THE NEW TESTAMENT DAY OF WORSHIP

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

After a lengthy and successful stay in Ephesus proclaiming God's gospel message of salvation through Christ Jesus and establishing a strong church of Christ within that city, Paul departed for to go into Macedonia (Vs. 1). His mission in doing so was to give the churches in that area much exhortation (Vs. 2). With the same intention, he continued on and came into Greece,where he abode three months. After meeting Jewish opposition to his teaching, Paul purposed to return through Macedonia (Vs. 3). Having sent a number of his fellow laborers in Christ ahead to Troas, Paul soon followed and came to that city and there they abode seven days (Vss. 4-6). While in the city of Troas the lesson text states that Paul and his fellow Christians came together.

Although we have no record of Paul preaching and establishing a church in this city, it is probable that other Christian laborers were instrumental in founding a body of Christ there. In the lesson text we find Paul meeting with that particular congregation of God's people, whom had gathered together for worship services. It is here that we find God's authority, within His Holy Word, that establishes the first day of the week as the appointed day of worship for the New Testament church of Christ. It is the same day referred to in Paul's letter to the church at Corinth when he wrote: Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him (1 Cor. 16:2). It is the same day the apostle John called the Lord's Day - the day he was instructed by God through Christ Jesus to write instructional letters to the seven churches, which are in Asia (Rev. 10-11).

For Christians to worship God, according to the New Testament pattern, that service is to take place on Sunday, the Lord's Day, which is the first day of the week. It was not by mere coinsidence that this day should be referred to as "The Lord's Day," because it was on this day that the first gospel message of eternal salvation was preached by the apostles on the Day of Pentecost, following Jesus ascension back into heaven. On that authorized day, God's children, those baptized into the body of Christ, are to assemble together in Christian fellowship (See Acts 2:42; Phil. 1:5; 1 John 1:7b), and to edify one another (1 Thess. 5:11). What acts are to be included in the scriptural worship of God on this day? The Christians at Troas came together to break bread. That is, they came together to remember the death of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which He instituted before His death, when assembled with His apostles to celebrate His final Passover meal in the upper room (Luke 22:19-20). Referred to as the "Lord's Supper," it is mentioned as being observed in other New Testament scriptures (Acts 2:42; and at length in 1 Cor. 11:23-29). Then the communion of the Lord's Supper is to be steadfastly observed by Christians in the New Testament church each first day of the week.

Our lesson text also tells us that preaching and teaching of God's word is to take place on the Lord's Day. Paul told the Roman Christians, and by example tells us today, just how important preaching of the gospel message of salvation is (Rom. 10:13-15). By example we also know that the singing of psalms and hymns and spiritual songs is to take place when members of the church of Christ assemble to worship God (Eph. 5:19-21; Col. 3:16). New Testament doctrine tells us that the offering of prayers to God is a vital part of our everyday lives, but also in our Christian worship services upon the first day of the week. We are to continue steadfastly ...in prayers (Acts 2:42; also see Rom. 12:12; Eph. 6:18-19; Phil. 4:6, 1 Cor. 7:5; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17-18). And finally, our worship to God is also to include the collection of our contribution. This is necessary in order to sustain the welfare of its members and continue to further the cause of Christ, not only to its members, but to spread the gospel message of salvation in the community in which we live, and as far as possible throughout the world. The New Testament tells us, without doubt, the proper charitable manner we are to give back to God in order to be acceptable in His sight. We are to give without boastfulness or to be seen by others (Matt. 6:1-4); we are to give willingly, liberally, and cheerfully (1 Cor. 9:6-15); we are to give according to our ability (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Considering these biblical examples, the assembly of Christians that make up the church of Christ should include these same acts of worship upon every first day of the week.

In closing, consider Paul's admonition to the Christians in Rome: For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another (Rom. 14:18-19).