What is the significance of The Lord's Day?

Definition and Terminology

The phrase “The Lord’s Day” appears explicitly in Revelation 1:10: “On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.” In the Greek text, the term for “Lord’s Day” is “Kyriake hemera,” denoting a day belonging to the Lord. Historically, this phrase has been understood to refer to the first day of the week (Sunday), distinguished from the seventh-day Sabbath of the Old Testament.

This concept builds on the conviction that Christ’s resurrection occurred on the first day of the week (see Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1). From the earliest period of the New Testament Church, believers singled out this day to celebrate the risen Christ and gather in worship (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

Biblical Foundations

1. Resurrection of Christ

The foundational anchor for The Lord’s Day is the resurrection. Each of the four Gospel accounts affirms that Jesus rose “on the first day of the week.” This timing marks an unmistakable connection between Sunday and the central truth of the Christian faith, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Worship on the first day acknowledges the triumph over death and underscores salvation through Christ alone.

2. A New Creation Emphasis

The New Testament often alludes to believers becoming a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Worship on The Lord’s Day highlights that God’s redemptive work is ushering in a renewed order. The original creation week culminated on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2–3), but the resurrection inaugurates a new era of hope, often linked to the first day of the week as a symbolic new beginning.

3. Examples from the Early Church

Acts 20:7 notes, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people…” This underscores that gathering on Sunday, sharing in fellowship, hearing teaching, and breaking bread (often a reference to the Lord’s Supper) were established patterns in the earliest congregations. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 16:2 indicates believers should set aside a collection “on the first day of every week.” The text implies that this day had become a special time of corporate worship and service.

Historicity and Early Christian Practice

Outside of the New Testament, early Christian writings such as the Didache in the late first or early second century reflect that believers met on “the Lord’s own Day” for worship, prayer, and celebrating communion. Archaeological and historical findings also suggest that the first centuries of Christianity were marked by a clear distinction between the original Sabbath and this emerging practice of meeting on Sunday.

Even though some believers continued to observe the Sabbath, many recognized that the resurrection made Sunday worship singularly significant. By the second century, Justin Martyr wrote that Christians gathered on Sunday because it was the day of Christ’s resurrection and the “first day on which God, transforming darkness and matter, made the universe; and Jesus Christ our Savior rose from the dead on the same day.” These accounts echo New Testament patterns, reinforcing that Sunday was not an arbitrary choice but a day rooted in the reality of redemptive history.

Theological Significance

1. Commemoration of the Resurrection

The Lord’s Day directly celebrates the risen Lord. As each week cycles, believers worldwide gather to remember the victory over sin and death, affirming the heart of the gospel.

2. Anticipation of Final Rest

Hebrews 4:9–10 speaks of a “Sabbath rest” that remains for the people of God—ultimately pointing to eternal fellowship and rest in Christ. Observing The Lord’s Day recognizes that while earthly rest is essential, there is a greater rest yet to come. Weekly worship offers a foretaste of the eternal life believers will enjoy fully in God’s presence.

3. Focus on Community and Fellowship

The early Church used the first day of the week for gathering together in love, teaching, prayer, and mutual care. This pattern still stands. Corporate worship on The Lord’s Day encourages fellowship and unity (Ephesians 4:3–6). It is a rhythm that shapes how believers live out their faith, reminding them that they are part of the global body of Christ.

4. Principle of Devotion and Priority

Honoring The Lord’s Day goes beyond outward form. The practice highlights a deeper spiritual principle: believers set apart time for focused worship and devotion, testifying that God holds the highest place in their lives. By prioritizing worship and fellowship on Sunday, Christians declare that the resurrection transforms daily life.

Practical Observances

1. Gathering for Worship

Christians traditionally assemble on Sunday to honor Christ’s resurrection, hear biblical teaching, celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Communion), pray together, and engage in corporate praise. The substance of these meetings is grounded in biblical instruction (Colossians 3:16; Acts 2:42).

2. Acts of Service and Ministry

Historically, collections and acts of mercy also took place on this day (1 Corinthians 16:2). The first day of the week becomes an avenue for believers to display practical care for one another and for those in need.

3. Personal Devotion

While public worship is central, many believers also use Sunday for additional private or family devotion. This underscores the day’s intent: focusing on God’s character, works, and Word.

4. Rest and Rejuvenation

Although The Lord’s Day and the Sabbath are distinct concepts, many Christians integrate elements of rest, stepping back from ordinary work. This rest is not solely a legalistic requirement but an opportunity to be refreshed spiritually and physically while placing one’s attention on the Lord.

Expanded Perspective through Scripture and History

Over centuries, faithful study and preservation of biblical manuscripts have confirmed that references to The Lord’s Day in the New Testament are consistent across ancient manuscript lines. Early church leaders’ writings align with these Scriptural accounts, corroborating the reliability of worship on this day dating back to the earliest believers.

Archaeological artifacts, including inscriptions and church meeting areas, support the claim that Christians met early on Sunday to celebrate the resurrection. These discoveries—coupled with the internal consistency of Scripture—reinforce the significance of the practices described in Acts and 1 Corinthians.

Conclusion

The Lord’s Day is deeply rooted in the historic, scriptural, and theological traditions of Christianity. It is the weekly commemoration of Christ’s resurrection and a signal of God’s new creation in those who believe. The biblical precedent—seen in the Book of Acts, the Pauline letters, and early church writings—portrays the first day of the week as a time of celebratory worship, fellowship, prayer, teaching, rest, and preparation for the ongoing mission of the Church.

By centering on the risen Christ, believers testify to the power of God in salvation and look forward to the ultimate restoration promised in Scripture. Far from being a mere tradition, The Lord’s Day stands as a vibrant, enduring declaration that Jesus truly is Lord, that He rose again, and that all who trust Him gather in joyful response to His victory.