Why Do We Gather On Sunday?
Have you ever asked, Why do we do what we do as a church? Why do we gather on Sunday? Why do we sing? Why do we take the Lord’s Supper? Why do we give? Why do we serve? These aren’t just traditions we follow—they are deeply rooted in Scripture and essential to our faith.
In this new MDWK series, “Reasons Why,” we’ll explore the biblical foundations behind what we do as a church and why it matters. When we know the reasons behind our practices, we don’t just go through the motions—we engage with purpose.
The first “why” that I want to address concerns our Sunday gatherings. For centuries, Christians have gathered on Sundays to worship, hear God’s Word, and encourage one another. But why this specific day? The answer is rooted in Scripture, church history, and the significance of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Biblical Foundation
The most important reason the church gathers on Sunday is that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). His resurrection is the foundation of our faith (1 Corinthians 15:17), and the early church quickly recognized Sunday as a day set apart for worship.
Acts 20:7 provides a clear example: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” This passage shows that Christians were meeting on Sundays for worship and communion. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul instructs the believers to set aside offerings on the first day of the week, indicating that Sunday had become a regular day for Christian gatherings.
Additionally, in Revelation 1:10, John refers to “the Lord’s Day,” a term that the early church understood as a reference to Sunday. This was not merely a new sabbath but a day set apart to celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.
The Shift from the Sabbath to Sunday
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people observed the Sabbath on the seventh day (Saturday), as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). However, Jesus fulfilled the law and introduced a new covenant. Instead of continuing the Jewish Sabbath, the early Christians, many of whom were Jewish, began worshiping on Sunday. This shift did not come from a rejection of the Sabbath’s significance but from the recognition that Christ’s resurrection inaugurated a new creation.
Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of His resurrection day by appearing to His disciples on multiple Sundays (John 20:19, 26). The Holy Spirit was also poured out on Pentecost, which fell on a Sunday (Acts 2). The weight of these events reinforced the significance of the first day of the week for Christian worship.
The Early Church’s Practice
Historical records confirm that Sunday worship was the norm in the early church. In the early second century, Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “Those who have come to the possession of a new hope no longer observe the Sabbath, but live in observance of the Lord’s Day.” Likewise, Justin Martyr (A.D. 100–165) described Christian worship occurring on Sundays, emphasizing its connection to the resurrection.
Why It Still Matters
Today, gathering on Sunday continues to be a vital part of the Christian faith. Understanding why the church gathers on Sunday should shape how we approach worship, community, and spiritual priorities.
First, it should remind us that corporate worship is not just a tradition but a response to the resurrection of Christ. Gathering with other believers each Sunday is an act of obedience, gratitude, and renewal as we set aside time to remember the gospel and encourage one another.
Second, Sunday should be a day of rest and worship, not just another weekend activity. While Christians are not under Old Testament Sabbath laws, we should still see the Lord’s Day as an opportunity to reset our hearts and focus on eternal things. Prioritizing worship over leisure or work demonstrates that Christ is central to our lives.
Finally, gathering on Sunday should fuel our daily walk with Christ. What happens in church—hearing God’s Word, partaking in the Lord’s Supper, praying together—should overflow into our personal devotion and witness throughout the week. The Lord’s Day is not the end of our worship but the launch point for a life lived for God’s glory.
In a culture that often treats Sunday as just another day, Christians should see it as a sacred opportunity to rejoice in Christ’s victory, build up the church, and anticipate the ultimate gathering in His presence when He returns.
With all that being said, I’ll see you this Sunday on the Lord’s Day!
In this new MDWK series, “Reasons Why,” we’ll explore the biblical foundations behind what we do as a church and why it matters. When we know the reasons behind our practices, we don’t just go through the motions—we engage with purpose.
The first “why” that I want to address concerns our Sunday gatherings. For centuries, Christians have gathered on Sundays to worship, hear God’s Word, and encourage one another. But why this specific day? The answer is rooted in Scripture, church history, and the significance of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Biblical Foundation
The most important reason the church gathers on Sunday is that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1). His resurrection is the foundation of our faith (1 Corinthians 15:17), and the early church quickly recognized Sunday as a day set apart for worship.
Acts 20:7 provides a clear example: “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” This passage shows that Christians were meeting on Sundays for worship and communion. Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul instructs the believers to set aside offerings on the first day of the week, indicating that Sunday had become a regular day for Christian gatherings.
Additionally, in Revelation 1:10, John refers to “the Lord’s Day,” a term that the early church understood as a reference to Sunday. This was not merely a new sabbath but a day set apart to celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.
The Shift from the Sabbath to Sunday
In the Old Testament, the Jewish people observed the Sabbath on the seventh day (Saturday), as commanded in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). However, Jesus fulfilled the law and introduced a new covenant. Instead of continuing the Jewish Sabbath, the early Christians, many of whom were Jewish, began worshiping on Sunday. This shift did not come from a rejection of the Sabbath’s significance but from the recognition that Christ’s resurrection inaugurated a new creation.
Jesus Himself demonstrated the importance of His resurrection day by appearing to His disciples on multiple Sundays (John 20:19, 26). The Holy Spirit was also poured out on Pentecost, which fell on a Sunday (Acts 2). The weight of these events reinforced the significance of the first day of the week for Christian worship.
The Early Church’s Practice
Historical records confirm that Sunday worship was the norm in the early church. In the early second century, Ignatius of Antioch wrote, “Those who have come to the possession of a new hope no longer observe the Sabbath, but live in observance of the Lord’s Day.” Likewise, Justin Martyr (A.D. 100–165) described Christian worship occurring on Sundays, emphasizing its connection to the resurrection.
Why It Still Matters
Today, gathering on Sunday continues to be a vital part of the Christian faith. Understanding why the church gathers on Sunday should shape how we approach worship, community, and spiritual priorities.
First, it should remind us that corporate worship is not just a tradition but a response to the resurrection of Christ. Gathering with other believers each Sunday is an act of obedience, gratitude, and renewal as we set aside time to remember the gospel and encourage one another.
Second, Sunday should be a day of rest and worship, not just another weekend activity. While Christians are not under Old Testament Sabbath laws, we should still see the Lord’s Day as an opportunity to reset our hearts and focus on eternal things. Prioritizing worship over leisure or work demonstrates that Christ is central to our lives.
Finally, gathering on Sunday should fuel our daily walk with Christ. What happens in church—hearing God’s Word, partaking in the Lord’s Supper, praying together—should overflow into our personal devotion and witness throughout the week. The Lord’s Day is not the end of our worship but the launch point for a life lived for God’s glory.
In a culture that often treats Sunday as just another day, Christians should see it as a sacred opportunity to rejoice in Christ’s victory, build up the church, and anticipate the ultimate gathering in His presence when He returns.
With all that being said, I’ll see you this Sunday on the Lord’s Day!
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