Thoughts from The Bible: – 05/20/20

Thoughts from the Bible

Tuesday, 19 May 2020 09:05

Significance of the first day of the week
by Terry Broome

Memorials play a big part in keeping the spirit of Patriotism alive in our country. America’s landscape is dotted with memorials and markers that call special attention to special moments in history. The Bunker Hill Monument at Boston, the Liberty Bell, the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, to name a few. Some of these memorials swell emotions within our hearts and bring many tears to our eyes, especially memorials like the Viet Nam Wall, the WWII Memorial, the memorial at Pearl Harbor. Special days are set aside in America to commemorate wonderful, and yes, even some tragic moments in history such as Fourth of July, Memorial Day.

Our question of concern for this study is whether there is any significance to Sunday, the First Day of the Week, in God’s plan? The scriptures do indicate a day that is described as the “Lords Day,” (Revelation 1:10) 10 “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day…” What day is the “Lord’s Day” and what significance does it have for us? Each week Christians honor the memory of the Lord on that very day that John spoke of, the Lord’s Day. The First Day of The Week is the only day in the New Testament that would fit the description of John’s pronouncement for several reasons.

First of all, we’re reminded that Jesus was raised on the First Day of the Week. Mark 16:9 (KJV) 9 “Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. . .” The resurrection of Christ allows us to look forward to His return with confidence. On this day the Death, Burial, Resurrection and future coming of Jesus is central to the Christian’s focus! The Church was established on the first day of the week, on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1,47).

We know this was the first day of the week because Pentecost always occurred on the first day of the week (Lev 23:15-16).
During the ministry of Christ, He spoke of a time when His church would be established (Mt 16:18). This tells us that it was not a reality at that point in time! By the day of Pentecost we now see the church spoken of as existing (Acts 2:47). Jesus had said that some of those alive at that time would see the Kingdom come with power (Mark 9:1). Then He gave very specific instructions concerning the apostles waiting in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. (Lk 24:46-49; Acts 1:4-8). On that day of Pentecost, this kingdom of Christ was established with power and thereafter people were added to the Lord’s church.

The baptism Christ authored, for the remission of sins, was first preached on this same day (Acts 2:38-39). This was how people became a part of Christ’s church, the body of Christ Acts 2:41 (KJV) 41 “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

Later we read that the churches were to take up a collection on the first day of the week (1 Cor 16:1-3). The Lord’s Supper was observed on the first day of the week. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11: 20-22). It was to be partaken in the assembly by the whole church. Christians should see the need to remember the Lord’s Day in a special way because the First Century church had a specific day, called the Lord’s Day, and The First Day of the Week, when they gathered for these specific purposes.

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489.