Another translation of this verse gives a clearly picture of what it means:
"Now late on the Sabbath, as the first day of the weeks was DRAWING NEAR . . ." (Holy Bible in Its Original Order, Second Edition)
Note that the above scripture says that after the Sabbath day it was drawing TOWARD the first day of the week. Days in the Bible did not begin at midnight as they do today but ran from SUNSET to SUNSET, a natural, common sense way of determining when days started and stopped! The seventh or Sabbath day ran from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.
What does Matthew 28:1 tell us? It states that two "Marys," about the time the Sabbath was ending (Saturday evening) went to check on Jesus' tomb. The logical time sequence of this verse actually confirms that a Biblical Sabbath observance occurred from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday after Jesus died. There is no support here whatsoever for going to church on Sunday, since THIS visit to the tomb happened Saturday night!
The second reference we will look at is in the book of Mark:
"Very early in the morning, on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, they (Mary Magdalene and the "other Mary" who first visited the tomb Saturday evening) came to the tomb when the sun had risen." (Mark 16:2)
This is merely Mark's version of the sunrise visit to the tomb. Our third reference is also found in the book of Mark:
"Now when He rose early on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons." (Mark 16:9)
Nothing here calls the first day of the week the Christian Sabbath and therefore the day to attend church. Nothing here calls it "The Lord's Day." Nothing here hallows Sunday or says God made it holy. Nothing here commands us to observe it. Nothing here sets it apart as a memorial of the Resurrection, or for any purpose. There is no command or example of REST on this day and no authority for observing it.
Did the disciples WORK on a church day?
Our fourth "first day of the week" reference is found in the book of Luke:
"Now on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. " (Luke 24:1)
This text tells again the same event recorded by Matthew and Mark, and it shows that on THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, Sunday, these women came to do the work of a common weekday, AFTER having rested the Sabbath day "according to the commandment." For we read, in the verse just before this, "Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment." (Luke 23:56). Did these women not know they were working on the new day to rest and going to church? Did they not yet know they did not have to obey the commandment? This statement did not come from the women, but its inspiration came from the HOLY GHOST, who did know the commandment was still active. Moreover, it was wrote at least twenty-five years after the establishing of the New Testament Church! The Holy Ghost THEN inspired the direct statement that the rest of these women on the Sabbath day were according to the commandment, which statement would not be possible had it had no longer any affect.
Our fifth reference is in the book of John: "Now the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb." (John 20:1). This, written many, many years after the crucifixion, is John's version, describing the same visit to the tomb. It confirms the facts above.
Did the early church celebrate the resurrection on Sunday?
Our sixth reference is also found in the book of John:
"Then, the same day at evening, being the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' " (John 20:19)
Let us examine this carefully, for some claim this event occurred on a Sunday and was a church service held to celebrate the Resurrection. However, notice this is the same first day of the week that FOLLOWED the Sabbath. It was Jesus' first opportunity to appear to His disciples. For three and a half years, He had been constantly with them, on ALL days of the week. His meeting with them, of itself, could not establish any day as a Sabbath.
Did the church assemble to celebrate the Resurrection, thus establishing Sunday as the Christian Sabbath in honor of the Resurrection? The text says they assembled "for fear of the Jews." The Jews had just taken and crucified their Master. They were afraid. Why did they assemble? "FOR FEAR OF THE JEWS" according to this text, and because they all lived together in this upper room (Acts 1:13). They could not have assembled to celebrate the Resurrection for THEY DID NOT BELIEVE JESUS WAS RISEN (Mark 16:11; Luke 24-37, 39, 41). Nothing in this text calls this day "Sabbath," or "Lord's Day," or any sacred title. Nothing here sets it apart, makes it holy. There is no authority here for changing a command of God!
Did the apostle Paul hold services each week?
"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. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. " (Acts 20:7-8)
Here, at last, in our seventh reference, we find a church meeting on the first day of the week. However, it was not a SUNDAY meeting! Notice, Paul continued his speech until midnight! "There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together." It was AFTER SUNSET, prior to midnight, the first day of the week. Now at that time the first day of the week did not begin at midnight, as men begin it today. It began, and the Seventh day ended, AT SUNSET! All Bible days begin and end at SUNSET. Throughout the Roman world at that time, and for a few hundred years afterwards, days began and ended at sunset. The practice of beginning the new day at midnight started much later. Therefore, this meeting, and Paul's preaching, took place during the hours we now call SATURDAY NIGHT - it was not a Sunday meeting at all!
Why did Paul remain behind?
Let us, now, pick up the thread of the narrative related in this passage. Begin verse 6:
"But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. Now on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day . . ."
Paul and his companions had been in this town of Troas seven days. His companions had left by ship after sunset. Paul remained behind for a farewell meeting. He preached until midnight, "ready to depart the next day." At break of day - sunrise Sunday morning - Paul departed (verse 11). Now notice what his companions had done:
"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. And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene." (Acts 20:13-14).
