Subject: When did the day of worship change? |
Bible Note: 1) About Acts 20:7 Does Acts 20:7 Teach Sunday Worship? Was Paul really preaching on Sunday in Acts 20:7? A close look dispels this popular belief and discloses important days for observing today. A most controversial and debated passage in the entire New Testament is found in Acts 20:7: "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." Often cited as proof that the early disciples had been instructed by the Savior to observe Sunday, this verse supposedly shows that they were indeed now keeping the first day of the week instead of observing the day we know as Saturday. Certain translations of this passage render it the same as the King James Version, namely, "the first day of the week." However, other translations render it Saturday night (New English Bible, Good News for Modern Man). How are we to understand this enigmatic passage? Churchianity’s understanding of this passage is divided. Those who worship on Sunday insist this is a powerful passage in support of Sunday-keeping, and is a paramount verse used to show that the Apostle Paul was now keeping Sunday as a day of worship. But Sabbath-keepers contend that it is indeed a Saturday evening message Paul preached that lasted into the night, into the first day of the week that begins at sunset (known to us as Sunday). They cite verses 8 and 9 to substantiate that it was evening and that there were many lights in the upper chamber. The evidence indicates that this latter understanding provides a clearer explanation. Biblical days end with sunset as well as start at sunset. No Communion Happening Here Believe it or not, Acts 20:7 was never inspired by Yahweh’s Spirit to support Sunday worship! It has been twisted to teach a counterfeit day of worship. These verses have nothing to do with observing Sunday, but actually show that Paul was keeping the same Holy Days given to Israel that will be kept in the Kingdom. Neither does this verse teach us to partake each Sunday of the symbols of the body and blood of our beloved Savior by taking the cup and breaking of bread. The expression "breaking of bread" here simply means sharing a common meal such as in Acts 2:42; 46. Note especially Acts 27:35: "And when [Paul] had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to Yahweh in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat." Bread in those days was not sliced as today, but broken off in chunks, then often dipped in a sauce or broth before being eaten. Acts 20:11 shows that Paul, having revived Eutychus, went back up and ate bread, continuing his conversation until daybreak. This Was 25 Years AFTER Yahshua Verse 6 tells us that Paul sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, arriving in Troas five days later where they stayed for seven days. Passover and the days of Unleavened Bread always come around the time of the spring barley harvest heralding the first of the seven annual Feast Days for Israel. Why does Luke, in the year 57, make special mention of the Days of Unleavened Bread, which always follow the spring festival of Passover? This is some 25 years after the Messiah’s death and ascension to the heavens! If the Days of Unleavened Bread are now done away, as some erroneously teach, why does Luke call attention to them in Paul’s dealing with the Gentiles? Paul had evidently stayed in Philippi to observe these days with the non-Israelite Philippian brethren. Notice that the cup or fruit of the vine is nowhere mentioned in Acts 20:7-11, as it is in 1Corinthians 10:16. The cup would be required had this been an observance of the Passover or the "Master’s Supper." Furthermore, verse 6 reveals that Paul had already kept this annual memorial service before his arrival in Troas. It is quite clear that upon Paul’s planning to depart from Troas, the brethren came together for a common meal, a "farewell supper," and Paul preached a discourse unto them, continuing until midnight and beyond. Paul was not partaking of a "Communion" or "Master’s Supper." He ate later, verse 11. The cup or "fruit of the vine" are nowhere mentioned. This was a common meal. This verse has a much more profound meaning for those who are searching for Yahweh’s truth and seeking His will. Understanding this verse will help us go on unto perfection. Paul Observes An Annual Sabbath In Green’s Interlinear Bible, where the English is translated directly under the Greek, Acts 20:7 reads, "on and the one of the Sabbaths." In the King James the word "week" is the Greek plural of No. 4521 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and means the Sabbath. It is the equivalent of the Hebrew No. 7676 and means the Sabbath, the day of weekly repose, a rest from secular avocations. to be continued... |