According to the Old Testament law, the Israelites were commanded to set aside the seventh day of the week as “the Sabbath” (Ex. 20:8-11; 31:14-16). However, the Old Testament law, which separated Israel from the Gentiles, is no longer in force. With respect to the Old Law, the apostle Paul notes that Christ “abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Eph. 2:15). Christians are commanded to “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) rather than keep the Law of Moses.

Under the new covenant God’s people are not commanded to observe the Sabbath or to view the seventh day of the week as having any spiritual significance. However, the New Testament does provide indication of the importance of the first day of the week. According to the New Testament, the first day of the week is significant because it is:

1. The day upon which Jesus rose from the dead. Mark writes, “Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons” (Mk. 16:9). All four of the gospel accounts make the point that it was “the first day of the week” when Jesus was resurrected (cf. Matt. 28:1; Mk. 16:1-2; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:1). The first day of the week is significant because it was the day upon which the Savior came forth triumphantly from the grave.

2. The day upon which the gospel went forth. Following the resurrection of Christ, the apostles were instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy Spirit which would enable them to begin their work of spreading the saving message to the world (cf. Lk. 24:46-49; Acts 1:8). These commands and promises were fulfilled on “the Day of Pentecost” (Acts 2:1ff). On that day the apostles were empowered by the Holy Spirit and began to boldly proclaim the gospel message of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and souls began to be added to the Lord’s church through obedience to the gospel (Acts 2:41, 47). According to the Law of Moses, the Day of Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) always fell on the first day of the week (cf. Lev. 23:15-16). The first day of the week is significant because it was the day upon which the apostles began to spread the saving message and the day upon which the Lord established His church.

3. The day upon which the disciples assembled for worship. As the apostle Paul and those with him traveled to Troas, the Bible says, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight” (Acts 20:7). To “break bread” in this context is to partake of the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of His sacrifice (cf. 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:23-26). Upon no other day does the New Testament authorize Christians to observe the Lord’s Supper. The first day of the week is significant because it is the day upon which Christians met for worship and engaged in the communion of the body and blood of the Lord (cf. 10:16).

4. The day upon which churches were commanded to take up a collection. The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, saying, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). The pattern of instruction given to local churches was for a monetary collection to be taken by each church on the first day of the week so that the necessary resources would be available to carry out the work of the church as prescribed by the Lord. Upon no other day does the New Testament authorize the local church to take a collection in order to fund its work. The first day of the week is significant because it is the day upon which the church is commanded to take up a collection of funds.

Conclusion. While Christians are not commanded to keep the Sabbath, the New Testament reveals that the Lord does have expectations of His people with regard to the first day of the week. Let us make sure that we do those things which the Lord has authorized on the day upon which He has authorized them to be done.