Is worship on Sunday of pagan influence?
Introduction. The full question reads: "Was Sunday changed to get more people who worshipped the sun to change from Saturday or the seventh day?" There are those who contend that worship on Sunday is strictly of human origin and, as such, is unauthorized by God.
The Sabbath and the first day of the week. The Bible student is aware that the Hebrew scriptures containing the law or system God gave to the Jews emphasized the Sabbath, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20: 8). The Jew could and could not do certain things on this day; we call it Saturday (Ex. 20: 9 ff.). The New Testament emphasis is on the first day of the week (see Acts 20: 7). It must be remembered that the New Testament, the will of Jesus Christ, has fulfilled and superseded the Law of Moses (2 Cor. 3; Heb. 8, 9).
The first day of the week. Jesus arose from the dead on the first day of the week (the day we call Sunday, Matt. 28: 1 ff). According to careful computation, the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit, the official beginning of the apostolic work, on the first day of the week (Acts 2). It was on this day that the gospel was first preached in its fullness, God's ultimate plan for salvation and remission was enjoyed by the obedient, the last days began, Jesus "began" His reign, and the Lord's church was established (Acts 2). The early Christians met on the first day to worship (long before some claim man changed the day (Acts 20: 7) They also gave of their means into the treasury on this day (1 Cor. 16: 1-2).
Conclusion. The sabbath is peculiar to the Law of Moses. The first day of the week (Sunday) is the day of special significance to the Christian. Moreover, the Christian is not bound or governed by the Law of Moses as such (although many commands from the law have been restated under the NT).
The Sabbath and the first day of the week. The Bible student is aware that the Hebrew scriptures containing the law or system God gave to the Jews emphasized the Sabbath, "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Ex. 20: 8). The Jew could and could not do certain things on this day; we call it Saturday (Ex. 20: 9 ff.). The New Testament emphasis is on the first day of the week (see Acts 20: 7). It must be remembered that the New Testament, the will of Jesus Christ, has fulfilled and superseded the Law of Moses (2 Cor. 3; Heb. 8, 9).
The first day of the week. Jesus arose from the dead on the first day of the week (the day we call Sunday, Matt. 28: 1 ff). According to careful computation, the apostles were baptized in the Holy Spirit, the official beginning of the apostolic work, on the first day of the week (Acts 2). It was on this day that the gospel was first preached in its fullness, God's ultimate plan for salvation and remission was enjoyed by the obedient, the last days began, Jesus "began" His reign, and the Lord's church was established (Acts 2). The early Christians met on the first day to worship (long before some claim man changed the day (Acts 20: 7) They also gave of their means into the treasury on this day (1 Cor. 16: 1-2).
Conclusion. The sabbath is peculiar to the Law of Moses. The first day of the week (Sunday) is the day of special significance to the Christian. Moreover, the Christian is not bound or governed by the Law of Moses as such (although many commands from the law have been restated under the NT).