Are there any references in the "OLD KING JAMES VERSION" why Christians changed their day of worship from Saturday to Sunday?
D B
Answer
The short answer is that there are no references in the "OLD KING JAMES
VERSION" or any other version giving a reason why Christians changed their
day of worship from Saturday to Sunday? The reason is that the change was made
after the New Testament was written.
There are three verses that are quoted in support of the change.
(Acts 20:7,8 KJV) And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came
together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow;
and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper
chamber, where they were gathered together.
In view of the fact that the Jewish "first day of the week" begins
at sundown on Saturday, it is not hard to see that the verses above refer to
a meeting held on Saturday evening. The disciples "came together to break
bread" a phase that refers to eating a common meal. (See Acts 27:35) To
suggest that this was a "communion meal" is reading into the passage
something which is simply not there. The presence of many lights indicates that
it was evening. The nature of the meeting was a special farewell service as
Paul was departing "on the morrow". It was not typical of the practice
of the early church and therefore cannot qualify as a proof of regular Sunday
worship. It could well have simply been an opportune time to continue to fellowship
with Paul after the Sabbath and prior to his departure.
The second verse used is:
(1 Cor 16:1-2 KJV) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given
order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. {2} Upon the first day of the
week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that
there be no gatherings when I come.
Once again you can see that there is no connection here with a regular Sunday
meeting. The fact that Paul suggested that "the first day of the week"
was an appropriate day to "lay something aside" for the collection
does not establish the practice of Sunday worship. As the "first day of
the week" was the first day of the Jewish working week after the Sabbath
it may have simply been suggested as a convenient time to ascertain what amount
could be given.
Neither of the above verses are written to announce a change in the worship
day. They are simply recorded because of the miracle at Troas and the collection
for the saints.(Respectively)
The last verse used is Rev 1:10 (KJV)
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as
of a trumpet,
Try as you might you cannot connect this "Lord's day" with Sunday.
The first day of the week is simply not mentioned here. Theologians are forced
to resort to the later writings of the "church fathers" to show any
connection between "Lord's day" and Sunday. However, the church fathers
can also be used to show that the Sabbath continued to be kept alongside the
celebration of Sunday until it was eventually replaced by the Catholic Church
in the fourth century. See my answer to the question about the "Lord's
day".