Do Christians Go to Church Only on Sunday?
The assumption that Christians, especially in the UK, only attend church on Sunday is a common misconception. In reality, the frequency of church attendance varies widely among Christians, with many not regularly attending at all.
Church Attendance in the UK
According to a recent survey, less than 5% of people in the UK who identify as 'Christian' actually attend church regularly. Many individuals who claim to be Christian have no active religious beliefs or practices. They often attend church for 'hatched, matched and dispatched' events, such as weddings and funerals, and this is often the only reason they attend.
Religious Services on Sunday
While many Christians attend church on Sunday, it is not the only day religious services are held. In fact, in order to attend CHURCH, one must go to the foot of the CROSS. Religion in itself is not a service, but rather a manifestation of God's justice, mercy, and love.
Protestant Denominations
Most Protestant denominations hold regular worship services on Sundays. However, some denominations have different practices. For example, the Seventh Day Adventists meet on Saturday, and there is a smaller Seventh Day Baptist denomination, with only a few thousand members compared to the 13 million Southern Baptists. Contrary to popular belief, the Bible does not specifically prescribe Sunday as the day for church services.
The Origins of Sunday Worship
Sunday worship became a common practice only about 320 years after the time of Jesus. This was initiated during the reign of Emperor Constantine, who made Christianity the state religion. Prior to this, there is no biblical directive regarding which day Christians should meet for worship. According to the Bible, when they meet, Christians should be part of the group and meet together.
Personal Faith and Worship
For those who have Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, the main service on Sunday is not a fixed requirement. In the book of Romans, it says that believers should not forsake the gathering together of one another (Romans 10:9-10). In Hebrews, it is stated that believers should not give up meeting together (Hebrews 10:25). Some believers have found Sunday unsuitable due to work commitments, for instance, I once attended Saturday night services due to my work on a second shift.
The Roman Imperial Hijacking
The concept of Sunday as a sacred day for Christians was further solidified during the reign of Emperor Constantine, under whose influence the Christian church became the established religion of the Roman Empire. This change was part of a broader move to align Christian practices with Roman social and political norms. Walter Martin, an influential Christian apologist, also noted that Emperor Constantine died as a sun worshiper, which aligns with the calendar system influenced by paganism. In this system, the days of the week were named after various gods and celestial bodies.
Sabbath and the Weekly Holy Day
The Bible does not specifically outline a day for Christians to meet, but it does prescribe that when they do meet, Christians should be part of the group and meet together. Paul, an apostle, wrote that believers should gather on the first day of the week, which was a significant change from earlier Jewish practices. However, this does not mean that every time believers gathered was a sabbath.
Walter Martin, in particular, emphasized that every day could be considered the Lord's day, and thus every day could be meaningful in a Christian context. The Apostle John, in Revelation, also referred to believers as priests of God, suggesting a continuous role in ministry and service.
Conclusion
While Sunday has become a common day for worship in many Christian denominations, this is not a universal requirement. The core of Christian faith lies in one's relationship with Jesus and the community of believers, which can be expressed in various ways, including through regular worship services on different days, personal devotion, and social gatherings.