In Acts 20:7-11, did the disciples actually worship on Sunday?

The Bible says, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight… Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed… Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot” (Acts 20:7, 11, 13).

Learn More:What DoRomans 14:5 & 1 Corinthians 16:2 Say About Sunday?

Learn More: Was the Sabbath Nailed to the Cross?

A Late-Night Gathering

The apostle Paul was en route to Jerusalem. His ship stopped in Troas and, while waiting there for it to sail, he called together his converts and held a meeting. He preached until after midnight, and then ate with them.

The First Day of the Week

There is nothing mentioned here about holding a first-day service to indicate that this Sunday was kept as the Sabbath. When Paul held a meeting at Miletus on the following Wednesday (Acts 20:14-18), that service did not sanctify Wednesday, and no Christians keep Wednesday for that reason.

In Acts 2:46, 47, we find the disciples breaking bread daily, but that does not make every day the Sabbath. Even if the breaking of bread on this night was a Communion service, Jesus instituted the Communion on a Thursday night. If the Communion service makes a day holy, why are we not observing Thursday as the Sabbath? Furthermore, the Communion does not relate to the resurrection of Christ, but rather, refers to His death and second coming. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Conclusion

It is clear that no observance of Sunday is instituted in this text. Every institution incorporated in the new covenant was given before the death of Christ, not one after His resurrection. His last will and testament was sealed with His blood and it did not include first-day worship in commemoration of His resurrection.

In conclusion, this passage from Acts 20 that mentions Sunday, the first day of the week, does not indicate that the disciples neglected the seventh day to begin observing the first day. No change during the time of the early church, and no change since, has moved the Sabbath from the seventh day to another day of the week. God still promises us a special blessing if we will listen to His Word and worship Him on the Sabbath day as instituted at creation.