Why do non-Catholic Christians gather on sunday?

[StevenFrancis]

So did they all gather on the weekly sabbath to worship? What did they do? Seriously, I’m asking because I don’t know.

Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day

But every Lord’s day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.

From the Didache

 

[Indyann]

Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day

But every Lord’s day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.

From the Didache

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass .

 

[philokalia7]

I do appreciate the time you put into researching the bible quotes… But, were’nt these verses written at a time when bibles were’nt being mass produced? I mean realistically, we have the internet with streaming video, books, and probably a bible in every home. Tepo Are you trying to rationalize away the God commanded way the Bible teaches us converts are to be made? You do not understand the weight Scripture is supposed to have in the Church, Why do Catholic Churches always have preaching as part of their service? Because Catholic Theologians know God commands preaching as the way to spread the faith in the Bible. For Christians, Catholic and Protestant, preaching isn’t optional, it is commanded by God! Internet or no God commands preaching period.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God.
1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness.
1Co 1:27 But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Preaching is the God ordained method by which souls are won to Christ.

Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching?

Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Rom 10:17 Then faith is of hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

In context here the Apostle means the Word of God preached,

Besides that, I think logically, it would be safer for a non-Catholic/non-heirarchial Christian to interactively navigate his own faith, free from the direct contact of preachers, who often impose their spin onto people… So why are’nt we seeing more of this? Or is this something we can expect in the future?

Tepo, I exhort you in Jesus’ name to read the Bible, not to rationalize it away, I exhort you to read the Bible, and instead of excuses to obey it, like the Saints who came before us, Your quotes here would cause St Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, to turn over in their grave seeing how little weight you give the Bible in your own pseudo-intellectual thought .

 

[mackbrislawn]

It’s interesting that you should say that. There was a thread here about a month ago I think on why (some)Protestants don’t consider it an obligation to attend church on Sunday like Catholics. The Catholics in the discussion almost all argued that they are required to on account of the commandment to keep the Sabbath.

Yes, it is interesting that those Catholics used the commandment to keep the Sabbath as the reason to attend church on Sunday. However, they weren’t quite right. The obligation to attend church on Sunday is simply a requirement of canon law. Of course, the basis for that canon law can be found in the scriptural requirement to gather together, plus the early Christian tradition of gathering for the Eucharist and the Word on Sunday. The very earliest Christians also went to the synagogue on Saturday, the Sabbath, but of course had to stop doing that when the synagogues became closed to the Christians. The concept of weekly gathering would be a continuation of the weekly gathering the Jews practiced.

 

[mackbrislawn]

Does anyone really know for sure what day the Sabbath is? I grew up believing that it is Sunday; or maybe it’s that day that you set aside for God, alone! So, tell me, what if you say Saturday is the Sabbath, but do not honor God or rest on that day? Kinda of like my catholic friend at work who gives up alcohol for Lent, then has a beer blast on Easter Sunday and gets wasted???

This is similar to a question I’ve always had.

Of course, Saturday is the Sabbath. But, how do we know when Saturday is? Have we actually been able to keep track of the seventh day from the time of Adam and Eve? Among all the historical disruptions, maybe day keeping came untracked at some point or another. Plus, there have been calendar reforms as well. The most recent being the 11 days inserted into the calendar by Pope Gregory. Hence, the Gregorian calendar as we have it today. Some Protestant countries, such as England, were very late in adopting that calendar, not until the late 1700’s.

P.S. The idea is that Sabbath keeping is not strictly a Christian requirement. It was for the Jews. Christians, who could no longer go to the synagogue, kept Sunday as their day, and met for their eucharistic service and scripture reading on that day. They would read from the prophets or the memoirs of the apostles, and then have the memorial of the Last Supper, and partake of the bread of life.

 

[TEPO]

*Tepo Are you trying to rationalize away the God commanded way the Bible teaches us converts are to be made? You do not understand the weight Scripture is supposed to have in the Church, Why do Catholic Churches always have preaching as part of their service? Because Catholic Theologians know God commands preaching as the way to spread the faith in the Bible. For Christians, Catholic and Protestant, preaching isn’t optional, it is commanded by God! Internet or no God commands preaching period. *

Tepo, I exhort you in Jesus’ name to read the Bible, not to rationalize it away, I exhort you to read the Bible, and instead of excuses to obey it, like the Saints who came before us, Your quotes here would cause St Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, to turn over in their grave seeing how little weight you give the Bible in your own pseudo-intellectual thought .

