I suppose the scripture texts that are used more than any other by the Sunday observer to “prove” God’s holy, eternal seventh day Sabbath was moved to the first day of the week (Sunday), the day observed by sun worshippers for many long centuries, are the passages found in the 16th chapter of I Corinthians , verses 1 through 3, and Colossians 2, verses 13 through 22. The Corinthian text reads as follows: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.” (I Corinthians 16, verses 1 thru 3, King James Version).
Now here is what many seem to think that text says: “Now concerning the collection of the offering at church, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Each Sunday let every one of you take your offering to church as God has prospered him, that there be no collecting of the offering when I arrive. And when I come, whomsoever you shall approve as honest and trustworthy by your letters, them will I send to bring this money to Jerusalem.” And, of course, the passage says nothing of the kind.
The average Sunday preacher has no idea that there are two intimately related scripture texts that must be considered for a proper understanding of what Paul was saying in the passage quoted above. Those two texts are found in Acts 11:25-30 and Romans 15:25-28. First let’s look at the text in Acts 11: “Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul (Paul). And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there would be great dearth (famine) throughout all the world (the Roman Empire), which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea (where the famine was particularly raging), which also they did, and sent it by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” This is the collection, the gathering (or harvesting) Paul speaks of in I Corinthians 16. It is not a collection of an offering of money taken up in church on a Sunday. It is a gathering of life-saving foodstuffs to be the first order of business on the first day of the week after God’s holy sabbath had passed and they were free to work in their fields again, gathering the fruit and vegetables Paul would make certain was delivered to the saints in need in Jerusalem.
The Romans text: “But now I go to Jerusalem to minister unto the saints, for it has pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia (the Roman province where Corinth was located) to make a certain contribution (of food) for the poor saints at Jerusalem. It has pleased them verily, and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and sealed to them this fruit (food relief), I will come by you into Spain.” (Romans 15:25-28).
The more lengthy Colossians text will be considered in Part 2.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley