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Early Church Fathers - Worship on Sabbath or Sunday
Stay Catholic ^

Posted on 03/24/2007 3:10:20 PM PDT by NYer

Contrary to the teaching of Seventh Day Adventists the early Church gathered for worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday), not Saturday, in honor of the day our Lord rose from the dead.

The Didache

But every Lord's day . . . gather yourselves together and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned (Didache 14 [A.D. 70]).

Ignatius of Antioch

[T]hose who were brought up in the ancient order of things [i.e., Jews] have come to the possession of a new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath, but living in the observance of the Lord's day, on which also our life has sprung up again by him and by his death (Letter to the Magnesians 8 [A.D. 110]).

The Didascalia

The apostles further appointed; On the first day of the week let there be service, and the reading of the holy scriptures, and the oblation [sacrifice of the Mass], because on the first day of the week [Sunday] our Lord rose from the place of the dead, and on the first day of the week he arose upon the world, and on the first day of the week he ascended up to heaven, and on the first day of the week he will appear at last with the angels of heaven (Didascalia 2 [A.D. 225]).

Victorinus

The sixth day [Friday] is called parasceve, that is to say, the preparation of the kingdom. . . . On this day also, on account of the passion of the Lord Jesus Christ, we make either a station to God or a fast. On the seventh day he rested from all his works, and blessed it, and sanctified it. On the former day we are accustomed to fast rigorously, that on the Lord's Day we may go forth to our bread with giving of thanks. Let the parasceve become a rigorous fast, lest we should appear to observe any Sabbath with the Jews . . . which Sabbath he [Christ] in his body abolished (The Creation of the World [A.D. 300]).

Eusebius

They [the early saints of the Old Testament] did not care about circumcision of the body, neither do we [Christians]. They did not care about observing Sabbaths, nor do we. They did not avoid certain kinds of food, neither did they regard the other distinctions which Moses first delivered to their posterity to be observed as symbols; nor do Christians of the present day do such things (Church History 1:4:8 [A.D. 325]).

[T]he day of his [Christ's] light . . . was the day of his resurrection from the dead, which they say, as being the one and only truly holy day and the Lord's day, is better than any number of days as we ordinarily understand them, and better than the days set apart by the Mosaic Law for feasts, new moons, and Sabbaths, which the Apostle [Paul] teaches are the shadow of days and not days in reality (Proof of the Gospel 4:16:186 [A.D. 319]).

Athanasius

The Sabbath was the end of the first creation, the Lord's day was the beginning of the second, in which he renewed and restored the old in the same way as he prescribed that they should formerly observe the Sabbath as a memorial of the end of the first things, so we honor the Lord's day as being the memorial of the new creation (On Sabbath and Circumcision 3 [A.D. 345]).

Cyril of Jerusalem

Fall not away either into the sect of the Samaritans or into Judaism, for Jesus Christ has ransomed you. Stand aloof from all observance of Sabbaths and from calling indifferent meats common or unclean (Catechetical Lectures 4:37 [A.D. 350]).

Council of Laodicea

Christians should not Judaize and should not be idle on the Sabbath, but should work on that day; they should, however, particularly reverence the Lord's Day and, if possible, not work on it, because they were Christians (canon 29 [A.D. 360]).

John Chrysostom

When he said, "You shall not kill" . . . he did not add "because murder is a wicked thing." The reason was that conscience had taught this beforehand, and he speaks thus, as to those who know and understand the point. Wherefore when he speaks to us of another commandment, not known to us by the dictate of conscience, he not only prohibits, but adds the reason. When, for instance, he gave commandment concerning the Sabbath — "On the seventh day you shall do no work"— he subjoined also the reason for this cessation. What was this? "Because on the seventh day God rested from all his works which he had begun to make" [Ex. 20:10]. And again: "Because you were a servant in the land of Egypt" [Deut. 21:18]. For what purpose then, I ask, did he add a reason respecting the Sabbath, but did no such thing in regard to murder? Because this commandment was not one of the leading ones. It was not one of those which were accurately defined of our conscience, but a kind of partial and temporary one, and for this reason it was abolished afterward. But those which are necessary and uphold our life are the following: '"You shall not kill... You shall not commit adultery... You shall not steal." On this account he adds no reason in this case, nor enters into any instruction on the matter, but is content with the bare prohibition (Homilies on the Statues 12:9 [A.D. 387]).

