Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 38:151 (Jul 1881)
Article: A Christian Sabbath In The New Dispensation: Biblical And Patristical Evidence
Author: William Deloss Love

BSac 38:151 (July 1881) p. 524

A Christian Sabbath In The New Dispensation: Biblical And Patristical Evidence

Rev. William Deloss Love

There are sabbatic elements in the Lord’s day. They constitute its substance. Hence there is the Christian Sabbath in the new dispensation.

1. The Lord’s day has in substance the same nature and design as the original Sabbath. (1) Both are days for bodily and mental, secular and spiritual, rest. The word “Sabbath” means rest, and for rest Christians have ever used the Lord’s day. Even Dr. Hessey, though utterly severing the two days from each other, says, “The Lord’s day should be considered a day of rest.” 1 Professor Hopkins says, “The proper end of the Christian Sunday is rest with cheerful worship, beneficent activity, self-help, and self-culture.”2 Two days so much alike would seem to be related to each other. (2) Both days have a high religious purpose. The Sabbath was sanctified, and was to be kept holy. The New Testament observance of the Lord’s day was certainly religious, and in no sense secular, so far as appears. Dr. Hessey says of it, “It is a divinely sanctioned, religious day,….the religious day of Christians.” 3 The wonder is that the Sabbath is completely “abrogated,” as he claims, if Sunday is for the same end. (3) The acknowledged religious services of the early Christians on the Lord’s day were fully equal to or more than those of the Jewish Sabbath. The fullest description extant is that given by Justin Martyr. The two chapters preceding are on these important topics: “The Administration of the Sacraments,” and “The

BSac 38:151 (July 1881) p. 525

Eucharist.” Then, on the “Weekly Worship of the Christians,” he says: “And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied we bless the Maker of all through’ his Son, Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday,” etc.4 According to Justin’s description there were in the primitive Lord’s-day services prolonged reading of Scripture, instructions, exhortations, prayers, thanksgiving, the Lord’s supper, collection of alms, distribution of food and other articles to the absent sick, widows, and orphans. All in country and city assembled; and this was the chief meeting of the day. Sometimes there were other meetings on that day,— as that of early morning, spoken of by Pliny. The Jewish and Christian public religious services we...