I agree that preaching is an essential part of making converts, and that it’s an important factor for many Christians who choose to gather on the Lords day.

The ‘thing’ is, that I have trouble understanding how Christians can continuously gather week after week to hear the preachers take on said scripture. It would seem sensible for a Christian who is on “fire”, to grow in his faith -by taking it further, step by step.

It would seem sensible for Christians to evolve from the basics such as ‘preaching’, which is great for making converts, to a more well rounded faith such as Catholicism, which explores every essential part of Christianity to the extreme.

The Holy Mass offers pennance, thanksgiving and prayer, preaching, the real presence of the Eucharist, fellowship, community, and charity… It’s perfectly proportionized… One can go no further…

But as far as Christians who choose to gather on Sunday’s, I do understand that many Christians gather to hear preaching… Others gather for fellowship. Only few seem to gather for pennance though which troubles me.

 

[TEPO]

The concept of weekly gathering would be a continuation of the weekly gathering the Jews practiced.

So it is a traditional exercise, that stems from the ancient Jewish traditions, which pre-date Christ… Interesting.

 

[mackbrislawn]

Do the SDA know WHY cathloic go to Church on Sunday,Do they understand why and do they know what Jesus, Christ said and why He was right

I suppose they know the arguments of why Sunday, but they reject them, in order to have something to show why they are right and everyone else is wrong!

 

[JustaServant]

The problem is the whole structure of what many non-Catholic churches are based on. The centerpiece of worship is a pulpit for a man.
But the priest is not the center of worship in the Catholic Church. When the priest approaches the altar, the Tabernacle is there with the Eucharist. Jesus is the center of worship, The priest is an instrument.
Now, many Non-Catholics will say 'its God we worship and is taught from the Bible.
However, Communion is the ONE worship COMMAND Jesus gave to His Church, not preaching, not a ‘praise band’, not even ‘fellowship’.
A good homily or sermon is important, but that is not the centerpiece of worship.
When a pulpit is the center, for a man who gives his ‘interpretation’ of the Bible, its inevitable he is puffed up with pride. He is a little messiah with followers, and he begins to believe he is invincible.
Take that pulpit down, and it must be replaced with something.
I’ve never had a desire to return to that pulpit because I found something greater than a pulpit: the Lord Jesus Christ feeding me with Himself.

 

[TEPO]

I wonder if -instead of honoring the Holy Eucharist, if non-Catholics see the “real presence” of Jesus in their fellow man (fellowship)…? This seems to be the most popular reason among our non-catholic Christian friends for gathering on Sunday.

I would be willing to honor this as a major triumph for Truth, even though I disagree that it is an acceptable stopping-point in ones spiritual growth.*

 

[Cat]

The problem is the whole structure of what many non-Catholic churches are based on. The centerpiece of worship is a pulpit for a man.
But the priest is not the center of worship in the Catholic Church. When the priest approaches the altar, the Tabernacle is there with the Eucharist. Jesus is the center of worship, The priest is an instrument.
Now, many Non-Catholics will say 'its God we worship and is taught from the Bible.
However, Communion is the ONE worship COMMAND Jesus gave to His Church, not preaching, not a ‘praise band’, not even ‘fellowship’.
A good homily or sermon is important, but that is not the centerpiece of worship.
When a pulpit is the center, for a man who gives his ‘interpretation’ of the Bible, its inevitable he is puffed up with pride. He is a little messiah with followers, and he begins to believe he is invincible.
Once that pulpit is worshipped, a preacher naturally can reason his way into anything, even the most heinous contridiction of his ‘born again’ state.
Take that pulpit down, and it must be replaced with something.
I’ve never had a desire to return to that pulpit because I found something greater than a pulpit: the Lord Jesus Christ feeding me with Himself.

You are making some very false assumptions about Protestant pastors/preachers.

There will always be exceptions, but many, many Protestant pastors are humble and self-sacrificing. They pour themselves out for the Lord Jesus Christ. Just because someone is a dynamic speaker doesn’t mean that they are puffed up with pride, or a “little messiah” or “thinks he is invincible.”

I have known a lot of pastors, and I can count on one hand those who had an ego or a messianic complex. Most were wonderful men who showed me what Jesus is like.

I suggest that you get to know some Protestant pastors before making such an awful accusations against them.

 

[Indyann]

You are making some very false assumptions about Protestant pastors/preachers.

There will always be exceptions, but many, many Protestant pastors are humble and self-sacrificing. They pour themselves out for the Lord Jesus Christ. Just because someone is a dynamic speaker doesn’t mean that they are puffed up with pride, or a “little messiah” or “thinks he is invincible.”

