By: David L. Cummins (The following is excerpted from “This Day in Baptist History I”, pp. 22-23)

“Conrad Grebel was from a prominent and wealthy Swiss family. His father served as magistrate in Gruningen, just east of Zurich, and Conrad enjoyed educational advantages. Soon after his marriage, young Grebel was saved, and by 1522 he publicly defended the gospel and expressed a desire to become a minister. Falling in with the teachings of Ulrich Zwingli, Grebel gave himself to the Scriptures. Grebel and other young so-called Anabaptists owed much to Zwingli, but they owed more to the Bible. These two loyalties soon came to a head, and it was Grebel who initiated believer’s baptism on that historical night in January 1525. As such, young Grebel emerged as a champion of the Anabaptist reformation.

Early in 1525 a child was born to the Grebel household. Conrad Grebel did not baptize his baby because he had become convinced that christening finds no support in the New Testament. This development soon caused a stir in Zurich, and the city council moved against the heretic by arranging a confrontation which had all the earmarks of a trial. The session was held on January 17, 1525, and resulted in an edict ordering all parents who had unbaptized infants to present them for baptism within eight days or face expulsion from the city.

As men measure success, it is tragic that Grebel had only one year and eight months to proclaim the gospel, for in spite of numerous imprisonments and increasingly poor health, the accomplishments of those months were little short of phenomenal. He preached, visited from door-to-door, baptized those who were saved, and was again arrested and imprisoned in Gruningen Castle. Being brought to trial Grebel, Blaurock, and Manz [See ‘Faithful Unto Death’] were sentenced to an indefinite term of internment in November 1525. They were allowed no visitors and were given only a diet of bread and water. Again Grebel was able to escape, but his freedom was short-lived, for he died in the summer of 1526, probably a victim of the plague, but a hero of the faith that lives on even today!”

By: David L. Cummins (The following is excerpted from “This Day in Baptist History I”, pp. 6-7)

“The Anabaptists believed in a ‘free church’ composed of regenerate members who had experienced believer’s baptism. As Felix Manz expressed it, their ambition was to ‘bring together those who were willing to accept Christ, obey the Word, and follow in His footsteps, to unite with these by baptism, and to leave the rest in their present conviction.’

Felix Manz was born an illegitimate son of a Roman Catholic priest who served as Canon in Zurich. It is apparent that the young Manz was given the education of the privileged classes, for he was well trained in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. As a young Greek scholar, he joined with others in studying the New Testament with the reformer Ulrich Zwingli and was converted under the reformer’s teaching. As the young student continued his study, he became dissatisfied with Zwingli’s position of reform, and others joined Manz as they met regularly at his home. It was from these studies in Felix Manz’s home that the first believer’s baptism among the Brethren was administered in 1525…many others soon followed in ‘believer’s baptism’.

The reformers looked upon these Anabaptists as a threat, and on October 8, 1525, several of the Anabaptists were arrested and imprisoned. Manz escaped that arrest but was soon apprehended and incarcerated…Manz was rearrested on several occasions and reminds us of the Apostle Paul with his constantly repeated imprisonments.

On January 5, 1587, Felix Manz was sentenced to death ‘because contrary to Christian order and custom he had become involved in Anabaptism…because he confessed to having said that he wanted to gather those who wanted to accept Christ and follow Him, and unite himself with them through baptism.’ The reformers had demanded the death penalty for rebaptizing in March of 1526, but Felix Manz would be the first victim.

‘Manz, according to the sentence, was taken bound from the Wellenberg prison past the fish market to the boat. All along the way he witnessed to the members of the dismal procession and to those standing on the banks of the Limmat River. His mother’s voice was heard…entreating him to remain true to Christ in the hour of temptation. Quietly the boat slipped out into the lake. As his arms and legs were being bound, he sang out with a loud voice, in manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum meum (‘into thy hands, O Lord, I commend by spirit’). A few moments later the cold waters of Lake Zurich closed over the head of Felix Manz.’

However, the cause of Christ did not die, and we thank God that we stand in such a strong spiritual heritage!

