Why do churches meet on Sunday? The churches in the New Testament met on the first day of the week. Luke reported this is the common practice of churches of Christ (Acts 20:7). However, is this passage all the Bible speaks about meeting on the first day of the week?
The Lord’s Day
The apostle John revealed, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” (Rev 1:10). This Lord’s Day is not the Day of the Lord’s coming evidently or the Book of Revelation would have been too late and it would not have been written because John was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. On this “Lord’s Day,” John heard a loud voice behind him like a trumpet, and it was the voice of Christ telling John to write a book and send it to seven churches of Asia (Rev 1:11). When John turned around, he saw the One who looked like the “Son of Man” in the midst of seven lamp stands. This “Son of Man” is the one whose voice sounded like the roar of many waters and from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword. John described him as a man in a long robe, a gold sash around his chest, and he shined like the sun in full strength. The man identified himself as “the first and the last” and “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore” (Rev 1).
In the Midst of Lamp Stands
What is significant that Christ is in the midst of the seven lamp stands? These seven lamp stands are the seven churches of Asia (Rev 1:20). Christ was in the midst of the churches on the Lord’s Day. “In the midst” is from Greek phrase en meso, which is also found in Matthew 18:20, where Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Paul also refers to the gathering of the saints as being in Christ’s name (1 Cor 5:4). In Revelation 1, John has presented that Christ was in the midst of the churches on the Lord’s Day. The Lord’s Day is the day of the assembly.
The Day of Assembly
Furthermore, the Greek word for “Lord” for “Lord’s Day” in Revelation 1:10 is the adjective kuriakos. This adjective is found only one other place in 1 Corinthians 11:20 referring to “the Lord’s Supper.” The churches in the New Testament only partook of the he Lord’s Supper when they gathered together. These descriptions identify again that the Lord’s Day is the day of the assembly in which Christians partook of the Lord’s Supper. A day known by all Christians especially those of whom Christ writes to in Asia Minor. The command for the assembly and the Lord’s Supper clearly include the Lord’s Day. Which day is this?
The First Day of the Week
Luke reported, “And upon the first day of the week when the disciples having been assembled to break bread,” (Acts 20:7a). The first day of the week was the day of assembling of the disciples to break bread. The apostle Paul described this breaking of bread as the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 10:16). Paul described the assembly as when Christians came together to eat the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:33; cf. 11:21–22). This is the Lord’s Day for which John wrote.
Christ rose on the first day of the week (Matt 28:1; John 20:19). Jesus met with the eleven on this day (John 20:19). Jesus blessed the bread for the Lord’s Supper on this day (Luke 24:30, 35). The Church established on the Day of Pentecost which was on the first day of the week (Acts 2:1; cf. Pentecost Lev 23:15–16). The churches collected to aid other churches in need on this day (1 Cor 16:1). The Scriptures repeatedly record that the day of Jesus’s resurrection was on the “third day” (Matt 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 27:64; Mark 9:31, Luke 9:22; 13:32; 18:33; 24:7, 21, 46; Acts 10:40; 1 Cor 15:4).
Conclusion
The Lord’s Day is the first day of the week for the assembly in Christ’s name. This is the day of the assembly to partake of the Lord’s Supper, and on this day, Christ is in the midst of His churches. When must Christians assemble? If anyone loves Christ, they will assemble on the first day of the week (John 14:21, 23; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 6). The apostle Paul exhorted, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together [the assembly], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb 10:24–25 ESV).
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The Breath of God 
No. I do not believe the bible to be a law book, but a love book. Perfect love cast away fear. I happen to see the Lords day as a time to honor Him, not an observance of law to make sure I keep the check list. I really agree – we should meet each Sunday for this purpose. Should we do so from love or because it is on our check list of laws? If we aren’t careful, we will end up making the Lords day something other than its purpose. Anyway, Scott. I just cant condemn others for honoring Jesus on another day, and I cant find where God will either. I will not judge them as if they are transgressing the law of God when they clearly are not….
Some churches of Christ have two communions on Sundays to accommodate those who didn’t make it time for the morning service. What if they wait till 11:58 and then when they finish, its 12:01………….oh no………..they sinned and headed to hell for going a minute into Monday. Anyways, ttyl
From the context of the chapter we know the regularity of their meetings at this time was daily. Some promoting their restrictive tradition will declare that all the other items in verse 42 (teaching, prayer, fellowship) were experienced daily, but the Lord’s Supper was not. “Regularity” meant weekly in this one case, whereas the steadfastness of the others was daily. Is there anything in the context that even remotely suggests this interpretation? Of course not. This is a case of eisegesis, not exegesis.
From the very beginning of the church’s formation, this memorial feast was considered to be one of the key elements of their spiritual life and worship. Nevertheless, Acts 2:42 itself really does not speak to the particulars of frequency. It merely points out that the observance was regular, steadfast, or continual. Dr. Thomas B. Warren observed, “The ‘breaking of bread’ in this passage no doubt refers to the Lord’s Supper. But what does that prove? It doesn’t tell you when (or how often) they did it.
