I have had a theory for some time that the early Christians had an annual celebration to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. There are a few times in Scripture which is translated the “first day of the week”, but more honest, you will find some translations will admit that they added the word “day”. Occassionally, you will even see a marginal note saying that the word translated week is the word Sabbath. Of course, no one could translate these passages as “on the first Sabbath”. That would just be silly right? Well maybe that would be OK.
For those who have lived within a Jewish culture and/or who know their Bible well know that the children of Israel were commanded to “count the Omer”, which is a counting of the weekly Sabbaths from the first Sabbath after Passover until then 7th weekly Sabbath, and then the day after is Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-16 and Deuteronomy 16:9-10).
This would mean that the first Sabbath after Passover would be….”the first Sabbath”. Now look at what it literally says about Jesus’ Resurrection.”
Matt 28:1 In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the "first Sabbath", came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
Mark 16:1-2 And when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And very early in the morning the “first Sabbath“, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
Luke 24:1 Now upon the “first Sabbath“, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
John 20:1 The “first Sabbath” cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.
So, all of the Gospel writings specifically make an effort to mention that Jesus rose on the "First Sabbath". Why would such a detail be important to mention even 60 years after the event? (We think John may have wrote as late as 90 A.D.) Could it be that the believers still found importance in that one day of the year? As Sort of annual celebration of Jesus' victory? Perhaps the "First Sabbath" (April 3, 2010) is the Real "early Christian" Easter.
1Cor 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
Upon the “first Sabbath” let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Act 20:7 And upon the “first Sabbath“, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
This is a helpful piece because it makes it easier to understand that as the Disciples were racing to get Jesus in the tomb before Sundown the start of the Sabbath, that the 16th of Nisan, would have been what is called a High Sabbath as opposed to a traditional weekly Sabbath. Taking care of the dead on Sabbath was certainly permitted. This goes outside the scope of this paper, but I think you can see that Jesus’ followers were fine some actions even on a weekly Sabbath (Lk 14:3-6). Certainly there is much more to say on the subject…I just wanted to show that a reading of the literal Biblical “first Sabbath” is not outside the realm of possibility. -Brother Bradley Avi
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