Luke 24:1-3: But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 20:7: And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
1 Corinthians 16:2: Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.
One of the “ten commandments” given to the Israelites in Exodus 20 was to “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (verse 8). This command is not for those, including us, who are subject to the Law of Christ (Col. 2:14-17). Some may suggest, though, that instead of resting on the seventh day of the week, Christians must make the first day of the week a day of rest. This is not commanded in the New Testament either. If a Christian wants to take the first day of the week to rest after the assemblies of the saints, he or she may do so, but we don’t have the right to bind such rest on others (cf. Col. 2:16). Much of God’s revealed will for Christians does not vary by the day of the week.
While we don’t want to make the first day of the week something it’s not, there is some special significance to the first day of the week.
For instance, “upon the first day of the week,” it was discovered that Jesus’ body was no longer in the tomb. On this day, our Savior was raised from the dead, providing the basis for the hope that anchors our souls (1 Cor. 15:20; Heb. 6:19). A practice Christians must observe that is unique to the first day of the week is seen in Acts 20:7. After Paul and his company came to Troas, they stayed there seven days (verse 6). On the first day of the week, the disciples came together “to break bread.” “Breaking bread” at times refers to partaking of the Lord’s Supper (cf. 1 Cor. 10:16), as the context indicates it does here in Acts 20:7.
1 Corinthians 16:2 refers to another command that must be obeyed on the first day of the week. Verses 1-4 of the chapter authorize local churches to provide financial relief for needy saints when they have the opportunity and ability. There is a specific command, though, regarding how the funds for this, and other works of the church, should be collected (cf. verse 1). Verse 2 says, “Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.”Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2 establish a pattern for all Christians to follow. May we follow the pattern established by the Holy Spirit concerning things that should be done “upon the first day of the week.”
– Michael Hickox