LEWIS' FIRST AFFIRMATIVE
I am very happy to be a part of this written discussion with Mr. Bacchiocchi on the
seventh day/ first day of the week question. I have agreed to have this written
debate in order to prepare Mr. Bacchiocchi and myself for our oral debate which
will be conducted at some time in the future. I will make two affirmative
presentations in defense of the first day of the week. Mr. Bacchiocchi will
respond in the negative. Following this, Mr. Bacchiocchi will make two
affirmative presentations in defense of the seventh day of the week. At that time I
will respond twice in the negative.
The proposition I will affirm in this debate is as follows: "RESOLVED, the New
Testament teaches that the first day of the week (Sunday) as a day of worship is
enforced upon God's people in this age of the world." Allow me to briefly define
the terms of my proposition. By "the New Testament" I mean specifically the time
in which the New Testament era began. Jesus nailed the old law to the cross (Col.
2:14) and the New Testament was ushered in upon the first Pentecost after Christ?s
resurrection. Mr. Bacchiocchi will be wasting his time if he attempts to go outside
the New Testament for proof of Sabbath day worship. He and I both agreed in the
signing of our names that we would debate what the "New Testament teaches."
By "teaches" I mean that the New Testament instructs us, whether by example,
implication or direct command.. By "the first day of the week" I mean the day
which we commonly call "Sunday." By "as a day of worship" I mean that this is
the day sanctioned by God for the church to come together in worship. This is not
to say that the church cannot come together at other times. This simply means that
the church is commanded (either by direct command, example, or implication) to
come together upon the first day of the week for worship. I do not believe Sunday
was ever a "Christian Sabbath" as some denominational preachers have taught. I
do not contend that God "changed" the "Sabbath" from the seventh day to the first
day. The first day was not a Sabbath day to begin with. It is simply the day of
worship appointed by God. By "enforced" I mean that it is a part of God?s will for
us to do this. By "God's people" I mean those who have been converted to Christ.
By "in this age of the world" I mean that the New Testament teaches that we
today, and every follower of God since the first Pentecost after Christ's
resurrection, is obligated to observe the first day of the week as a day of worship.
Allow me now to make very clear what the issue is NOT in this debate. 1. The
issue is not whether Jesus observed the Sabbath. I agree that He did. However,
He lived under the old law. 2. The issue is not whether Paul preached on the
Sabbath. Showing that someone preached on a particular day does not prove that
this is the day which God wants His people to assemble for worship. 3. The issue
is not whether the Jews of Old Testament times observed the Sabbath. I agree that
they did. The issue is whether the the New Testament tells us that WE should
observe the Sabbath day in this era of Jesus Christ. 4. The issue is not whether we
are under "law" today. I agree that Christians are under God's law. But *which*
law are they under? I contend that Christians are under Christ's law, not the law
of Moses in ANY sense whatsoever.
My first argument in defense of the first day of the week is found in 1 Cor. 16:1-2.
We note here that the Corinthians were commanded to give upon the "first day of
the week." (1 Cor. 16:1-2). The thrust of the Greek text indicates that literally
Paul is saying "upon the first day of *every* week...." What reason could there be
for giving such an instruction upon the first day of every week unless the first day
was a day to be devoted to God? He may labor to give us another reason, but he
won't find it in the Bible. Do you think if Mr. Bacchiocchi could find a passage
which says that Christians were told to take a collection upon the Sabbath day that
he would use it as an argument in proof of Sabbath day worship? You know that
he would. Sam, please tell us if you would do this. The apostle Paul, however,
tells Christians that they were to give upon the "first day of the week."
We must ask Mr. Bacchiocchi a few questions at this point. First, is giving
to the church a religious service? Second, could giving be done on any day of the
week? If yes, then why did Paul specifically give orders for it to be done on the
"first day of the week"?
We should notice further that this command was an "order" of Paul. Paul
had also given this same command to the churches of Galatia (16:1). This was not
an isolated command only for the church at Corinth. Paul commanded "all that in
every place who call upon the name of Jesus Christ" (1:2) that they should give
upon the first day of the week. He further said that the things which he ?wrote?
were the commandments of God (1 Cor. 14:37). Does Sam *really* believe this?
Once again, suppose Dr. Bacchiocchi could find a New Testament passage
which read like this: "Upon the seventh day of the week let every one of you lay
by him in store as God hath prospered him, that there be no collections when I
come." He would present this as abundant proof in favor of Sabbath worship.
And he would be right! But there is only one day in which the New Testament
commands Christians to give, and that day is the "first day of the week." Sam, we
want to ask you: Do you lay by in store upon the first day of every week? This is
the *only* example we have from an inspired pen (unless it be Ellen G. White!).
Do follow these instructions?
Upon which day of the week do Sabbatarians give to their church?
According to the Seventh-Day Adventist "church manual" it is done on the seventh
day of the week (p. 108, 1951 edition). By what authority, Sam, does the Seventh
Day church do this? Is there some passage I have overlooked which commands
offerings to be made upon the seventh day? He knows that there is not. Yes, Mr.
Bacchiocchi, we are commanded to give; but your group has missed it by six days!
Your group gives upon the last day of the week; Paul said to give upon the "first
day of the week."
Your own church manual says this: "The offering is a vital part of the
worship hour." (p. 108). I agree. But get this good: If the offering is a part of the
worship and if the offering took place upon the first day of the week, then worship
also took place upon the first day of the week. That's very simple, isn't it? Which
will he deny? Will he deny that the offering was made on the first day of the
week, and thus deny the inspired pen of Paul? Or will he deny his own church
manual? We wait eagerly to see.
I don't know what Mr. Bacchiocchi may say about this since I have not had
the opportunity to examine his work on this subject. He may say that Paul is not
discussing a public offering which took place when the church assembled. Some
believe Paul is commanding a laying by in store which took place at home. I will
deal with this extensively when (or if) he makes this argument. I will only say this
at this time: Paul said he wanted them to give so that there would be no
collections when he came. But if this is talking about laying by in store ?at home?
then there *would* be collections when Paul came because the offerings would of
necessity need to be collected from people's homes. Paul is obviously talking
about an offering which was collected in one central treasury.
In summary, Paul gave "orders" that a collection should be made upon the
first day of every week (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Offerings are a part of worship itself.
Since offerings are a part of worship and since offerings took place on the first day
of the week, worship also is to take place on the first day of the week.
My proposition has been established. I invite any private comments from
any readers. I also invite any and all Seventh-Day contenders to meet me in public
debate on this vital subject. Mr. Bacchiocchi has graciously agreed to do so in the
near future. I look forward to Sam's first negative reply.
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