Why do Christians go to church on Sunday?

Written byJack and Kitty

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Question: Why do Christians go to church on Sunday?

Answer:

Christians go to church on Sunday for several theological, historical, and practical reasons. Here are the main reasons:

1. Resurrection of Jesus Christ

  • Central Event: Sunday is celebrated as the Lord’s Day because it is the day Jesus rose from the dead, an event that is central to Christian faith. This is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew (28:1-10), Mark (16:1-8), Luke (24:1-12), and John (20:1-18).
  • Early Church Practice: Early Christians began meeting on the first day of the week, Sunday, to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection. Acts 20:7 notes, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread,” indicating this practice dates back to the earliest days of the church.

2. Apostolic Tradition

  • Apostolic Example: The apostles set the precedent for meeting on Sunday. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, Paul instructs the believers to set aside a sum of money on the first day of every week, suggesting that this was a regular meeting day for early Christians.
  • Church Fathers: Early church leaders like Ignatius of Antioch and Justin Martyr wrote about Christians gathering on Sundays. Justin Martyr, in his First Apology (Chapter 67), explicitly mentions that Christians held worship services on Sunday.

3. The Lord’s Day

  • Terminology: The term “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10) is used to refer to Sunday, reflecting its significance as the day Jesus triumphed over death. This distinguishes it from the Jewish Sabbath, which is observed on Saturday.

4. Historical Development

  • Council of Laodicea: By the 4th century, the Council of Laodicea (around 363-364 AD) formalized Sunday worship by decreeing that Christians should honor the Lord’s Day and, if possible, refrain from work.
  • Constantine’s Edict: In 321 AD, Roman Emperor Constantine issued a decree making Sunday a day of rest from labor, further entrenching its status as a special day for Christians.

5. Community and Worship

  • Corporate Worship: Gathering on Sunday allows Christians to worship together, fostering a sense of community and mutual encouragement. Hebrews 10:25 urges believers not to forsake assembling together.
  • Sacraments and Teaching: Sunday services typically include the celebration of the sacraments (such as Communion), teaching, prayer, and fellowship, which are essential aspects of Christian worship and spiritual growth.

These reasons highlight the theological, historical, and practical motivations behind the Christian practice of gathering for worship on Sundays.

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Jack and Kitty Norton are Emmy Award winning and best-selling authors. High school sweethearts turned married soulmates, this fun-loving couple splits their time between Minnesota and Tennessee and would love to have you over for some tater tot hotdish.

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