Facts of Faith

The Example And Command Of Jesus

Dr. Zahn further says in regard to the early Christians: FAFA 86.2

“They observed the Sabbath in the most conscientious manner: otherwise, they would have been stoned. Instead of this, we learn from the book of the Acts that at times they were highly respected even by that part of their own nation that remained in unbelief.... That the observance of Sunday commenced among them would be a supposition which would have no seeming ground for it, and all probability against it.... The Sabbath was a strong tie which united them with the life of the whole people, and in keeping the Sabbath holy, they followed not only the example, but also the command of Jesus. “Geschichte des Sonntags,” pp. 13, 14.

Bishop Grimelund of Norway (Lutheran) says: FAFA 86.3

“The early Christians were of Jewish descent, and the first Christian church in Jerusalem was a Jewish- Christian church. It conformed, as could be expected, to the Jewish law and Sabbath-custom; it had no express instruction from the Lord to do otherwise.” — “Sondagens Historie,” p. 13. Christiania, Norway: Den norske Lutherstiftelses Forlag, 1886.

After citing the fact that Christ arose on the first day, he continues: FAFA 87.1

“But, one could reason, that for all this it does not follow that one should give up and forsake the ‘Sabbath’ which God Himself has commanded, ... nor that we should transfer this to another day of the week, even if that is such a memorable day. To do this would require an equally definite command from God, whereby the former command is abolished, but where can we find such a command? It is true, such a command is not to be found.” — Id., p. 18.

Dr. John C. L. Gieseler says: FAFA 87.2

“While the Jewish Christians of Palestine retained the entire Mosaic law, and consequently the Jewish festivals, the Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath and the passover (1 Corinthians 5:6-8), with reference to the last scenes of Jesus’ life, but without Jewish superstition.” — “A Compendium of Ecclesiastical History,” Vol. I, chap. 2, see. 30, p. 92. Edinburgh: 1846.

A little later we shall trace Christ’s true followers from the days of the apostles to our own time, and show how they retained the Bible Sabbath with the other parts of the apostolic faith. But we will here break off this narrative, and trace step by step how Sunday-keeping came into the popular church, and the influences which worked together to accomplish the change from the seventh to the first day of the week. FAFA 87.3