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The witness of

of Christianity

regarding the Sabbath of the Lord.

© J. F. Coltheart. 1954.

Some obvious spelling mistakes in the quotations and their sources have been rectified.

The notes have been inserted by the original author, J. H. Coltheart.

Early Christians:

"The primitive Christians had a great veneration for the Sabbath, and spent the day in devotion and sermons. And it is not to be doubted but they derived this practice from the Apostles themselves, as appears by several scriptures to that purpose."

"Dialogues on the Lord’s Day" p. 189. London; 1701.
By Dr. T. H. Morer (a Church of England divine).

Early Christians:

"...The Sabbath was a strong tie which united them with the whole people, and in keeping the Sabbath holy they followed not only the example but also the command of Jesus."

"Geschichte des Sonntags", pp. 13,14.

2^nd Century Christians:

The Gentile Christians observed also the Sabbath.

Gieseler’s "Church History", Vol. 1, ch. 2, par. 30, p. 93.

Early Christians:

"The primitive Christians did keep the Sabbath of the Jews... therefore the Christians, for a long time together, did keep their conventions upon the Sabbath, in which some portions of the law were read; and this continued till the time of the Laodicean Council."

"The Whole Works" of Jeremy Taylor, Vol. IX, p. 416,
(R. Heber’s Edition, Vol. XII, p. 416).

Early Church:

"It is certain that the ancient Sabbath did remain and was observed (together with the celebration of the Lord’s day) by the Christians of the East Church [Asia Minor etc.], above three hundred years after our Saviour’s death."

"A Learned Treatise of the Sabbath", p. 77.

Note: By the "Lord’s day" here the writer means Sunday and not the true "Lord’s day" which the Bible says is the Sabbath. This quotation shows Sunday coming into use in the early centuries soon after the death of the Apostles. Paul the Apostle foretold a great "falling away" from the Truth that would take place soon after his death.

2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th centuries:

"From the apostles’ time until the Council of Laodicea, which was about the year 364, the holy observation of the Jews’ Sabbath continued, as may be proved out of many authors; yea, notwithstanding the decree of the Council against it."

"Sunday a Sabbath," John Ley, p. 163. London: 1640.

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© J. F. Coltheart. 1954.

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