You have put on Christ, you have become a member of the Lord and been enrolled in the heavenly city, and you still grovel in the Law [of Moses]? How is it possible for you to obtain the kingdom? Listen to Paul's words, that the observance of the Law overthrows the gospel, and learn, if you will, how this comes to pass, and tremble, and shun this pitfall. Why do you keep the Sabbath and fast with the Jews? (Homilies on Galatians 2:17 [A.D. 395]).

Apostolic Constitutions

And on the day of our Lord's resurrection, which is the Lord's Day, meet more diligently, sending praise to God that made the universe by Jesus, and sent him to us, and condescended to let him suffer, and raised him from the dead. Otherwise what apology will he make to God who does not assemble on that day . . . in which is performed the reading of the prophets, the preaching of the gospel, the oblation of the sacrifice, the gift of the holy food (Apostolic Constitutions 2:7:60 [A.D. 400]).


TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Orthodox Christian; Worship
KEYWORDS: liturgy; mass; sunday; worship
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To: NYer
Heb. 7:12 - when there is a change in the priesthood, there is a change in the law as well. Because we have a new Priest and a new sacrifice, we also have a new day of worship, which is Sunday.

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made in the law also.

How do you get there from here? Could it possibly be the change in the law is the omission of animal sacrifice? How do you get Sunday out of this?

41 posted on 03/24/2007 7:53:35 PM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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To: NYer
Rev 1:10 - John specifically points out that he witnesses the heavenly Eucharistic liturgy on Sunday, the Lord's day, the new day of rest in Christ.

Revelation of John 1 10 I came to be in the Spirit in the Lord's day and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. (I Thessalonians 5:2)

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a rushing noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. And the earth and the works in it will be burned up. (II Peter 3:10)

Could it be that John had been brought forward in time in order to prophesy of the events to come? Nah, too easy. Couldn't be.

42 posted on 03/24/2007 7:56:29 PM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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To: NYer
Matt. 16:19; 18:18 - whatever the Church binds on earth is bound in heaven. Since the resurrection, Mass has been principally celebrated on Sunday.

Therefore whoever shall break one of these commandments, the least, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of Heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them , the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

Matthew 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you shall know them.
21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.
22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?
23 And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!

43 posted on 03/24/2007 7:59:13 PM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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To: Enosh

**Well, look at some of the "Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings" stuff. **

Thank you!


44 posted on 03/24/2007 8:46:33 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: kerryusama04

With the exception of on post in between, you have posted from #32 to #43.

Has the Catholic and Orthodox causcus label been removed or am I reading the caption wrong?

If by chance it hasn't been removed, these are a lot of posts contesting a caucus thread.

Is this a form of protest?


45 posted on 03/24/2007 8:47:18 PM PDT by Running On Empty
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To: Running On Empty

on=one


46 posted on 03/24/2007 8:47:48 PM PDT by Running On Empty
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To: Enosh; StAthanasiustheGreat

Don't you think the Daily and Sunday Mass Readings along with the Devotional threads are the exception on FR.

Most of the threads are meant for discussion and comment. Those not quite so much.


47 posted on 03/24/2007 8:48:49 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: Salvation

Those not quite so much on those threads.


48 posted on 03/24/2007 8:52:16 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: kerryusama04

The thread remains in a caucus until I receive a choice from the article poster - whether to include the SDA in the caucus or open it. Your posts have been removed until a decision is made.


49 posted on 03/24/2007 9:01:47 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Salvation

agreed. I find them quite wonderful.


