Changes

The Christian tradition of practicing the spirit of the Sabbath on Sunday may have begun as a means by the third-century Christians of separating themselves as a community from the Jews who were under Roman persecution after the Zealot Revolt. But, it is likely that the motive of first-century Christians for chosing Sunday as the day of rest and celebration was largely because of their interpretation of particular New Testament passages regarding on what day of the week Christ died and on what day of the week he rose from death. Since the Roman religion of [[Mithra]]ism observed Sunday as their day of religious observance, converts to Christianity before the fourth century AD from that religion may have also contributed to the popularity of a Sunday observance. In 321 AD, while still a pagan sun-worshipper, the Emperor [[Constantine]] declared that Sunday was to be the day of rest throughout the Roman Empire:<blockquote>''On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost.''<ref>''Why and When the Weekly Sabbath was Moved'' "The weekly Sabbath: is it to be Saturday or Sunday?" [http://www.religioustolerance.org/sabbath.htm#move ReligiousTolerance,org]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref></blockquote>

The Christian tradition of practicing the spirit of the Sabbath on Sunday may have begun as a means by the third-century Christians of separating themselves as a community from the Jews who were under Roman persecution after the Zealot Revolt. But, it is likely that the motive of first-century Christians for chosing Sunday as the day of rest and celebration was largely because of their interpretation of particular New Testament passages regarding on what day of the week Christ died and on what day of the week he rose from death. Since the Roman religion of [[Mithra]]ism observed Sunday as their day of religious observance, converts to Christianity before the fourth century AD from that religion may have also contributed to the popularity of a Sunday observance. In 321 AD, while still a pagan sun-worshipper, the Emperor [[Constantine]] declared that Sunday was to be the day of rest throughout the Roman Empire:<blockquote>''On the venerable day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed. In the country however persons engaged in agriculture may freely and lawfully continue their pursuits because it often happens that another day is not suitable for gain-sowing or vine planting; lest by neglecting the proper moment for such operations the bounty of heaven should be lost.''<ref>''Why and When the Weekly Sabbath was Moved'' "The weekly Sabbath: is it to be Saturday or Sunday?" [http://www.religioustolerance.org/sabbath.htm#move ReligiousTolerance,org]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref></blockquote>

[[James Cardinal Gibbons]], [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] educator and archbishop of [[Baltimore]] 1877-1821, was blunt about the change: "You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify. The Catholic Church correctly teaches that our Lord and His Apostles inculcated certain important duties of religion which are not recorded by the inspired writers... We must, therefore, conclude that the Scriptures alone cannot be a sufficient guide and rule of faith."<ref> ''The Faith of Our Fathers'', (1917), p. 89) quoted in ''Which Day Is the Sabbath?'' [http://www.ucg.org.uk/UCG_BI_Literature/booklets/SS/daysabbath.htm UCG]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>

[[James Cardinal Gibbons]], [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] educator and archbishop of [[Baltimore]] 1877-1921, was blunt about the change: "You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday. The Scriptures enforce the religious observance of Saturday, a day which we never sanctify. The Catholic Church correctly teaches that our Lord and His Apostles inculcated certain important duties of religion which are not recorded by the inspired writers... We must, therefore, conclude that the Scriptures alone cannot be a sufficient guide and rule of faith."<ref> ''The Faith of Our Fathers'', (1917), p. 89) quoted in ''Which Day Is the Sabbath?'' [http://www.ucg.org.uk/UCG_BI_Literature/booklets/SS/daysabbath.htm UCG]. Accessed 15 February 2008</ref>

 

 

 

==The Seventh Day Adventists==

==The Seventh Day Adventists==