Christians and Sunday practices

ryan · Post by **ryan** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:10 am

Hi everyone,

I'm not exactly sure which forum is best for this question, so I'm just going broad in the Miscellaneous Theological section.

The question I'm asking about is an area where I admittedly don't seem to have a good grasp on things. However, a friend recently brought it up as wanting to discuss it at some point, so I wanted to get some direction and input from everyone. So, here goes... hope my rambling makes sense...

I recognize that Christians have no obligation to keep the Sabbath, as given in the Old Testament. I also recognize that that commandment was the only one that Jesus didn't mention directly in the New Testament. However, in terms of Sunday (The Lord's Day), does the Christian have practical obligations for what to do, or avoid? I know that in regards to creation, in Genesis 2:1-3, God rested on the seventh day... so, does the general concept of a "physical" rest still apply for us in any way, or should that be understood as spiritual? If there is still a place for the physical rest, does it make sense to attach it to what we now consider the Lord's Day?

Among Christian friends and acquaintances, so many view Sunday differently... some are very strict on what they'll allow themselves to do or not do, while others are much more free about what they allow. Some wouldn't think of going to a store or a restaurant, while others don't seem to have a problem with it. I hate to boil it down to such legalistic sounding questions, but, for example, should a Christian eat at a restaurant on the Lord's Day? Should they mow their lawn? The questions could go on and on, along those lines.

Can anyone offer some insight, or, correct me where I may have a poor understanding of things in this matter? I feel like I'm maybe missing something.

Hope my post made enough sense... thanks for any input!
-Ryan

Perry · Post by **Perry** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:55 am

Ryan,

Your post makes sense to me, and I appreciate the heartfelt sincerity of your question. I come from a background of fairly strict sabbath (Saturday) observance. Even among very legalistic sabbitarians there is a good deal of disagreement about what is and is not appropriate to observe on the "lord's" day. The Jews had worked out a meticulous system of what could and could not be done on the sabbath day, how far you could walk before it became a violation, etc. etc. I've even heard some who would suggest that you shouldn't turn on an incandescent light bulb on the sabbath, since that is a violation against kindling a fire (Ex. 35:3).

To most Christians this seems more than just a little bit extreme.

On the other hand there are those who cannot in good conscience totally ignore the precedent set in the old covenant. For them they see great blessing, both spiritually and physically, in setting a side a special time devoted particularly to worship. That's hard for me to criticize, as long as it's not something that's used as a yardstick for measuring another person's righteousness.

Most Christians that I know affirm that, for the true Christian, there is no day of the week any more or less holy than any other; that, in fact, every day is to be holy, and that we should, ironically, labor to enter into God's true rest. (Heb 4:4-11). I fall into this latter camp.

Having said that, we should, I think, be ever aware of not doing violence to the conscience of those with a weaker conscience. You mention your friends who have several different views on this matter. I try (sometimes not too successfully) to be aware of the sensibilities of those around me, and when possible, not do violence to their conscience. This, I think, is true in many areas, not just in the area of sabbath observance. This is what I make of I Cor 8:10-13, where the particular case happens to be about meat offered to idols. So, for example, even though I could with good conscience mow my lawn on any day of the week, I choose not to do so on Sunday, because I know that there are those in my neighborhood who might be offended by it.

I hope you find these thoughts helpful.

jriccitelli · Post by **jriccitelli** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 11:34 am

I would agree with Perry that we should not consider others less for not observing the Sabbath, and considerate of those who do. Paul warns against the legalism of Sabbath keeping and it could only be hypocritical to 'demand' anyone else, or 'teach' anyone that not doing work on Sunday or Saturday makes you holier, or Christian, or saved (Col.2:6).

We are free from the Law 'because' we have entered into that rest, we don’t observe a holy day in order to be saved - we observe a Holy day because we 'have been' saved.

We don’t observe a holy day to stay saved, or because we must, but because we 'want' to.
(Who doesn’t want to rest?)

We are not commanded to observe Christmas but many do so because they 'want' to celebrate Jesus' birth, there is certainly no Law requiring it, but millions do.
At the same time; it would be unwise to not see the benefit of resting (and healing) from ones work week.
It is scriptural to enjoy the fruits of ones labor (and His labor), devote some time to God, to those around you, and to celebrate and enjoy fellowship with other believers.
As it is easy for Sabbath observance to be misunderstood as keeping a Law to gain or keep salvation, legalists use the Law to exalt themselves, oppress others, and claim a sense of higher spirituality, wisdom or devotion. I suppose you know there was a longer thread or two on Sabbath keeping under;
Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumalogy - Did Jesus Observe the Sabbath?

