Why does the Christian Church observe the first day of the week as the Lord's Day or Christian Sabbath?

1. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Christ died for the sin of the world and then he rose again. All four evangelists record the fact that the resurrection took place on the first day of the week. By His resurrection He demonstrated the completion of His work of redemption. The Jewish Sabbath commemorated the completion of God's work of creation. The Christian Sabbath also commemorates the completion of Christ's work of redemption.

2. Jesus' first appearance to a gathered group of disciples was on the first day of the week. Ten disciples were gathered together in the Upper Room and he appeared in the midst of the assembled group. The Lord of the Sabbath expounded the Lord's Word to the Lord's people on the Lord's Day (John 20:19).

3. Jesus' second appearance to the gathered group of disciples was on the following first day of the week. The disciples may have gathered on other days during that week, but any such meetings are not recorded in the Bible and the Lord reserved His next visit to them until the first day of the week (John 20:26).

4. The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples on the Day of Pentecost which was the first day of the week. Jesus Christ who is the Lord of the Sabbath said that He would send His Spirit and the Spirit came on the first day of the week. This was the birthday of the Christian Church and three thousand people were converted on that day.

5. The early Christians met for worship on the first day of the week. Many of the early Christians were converted Jews and they may have continued to observe the Jewish Sabbath. Nevertheless, we find the early Christians also gathering for worship and fellowship on the first day of the week. On one of his journeys Paul arrived in Troas on a Monday, but he had to remain with them until the first day of the week in order that he could preach to them. On that day they gathered to break bread and Paul had the opportunity to preach the Word of God (Acts 20:5-12).

6. Paul instructed the Christians at Corinth to arrange for their giving on the first day of the week. Paul was obviously aware that it was their practice to meet on the first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:2).

7. The Lord's final revelation to the church was on the first day of the week. The Apostle John was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day (Rev. 1:10) when the risen and ascended Christ appeared to him. It was on the first day of the week that he received the revelation which was to complete the Holy Scriptures. (The word used in the earliest manuscripts is still the Greek word used today meaning Sunday.)