must be able and willing to study BOTH sides honestly, laying our ideas and desires on the shelf, prayerfully asking God for guidance.

If we are right, honest investigation will but confirm it.

If we are WRONG, we should want to know it. And we should quickly, willing, as a little child accept the TRUTH as god reveals it, whatever that truth may be, if our hearts are right with Him! Perhaps this very study may be the TEST!

The following is a brief, terse, outline of ONE PHASE of this many sided question. Explanation of other phases, answering other questions that may come up, will be supplied on request.

These three facts are self evident.

(1) Sunday is the first day of the week. See any calendar, dictionary, or encyclopedia. Is it, then, by BIBLE authority, "the Christian Sabbath," or truly the "Lord's Day," as it is popularly called today?

(2) Jesus kept the SABBATH (Luke 4:16). It was his custom. The Sabbath He kept was the same day of the week the Jews observed, for the minister and congregation were all in the synagogue (verse 20), and the Pharisees continually rebuked Jesus for healing on the Sabbath day.

(3) The Sabbath Jesus kept was the seventh day of the week. Three days after His crucifixion, this Sabbath still was the day before the first day of the week (Mat. 28:1). Therefore it was not just any day in seven, it was the seventh day of the week. See also Luke 23:56 and 24:1.

BUT...........

.....was the day CHANGED by Christ or the apostles, after this, to the first day of the week so that Sunday is now the New Testament Christian Sabbath?

.....does the NEW TESTAMENT someplace show us that SUNDAY is the true Lord's Day and command Christians to observe it?

.....LET US SEE!

Is "Sunday" Mentioned in the New Testament?

This change could not be made .......to a different day , the FIRST day of the week could not be established by New Testament BIBLE authority, except in some text or texts employing the phrase "first day of the week," or the word "Sunday."

The word "Sunday" does not appear in the Bible.

The phrase "first day of the week" is in the New Testament. It occurs in exactly EIGHT places. So It will not take long to examine these eight text employing this phrase.

IF the day was changed by BIBLE authority ...if Christians are to find any BIBLE AUTHORITY whatsoever for observing Sunday as the "Lord's Day," then we must find that authority in one of these eight texts!

Let us acknowledge at the outset, since the seventh day of the week is clearly established as the Bible Sabbath up until the time of the Cross, that there can be no BIBLE AUTHORITY for Sunday observance unless we find it clearly and plainly stated in one of the eight New Testament passages.

So let us examine them carefully, honestly, prayerfully.

The Day AFTER Sabbath

(1) Matthew 28:1: "In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher." This is the first place in the Bible where "the first day of the week" is mentioned. Matthew wrote these words, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, many years after the New Testament Church came into being. The text says that late on the Sabbath day it was drawing TOWARD the first day of the week. So this Scripture, we must admit, tells us plainly that three days and three nights after all that was done away had been "nailed to the Cross," the Sabbath was still the day BEFORE the first day of the week ....still the seventh day of the week.

One point is here plainly proved . Many tell us that the Sabbath command was merely for "one day in seven" ...that it did not have to be THE seventh day of the week, but merely the seventh part of time. They argue that Sunday, being one day out of seven, fulfills the command. But here is a passage in the NEW Testament, inspired by the Holy Spirit many years after the beginning of the NEW Testament Church, stating in pain language that, three days after all abolished things had been done away, the Sabbath still existed and that is was the SEVENTH day of the week ...the day BEFORE the first day of the week. That much is proved, and must remain settled for all who honestly seek and accept BIBLE authority. But, was the day changed later?

(2) Mark 16:2: "And very early in the morning THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun." This is merely Mark's version of the sunrise visit to the tomb. It was written several years after the crucifixion. The first day of the week, also, was "AFTER the Sabbath was PAST," according to verse 1. So this text proves the same thing as the one above ...that the first day of the week was not at the time (three days after the crucifixion) the Sabbath. The Sabbath, then, still was the SEVENTH day of the week.

A Common Work Day

(3) Mark 16:9: "Now when Jesus was risen, early on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils." This text speaks of Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene later the same day ...the day AFTER the Sabbath.

