Is there a reason most Christians worship on Sunday?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The New Testament does not give a specific day on which believers must worship. In fact, the early church habitually gathered throughout the week (Acts 2:46). Historically, after Stephen’s stoning (Acts 7), Christianity spread considerably, and the tradition of gathering on a Sunday to worship emerged. Additionally, Paul is recorded to have preached “on the first day of the week” an especially long sermon that lasted until midnight (Acts 20:7). Paul’s first letter to believers in Corinth indicates that offerings were to be set aside by believers on the “first day of every week” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Also, Paul explained in Colossians 2:16-17 that believers find their rest in Christ, not on a specific day (he mentions “Sabbath”). But most Christians today worship on a Sunday because it marks the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead (Matthew 28:1-6).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament establishes the Sabbath (Saturday) as a sign of the Mosaic Covenant with Israel (Exodus 20:8–11; Exodus 31:16–17), but it never commands or anticipates a future Sunday worship day.
• What it does point toward is a coming, greater rest fulfilled in God’s redemptive work (Genesis 2:2–3; Isaiah 66:22–23), which prepares the theological groundwork for worship centered not on a day—but on what God has done, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament does not emphasize a particular day or time when Christians must gather for worship. In fact, the early church in Jerusalem gathered daily (Acts 2:46), which included small home gatherings as well as larger groups (usually in the temple courts for the Jerusalem Christians). The emphasis was not on the day or place but rather on the resurrection of Jesus.
• It appears the tradition of gathering on Sundays emerged after Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7). Believers scattered to other areas as Christianity rapidly spread, and it seems likely that the tradition of gathering on the first day of the week emerged.
• Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday, the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1-6). As a result, the early believers began celebrating together, usually with communion, on Sundays as part of their tradition (Acts 20:7). Today, this is why Christians generally gather for worship on Sunday.
• The book of Acts records Paul giving sermon on a Sunday evening that lasted until midnight: "On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight" (Acts 20:7).
• Since an offering took place on the first day of each week, it is also most likely this occurred when these Christians had gathered together for worship. First Corinthians 16:2 says, "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come." Interestingly, this letter was written around AD 51, only about 20 years following the resurrection.
• In explaining to believers in Colossae how Christ fulfilled all the demands of the Law, Paul indicates that our rest is not in a day, but in Christ: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2:16-17).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As Christianity began to include many non-Jews, the Sabbath observance became less of a focus (Colossians 2:16-17). When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in the fourth century, Sunday became the official day of worship. Some writings during this time described it as a replacement of the Sabbath, becoming a sort of Sabbath for Christians. This practice continued throughout church history, including during the period of the Protestant Reformation. Many businesses were also closed on Sunday in respect for those who participated in church worship, a practice some businesses continue today. While Scripture does not command Sunday or any day as the particular day for worship, Christians have gathered on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus since the earliest period of the church, a practice most Christians continue today.

UNDERSTAND

• Christ was resurrected on Sunday, which is why many believers worship on Sunday.
• Believers have their Sabbath day rest in Christ, which is not confined to a particular day.
• The early church met throughout the week, including Sunday.

REFLECT

• How do you prepare your mind and heart for worship, whether on Sunday or any other day?
• How does having a dedicated day for worship impact your spiritual readiness to worship?
• What are some spiritual differences between your private worship time and your worship with fellow believers?

ENGAGE

• What are some ways believers can engage with those who firmly adhere to Saturday as the official day of worship (e.g., Seventh-Day Adventists)?
• How can churches encourage believers to think of communal worship as an activity that goes beyond one day?
• How is Christ our Sabbath Day rest?