Question 8
Where is the 8th mention of Sunday in the Bible?
Bible
Acts 20:7
Answer
This text does tell us about a meeting taking place on the 1st day of the week where Paul preached. But notice the time of day mentioned; It was at midnight on the first day of the week. According to the Bible, a day starts at evening when the sun sets. (See Lev 23:32 and Mark 1:32) If the meeting was at midnight on the 1st day, what day would we call that in our present language? We would call that Saturday night.
Good News Translation
The New English Bible
Answer
The Bible says it was Paul’s custom to meet on the Sabbath day (Acts 17:2). Apparently, they had already met on Saturday (the Sabbath). Then they came together that evening for a farewell meal. Paul was going to leave the next day so he spoke until midnight. That’s when a boy named Eutychus fell asleep and fell out a 3rd story window and died. Paul prayed for Eutychus and he was raised back to life. He then continued talking until daybreak Sunday morning. On Sunday morning he said goodbye and then walked all the way to Assos (vs 20) which is about a 20 mile journey. If Sunday was the new rest day, would Paul choose that day to walk 20 miles? No, there is nothing in this text that tells us that God changed His Sabbath day to Sunday.
Do the words “Breaking Bread” mean this was a communion service in church? No. This is just a phrase that means to eat. In Luke 22:19 the Bible says they broke bread in the Upper Room on a Thursday night. In Acts 2:46 it says they broke bread every day going from house to house.