Nothing here calls the first day of the week the Christian Sabbath, we must admit. Nothing here calls it "The Lord's Day." Nothing here hallows Sunday or says God made it holy. Nothing here commands us to observe it. Nothing here sets it apart as a memorial of the Resurrection, or for any purpose. No command or example of REST on this day ...no authority for observing Sunday here.

(4) Luke 24:1: "Now UPON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing their spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them."

This text tells again the same event recorded by Matthew and Mark, and it shows that on THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK these women came to do the work of a common week day, AFTER having rested the Sabbath day "according to the commandment." For we read, in the verse just before this, "and they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Shall we say these women did not yet know the commandment was abolished? No, we cannot, for this statement was not made by the women, but inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, who did know it was not abolished. And it was written, at least twenty five years after the establishing of the New Testament Church! The Holy Spirit, THEN inspired the direct statement that the rest of these women on the Sabbath day was according to the commandment, which statement would not be possible had the commandment been abolished.

This text, then, establishes Sunday as a common work day, three days after the crucifixion, and it further established that at that time the command to rest on the Sabbath had not been abolished.

(5) John 20:1: "THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK cometh Mary Magdalene
early, when it was yet dark unto the sepulcher."

This, written many, many years after the crucifixion, is John's version,
describing the same visit to the tomb. It confirms the facts above.

Was This a Religious Meeting, to Celebrate the Resurrection?

(6) John 20:19: "then the same day at evening, being THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."

Let us examine this carefully, some claim this was a religious service called for the purpose of celebrating the Resurrection. But notice this is the same first day of the week that FOLLOWED the Sabbath. It was Jesus' first opportunity to appear to His disciples. For three and a half years He had been constantly with them, on ALL days of the week. His meeting with them, of itself could not establish any day as a Sabbath.

 Were they assembled to celebrate the resurrection, thus establishing Sunday as the Christian Sabbath in honor of the Resurrection? The text says they were assembled "for fear of the Jews." The Jews had just taken and crucified their Master. They were afraid. The doors were shut because of their fear ... probably bolted. Why were they assembled? "FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS" according to this text, and also because they all lived together in this upper room (Acts 1:13). They could not have assembled to celebrate the Resurrection for THEY DID NOT BELIEVE JESUS WAS RISEN (Mark 16:11; Luke 24:37, 39, 41). Nothing in this text calls this day "Sabbath," or  "Lord's Day," or any sacred title. Nothing here sets it apart, makes it holy. No authority here for changing a command of God!

Lord's Supper Day ... or Work Day ... WHICH?

(7) 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. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together."

Here, at last we find a religious meeting on the first day of the week. But it was not a SUNDAY meeting!

Notice, Paul continued his speech until midnight! " And there were many LIGHTS in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together." It was AFTER SUNSET, prior to midnight, the first day of the week did not begin at midnight, as men begin it today. It began, and the seventh day ended, AT SUNSET! All Bible days begin and end at SUNSET. Throughout the Roman world at that time, and for a few hundred years afterwards, days began and ended at sunset. The practice of beginning the new day at midnight was started much later. Therefore this meeting, and Paul's preaching, took place during the hours we now call SATURDAY NIGHT ... it was not a Sunday meeting at all!

WHY Paul Remained Behind

Let us, now, pick up the thread of the narrative related in this passage.
Begin verse 6:

"We sailed away from the Philippi after the days of
unleavened bread, and came unto them at Troas in five days; where we
abode seven days. 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."

Paul and his companions had been in this town of Troas seven days. His companions had left by ship after sunset. Paul remained behind for a farewell meeting. He preached until midnight, "ready to depart on the morrow." At break of day ...sunrise Sunday morning ...Paul departed (verse 11).

Now notice what his companions had done. "And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul; for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in." (Verses 13-14).

Paul's companions had to sail around a peninsula ... a distance of fifty or sixty miles, while Paul, afoot, walked across, a distance of 19.5 miles. He was able to walk this distance in shorter time than they could sail the much longer distance, which gave Paul the opportunity to remain behind after they left, for this last farewell sermon and visit.

Now do you see what actually happened? Paul's companions were engaged in the LABOR of rowing and sailing a boat while Paul was preaching that Saturday night and Early Sunday morning ...on the first day of the week They had set sail Saturday night, AFTER THE SABBATH HAD ENDED. Paul remained behind for one more farewell sermon. Then, at break of Sunday morning, Paul set afoot, indulging in the labor of a 19.5 mile walk from Troas to Assos! He waited till the Sabbath was past for the long walk ...a good hard day's work, if you ever tried it! He did it upon the first day of the week! Again, a common work day!

