| 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 �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.� Paul is writing this letter to the Corinthian church but gives no mention of a public meeting or gathering of believers to a place for worship. This is one of only 8 places the New Testament makes any mention of the Biblical, �first day of the week�, and we are again left with nothing to indicate a holiness or blessing on this day. The phrase "lay by him in store" means that the money or offerings was to be laid aside privately at home. We need to understand what was happening at this time in history and why Paul was asking what he was of the Corinthian church. There was a famine in Judea, (Romans 15:26; Acts 11:26-30), and Paul was asking for help from the churches in Asia Minor. These 1st generation Christians all kept Sabbath holy (there is no evidence anywhere in history to say otherwise), so Paul suggested that on Sunday morning, after the Sabbath was over (which was the time they paid their bills and settled accounts) they put aside something for their needy brothers and sisters in Judea. Paul had plans to pass through and collect this offering and was giving them instruction to have it ready when he arrived. Here again we are given absolutely no directive or instruction to gather and worship on the �first day of the week�. There are some that attempt to use this passage to say this was a Sunday morning passing of the collection plate, but is that in this passage? No. Back to Sabbath Index Back to Navigation Page |
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