The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Exodus 20:8-11 – Why Sunday? Unpacking the Day of Christian Worship

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Welcome to episode 141 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into the age-old question: why do Christians worship on Sunday when the Bible designates Saturday as the Sabbath? We explore scriptural references and historical contexts that explain this significant shift in worship practices.

Starting with the commandment to observe the Sabbath in Exodus, we discuss the importance of rest in the Mosaic Covenant and how Saturday served as a divine pause for the Israelites. The episode progresses by examining why early Christians chose Sunday to commemorate Jesus' resurrection, a decision deeply rooted in New Testament events, such as the resurrection accounts in all four Gospels and the practice of early believers gathering on Sundays.

We also consider the theological implications of worshipping on Sunday, highlighting how this tradition celebrates Jesus' victory over sin and death. Additionally, the episode clarifies how the Sabbath was a foreshadowing of the ultimate rest found in Christ, encouraging listeners to understand worship as a heartfelt practice rather than a mere adherence to tradition.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

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Email Address: [email protected] 

  1. Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
  2. The MacArthur Study Bible. Available at: https://a.co/d/ardifD1
  3. C. John Collins, Science & Faith: Friends or Foes? (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2003), 90. 
  4. Collins, C. John. Science & Faith: Friends or Foes? Crossway, 2003.
  5. “Why Do Christians Worship on Sunday?” Ligonier Ministries. https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/keeping-the-lords-day 
  6. “Second London Baptist Confession 1689.” CARM. https://carm.org/creeds-and-confessions/second-london-baptist-confession-1689-of-god/ 
  7. “Sunday Worship is Evidence for the Resurrection.” Navigating by Faith. https://navigatingbyfaith.com/2019/03/31/sunday-worship-is-evidence-for-the-resurrection/ 
  8. “The Biblical Basis for Church on Sunday.” Creation Awaits. https://creationawaits.substack.com/p/the-biblical-basis-for-church-on-sunday 
  9. “Should Christians Keep the Sabbath?” Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/should-christians-keep-the-sabbath 
  10. “Should we keep the Sabbath or not?” CARM. https://carm.org/bible-difficulties/should-we-keep-the-sabbath-or-not/ 
  11. “The Expectation of a New Covenant Sabbath.” Knowing Scripture. https://knowingscripture.com/articles/the-expectation-of-a-new-covenant-sabbath 
  12. “Sunday vs. Saturday Worship: Understanding the Shift from Sabbath to Sunday.” Wisdom for the Heart. https://www.wisdomonline.org/blog/sunday-vs-saturday-worship-understanding-the-shift-from-sabbath-to-sunday 
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