The doctrine of Sunday ONLY observance is derived from deductions made from a singular text by those who perceive the New Covenant writings as being a Law Book filled with proof texts. “And on the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7). Well, there you have it. Based on these few words an entire theology has been built. Ron Halbrook comments, “With the presence, the participation, and the approval of an inspired Apostle of Christ, the early saints ate the Lord’s supper every Sunday.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to perceive that numerous assumptions must be made for one to arrive at the position that this passage commands Sunday only, and every Sunday, observance of the Lord’s Supper.
Nothing is said in the passage about the practice of Troas either before or after this particular weekend. Was the first day of the week the ONLY day these disciples observed the Lord’s Supper? We don’t know. Did they observe it every first day of the week without fail? We don’t know. Was this the practice in every other congregation on the face of the earth at this time? We don’t know from the biblical text, although history reveals it was not. But there is even more that needs to be considered here. Where in the NT writings does it state that the way Troas observed the Lord’s Supper with regard to the matter of frequency (assuming we even truly know conclusively the exact nature of their regular practice) is the way ALL disciples the world over MUST observe the Lord’s Supper until the end of time? Where does it ever state in the sacred Scriptures that our salvation today, and even our fellowship with one another, is dependent upon US observing this memorial feast in exactly the same manner as THEY did in ancient Troas? In other words, is the singular example of Troas forever binding upon all disciples the world over until the end of time? If the answer is “yes,” then where in Scripture is such a demand ever specifically stated by our Lord?
Let me ask an even deeper hermeneutical question (one the legalists have never yet been able to answer for me) — Can a singular example override or restrict a command given by Jesus Christ and repeated by an inspired apostle? In other words, which bears more weight — a command of our Lord or an example of mere men (about which many assumptions must be made)? Which has more authority — a precept of deity or a practice of men?
Then, with regard to frequency, Jesus said, “As often as” you do it. Paul then repeats the same phrase — “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” The matter of frequency has forever been addressed in the phrase “as often as.”
“As often as” is the Greek relative adverb “hosakis,” and it “is only used with the notion of indefinite repetition” (Dr. A. T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research, p. 973). Other than the 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 passage, this word is used only one other time in the NT writings. This is in Revelation 11:6 where the “two witnesses” are said to have the power to perform certain actions “as often as they desire.” The passage in Revelation not only leaves the action in the realm of that which is indefinite with regard to frequency, but actually leaves the matter of determination of specific practice in the hands of those performing the action — “as often as they desire.” Thus, neither Jesus, nor any of the NT writers, directly regulate or restrict the observance of the Lord’s Supper with respect to time or frequency. It is left completely in the realm of “whenever.”
The relative adverb “hosakis,” translated “whenever” or “as often as,” is nonspecific with regard to time. Daily, weekly, monthly are ALL equally in accord with the statement by both Jesus and Paul. Again, we must raise the vital hermeneutical question — Which has the greater weight when it comes to determining our own practice today with regard to frequency of observance of the Lord’s Supper? A specific command or declaration of Jesus Christ, repeated by an inspired apostle? Or a singular example about which fallible men have made countless assumptions? Unto which of these will we give “authority” to determine our practice?
Was the practice of Troas, as best we understand it, in accord with the teaching of Jesus and Paul? Of course it was! Even if the disciples in Troas did in fact observe the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week, and only on the first day of the week, that would still be in complete compliance with the directive of Jesus and Paul — “as often as” you do it. “Whenever” you do it. However, a daily observance would also be in compliance. So also would a monthly observance, or a bi-weekly observance. ALL would fall under the gracious umbrella of “as often as.” True, the latter examples given would not be according to the pattern of Troas, but they would be according to the precept of Jesus and Paul. Thus, again, the question — to which do we give preference in the establishment of practice: precept or pattern? Unto which will we bow in submission — the direction of the Lord or the practice of a group of disciples in a single city on a single weekend?
Scott, I agree with much of what you say, but stop making the Lords Super some law like youre Moses or something. It is one thing to partake each Sunday because you desire to please God and love Gos and quite another to do so from fear of brealing some law. Please, do not profane what God has made holy. Your soul is at stake.
Shall I partake three times per week? Would honoring Christ death three times per week be sin? Show me a person sent to hell for honoring Jesus death.
Peter commanded baptism – seems explicitly stated to me. Acts 2:38 Jesus even commanded this too. Jesus also said partake the Lords supper “as often as” and I think he stated this on Thursday.
On the first day of the week they gathered together and broke bread in the city of Troas, or at least they did on that particular weekend (Acts 20:7). That’s marvelous. Good for them. Does that mean I will go straight to hell and be tortured forever in fire if I break bread and remember my Lord’s sacrifice on any OTHER day? Some say so! However, what ever happened to my Lord’s statement pertaining to frequency (“as often as” — 1 Cor. 11:25-26)? Does a singular example have the power to forever limit and restrict and regulate this divine command of Jesus Christ (repeated by an inspired apostle)? And if so, where is the clear command from God in Scripture that specifically and unequivocally declares a singular example has the power to forever alter a command of deity? I would sincerely like to see that passage. I can tell you now: It isn’t there! And yet God’s people have divided over such rigid, religious regulation …. all of which is based on assumptions of men rather than the authority of the Word.
Interesting findings. I was just on Revelation 1:9-11 this morning in devotions, and I was meditating on that phrase. I wanted to make it into something more mystical… I was in the (safety and protection of the) Spirit of the Lord watching the unfolding of all the end-time events…