I have known a lot of pastors, and I can count on one hand those who had an ego or a messianic complex. Most were wonderful men who showed me what Jesus is like.

I suggest that you get to know some Protestant pastors before making such an awful accusations against them.

You should probably read his conversion account which is linked at the bottom of his posts.

 

[Hiskid1973]

But as far as Christians who choose to gather on Sunday’s, I do understand that many Christians gather to hear preaching… Others gather for fellowship. Only few seem to gather for pennance though which troubles me.

Thats because when followers of Christ sin the Holy Spirit brings them to conviction to repent…John say when we do that He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us o f all unrighteous… I have been walking with Christ for almost 40 years. The systems works well…The other night I was lacking sleep and snapped at my beloved wife…almost instantly I was brought under conviction and apologized to the Lord and my wife…We have our evening devotions together and clear our slate in prayer…As for communion it is offered to all who are in Christ …You bet people take it serious not to have an offense against a brother and make things right before partaking…We have quiet for those making amends to the Lord… The body also is gathered for prayer and body ministry and laying on of hands of the sick…We have a time whenever the pastor feels led for altar ministry .Ive.seen much tears, repentance and ministry flowing here. Time for the gifts of ministry… I think you will have an eye opener in heaven when you meet a lot of godly, spiritually mature non Catholics…

 

[Hiskid1973]

Sorry about that…Hit the button again

 

[Publisher]

The problem is the whole structure of what many non-Catholic churches are based on. The centerpiece of worship is a pulpit for a man.
But the priest is not the center of worship in the Catholic Church. When the priest approaches the altar, the Tabernacle is there with the Eucharist. Jesus is the center of worship, The priest is an instrument.
Now, many Non-Catholics will say 'its God we worship and is taught from the Bible.
However, Communion is the ONE worship COMMAND Jesus gave to His Church, not preaching, not a ‘praise band’, not even ‘fellowship’.
A good homily or sermon is important, but that is not the centerpiece of worship.
When a pulpit is the center, for a man who gives his ‘interpretation’ of the Bible, its inevitable he is puffed up with pride. He is a little messiah with followers, and he begins to believe he is invincible.
Once that pulpit is worshipped, a preacher naturally can reason his way into anything, even the most heinous contridiction of his ‘born again’ state.
Take that pulpit down, and it must be replaced with something.
I’ve never had a desire to return to that pulpit because I found something greater than a pulpit: the Lord Jesus Christ feeding me with Himself.

I think you misunderstand some things concerning Protestant…>Evangelical Christians.

The pulpit is the center of focus because from it comes the Word of God. It is not focused on a man…but upon the centrality of the Word of God.

When I was younger, the Nazarene church my parents attended rented the Methodist church fellowship hall until their new meetinghouse was built. We had Sunday morning services in the Fellowship Hall as there were only about 50 or so congregants…in the evening service we gathered in the main sanctuary of the Methodist chuch…which had the alter as central and the lector and minister pulpits away on each side…one Nazarene member said one evening when the adults were discussing our new building…“If the Nazarenes ever move the pulpit from the center to the side, I will leave and find a church where the Word of God is central…not the communion alter.”

As far as “a man giving his interpretation of the Bible”…well…that is a Catholic caricature of a Protestant minister…that’s what YOU beleive…but it’s not what he believes…he is delivering the Word of God the his flock.

In those fellowships that have a communion table…it too is generally in front of the pulpit at the center…a cross, a Bible, flowers, or the covered communion set is usually on top with “Do this in remeberance of me” carved on the front. I have been in some Protestant meetinghouses which have the communion off to the side…usually in more conservative Reformed traditions…I attended a more evangelical Presbyterian service and it was like this.

 

[Indyann]

I think you misunderstand some things concerning Protestant…>Evangelical Christians.

The pulpit is the center of focus because from it comes the Word of God. It is not focused on a man…but upon the centrality of the Word of God.

When I was younger, the Nazarene church my parents attended rented the Methodist church fellowship hall until their new meetinghouse was built. We had Sunday morning services in the Fellowship Hall as there were only about 50 or so congregants…in the evening service we gathered in the main sanctuary of the Methodist chuch…which had the alter as central and the lector and minister pulpits away on each side…one Nazarene member said one evening when the adults were discussing our new building…“If the Nazarenes ever move the pulpit from the center to the side, I will leave and find a church where the Word of God is central…not the communion alter.”

