“Thus vanish all the dreams of false prophets, who in past
ages have infected the people with a Jewish notion, affirming
that nothing but the ceremonial part of the commandment, which
according to them is the appointment of the seventh day, has
been abrogated, but that the moral part of it, that is the
observance of one day in seven, still remains. But this is only
changing the day in contempt of the Jews, while they retain the
same opinion of the holiness of a day.”[958]
Yet these very “dreams of false prophets,” to use the words of Calvin,
constitute the foundation of the modern doctrine of the change of the
Sabbath. For whatever may be said of first-day sacredness in the New
Testament, the fourth commandment can only be made to recognize that
day by means of this very doctrine of one day in seven which Calvin
so sharply denounces. Now I state another important fact. Calvin’s
commentaries on the New Testament cover all the books from which
quotations are made in behalf of Sunday except the book of Revelation.
What does Calvin say concerning the change of the Sabbath in the record
of Christ’s resurrection?[959] Not one word. He does not even hint at
any sacredness in the day, nor any commemoration of the day. Does he say
that the meeting “after eight days” was upon Sunday? He does not say what
day it was.[960] What does he say of Sunday in treating of the day of
Pentecost?[961] Nothing. He does not so much as say that this festival
was on the first day of the week. What does he say of the breaking of
bread at Troas? He thinks it took place upon the ancient Sabbath! He
says:—
“Either he doth mean the first day of the week, which was
next after the Sabbath, or else some certain Sabbath. Which
latter thing may seem to me more probable; for this cause,
because _that day was more fit for an assembly, according to
custom_.”[962]
He says, however, that this place might “very well” be translated “the
morrow after the Sabbath.” But he adheres to his own translation, “one
day of the Sabbaths,” and not “first day of the week.” He says further:—
“For to what end is there mentioned of the Sabbath, save only
that he may note the opportunity and choice of the time? Also,
it is a likely matter that Paul waited for the Sabbath, that
the day before his departure he might the more easily gather
all the disciples into one place.”[963]
“Therefore, I think thus, that they had appointed a solemn
day for the celebrating of the holy supper of the Lord among
themselves, which might be commodious for them all.”[964]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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