By: David L. Cummins (The following is excerpted from “This Day in Baptist History II”, p. 655)

“The 1520s were momentous days in the religious world! Martin Luther was declared a heretic and was excommunicated by Pope Leo X in 1520. Luther finished the translation of the German New Testament in 1522. Zwingli abolished the Catholic mass at Zurich in 1524. William Tyndale’s translation of the New Testament was printed by Peter Schoeffer at Worms in 1525, and in 1528 Balthaser Hubmaier, the Austrian Anabaptist, was burned at the stake in Vienna. The Reformation was in full bloom, but the Anabaptists, who had preceded the Reformers, were to be disillusioned at every turn. Rather than finding compatriots in the battle for truth, our Anabaptist forefathers discovered that they were in a pincers movement with Rome on one side and the Reformers on the other. Rather than being considered colleagues, the Anabaptists discovered that the Reformers looked upon them as combatants.

On November 30, 1525, the following proclamation against the Anabaptists was published in Zurich by the Zwinglians: ‘Therefore, we ordain, and it is our will, that henceforth all men, women, young men, and maidens, abstain from repbatism, and from this time practice it no more; and that they bring their children to be baptized. For whosoever shall act contrary to this public order, shall, as often as it occurs, be punished by a fine…and if any shall be altogether rebellious, they shall be dealt with severely…”

Five years later, harsher measures were adopted and proclaimed, and the death penalty was assured…The Anabaptists became the target of such inhuman abuses as defy description from both Rome and the Reformers…

As children of God, we cannot harbor malice within our hearts. The attitude of God’s children is to be that exhibited by Stephen in his martyrdom. He cried out, ‘Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.’ However, when we consider the price that our Baptist forefathers have paid to provide us the freedom to worship God according to His precious Word and the dictates of our own hearts, we are faced with the wonderful legacy of truth that is ours. We dare not carelessly dissipate truth by amalgamation with error. Only ingratitude could allow us to enter into ecumenical endeavors of the day. Surely we must stand in a position of separation unto God and away from error…Let us thank the Lord for our heritage of holiness.”

As a child, I remember regularly attending a midweek church program that was called “JOY Club”. The “JOY” in JOY Club was an acronym that stood for “Jesus” first, “Others” second, “You” last. Our theme song expressed this simple truth:

“Jesus And Others Then You;

What A Wonderful Way To Spell Joy!

Jesus And Others Then You;

In The Life Of Each Girl And Each Boy.

J Is For Jesus, For He Has First Place;

O Is For Others We Meet Face To Face.

Y Is For You In Whatever You Do;

Put Yourself Third And Spell Joy.”

This simply stated truth may seem basic, yet it is life-transforming, joy-producing, and Christ-exalting when put into practice!  

In 3 John, the Apostle John was writing to a “wellbeloved Gaius” who was commended for walking in the truth. John said that he found “no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (v. 4). Whoever Gaius was, he was an exemplary Christian. At the end of the letter, John also commended a man by the name of Demetrius who had a “good report of all men, and of truth itself” (v. 12). Demetrius’s righteous actions testified of his right relationship with God. These two men clearly had a “Jesus first, others second, me last” attitude.

However, in 3 John, there is a third man that is mentioned by the name of Diotrephes. This man flipped the acronym of “JOY” on its head. Rather, than Jesus being first and others being second, Diotrephes had a me-first attitude. Verse 9 says that he “loveth to have the preeminence.” In other words, Diotrephes desired to have first place in the church. Diotrephes obviously had an inflated view of himself, and this was manifested in his slandering of the Apostle John and his fellow workers. Diotrephes had assumed an authority that did not belong to him and through his selfish pride ended up injuring the church instead of helping the church.

