On What Day Shall We Worship?

By: Sellers S. Crain, Jr., Via Rivergate Bulletin, 11/23/03

Many years ago when we were visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee, I was somewhat amused to see a sign in front of a denominational church building that read: “Fulfill your Sunday obligation on Saturday night.” That was interesting to say the least. I had never seen that before. It has become more common today. Many churches, including some churches of Christ, are exploring the option of having a worship service on Saturday night complete with the Lord’s Supper. What should our response be? Is this an option we should consider? Why or why not?

First, we must remember that the word worship can be used in different senses. There can be personal and private worship. There can also be public and corporate worship. Second, while it is true that worship can be understood in different ways, it is also true that the early church met for a special period of worship every Sunday (The Lord’s Day; Revelation 1:10). At these periods of worship, they engaged in prayer, singing, a Bible study and/or a discourse, partaking of the Lord’s Supper and giving of their money. This fact is verified by both scripture and early historians. (Pliny; Justin) Most scholars I consulted (denominational or brotherhood) say that Acts 20:7 implies Sunday worship, and not Saturday night as some today are contending.

So, should we consider a Saturday night worship? Would such even be scriptural? My answer would be that we can come together any night of the week and engage in many of the same acts we engage in on Sunday and not be in violation of the scriptures. That is we can sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and we often do, on Friday nights, or other nights for that matter. In these song services, here at Rivergate at least, we have prayers, and offer an invitation. However, I find no biblical authority for observing the Lord’s Supper on any day other than the Lord’s Day. To partake of it on any other day would be to make it lose its significance. We partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week because that is the day our Lord arose from the dead. (Mt. 28:1)

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