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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | When did the day of worship change? | Acts | Yoshua | 18864 | ||
Continued... Now notice that the word "day" in the authorized version is in italics. This means it is not found in the Greek manuscripts, but is a help-word added by the English translators. In most cases these help-words clarify and aid us in a better understanding of the Bible. But in this passage the added word "day" is quite misleading to the Bible student. The key to the significance of verse 7 lies in a proper understanding of Yahweh’s seven Annual Holy Days that are listed in order in Leviticus 23. Acts 20:6 reveals that Paul arrived in Troas after the Days of Unleavened Bread. Our attention is called to these special days to emphasize that they were still being observed. First of the Week The verse under consideration deals with the first day of the week. As already mentioned, in the Greek the verse reads "first of the sabbaths." Dr. Bullinger notes in his Companion Bible that this was "the first day of the sabbaths, i.e., the first day for reckoning the seven sabbaths to Pentecost." Paul continued preaching to the brethren in Troas quite late, for we note that many lamps or torches were in the upper chamber (Acts 20:8-9). As Paul continued speaking, likely the fumes from the lamps made Eutychus sleepy, causing him to fall three stories below. While we have no record of Paul’s topic, his discourse very likely centered on an explanation of Pentecost, the next Annual Feast day, and how to count the seven Sabbaths. Upon counting the seven weekly Sabbaths (49 days), the next day would be the 50th day or Pentecost. Pentecost was clearly on Paul’s mind, for he was hastening to arrive in Jerusalem by then, verse 16. See John 20:1, Luke 24:1, Matthew 28:1, and Mark 16:2. According to Dr. Bullinger and the Greek texts, these verses relate to the first weekly Sabbath which begins the counting of seven weekly Sabbaths toward Pentecost. Acts 20:7 cannot be taken as evidence for a change of weekly worship from Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday because Paul himself was a teacher to the Gentiles, Acts 9:15. The Savior chose a strict observer of the letter of the law, a Pharisee of the Pharisees, to go to the Gentiles and teach them Yahweh’s way of life. Paul was this choice, and he continued to teach the Gentiles on the Saturday Sabbath (Acts 16:13; 13:42-46; 17:2; 18:4). The context of the passage shows that the center of attention is on Yahweh’s Holy Days. Keep in mind that the early Greek manuscripts do not contain the Greek word meaning day ("hemera"). The word for "day" simply is not found in the Greek and has been added by translators. Acts 20:7 literally reads, "on And one of the Sabbaths, having been assembled the disciples to break bread, Paul reasoned to them, being about to depart on the morrow; he continued and the discourse until midnight" (J. P. Green). What we find there is the spirit of truth through the Apostle Paul’s teaching Yahweh’s Word as found in Leviticus 23:15-16. He showed the Gentile brethren how to count the seven complete Sabbaths to arrive at the correct time to observe Pentecost. Paul also taught the cosmopolitan, pagan Corinthians about Passover and the Days of Unleavened Bread: "For even Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the Feast..." 1Corinthians 5:7-8. He explains that because Yahshua has become our Passover sacrifice, let us get cleaned up, be clean from our old ways, and feed on the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 2) About 1 Cor 16:1 "The collection for the saints" features prominently in Paul's letters and seems to have been his project for nearly twenty years. One central concern of his was the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles within the church (see especially Eph. 2:11-22). The collection of funds from his largely Gentile churches to aid impoverished Jewish believers in Jerusalem gave Paul a practical way in which to manifest his desire for reconciliation between these groups. Such a project also reflects Paul's belief in the words of Isaiah 58:6-8 and Matthew 25:34-46. How we treat those less fortunate than ourselves reflects in a major way our love for the Lord. Paul encourages the Corinthians to make advance preparation for "the collection for the saints," which is to be gathered when he next arrives. "The context has little to do with church assemblies. What is called for is the private budgeting of an individual."--D. R. de Lacy, "Holy Days," Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, ed. Gerald F. Hawthorne and others (Downers Grove, III.: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p.404. The passage may actually be taken as evidence for the continuing significance of Sabbath among Paul's churches. The "putting aside" is an individual act done at home and likely represents the use of the first day for financial activity that would have been judged inappropriate on the Christian Sabbath. God bless you, Yoshua |
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2 | When did the day of worship change? | Acts | Reformer Joe | 18875 | ||
Yoshua: Thanks for your comments. Certainly this is a bone of contention among those who profess Christ. A couple of comments: 1. In the earliest days of teh church (at least as far back as the sub-apostolic fathers), the Lord's Day was celebrated as Sunday. Whether that was in addition to celebrating the Sabbath (Saturday) or instead of celebrating the Sabbath is not clear, but it is quite clear from early extant Christian writings that Sunday was celebrated as the Lord's Day. 2. You quote Bullinger here. Is this the reformer Henry Bullinger? If so, you may be interested on another position on the Sabbath. I would encaurage others here to read it as well. http://www.credenda.org/issues/12-2stauron.php Thanks! --Joe! |
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