Every single Christian has the potential to become a “Diotrephes” if pride is not kept in check. Every Christian must resist the spirit of “Diotrephes.” We must not allow the hunger for power to creep into our hearts. Rather, we must adopt the mind of Christ which teaches us to be “lowly minded” not “high minded.” We must adopt the mind of Christ which teaches us to “esteem other[s] better than” ourselves. We must adopt the attitude of Christ who “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant.” We must remember the words of Christ who said “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mk. 9:35). This is true greatness. True greatness is not found by having a “me-first” attitude. Rather, it is having a “God-first, others-second, me-last” attitude.  May God help us resist the spirit of “Diotrephes” and may we remember the path to true joy is found in putting Jesus first, others second, and self as last and servant of all.

~Pastor Aaron Francis

*This is the final post in a series of posts emphasizing the importance of the Lord’s Day in the life of the Christian. If you missed any of the previous posts, please check out the links below:

Part 1: The Biblical Basis for the Lord’s Day

Part 2: The Neglect of the Lord’s Day

Part 3: Why We Need the Lord’s Day

Part 4: Making the Most of the Lord’s Day (Pt. 1)

Sunday is not just another day of the week for the Christian. Instead, it is set apart as ‘the Lord’s Day’! It is a special day in which Christians gather to worship their risen Savior!

In this final post, I want to share a few more ways to make the most of the Lord’s Day:

Prepare Ahead of Time

Years ago, somebody made a comment to me in a passing conversation that has stuck with me through the years. They said: “Sunday worship begins on Saturday night”. This simple statement stuck with me and has helped shape how I prepare for worship on the Lord’s Day. While this is not a hard and fast rule, it is a very helpful piece of advice. When I began treating Saturday night as preparation for Sunday worship, I immediately saw the benefits in my own life and in the life of my family.

For our family, that looks like setting out church clothes the night before, preparing breakfast the night before, and going to bed early. Doing this simple routine has saved us time in the morning, has made Sunday morning less stressful, and has helped us be alert and awake during the worship service.

Come Early, Stay Late

Coming to church 15 minutes before the service begins and sticking around 15 minutes after the service ends will help you get so much more out of the church service. Coming early will give you the opportunity to greet others in the church, find your seat, and prepare your heart and mind to worship the King of kings. It is near impossible to frantically rush into church just as it is starting (or a few minutes after) and give God the undivided attention that He deserves. By coming early, you are able to get situated, focus your mind, and be prepared to worship God. Coming early and staying late will provide greater fellowship opportunities, service opportunities, and will allow you to have a heart prepared for worship!

Make Church Attendance a Priority

Growing up, I never had to wonder whether our family was going to church on Sunday! If the church doors were open, we were at church- no debate & no discussion! Obviously, there was the rare exception when we were sick or out of town. Other than the rare exceptions, church attendance was the normal and expected modus operandi for our family.

Now that I am an adult, I have sought to set the same example before my own children. One lesson I want my children to learn is that church is a matter of conviction, not a matter of convenience. It is a matter of obedience to God’s Word: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10:25)

It has been well-stated that: “Church should be the believer’s excuse for missing everything else.” Think of the message Christians send to the world, when they prioritize being in church on Sunday! They could be in a hundred other places doing a hundred other things- yet they choose to gather with the saints on the Lord’s Day (every week). Why? Because Jesus is worthy! By gathering with the saints, we recognize our need of Christ, we show our love for Christ’s Church, and we display Christ’s sovereign authority over our lives!

Come as a Participant (Not a Spectator)

Corporate worship is NOT a spectator event- it is NOT entertainment or a performance. Rather, true corporate worship requires participation from all believers who have gathered for worship.

This involves participating in congregational singing (this is an opportunity to offer up to God the sacrifice of praise). Lift up your voice and sing out to your King!

This involves listening attentively (seeking to be a fruitful hearer) to the reading of Scripture and the preaching of God’s Word. God speaks to us through His Word, and we ought to listen!

This also involves not just listening, but responding to the Word that has been sung, spoken, read, and preached. Determine to respond to God every time you hear the Word of God proclaimed!

Strive to be a participant, not a spectator!

Invite a Friend

Recently, I came across an eye-opening statistic that reveals that the #1 reason why most people visit a church is through a personal invitation from people they know and trust (i.e., family and friends). Consider the statistics:
“Why do people start attending a church?”

