He Rose On The First Day Of The Week

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. - Acts 2:4

The way was now open. The fountain of the 'rivers of living waters' has now been turned on with a gush for all toe drink and be satisfied. What a significant event on a significant day!

The recently converted Jews who had a Sabbatical setting must have been awestruck as they witnessed the events which unfolded before their eyes. Several centuries have passed and followers of Christ now understand the significance of meeting on the first day of the week.

Paul, the erstwhile persecutor of the church, had also been converted and commissioned. The Lord, having sent him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, brought him to Troas, where he had seen the Macedonian vision.

On arrival, the apostle, apparently filled with the Holy Ghost and the message of life for the Gentiles, tarried and upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, he preached until midnight (Acts 20:7). He spent a long time among these Gentiles nations, preaching and ministering to them. Later, he wrote the Corinthian church on the subject of offering, and made reference to the first day of the week, "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." (1 Corinthians 16:2)

There is yet another notable incident. We all know that the Bible is not complete without the Book of Revelation. The apocalypse concludes the body of writings in the Bible. It provides a glimpse into the future of the church and the world. Who can imagine a Bible without the Book of Revelation? This is the very book which tells us the things which have been / things which are and things which shall be hereafter.

While Apostle John was banished to the rocky, barren and desolate island of Patmos, he wrote down what he saw concerning the programme of God for His church and the world. For our all-wise God, the appropriate day to begin these grand prophecies was Sunday or known as the 'Day of the Lord'.

The incidents of 'the first day of the week' are not accidental, they are divinely designed. The Lord ordered these events on the 'first day of the week' to underscore the New Testament Christians' ground for Sunday worship.

God expects us in this dispensation to recognise, honour and hallow this day of the Lord. It is a day of worship and rest. Just as He commanded the Jews of the old dispensation to observe and keep the Sabbath, so He commanded our worship, honour, reverence and communion on every 'Day of The Lord'.

May the Lord help us in all things, even to honour Him on His Day.

- Daniel O.C