 What "Break Bread" Means

But does this not say, as many claim today, that the disciples always held communion every first day of the week! NOT AT ALL!

In the first place, it says nothing about anything being done EVERY firstly of the week. It relates the events of this one particular first day of the week, Paul and his companions concluded their seven day visit in passing by this town.

Jesus had introduced the Lord's Supper as part of the Passover, at the beginning of the annual "days of unleavened bread." No longer could they kill lambs or eat the roasted body of Passover Lambs, after Christ, OUR Passover, had been slain for us. Yet the Passover was ordained FOREVER (Ex. 12:24). At His last Passover supper Jesus substituted the wine as the emblem of His blood, instead of the blood of the slain lamb. He substituted the unleavened bread for the roast body of the lamb as the symbol of His body, broken for us. The disciples continued to observe Passover annually, now in the form of the Lord's Supper using only the bread and wine, as a MEMORIAL (1 Cor. 11:24) of Christ's DEATH, (1 Cor. 11:26), showing His death till He come again. They continued to observe the days of unleavened bread (Acts 20:6).

This year they had observed the days of unleavened bread and the Communion service at Philippi, after which they came to Troas in five days where they remained seven days.

After the Sabbath day had ended, at sunset, "upon the first day of the week, ...the disciples came together to BREAK BREAD."

People have ASSUMED this expression means the taking of Communion. But notice! Paul preached, and continued until midnight. They had no opportunity to stop and "break bread" until then. When Paul "therefore was come up again" ...after restoring the one who had fallen down from the third balcony ...and had broken bread, AND EATEN."

Note it! "Broken bread AND EATEN." This breaking bread was not Communion ...simply eating a meal. This expression was commonly used of old to designate a meal. It still is used in that sense in parts of even the United States.

Notice Luke 22:16, where Jesus was introducing the Lord's Supper, taking it with His disciples. He said, "I will not any more eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God." Yet, the day after His resurrection, after walking with the two disciples to Emmaus, as "He sat at Meat with them, he took bread and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them." (Luke 24:30). Here Jesus "brake bread" but it was not the Lord's Supper, which He said He would NOT take again. It was a meal ..."He sat AT MEAT."

Notice Acts 2:46. The disciples, "continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness." Here again "breaking bread" means EATING MEAT. Not on the first day of the week, but DAILY.

Again, when Paul was shipwrecked on the voyage to Rome, the sailors had been fasting out of fright. But "Paul besought them all to take MEAT: for this is for your health ...And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat." (Acts 27:33-35). Here Paul broke bread to give to unconverted sailors who were hungry.

The truth is, NOWHERE IN THE BIBLE is the expression "breaking of bread," used to signify observance of the Lord's Supper. In all these texts it means, simply, eating a meal. So, when we read in Acts 20:7, 11, " the disciples came together to break," and how Paul had "broken bread and EATEN," we know by Scripture interpretation it referred only to eating food as a meal, not a Communion service.

What Was This COLLECTION?

We come now to the 8th and last place where the term "first day of the week" occurs in the Bible.
(8) 1 Corinthians 16:2: "Upon the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him."

Often we see this text printed on the little offering envelopes in the pews of popular churches, and we have been told that this text sets THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK as the time for taking up the church collection for carrying on of God's work, paying the minister, etc.

Let us begin with the first verse and really catch the true intended meaning of this verse.

"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 hath prospered him, that there be no gathering when I come."

This speaks of a collection ...but for WHOM ...for WHAT? Note it! Not for the preacher ...not for evangelism ...but "the collection FOR THE SAINTS." The poor saints at Jerusalem were suffering from drought and famine. They needed, not money, but FOOD. Notice Paul had given similar instruction to other churches. Now observe his instructions to the Romans:

"But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia (where the Corinthian Church was located) to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem ...When, therefore, I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain." (Rom. 15:25-28).

Ah! Did you catch it? It was not money, but FRUIT that was being sealed for shipment to the poor saints at Jerusalem!

Now turn back to 1 Corinthians 16. Paul is speaking conc