AUG 10 

Acts 20:7
Memorise Acts 20:7 
“upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…”

As you know, the Jewish Sabbath day falls on a Saturday, the seventh day of the week, and is actually observed from sundown on Friday evening, till sundown on Saturday evening. So then we ask, why is it that Christians observe Sunday as the Lord’s day, the first day of the week? Doesn’t that negate the 4th commandment, since that is specifically for the Sabbath day, which Christians do not observe anymore? 

In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a celebration and remembrance of creation, where God rested on the seventh day. In the New Testament, the resurrection of Christ was on the first day of the week, and from then on, the first day of the week was then set aside as the day whereby Christians would come together to celebrate and remember Christ. This is evidenced in passages like 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.” (Acts 20:7). And also 1 Corinthians 16:2 “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.” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Thus a clear pattern is recorded for us of how they would meet each Sunday to observe the Lord’s supper, to listen to sermons, to collect tithes and offerings, and likely to worship God as well. From the records of the early church, we also see very clearly how Christians would meet every Sunday for their regular worship. 

Therefore for us, the Jewish Sabbath has been replaced by the Christian’s Lord’s Day, which falls on a Sunday. However, the force of the commandment remains, for God certainly still wants us to set aside time in our lives to devote to Him. Remember that the Ten Commandments are everlasting statutes written by the very finger of God, and describe for us the moral standards of God. What He desired and continues to desire from His children, is a day in the week where they would remember Him, worship Him, and seek His blessing. 

Thought: Sunday is the best day in the week, for it is the Lord’s Day.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You for giving us a day every week whereby we can set aside all our worldly cares and draw near to You.