Rescue Ministries
Who Changed the Sabbath? — 40 Questions Examined
This study examines whether Sunday worship is of human origin or rooted in Scripture. Instead of relying on tradition, we follow the biblical record of Christ’s resurrection, His post-resurrection appearances, the coming of the Holy Spirit, and the practices of the early church.
The goal is simple: let the Bible speak for itself.
1) On what day did Jesus rise from the dead?
Answer: The first day of the week.
Matthew 28:1
“In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.”
2) Who did Jesus first appear to?
Answer: Mary Magdalene.
John 20:14–16
“And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou?
She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.”
3) Did Jesus appear to other women that same day?
Answer: Yes.
Matthew 28:9–10
“And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.
And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.”
4) Who else did Jesus appear to on that day?
Answer: Peter.
Luke 24:34
“Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.”
5) What happened on the road to Emmaus?
Answer: Jesus walked with two disciples and revealed Himself.
Luke 24:30–31
“And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.”
6) When did Jesus appear to the disciples in the upper room?
Answer: That same Sunday evening.
John 20:19
“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut… came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.”
7) When did Jesus appear again to them?
Answer: One week later, on Sunday again.
John 20:26
“And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus… and said, Peace be unto you.”
8) How many people saw Jesus after His resurrection?
Answer: Over 500.
1 Corinthians 15:6
“After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
9) What pattern do these appearances show?
Answer: Repeated appearances on the first day of the week.
10) What does this suggest about Sunday?
Answer: It became a significant day tied to the risen Christ.
11) What feast led to Pentecost?
Answer: The Feast of Weeks.
Leviticus 23:15–16
“And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath… even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days…”
12) On what day did Pentecost occur?
Answer: The first day of the week.
13) What were the disciples doing?
Answer: Gathering together.
Acts 2:1
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
14) What happened suddenly?
Answer: The Holy Spirit descended.
Acts 2:2
“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind…”
15) What visible sign appeared?
Answer: Tongues like fire.
Acts 2:3
“And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire…”
16) What gift did they receive?
Answer: Speaking in tongues.
Acts 2:4
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues…”
17) How many were baptized that day?
Answer: About 3,000.
Acts 2:41
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized… about three thousand souls.”
18) Why is this event important?
Answer: It marks the birth of the church.
19) What does the Spirit descending show?
Answer: God validated the gathering.
20) What covenant shift is seen?
Answer: From law to Spirit.
21) When did believers gather to break bread?
Answer: On the first day of the week.
Acts 20:7
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them…”
22) What happened at these meetings?
Answer: Teaching and fellowship.
23) When were offerings taken?
Answer: On the first day.
1 Corinthians 16:2
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store…”
24) What does this indicate?
Answer: Organized gatherings.
25) Did believers meet daily?
Answer: Yes.
Acts 2:46–47
“And they, continuing daily… did eat their meat with gladness…”
26) Why is Sunday still highlighted?
Answer: It held special significance.
27) What is Christ called?
Answer: Firstfruits.
1 Corinthians 15:20
“But now is Christ risen… and become the firstfruits…”
28) What pattern emerges?
Answer: First-day gatherings.
29) Is Sabbath commanded for Gentiles?
Answer: No.
30) What does Paul say?
Answer: Do not be judged regarding sabbath days.
Colossians 2:16
“Let no man therefore judge you… in respect of… the sabbath days.”
31) Did Constantine change the Sabbath?
Answer: No. The study argues that he recognized an already existing Sunday practice.
32) Did Sunday worship exist before him?
Answer: Yes.
33) What does the Catholic Church claim?
Answer: Authority in formalizing Sunday.
34) What did Jesus say about Peter?
Matthew 16:18
“…upon this rock I will build my church…”
35) Was Peter called a pope?
Answer: No.
36) What is the Adventist claim mentioned in this study?
Answer: That the papacy began in 538 AD.
37) What does Scripture emphasize?
Answer: Christ as the foundation.
38) If Sunday were wrong, why did Jesus appear on it?
Answer: The study argues that repeated Sunday appearances challenge that claim.
39) Why did the Spirit fall on Sunday?
Answer: The study presents this as divine validation of the gathering.
40) What does the New Testament show?
Answer: Freedom in Christ, not bondage to law.
Final Conclusion
This study leads to one central question: Is Christianity centered on a day, or on a risen Savior? The New Testament points believers to Christ, His finished work, and the freedom found in Him.
The issue is not merely Saturday versus Sunday, but Christ or the law, grace or obligation, the finished work of Jesus or unfinished religion.
Colossians 2:17
“Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”