50 posted on 03/24/2007 9:16:16 PM PDT by StAthanasiustheGreat (Vocatus Atque Non Vocatus Deus Aderit)
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To: StAthanasiustheGreat

Appreciate your kind words.


51 posted on 03/24/2007 9:17:33 PM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: Religion Moderator

I wonder how long a "Catholic Church is a whore" (SDA Caucus) would remain?


52 posted on 03/25/2007 5:04:30 AM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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To: Running On Empty
Is this a form of protest?

You got that right. Letting the Catholics bash another denomination on a protected thread with outright lies is absolutely unacceptable.

53 posted on 03/25/2007 5:06:07 AM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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To: kerryusama04

I didn't start this thread.

I didn't call it a caucus.

I also have never, ever made a practice of bad-mouthing any other religion on this forum.

But I have read some of the most awful things written on these forums about the Catholic Church, about people who practice the Catholic faith, and about the core of our Faith, the Eucharist. And while all that "Catholic-bashing" was going on, it was not pulled or corrected because it was on "unprotected" threads.

So--you might say we just had to "shutupandtakeit". The only recourse we had was to address any ad hominem. Often the range of contempt and ridicule was so pronounced that it was, essentially, like an ad hominem to us.

If you are unhappy with this thread, it may not be the best way to deal with it by "spamming" it.

I'll let the Moderator take care of it, but don't put the blame on me.


54 posted on 03/25/2007 5:43:14 AM PDT by Running On Empty
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To: kerryusama04

Until/unless the caucus label has been lifted, stay off this thread.


55 posted on 03/25/2007 5:46:21 AM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Religion Moderator; kerryusama04; Salvation
Since the Seventh Day Adventists are discussed here, either the caucus needs to be expanded to include SDA - or the caucus label removed. Your choice.

Open it up for all to discuss and have the SDA post their responses to Salvation who has taken a particular interest in this topic.

56 posted on 03/25/2007 7:36:29 AM PDT by NYer ("Where the bishop is present, there is the Catholic Church" - Ignatius of Antioch)
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To: NYer; kerryusama04

Kerryusa has gone into this on another thread.

Even there I asked him to identify the religion/denomination at which he attended services -- whether Saturday or Sunday.

In the light of truth (on the Sunday where the reading is that of Woman Caught in Adultery) Christ asked the people there that if they were without sin to throw the first stone.

So I am asking (in no way putting myself in Christ's place) Mr Kerryusa, what church do you attend?

Only after you have answered this querry, can I/we go about answering your other posts.

In other words, lay it all out here, brother!

(Oops, guess I should not speak for the other posters, but I think we need to know before answering your posts.)


57 posted on 03/25/2007 8:01:43 AM PDT by Salvation (" With God all things are possible. ")
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To: Salvation

"So I am asking (in no way putting myself in Christ's place) Mr Kerryusa, what church do you attend?"

Pardon me for answering your question for him. As one who has gone around with kerryusa04 and douglasKC on this topic, I think you will find their denominational interest is the Worldwide Church of God (Herbert W. Armstrong). Experience tells me that reason is completely lost on them.


58 posted on 03/25/2007 8:46:01 AM PDT by hiho hiho
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To: Salvation; NYer
Even there I asked him to identify the religion/denomination at which he attended services -- whether Saturday or Sunday.

You might have me confused with someone else. I don't think I have made my affiliation a secret, and you can even discern it from my posts on this thread.

The Church of God, Kansas City

Perhaps you guys would like to join us in a fast here?

59 posted on 03/25/2007 8:46:09 AM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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To: hiho hiho; Salvation
Pardon me for answering your question for him. As one who has gone around with kerryusa04 and douglasKC on this topic, I think you will find their denominational interest is the Worldwide Church of God (Herbert W. Armstrong). Experience tells me that reason is completely lost on them.

I am not a follower of HWA. My studies and comments are my own.

60 posted on 03/25/2007 8:48:16 AM PDT by kerryusama04 (Isa 8:20, Eze 22:26)
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