I might warn Perry that turning on an incandescent bulb may be a violation of 'universal' principles, apparently God only approves of Led and fluorescent bulbs as Kosher.

TK · Post by TK » Fri Apr 13, 2012 5:34 pm

The pastor and his wife at the old baptist church i grew up in wouldnt cook meals on sunday-- they'd eat peanut butter sandwiches.

Eating at restaurants would seem to be less "work" than cooking at home.

I like to enjoy nature on Sunday.. whether it is going to the beach or cutting the grass. I dont consider mowing the lawn "work" because i dont mind doing it. but i also like to listen to the sunday ballgame while sitting on the deck. for some reason i prefer listening to the ballgame to watching.

I guess my main point is that I like to enjoy myself on Sunday-- that is how I celebrate the Sabbath.. after going to church of course!!

TK

Paidion · Post by **Paidion** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 10:47 pm

There is only one verse in the New Testament which refers to "the Lord's Day":

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. (Rev 1:10)

In Greek, there is a single word "κυριακη", which literally means "Lordly" and so the phrase might be better translated as "The Lordly day." In modern Greek calendars, this word is still used for "Sunday."

Second century Christians gave reasons for observing this day. They said that on the first day of the creation week, God made a change in matter, and secondly, on the first day of the week God raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. These same Christians met together every Sunday to especially remember Jesus together by having a love feast called "The Lord's supper", followed by receiving the bread and wine of the communion. I have found no record of anything else which they regularly practised or observed as especially belonging to Sunday.

jriccitelli · Post by **jriccitelli** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 10:13 am

I agree with Paidion's point that the Christians simply 'met' on Sunday. Nothing seems to indicate that they thought Sunday was a 'new' Sabbath (neither does this indicate whether they did, or did not, work from Friday eve. until Saturday eve). It does seem to indicate that they all took 'time' to meet on Sunday, something that would not be feasible for all of them if they all went back to working after Saturday. I can't imagine ancient peoples taking two days from work, so I think this indicates that they no longer fully observed the Saturday Sabbath, and, or were making a statement of themselves by separating themselves from Judaism and Sabbath keeping.

I noticed in my previous post that I did not advocate for the person who wants, or needs, to 'work' on Sunday(s). If you do not want to take any day off to rest, meditate, whatever, I suppose that is fine, but I think it is at least healthy for 'any' person to rest once a week. A 'believer' should find it beneficial and profitable to be with his family and church, at least once a week. But as any average person knows; you have to work to survive, and employers and markets don’t all sleep on Sunday, or Saturday (anymore) and it is necessary to sometimes go to work on these days. I had a job that demanded I work 5-6 days a week and they were not allowing Sat. or Sun. off, only Wend or Thur. well that’s what I had to do for a year, and my wife went to church without me. For awhile my own business demanded that I attend Auto races every other weekend or so, although I attended the auto racers for Christ worships on Sundays at the tracks I really longed to be back at home with my other Church family and friends. I now work so that I can attend worship on Sundays, but we can be called into work on a Sunday (I am an electrician now) and I am happy to have a job.
If someone wants to chide us for working on a weekend I hope they can keep the 'whole' Law, as for me and my house I will worship the Lord and eat bacon on Sundays.

ryan · Post by **ryan** » Sat Apr 14, 2012 2:35 pm

Thanks for all of the input so far! Keep it coming...

Choosethisday · Post by **Choosethisday** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:21 pm

This reply is somewhat late but I just came across this topic. Anyway, my wife and I try to avoid doing anything on a Sunday that would cause others to miss an opportunity of going to church. This has nothing to do with Sabbath observance; we simply don’t want to be the cause of someone not being in church. We are not legalistic about this and don’t get real weird about it. Our general guideline is to only do things on a Sunday that might cause others to have to miss church that we would be willing to do for them. As an example, if someone had a need for a medication on a Sunday and I was a pharmacist I would be willing to miss church to help them. However, I wouldn’t want to miss church just because Sunday was a more convenient day for them to shop. We believe this principle is consistent with loving your neighbor as yourself.

MMathis · Post by **MMathis** » Tue Jun 12, 2012 8:57 am

I always took it that "work" meant what you normally work at.., not cooking your meals. Making a peanut butter sandwich is work just like cooking a meal, so I don't think it counts. If your old granny needs a meal on Sunday but you don't want to "work" at fixing her one, and she dies, did you do the right thing?

As for the day, that's anybody's guess.

The Narrow Path Ministries