03.04. In Conclusion

IN CONCLUSION

What about the Christian Sabbath? Many sincere people ask us the question, Who authorized the change from the Jewish Sabbath to the first day of the week -- the Lord’s Day?

1. The Pope did not do it. This has already been refuted by Roman Catholic Authorities themselves. Constantine, in 321 A. D. legalized the Christian Sunday, but changed nothing. He made legal what had been observed for over 200 years.

2. The First Day of the week -- Sunday -- was made the Christian Sabbath.

(a) In commemoration of the Resurrection and Pentecost.

(b) By the practice of the Apostles and the Early Church -- meeting on that day for worship, the day became the Christian Day of Worship -- The Lord’s Day. The New Testament, The Apostles, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Origin, Cyprian, and a host of Early Church Worthies have all testified to the First Day of the week as The Lord’s Day.

Finally, if it be asked, "Where did Jesus authorize or command the keeping of Sunday instead of the Sabbath?", our reply would be than no where in the New Testament can it be shown that Jesus told us to keep the Sabbath. It may appear strange that Jesus commands the keeping of all of the other commandments, but never the Fourth. Was this not in anticipation of the New Sabbath which the Christians were to keep -- to commemorate the two greatest events of the Christian Church: The resurrection of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost?

Note. -- The best book on this subject is Seventh Day Adventism Renounced, by D. M. Canright. (Revell). Order from Pentecostal Pub. Co THE END