Apostle Paul's foot trip from Troas to Assos
Look at the above map. Paul's companions had to sail around the peninsula, a distance of roughly 50 miles (80.5 kilometers), while Paul walked across the peninsula a distance of about 21 miles (33.8 kilometers). He was able to walk this distance in shorter time than they could sail the longer distance, which gave Paul the opportunity to remain behind in Troas after they left to visit and give a last farewell message.
Now do you see what actually happened? Paul's companions were engaged in the LABOR of rowing and sailing a boat while Paul was preaching that Saturday night and early the next morning - on the first day of the week. They had set sail Saturday night, AFTER THE SABBATH HAD ENDED. Paul remained behind for one more last farewell sermon. Then, at break of day Sunday morning, he did not conduct a church service but rather set out afoot, indulging in the labor of a long walk from Troas to Assos! He waited until the Sabbath was past for this long walk - a good hard day's work, if you ever tried it! He did it on the first day of the week, a common workday!
Did collections occur on the first day?
We come now to the 8th and last place where the term ''first day of the week" occurs in the Bible - the book of 1Corinthians:
"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come." (1Corinthians 16:1-2)
Often you will see this text printed on the little offering envelopes found in church. The above verses in 1Corinthians 16 speak of a collection — but for WHOM — for WHAT? Note it! The collection was not for the preacher, or for evangelism, but "the collection FOR THE SAINTS." The poor saints at Jerusalem were suffering from drought and famine. They needed, not money, but FOOD. Notice Paul had given similar instruction to other churches. Now observe his instruction to the Romans:
"But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem . . . Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain." (Romans 15:25-26, 28).
Ah! Did you catch it? It was not money, but FRUIT that they sealed for shipment to the poor saints at Jerusalem! Now turn back to 1Corinthians 16. Paul is speaking concerning a collection FOR THE SAINTS. What did they do on Sunday, the first day of the week? Look at it! Does it say drop a coin in the collection plate at a church service? No! It says "let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper" Note it! LAY SOMETHING ASIDE! Store up as HE may prosper — at home!
Men GATHER fruit out of the orchard — they COLLECT vegetables out of the ground, to be STORED UP. However, putting coins in a collection plate at church, or handing in your tithe envelope cannot be a GATHERING, but an offering. Notice further:
"And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me." (1Corinthians 16:3-4).
Apparently, it was going to require several men to carry this collection, gathered and stored up, to Jerusalem. If it were tithe or offering for the minister or the spread of the Gospel, Paul could have carried the money alone. So, once again, the last and final text in the Bible where we find "THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK" mentioned, it is a WORK DAY — not a CHURCH DAY. It is a day for gathering fruit and food out of the orchards and the fields and gardens, and storing it up. It was to be the FIRST labor of the week, hence the first day of the week or Sunday, as soon as the Sabbath was past!
What day did Paul endorse to worship God?
Now briefly let us look thru the New Testament to find WHICH DAY Paul kept, and taught Gentile converts to keep. Notice which day Paul and Barnabas worshipped on:
"Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue ON THE SABBATH DAY and sat down. " (Acts 13:13-14)
As their custom was, Paul and company attended services on the SEVENTH day of the week (Saturday) - just like the Jews - and not on Sunday. After services were over Paul and Barnabas were free to discuss the gospel with the Gentiles (non-Jews) without any possible hindrance:
"So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them THE NEXT SABBATH. Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God." (Acts 13:42-43)
Now since Paul was preaching "the grace of God" here was an excellent opportunity to straighten out these Gentiles, and explain that the seventh-day Sabbath the Jews is not required and that a NEW DAY of worship (Sunday) existed for believers in Jesus.
If Paul endorse going to church on a Sunday Sabbath then WHY did he not tell the very zealous Gentiles believers (who BEGGED him to teach them), who had just attended a SATURDAY service, to come back THE VERY NEXT DAY for "Christian" services? WHY would they have to wait a whole WEEK before receiving teaching from the word of God? Why did Paul not correct their request to be taught "the next sabbath" by stating something about how God CHANGED the day He now wanted to be worshipped from Saturday to Sunday? Notice what happened next:
"On THE NEXT SABBATH almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God." (Acts 13:44)
Paul waited a whole week, passing up a Sunday, in order to preach the gospel not only to Gentiles but also to the entire CITY on the still in force Saturday Sabbath of the fourth commandment!
In conclusion, which day did Jesus and Paul believe was the TRUE Sabbath? Paul "as his custom was, went in to them, and for THREE SABBATHS reasoned with them from the Scriptures," (Acts 17:2). It was his MANNER -- his CUSTOM, to worship and teach others on Saturday, not Sunday. Jesus, as His Custom was: "So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the SABBATH DAY, and stood up to read." (Luke 4:16). Jesus' custom was not to have "church" on the first day of the week, but to obey his Father in heaven and observe a seventh-day Sabbath. The question remains if we are willing to follow in the steps of both Jesus and Paul.