WORSHIP OF THE LORD'S CHURCH IS ON THE LORD'S DAY

February 1, 1991 Issue
by Barney Owens

There was never a question of when to worship among the early disciples. Even when some would abandon the Lord's Day for the former manner of worship which was upon the Sabbath Day, it was not a question of when Christians should worship. When the writer suggested "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" all Christians, former Christians and even aliens acquainted with the practice of Christians knew exactly what he had in mind.

The Lord's Day is named in Rev 1:10 and in that place it is not the common word used for "lord," rather a term unique to Jesus Christ.  This we learn by comparing the word as found only one other time in the New Testament where it is used in connection with the supper which Jesus set forth in the world, called the "Lord's Supper" (I Cor 11:20).

Again there was never a question among followers of Christ. It was on the first day of the week that they assembled to eat the supper, called the "breaking of bread" (Acts 20:7; I Cor 10:16-17); or "communion of the body and blood of Christ" (I Cor 10:16-17; Acts 20:7). As each "supped" he recalled the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins, the Son of God bending down in humiliation for our many transgressions (I Cor 11:23-25). How lovingly we remember our Savior. How kind was he to unite all creation under one blood bought covenant (Mt 26:28). But the sadness of that time fills each heart with joy, as we as well, recall the jubilation of his grave having been opened to release to the world a Lord who has thrust off the crown thorns to take his throne and rules in the hearts and lives of all people who will bow the knee to him. Coming again someday he shall claim his own ( 1 Cor 11:26). We eat on the first day, we call it with inspiration The Lord's Day!

Matthew, Mark and Luke all inform us that Christ resurrected on the First Day Of The Week. Evil men had captured him, the government had condemned him in mockery, soldiers were sent to guard him, death had bound him, but these together could not hold him, judge him, contain him, or keep him subdued. At the appointed time the day dawned anew because of him. On that first day of the week, a door was opened for us all, a new week of our existence before God. Until the time Christ ascended to the Father, to reign as Lord of all lords and King of all kings, he met on sundry occasions with the disciples assuring them of all the promises of God, spoken by Moses, the prophets, and written in the psalms were in him fulfilled.

In a previous article in this series it has been established by the Word of God that such was the case (Pentecost always coming on the first day Acts 2:1). Thus on this day men received the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38) and were by their compliance with the inspired word, added to the church -- The Lord's Church! It is interesting as well that the breaking of bread was something they were instructed in and steadfastly continued in (Acts 2:42). So, they ate the Lord's Supper as members of the Lord's Church. By the triumph of Christ they had become the victors over sin and began a new life. It was The Lord's Day -- they were members of The Lord's Church -- and were privileged to eat The Lord's Supper!

Sometimes a Christian will inquire: "Do I have to assemble on the Lord's Day?" My reply is (under such circumstances) "No, you don't have to." That might strike you odd. But if our attitude of worshipping God by remembering our Savior's glory is a "have to" thing we have missed the point entirely. His day has become Israel's kings: "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we rejoice and be glad in it." Look carefully at the verses surrounding this statement and you'll find it speaks of the blessings obtained in Christ's resurrection, therefore, pointedly by the first day of the week -- The Lord's Day.

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