As far as “a man giving his interpretation of the Bible”…well…that is a Catholic caricature of a Protestant minister…that’s what YOU beleive…but it’s not what he believes…he is delivering the Word of God the his flock.

In those fellowships that have a communion table…it too is generally in front of the pulpit at the center…a cross, a Bible, flowers, or the covered communion set is usually on top with “Do this in remeberance of me” carved on the front. I have been in some Protestant meetinghouses which have the communion off to the side…usually in more conservative Reformed traditions…I attended a more evangelical Presbyterian service and it was like this.

Perhaps you could make a more informed post, if you read Justaservant’s conversion account. It is linked at the bottom of his posts. He’s been there, done that and has worn the t-shirt.

He speaks from experience. I doubt he misunderstands anything about Protestant Evangelical Christians.

 

[Publisher]

Perhaps you could make a more informed post, if you read Justaservant’s conversion account. It is linked at the bottom of his posts. He’s been there, done that and has worn the t-shirt.

He speaks from experience. I doubt he misunderstands anything about Protestant Evangelical Christians.

As I said…it is a Catholic caricature of what Protestants believe…not what they believe. Is not Justaservant a “catholic revert”? If he still held Protestant views…he’d be a Protestant…but he’s a revert.

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

The topic please

 

[Roy5]

** Actually, the different role played by a priest and a minister interests me**. Here are a few thoughts, not meant to be facts.

Traditionally, the Catholic priest was much more in charge of his parish than the Protestant minister. The minister often was selected by the people and could be fired if he did not match the demands of the congregation. In contrast, priests were assigned by the Bishop and up until fairly recent times they were very much in charge - sometimes tyrants. I recall how one priest, in particular, would regularly scold the congregation, something of a dictator. I presume some of his power came from the perception that he could forgive sins as well as repeat the words involved in transubstantiation. The idea that he was the representative of Christ at mass was impressive, too. I have heard horror stories of priests who ordered nuns around as though they were serfs.

**Protestant denominations differ somewhat in all this.** In Methodism, for example, the Bishop appoints pastors, also, through a local church committee can screen candidates. The congregation also holds the purse strings (and counted the money) which gives it added clout. In Catholic churches priests often were completely in charge of offerings, which had led to some serious financial irregularities, at least in this corner of the USA. This has changed somewhat since Vatican II.

** What has happened recently is that more and more ‘non-denominational’ mega-churches have spring up.** Often these Protestant churches center around a personality, a pastor with charisma and relatedd skills that help attract a large congregation. These can easily become little ‘kingdoms’ with the senior pastor the king. This tends to contradict the democracy that has characterized much of Protestantism since the Reformation.

 **Of course, this doesn't mean that members are afraid of the pastor, as Catholics sometimes were.** In fact, factions may develop in these large churches - power struggles, usually, but maybe theological squabbles (or camouflaged as theological squabbles) - sending one group off, angry, many times launching a new and even rival congregation. This is one reason there are so many Protestant denominations. 

 **It is true that Catholic congregations, at least in theory, are more altar-centered.** Free church Protestants in particular have always been suspicious of a lot of prayer-book liturgy, afraid that it becomes a robotic ritual with little spiritual depth and susceptible to superstition.. That's how the expression 'hocus pocus' got its start. That was a mimicking of the Latin mass, depicting it as an alien ritual in a foreign tongue, closely aligned to magic. The idea that the prayers offered by a priest can change bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ is very alienating to nearly all Protestants.

** Protestants today are split on several levels. One is in the area of miracles**. Millions of liberal Protestants - mainstream, usually - are wary of miracles. They see them as perhaps paganish, irrational, contrary to science and common sense. But among evangelicals, especially Pentecostalists, they and Catholics both embrace miracles. God is always speaking to this or that pastor, miraculous healings are commonplace, and ministers often convince the faithful that they will prosper in many ways (including financially), particularly if they ‘plant a seed’ - another way of saying ‘send us money!’. Just how many of these preachers are sincere and how many are fake is a question difficult to answer.

** Traditional Catholics, of course, accept the idea - for example - that St. Padre Pio could both levitate and bilocate, along with his numerous other miracles.** And true believers are quick to accept thousands of other miracles, big and small. Many modern Catholics are turned off by such claims and some have joined mainline denominations - Episcopalians, Methodists, Presbyterians, Lutherans, UCC, etc - where many more doubters belong and members feel free to accept or reject miracles.
**God bless everybody - and a Happy New Years, too!**

 

[1beleevr]

So, why do catholics gather on Sunday?