2% by Advertisement
6% by the Pastoral Invitation
6% by organized evangelism campaign
86% by friends or relatives

If you love and appreciate your church, then invite a friend or relative to join you for a service!

Disciples make disciples! A great opportunity to introduce your friends and family to Christ is to invite them to a church service. Think of how special the Lord’s Day could be if you had a row of people who were there because you cared enough for their souls to invite them to church where they could hear the Word of God and be transformed by it!

May we take to heart these principles, prioritize the Lord’s Day, and seek to give Lord the preeminence He deserves!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

*This post is part of a series of posts emphasizing the importance of the Lord’s Day in the life of the Christian. If you missed part 1, click here to read: The Biblical Basis for the Lord’s Day

If you missed part 2, click here to read: The Neglect of the Lord’s Day

If you missed part 3, click here to read: Why We Need the Lord’s Day

The most important event of the week is connected with the most important event of history- the resurrection of Jesus Christ! Every week, the redeemed saints of God gather on the Lord’s Day (Sunday) to commemorate the fact that Jesus rose again on the first day of the week. We gather to worship the Risen Savior Jesus Christ!  

For the Christian, the Lord’s Day ought to be the most important day of the week! It ought to be a day that is anticipated, prepared for, and prioritized. Why is it so important? Consider the following:

On the Lord’s Day…We gather to participate in the most important activity (worship)…Our worship is directed to the most important Person (Jesus)…We worship Jesus in light of the most important doctrine (His Death & Resurrection)…We gather in the most important place (the local church)…And we strive to worship Christ in accordance with the most important Book (the Bible)!

So how can a Christian make the most of the Lord’s Day and reflect its importance in their life?

Consider some practical suggestions:

Prepare your heart ahead of time

*Come with a prayerful heart. Ask God to prepare your heart, your mind, and your will to respond to God in worship.

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)

*Come with a clean heart. Take time to deal with unconfessed sin in your life. One of the greatest hindrances to worshipping God is unconfessed sin. Learn to keep short accounts with God. Deal with sin quickly and thoroughly.

“Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:3-4)

*Come with a teachable heart. Come with your Bible and a notepad. Resist prideful thoughts (“I’ve heard all this before” or “I already know the Bible”). Instead come with humility before God’s Word. You may be surprised at what you can learn (even from passages you’ve heard preached on many times) if you will come with the right attitude.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

*Come with a moldable heart. Come expecting God to work in your life and change you. Ask God to renew your mind, change your heart, and transform your life.

“Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” (Psalm 86:11)

*Come with a servant’s heart. Resist a consumeristic mindset of church- “What’s in it for me?” or “What will I get out of church?” Instead come with a heart to serve and to give. Ask- “Who can I be an encouragement to?”; “How can I use my spiritual gifts to serve others today?” Don’t come merely to receive a blessing, come to be a blessing. 

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Phil. 2:4)

*Come with a reverent heart. You are not only entering the presence of a king, but the very King of Kings! Come prepared for a ‘meeting with the King’! Biblical worship should not be marked by a flippant or casual approach to God.  

“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” (Psalm 89:7)

*In the next post, we will look at some more ways to make the most of the Lord’s Day…

~Pastor Aaron Francis

*This post is part of a series of posts emphasizing the importance of the Lord’s Day in the life of the Christian. If you missed part 1, click here to read: The Biblical Basis for the Lord’s Day

If you missed part 2, click here to read: The Neglect of the Lord’s Day

In the last post, I highlighted the growing neglect of the Lord’s Day within American culture. Sadly, many view and treat Sunday as a ‘second Saturday’ (for hobbies, chores, sports, and personal pursuits). Yet, it is important to be reminded that Sunday is not ‘your day’ but the ‘Lord’s Day’. For the Christian, the Lord’s Day is both a delight (Ps. 122:1) and a duty (Heb. 10:25).

In this post, I want to answer the question: Why do we need the Lord’s Day? In other words, why do we need the weekly rhythm of assembling with the saints, hearing the Word, and worshipping Christ in the context of the local church? Is it really that important?

