Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Paul and the Sabbath

On what day did Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch? BR-ASI9 297.6

“They came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Acts 13:14. BR-ASI9 297.7

When did the Gentiles ask Paul to repeat his sermon? BR-ASI9 297.8

“And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.” Acts 13:42. BR-ASI9 297.9

On what day did Paul preach to the women at Philippi? BR-ASI9 297.10

“And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.” Acts 16:13. BR-ASI9 297.11

What was Paul’s manner respecting the Sabbath? BR-ASI9 297.12

“They came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures.” Acts 17:1, 2. BR-ASI9 297.13

Note.—It was Paul’s manner, as it was Christ’s custom (Luke 4:16), to attend religious services on Sabbath. BR-ASI9 297.14

How did the apostle spend the working days of the week when at Corinth, and what did he do on the Sabbath? BR-ASI9 297.15

“Because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” Acts 18:3. (See Ezekiel 46:1.) “And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Acts 18:4. BR-ASI9 297.16

Note.—“He continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.” Acts 18:11. BR-ASI9 298.1

These texts do not definitely prove that the apostle held seventy-eight Sabbath meetings in Corinth, but they show conclusively that it was his custom to observe that day by devoting it to religious purposes. Wherever he was, Paul utilized every opportunity to pursue his gospel work on the Sabbath. The same is true, not only of the apostles, but of most Christians during the first three centuries. BR-ASI9 298.2