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The Change of the Sabbath - Contents
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    John 20:19

    “Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and says unto them, Peace be unto you.”ChSa 52.1

    It is supposed by many that the disciples were assembled to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus, and that when he came among them and said, “Peace be unto you,” he indicated his approval of their act in assembling upon that day, and thus honored the first “Christian Sabbath.” But does the language justify such an inference? From this and other scriptures we draw these conclusions:ChSa 52.2

    1. The reason the disciples were together was “for fear of the Jews,” and not to celebrate Christ’s resurrection.ChSa 52.3

    2. The place of their meeting was undoubtedly the upper room where they all abode (Acts 1:13), and not the temple or any other house of worship.ChSa 52.4

    3. The time of this meeting must have been very late in the day, just before sunset. (By the Bible mode of reckoning time, the day closed at evening, or sundown. Genesis 1:5; Leviticus 23:32; Mark 1:32). We are forced to this conclusion from the facts stated by the other evangelists, and because St. John declares it was evening. Luke gives an account of the journey of two disciples to Emmaus, seven and a half miles, that very afternoon, and of how Jesus made himself known to them “as they sat at meat,” after conversing with them and explaining the Scripture predictions concerning himself. Then “he vanished out of their sight.” This was “toward evening,” and “the day was far spent.” Then they “returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them.” As they spoke of what had transpired, Jesus appeared. This must be the identical meeting spoken of by John, for he uses the same expression, “Peace be unto you,” and it was at the same time of day. He then asked them, “Have you here any meat?” and ate in their presence. Mark records the same meeting. He gives a brief account of the two as they walked and went into the country, and of his appearing unto them; and states that the other disciples did not believe them. “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” Mark 16:12-14.ChSa 52.5

    4. We are forced to conclude that they could not have been celebrating or honoring Christ’s resurrection, for they did not believe it had occurred.ChSa 53.1

    5. We can see clearly how the disciples regarded this first day of the week, as two of them walked to Emmaus and back, a distance of fifteen miles, and Jesus made the same journey, and not a hint did he give that such a use of the day was wrong. A strange way to celebrate the day, if it was the first “Christian Sabbath”! They simply regarded it as a secular day, and nothing more.ChSa 53.2

    The little flock of disciples were in a retired place, fearing the Jews, who had just crucified their Lord. A few of their number ventured out to the sepulcher to embalm the Savior’s body, and were astonished to find it was not there. A few others went into the country. What a contrast to the origin of the Sabbath of the Lord! The Creator “rested” upon it himself; then he “blessed” it, and set it apart to a sacred use, evidently by telling Adam how to keep it. His example and command were both given in its favor. But how different with this first day, on which Christ rose! If there is any divine authority for keeping Sunday, this day must have been the first of the new order of Sabbaths. But it was a busy day. Christ gave no example of resting upon it; he gave no command for his disciples to rest, nor did he hold any religious service on that day. Some of his disciples traveled fifteen miles on foot upon it, he keeping them company in thus laboring. Not a hint is given in all the Bible that it should be used in any other manner than as a day for labor. Who can believe that God would in such a manner set aside the ancient Sabbath of his own appointment, and put in its place a new day, never giving a hint that the old one was abolished or the new inaugurated?ChSa 53.3

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