I would strongly argue that ‘YES’ it is vitally important in the Christian life. Nothing can replace a week in and week out commitment to gathering with your local church. NOTHING! Not listening to sermons on the internet, not reading good Christian books, not listening to Christian podcasts. All those things can be helpful and spiritually edifying, yet none of them should ever been seen as a replacement of or an equivalent to weekly fellowship with God’s people in the local church.

Do you want to be physically strong? Then try getting in physical shape by working out once a month (or a few times a year)! As much as we wish it worked that way, the reality is that it doesn’t. Getting in physical shape takes a regular, week in and week out commitment to physical training. And the same principle applies in the spiritual realm. Nothing will strengthen a believer as much or as quickly as the weekly rhythm of corporate worship in the local church.

Consider 7 reasons why you and your family need to gather with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day (in no particular order):

• It protects you from a self-centered and narcissistic lifestyle and calls you to a life of selfless service. The New Testament is full of ‘one another’ commands that are to be lived out in the context of the local church. Gathering with the church reminds you of your God-given responsibilities to other believers and protects you from becoming self-centered (which is our default position).
• It helps keep your sinful nature in check. In a Bible-preaching church, sin is regularly confronted, and believers are regularly called to a holy life. If your church is a Bible-preaching church, you will not be comfortable living in sin and attending it at the same time. Rather, a Biblical church will call people to repentance and to a holy life on a regular basis protecting you from going down a path of destruction.
• It will strengthen your marriage and family life. Couples and families that attend church regularly will be equipped with timeless principles from God’s Word to help order their homes in a God-glorifying way. Regularly gathering with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day also teaches your children the value and priority of the local church. It has been said that: “When church becomes optional to you, it will become unnecessary to your children.”
• It provides godly accountability and mutual encouragement. The Christian life is designed to be lived in the context of a community of believers. We must resist the temptation to adopt an individualistic ‘lone-ranger’ style of Christianity. Rather, God has ordained the local church to play a vital role in your life and you will miss out on its crucial benefits if you choose to neglect it.
• It aids in sanctification. This is one of the chief benefits of weekly fellowship in the local church- the preaching of the Word, fellowship of the saints, worship of God, sacrificial giving, prayer, partaking in ordinances- all have a vital part in the sanctifying and maturing of our faith.
• It surrounds you with support. Being around other believers on a weekly basis provides regular spiritual support- through prayer, encouragement, comfort, and fellowship. Everyone has seasons of life when they need others to lift them up in times of difficulty. Gathering with the saints on the Lord’s Day surrounds you with the regular spiritual support of a faith family that cares for you.
• It protects you from being “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Eph. 4:14). I have found that some of most spiritually naïve Christians are those who are not committed to the weekly fellowship of the saints. Spiritual wolves go after sheep that are far from the Shepherd and far from the flock. The internet is full of strange heresies and deceptive teachings that are turning people from the truth. The local church is an extra measure of spiritual protection for you and your family in an age of increasing apostasy.

Many more reasons could be given about the importance of gathering with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day on a weekly basis! Let me encourage you this week (and every week) to gather with the Lord’s people on the Lord’s Day!

~Pastor Aaron Francis

*This post is part of a series of posts emphasizing the importance of the Lord’s Day in the life of the Christian. If you missed part 1, click here to read: The Biblical Basis for the Lord’s Day

It’s been stated that “An empty tomb proves Christianity; an empty church denies it.”

Based on statistics compiled by churchtrac.com, “There has been a significant decline in church attendance since the turn of the 21st century… The chart below made with data from Gallup’s recent survey illustrates the trend”:

(Source: https://www.churchtrac.com/articles/the-state-of-church-attendance-trends-and-statistics-2023)

According to these statistics, 20% of Americans attend church every week, down from 32% in 2000.

This drop in church attendance is not just being seen in America but is also being seen in the United Kingdom and Canada.  

While the purpose of this post is not to address the reasons behind the decline of church attendance in the West, it is clear that the rise of secularism and “wokeism” has been a major factor.

