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"The First Day of the Week"
Many of today’s Christians are observing what is known as the Saturday Sabbath. This type of Sabbath keeping is based on the assumption that the Sabbath is literally the "seventh day of the week". It is a biblical fact that this phrase is not found in the Bible! This pamphlet will attempt to explain why the phrase "first day of the week" was used in the New Testament. As we begin, see no. 4521 in Strong’s Lexicon given for the word "week".
4521 sabbaton {sab'-bat-on}of Hebrew origin 07676; TDNT - 7:1,989; n n AV - sabbath day 37, sabbath 22, week 9; 68
Notice that this Greek word (sabbaton) was translated as "Sabbath day" or "Sabbath" almost every time, and as "week" only nine times. Please keep in mind that the word "day" in the phrase "first day of the week" is always in italics; which means it was added by the translators. I want to now point out a very interesting truth found in Matt. 28:1.
Matthew 28:1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (KJV)
Since the days began at sundown, therefore how can the Sabbath be ending "as it began to dawn"? What is the correct meaning of Matt. 28:1, and why was it translated in this manner? The Concordant Literal New Testament, in the eight times this phrase is found; it states this phrase as the "first Sabbath" (singular), or as "one of the Sabbaths" (plural). For instance Mark 16:9 is worded correctly as follows: "Now rising in the morning in the first Sabbath".
Matt. 28:1 was translated correctly in the following matter by the CLNT translation. "Now it is the evening of the Sabbaths. At the lighting up into one of the Sabbaths came Mary Magdalena and the other Mary to behold the sepulcher".
This is very interesting, because this verse no doubt is referring to two Sabbaths occurring on two days. The "evening of the Sabbaths" could only mean that these two Sabbaths were joined together. One was ending (in the evening), and the other Sabbath commenced at sundown. The women arrived at the sepulcher at dawn on the second Sabbath. The Sabbath that was ending had to be the Jews weekly Sabbath, but what is the purpose of the second Sabbath since this Sabbath has no place in the Mosaic administration? Why was it called the "first Sabbath" (Mark 16:9) since it was the second Sabbath in sequence? What are we to understand from this biblical fact? Could it be that it was called the "first Sabbath" simply because it now took priority over the seventh day Sabbath? The very important point is; it could only be "first" realized and honored after the resurrection of Jesus Christ! It could also be that Hebrews 4:8-9 explains this transitional change from one Sabbath to another Sabbath (another day).
Hebrews 4:8-9 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (KJV)
In spite of this changing of days, a "rest" still remains. After the old covenant (note the word afterward), another day is now a "rest" to the people of God. Please understand; if "another day" is a literal "rest" day then it most certainly is not the seventh day of the week! It could also be that "another day" was represented by the many "eighth day" biblical examples picturing a "new creation" but only after the old covenant served its purpose.
The law of the Sabbath during Moses required Israel to do their work for six days in sequence, and on the seventh day Israel was to rest. The first month that this divine pattern started was in the month Abib. This was when Israel came out of Egypt, and the Sabbath was on the fifteenth day. Read and study very carefully Exod. 12:2, 13:4, Lev. 23:2-3, and 23: 6-7.
Exodus 12:2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (KJV)
Exodus 13:4 This day came ye out in the month Abib. (KJV)
Leviticus 23:2-3 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. (KJV)
Leviticus 23:6-7 And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. (KJV)
These verses are explaining the law of the Sabbath, and how it related to the feasts. The fifteenth day of the same month (Abib), or beginning of months, or the first month of the year (new month); Israel was to keep the very first Sabbath. Lev. 23:3 explains the law of the weekly Sabbath, which was included and regarded as the "feasts of the Lord" (verse 2). This is important! The feasts were appointed on a certain day of the month. The first day of unleavened bread on the "new month" was when the law of the Sabbath commenced. Please understand, the Sabbath therefore would always fall on the same day (fifteenth) of the "new month" every year. It worked on the same principle as birthdays, anniversaries, etc; which always are on the same day of the month, year after year. The weekly Sabbath was considered a feast day, therefore was never designed to fall on the same day of the week!
However this system of "new months", and Sabbaths (plural) were destined to cease. Read Isa. 1:14 and Hos. 2:11, and take note of the term "new moons".
Isaiah 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. (KJV) Hosea 2:11 I will also cause all her mirth to cease, her feast days, her new moons, and her sabbaths, and all her solemn feasts. (KJV)
God’s soul hated Israel’s new moons (months) and appointed feasts, because of unbelief on Israel’s part. This is the same principle as God also having no pleasure in his own sacrificial laws and offerings for sin, as explained in Heb. 10:6.
Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (KJV)
No. 02320 in Strong’s Lexicon explains that "month" (or new month) means the same as "new moon". This is very important!
02320 chodesh {kho'-desh}from 02318; TWOT - 613b; n m AV - month 254, new moon 20, monthly 1, another 1; 276
The apostle Paul also confirms the ceasing of the laws of the Sabbaths (plural). Read Col. 2:16-17, and again take note of the term "new moon".
Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (KJV)
The crucified body of Christ was the sum total and the true substance that cast the "light" which caused the shadow to cease (verse 17). By attempting to observe these types of laws, means that Christ has died in vain, as explained in Gal. 2:21.
Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. (KJV)
Paul however understood that the law of the Sabbath (singular) was to be honored. Notice the "seven days" (complete weekly cycle) mentioned in Acts 20:6-7.
Acts 20:6-7 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. 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. (KJV)
Paul chose the "first Sabbath" as the day to honor and assemble. This is proven simply because the "other Sabbath" was not mentioned during these seven days! Paul would not have observed both. As we know, this "other Sabbath" is talked about many times in the book of Acts, but not in these verses. The Israelite people were still observing the "other Sabbath", and Paul attended many of these Sabbath keeping assemblies.
Some people assume that the phrase "first day of the week" is referring to the first of the seven Sabbaths that are counted to Pentecost. The first Sabbath to be counted would be the last day of unleavened bread. However Acts 20:6 states that the "first day of the week" was after the days of unleavened bread, therefore this phrase has nothing to do with counting to Pentecost.
Why do we have the phrase "first day of the week" in our Bibles? It is evident that an all-wise God allowed God-fearing men to translate in this manner. This was the day of the week (Sunday) on which Christians have for centuries observed the "first Sabbath"! This was the day that the translators of the King James Version were keeping as the "first Sabbath", which is why it is translated as the "first day of the week"!
True history confirms that our nation found its greatness in the gospel of Jesus Christ and believing in the Ten Commandments. I believe the spiritual foundation of this great nation was built on Sunday Church attendance! This nation is however losing its greatness simply because it no longer honors God’s time on the "first Sabbath"!
Much more information on the Sabbath question is addressed in my booklet "The Seventh Day", and therefore should be carefully read. The Sabbath based on the laws of the old covenant is finished! However the principle of the Sabbath command remains the same. Therefore believers should every Sunday make an honest effort to honor the "first Sabbath" in holy convocation by assembling with other truth-seeking believers.
Questions or comments?... Email:wickey777@verizon.net