Q: Is Sunday service biblical?
The Romans worshipped Mithra, the sun god, on Sunday. Mithraism is from the Persian religion and was introduced around the 1st century B.C. Mithra was described as the “invincible god” and the “god of immortal youth.” Most followers were Roman soldiers in the early days. Then, the Roman Empire adopted Mithra as its patron deity. It was also the patron deity of the emperor himself. Eventually, the church accepted Sunday to avoid persecution.
Sunday worship spread in the west during the 2nd century. Churches in the east, centered in Jerusalem, kept the Sabbath. In A.D. 313 Constantine issued the Edict of Milan and enacted pro-Christian policies. He also gave privileges to the clergy. He identified his favorite deity — the sun god — with Christ. Posing as a Christian, he retained the pagan high priest’s title “Pontifex Maximus” until his death.
In 321 A.D., Constantine issued his Sunday Law and the Eastern churches had to submit. Of course, there were those who desired to preserve the truth. They fled to the deserts and mountains to keep their faith. But, Sunday observance spread to all churches. This is the origin of Sunday observance which continues to this very day.
To learn more about the Sabbath day testified in the Bible, click here!
