Beth-El Baptist Church

01/23/2011

Greg Tomlinson


Should Christians assemble for worship on Saturday or Sunday?


For many Christians, the identification of the day to celebrate, Saturday or Sunday, can be a real challenge. When the Ten Commandments, the event of the resurrection, as well as church history are taken into account, difficulties do arise.


  1. Why do some assemble on Saturday?

Exodus 20:8-11 Genesis 2:1-3

Exodus 16:22-29; 31:14-15; 35:1-3 Leviticus 23:1-3

1 John 5:2-3 John 14:15; 14:21; 15:10-11

Matthew 19:17-19 Mark 7:9-13


The primary reason some are assembling on Saturday is because of the 10 commandments. Note that this fourth commandment is specifically tied to the creation event during which God rested from His creative work. The demonstration of a person's love for God is seen in their desire to keep the commandments of God. The desire to keep 9 of the commandments when the 10th could just as easily be kept is viewed by some as neglecting the commandments of God and thus making them of no effect.


  1. Why do some assemble on Sunday?

Matthew 28:1-7 Mark 16:1-7

Luke 24:1-7 Acts 20:7

1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Matthew 12:7-8

Mark 2:23-28 Luke 6:1-11

Romans 4:23-25; 6:3-5 Hebrews 4:3-6


The primary reason for gathering together on Sunday, is that as Christians we desire to primarily celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus was resurrected on the first day of the week, and it is the resurrection of Jesus that we look forward to and that justified us, we desire to celebrate on the resurrection day as a continual reminder of what is to come. This resurrection of Jesus is also picturing the reality of the coming rest that believers have fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.


The secondary reason for gathering together on Sunday, is that the scriptures indicated that when the assembling of the brethren is mentioned after the resurrection, they either met daily (Acts 2:46-47) or on the first day of the week.


Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath and it is the day of rest given to us by Him. But the fullness of that rest is found not in the days of the week but in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. This again points to the reality of the resurrection.


Genesis 17:12-14; 22:30 Exodus 22:29-31

Leviticus 14:7-11; 14:21-24; 15:13-15


It is further interesting to note how many times the eighth day, which parallels the first day of the week, is brought up as having special significance. It is the day of circumcision and a day of cleansing. Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers can now be circumcised in their heart and cleansed, fully, of their sin.


  1. What impact does the day of assembling have on a person's state of salvation?

Romans 14:4-8 Acts 15:8-11; 15:19-21; 16:31-31

Hebrews 10:24-25 Matthew 12:5


Whether the person desires to gather with other believers on Saturday or Sunday, it does not matter with respect to the state of the person's salvation. No one is saved because of their obedience to the law of God but all are saved by the grace of God. The important thing is to remember to gather together for worship and training in the Word of God.


  1. How should our view of the day of assembling together affect our activities of that day?

Romans 14:4-8 Nehemiah 13:19-21


The first thing to remember is that we are not to judge others based upon what day they assemble together or what day. Each of us are to be convinced in our own mind as to which day to gather together. The intention is to keep the day holy and focused on service to God. If possible, Christians should not encourage others to work on the assembling day but to dedicate the day to serving the Lord Jesus Christ.