As Christians, we are not to allow ourselves to “be…conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). The Christian must be unceasingly vigilant in resisting the world’s encroachments into their life.

As the culture grows increasingly secular, Christians must resist the temptation to become secularized in their thinking and living.

For many people in our culture, they work for the weekend! They can’t wait for Friday to come when they can clock out of the workplace and enjoy the weekend. For most people, Sunday is just a ‘second Saturday’- there is no inclination or thought of giving up their precious time to go to church!

It does not surprise me when unsaved people don’t go to church. Why would they? An unregenerate heart does not delight in the things of God! Church is seen as a burden rather than a blessing. It is viewed as an inconvenience, a bore, and a waste of time.

It is the sign of a regenerate heart to desire (1 Peter 2:2) and delight (Romans 7:22) in the things of God. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It is a tragedy when the secularization of culture infects the church. One evidence of the infection of secularism amongst Christians is the growing disregard for the Lord’s Day. A growing trend amongst professing Christians is to treat the Lord’s Day as a ‘second Saturday’ to squeeze in hobbies, chores, shopping, sleep, sports often at the expense of church attendance. For too many, church attendance has become a matter of convenience, rather than a matter of conviction.

These disturbing trends are merely symptoms of the infection of secularism in churches across America.

Every Sunday, Christians have a God-given opportunity to devote one day of the week to celebrate the resurrection of the Savior. Christ gave His very life for us, can we not at least set apart one day a week totally devoted to His worship? Christians are commanded to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. That refers to the corporate gathering of saints in the context of the local church for worship, service, edification, and fellowship. A Christian is hindering their spiritual growth and walking in disobedience to their Lord when they neglect assembling with the local church.

Hebrews 10:25- “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

The Lord’s Day (all of it) belongs to the Lord! Christ deserves the first and the best that we can offer which includes giving Him the first day of week set aside for worship and devotion in the context of the local church!

There are 365 days in a year- Can you imagine the spiritual impact in your life and in the life of your family if you devoted 52 of those days totally to worshipping Christ, sitting under the preaching of the Word, and enjoying the spiritual edification of Christian fellowship?

~Pastor Aaron Francis

By: Mrs. Leo R. Goodwin

*This poem is historical fiction depicting a Roman soldier’s perspective on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. 

I loved Him not—and yet, I could not hate Him.

I was a Roman…He was but a Jew.

Yet, there He hung, and agonized for others.

Was ever love of MAN so pure and true?

Upon the cross between two thieves they hung Him.

(And now, my stylus falters as I write—

For I must stand and see His awful anguish;

Must watch the daytime turn to darkest night.)

One thief cried out, ‘If Thou be Lord, then save us!’

The other looked at Him with glazing eyes,

And said, ‘Remember me, Lord, in Thy kingdom’

Christ said, ‘Today, thou’lt be in Paradise’.

The hours dragged on; yet there He hung suspended

‘Twixt Heaven and earth. Ah, ‘twas an awful sight!

I’d seen such sights before– I was a soldier—

Yet ne’er before did day become as night.

For three long hours the darkness lay around us;

The rocks were rent and lightning flashed around.

One called, ‘The veil is rent within the Temple!’

And saints rose from their graves within the ground.

I dared not look…The sky grew darker, darker—

Until it seemed like midnight all around…

And then I cried out, ‘Stop my ears, O Father!’

For I had heard His blood drip to the ground.

They said to me, ‘Go pierce His side, proud Roman.’

But ah…my spear hung heavy at my side—

For once more He had cried out to His Father.

I would that in His place I might have died!

I could not thrust..and so they called another.

The blood and water poured out from His side.

The people smote their breasts and left Golgotha.

I knew then that it was THE CHRIST who died.

His seamless coat lay folded on the ground there.

(They said the lot had fallen unto me.)

With reverent, trembling hands I touched its border,

Then placed it where no human eye could see.

The day grew old. The thieves’ legs had been broken;

And men came now to take our Lord away…

More worthy lips than mine shall tell the story

Of how Christ rose that Resurrection Day.

