Biblical Background of the Lord’s Day
From New Testament times, the church met for worship on the first day of the week, the day of Jesus’ resurrection. The Lord’s Day absorbed features of the Jewish Sabbath but also differs in important ways. It is a day that encompasses the meaning of all Christian festivals.
Terminology
The first day of the week quickly became the regular time for Christian worship in place of the Jewish Sabbath (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2). While the New Testament gives no command to observe this day, the second-century Didachē directs believers to gather on the Lord’s Day. The term appears in Revelation 1:10 when John was “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” In early Christian writings, it consistently designated Sunday. Unlike the English “Sunday,” derived from pagan sun-worship, Romance languages preserve the biblical sense with terms like domingo and dimanche, from Dominus (“Lord”).
Origin of the Lord’s Day
Many assume the Lord’s Day is simply the Sabbath changed from the seventh to the first day, but Scripture gives no such teaching. Its origin was more gradual, shaped by Christianity’s Jewish roots and by contrast with pagan cults. The church naturally carried over elements from both Jewish Sabbath observance and surrounding cultural practices, while creating something distinctively Christian.
The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day
The Sabbath played a central role in Jewish life, especially after the Exile and the destruction of the temple in A.D. 70. Early Jewish Christians likely observed both Sabbath and Sunday, but as the church became more Gentile and more distinct from Judaism, Sunday alone became the Christian day of worship. Many Sabbath traditions—joyful celebration, rejection of fasting, morning and evening gatherings—were transferred to Sunday. For Jews, the Sabbath commemorated both Creation and the Exodus (Gen. 2:3; Exod. 20:11; Deut. 5:15), its chief feature being rest from work. By the third century, Christians also began treating Sunday as a day of rest.
Christian Distinctives of the Lord’s Day
Despite borrowing from the Sabbath, the Lord’s Day was distinctly Christian from the beginning. It was tied to the Resurrection, which all four Gospels record as discovered on the first day of the week. Most post-resurrection appearances of Christ occurred that day, setting it apart as sacred. Pentecost, the outpouring of the Spirit (Acts 2:1–4), also fell on a Sunday. Thus, assembling on the first day became a continual proclamation of the Resurrection, central to the gospel. Justin Martyr explained that Christians worshiped then because it was both the first day of Creation and the day of Christ’s resurrection.
Whereas the Sabbath marked God’s rest from Creation, the Lord’s Day proclaims “new creation” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17; Rev. 21:1–5). The rejected Stone had become the Cornerstone (Ps. 118:22–23; Acts 4:11), and the Resurrection marked a new beginning. Athanasius later applied Psalm 118:24 to the day of Resurrection: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Study Guide
Main Idea
Since New Testament times, Christians have gathered on the first day of the week—Sunday—to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Although it shares some customs with the Jewish Sabbath, Sunday is a distinctly Christian day that symbolizes new creation and the victory of Christ over death.
Key Points to Remember
Origins and Terminology: Early Christians met on Sunday, replacing the Jewish Sabbath. The term “the Lord’s Day” appears in Revelation 1:10 and consistently in early Christian writings. In English, “Sunday” comes from pagan sun worship, but biblically it is linked to “the Lord’s Day,” highlighting Jesus’ resurrection.
No Command in Scripture: The Bible does not explicitly instruct Christians to worship on Sunday, but the Didache (second century) encourages gathering on this day, and early Christians regarded it as their weekly worship day.
Development from Jewish Roots: The shift from Sabbath to Sunday was gradual, influenced by Jewish practices and pagan cultural elements. Initially, Christians observed both days, but over time, Sunday became the primary day for worship and rest.
Jewish Sabbath vs. Christian Sunday: The Sabbath commemorates creation and liberation from slavery, emphasizing rest from work. Many traditions from the Sabbath—joy, celebration, morning and evening gatherings—were transferred to Sunday, which became a day of worship, rest, and celebration by the third century.
Significance of Sunday: The resurrection was discovered on the first day of the week, and many post-resurrection appearances of Jesus occurred then, making Sunday a day of special significance. The Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost also happened on Sunday.
Symbol of New Creation: While the Sabbath celebrates God’s rest, Sunday celebrates the “new creation” in Christ, signifying the beginning of renewed life and hope.
Key Scriptures Referenced
Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2 – Early Christian meetings
Revelation 1:10 – “Lord’s Day” mention
Genesis 2:3, Exodus 20:11, Deuteronomy 5:15 – Sabbath origins
2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 21:1–5 – New creation in Christ
Psalm 118:22–24; Acts 4:11 – Christ as the rejected Stone and Cornerstone
Discussion Questions
Why do you think early Christians chose Sunday instead of the Jewish Sabbath for worship?
How does the resurrection influence the Christian view of Sunday as a special day?
In what ways does the concept of “new creation” found in the New Testament connect to the celebration of Sunday?
Reflection Activity
Write a short reflection on what the resurrection of Jesus means to you personally. Consider how celebrating Sunday as the Lord’s Day can be a reminder of new beginnings and hope in your faith journey. Think about ways to make your Sunday worship or reflection more meaningful.