The Significance of Sunday Worship in Early Christianity

The passage from Justin Martyr highlights the significance of Sunday worship in the early Christian community. It provides insight into the practices and beliefs that shaped their gatherings and distinguished them from other religious groups.

The Practice of Weekly Worship

The text describes a structured approach to weekly worship, offering a detailed look into what a typical Sunday service entailed. It was a communal gathering, encompassing both urban and rural believers.

• Gathering: "On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)
• Scripture Reading: "The memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)
• Instruction and Exhortation: "Then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)
• Prayer: "Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)
• Eucharist: "And the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)
• Offering and Charity: "And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt)

The Reasons for Sunday Observance

The passage provides two key reasons for the early Christians' choice of Sunday as their primary day of worship.

1. Creation: "Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt) This links their worship to the foundational act of God's creation.
2. Resurrection: "Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration." (Source: Document: 1739749258570-eotm94-anf01.txt) This connects Sunday directly to the resurrection of Jesus, marking it as a day of new beginnings and victory over death.

Significance of the Eucharist

The passage details the celebration of the Eucharist as a central element of Sunday worship. Bread, wine, and water were brought forth, and the "president" (likely a leader within the community) offered prayers and thanksgivings. The people responded with "Amen," signifying their agreement and participation. This shared meal symbolized unity with Christ and with one another. It was also a tangible expression of their faith and remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice.

Charity and Community Support

Beyond the spiritual aspects, the passage emphasizes the practical expression of Christian love through charitable giving. The collection taken during the service was used to support the vulnerable members of the community: orphans, widows, the sick, those in bonds, and strangers. This highlights the early church's commitment to social justice and mutual care.

Conclusion

This glimpse into the Sunday worship practices of early Christians reveals a community deeply rooted in scripture, prayer, and fellowship. The observance of Sunday, tied to both creation and resurrection, distinguished them and provided a regular rhythm for spiritual growth and communal support. The structured service, including scripture reading, instruction, prayer, the Eucharist, and charitable giving, served to nurture their faith and strengthen their bonds with one another.