QUESTION: Acts 17:2 and Acts 18:4 says that Paul went into the synagogues on the Sabbath Day for the purpose of worshipping. This was after Jesus’ ascension. Why did Paul not encourage people from worshipping on the Sabbath?

ANSWER: To say that these verses teach that Paul entered the synagogues for the purpose of worshipping is to read something into these passages that is not there. The reasons for Paul going into the synagogues is clearly stated, i.e., (1) that’s where the Jews were to whom he wanted to preach and (2) he wanted to preach Christ (New Testament) to them.

Paul encourages people of all time and for all time since the cross to worship on the first day of the week by his example (Acts 20:7) and by commandment (I Corinthians 16:1-2). Some questions need to be asked. Why did these inspired men on a missionary journey wait for seven days (Acts 20:6) to meet and commune on the first day (Acts 20:7) if that was not the appointed day? Why did they not simply abide six days and worship on the Sabbath if that was the appointed today? Why did the apostle Paul direct the Corinthian Christians to lay by in store on the first day of the week if the seventh day was the appointed day of assembling? It is interesting to note that in the original Greek the word “kata” is used (verse two), which means “every” first day of the week. Can any suggest that the early Christians engaged in all items of worship except “giving” on Saturday, and then reassembled on the first day for the purpose of engaging in that particular act of worship? Surely not. But why the first day? Because that was the day on which our Lord conquered death by His resurrection and it was the day that He established His church in which we worship Him!

Not only does the Bible show that we are to meet on the first day, but it is interesting to note that such was the practice on the basis of secular history. In the writings of Justin Martyr (100 A.D. – 167 A.D.) who was a pupil of Polycarp who, in turn, was a pupil of the apostle John, we can read these words: “On Sunday a meeting is held of all who live in the cities and villages, and a section is read from the memoirs of the Apostles and the writings of the Prophets, as long as time permits. When the reading is finished the president, in a discourse, gives the admonition and exhortation to imitate these noble things. After this we all rise and offer a common prayer. At the close of the prayer, as we have before described, bread and wine and thanks for them according to his ability . . .” The writing goes on to talk about the distribution of the bread and wine to the homes of the sick and about the contribution. Clearly then, both the Bible and secular history evidences the fact that worship of the New Testament church was on the first day and not the seventh!