*Over the next few weeks, I want to post a series of articles on the importance of the Lord’s Day in the life of the Christian.

I want to begin this series of posts with more of an apologetic (defense) for worshipping on Sunday. While this is by no means an exhaustive study, I intend to clearly and concisely give a basic overview answering the question: Why do Christians worship on Sunday? Is it based on Scripture or is based on the traditions of men?

Refuting Erroneous Accusations

There is a common accusation that Constantine the Great (Roman Emperor in the 4th Century) changed the day of Christian worship from Saturday (Jewish Sabbath) to Sunday.

Yet, a study of Scripture and early church history reveals that this accusation is simply NOT true!

It is true that Constantine in 321 AD made Sunday the official day of rest for the Roman Empire. Constantine decreed, “On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed” (Codex Justinianus lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 380, note 1). Constantine was merely adopting for the Roman Empire what Christians had already been doing for nearly two and a half centuries before that.

The early church adopted Sunday as their day of worship long before Constantine was ever around- Worshipping on Sunday was based on the resurrection of Christ NOT on a decision by Constantine.

A Biblical Basis

Mark 16:9 says- “Jesus was risen early the first day of the week” (also see Mt. 28:1; Lk. 24:1; Jn. 20:19). On the first day of the week, Jesus rose triumphantly from the grave. The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ has been referred to as “the crowning proof of Christianity”. Without the resurrection, our “faith is vain” and we are “yet in [our] sins” (1 Cor. 15:17). But thanks be to God that on the first day of the week, “God raised him from the dead” (Acts 13:30).

The early Christians during the apostolic era of the church worshipped God on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2) in commemoration of the Lord’s resurrection on Sunday. Though we find Paul going into the Jewish synagogues on the sabbath, his purpose was always evangelistic- to preach Christ to the Jews. Nowhere do we find the saints gathering to worship on the seventh day sabbath, but rather, on Sunday. In Rev. 1:10, John refers to Sunday as “the Lord’s Day”. Everyday belongs to God, yet the Lord’s Day is elevated above the rest as one that is to be totally set apart for the purpose of worshipping the Lord with other believers (Heb. 10:25).

Historical Confirmation

While history is not our final authority (only God’s Word is), it is helpful to understand history to know how churches operated following the time of the apostles and to refute to claim that Sunday worship was invented by Constantine in the fourth century. History shows that Christians were worshipping on Sunday as their weekly day of worship long before Constantine.

Consider a few quotes from early church Christians:

The Epistle of Barnabas (about A.D. 100) — “Wherefore, also we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead.”

Ignatius (d., A.D. 110)- “Let us no longer keep the sabbath after the Jewish manner…but keep it after a spiritual manner…let every friend of Christ keep the Lord’s Day, the resurrection day, the queen and chief of all days…”

Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-A.D. 165) – “And on the day called Sunday all who live in cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read. … But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day of the week on which God … made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.”

Irenaeus (A.D. 130-A.D. 202)- “The Mystery of the Lord’s Resurrection may not be celebrated on any other day than the Lord’s Day, and on this alone should we observe the breaking off of the Paschal Feast.”

Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 150-A.D. 215) — “He, in fulfillment of the precept, according to the gospel, keeps the Lord’s Day … glorifying the Lord’s resurrection in himself.”

Tertullian (A.D. 155-A.D. 220)- “…to [us] Sabbaths are strange and fulfilled…we worship on the Lord’s day of resurrection.”; “We solemnize the day after Saturday in contradiction to those who call this day their sabbath.”

Eusebius (A.D. 260-A.D. 340)- “…the sabbath has been transferred to Sunday.”

Every Sunday is ‘Resurrection Sunday’ for the New Testament Church! Every Sunday we gather for worship we are commemorating the fact that we serve a Risen Savior who triumphed over grave on the first day of the week! Let us honor Christ by honoring the Lord’s Day! Let us set it apart as a special day to worship our Risen Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!

~Pastor Aaron Francis