Why Do Christians Go to Church on Sunday?

Have you ever wondered why Christians go to church on Sunday instead of Saturday—or any other day? It’s a great question, especially if you didn’t grow up in church or are just starting to explore the Christian faith.

The answer is both simple and profound: Christians gather on Sunday because that’s the day Jesus rose from the dead.

Sunday: The Lord’s Day

When Jesus was crucified, he died on a Friday and rose on the first day of the week—Sunday. This wasn’t just a random day; it became known as “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10). From the very beginning, the earliest Christians began gathering on Sundays to celebrate the resurrection and worship together.

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” — Acts 20:7

Sunday worship became the rhythm of the early church because it marked the dawn of God’s new creation in Christ.

But Isn’t Saturday the Sabbath?

In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was Saturday, the seventh day of the week, commemorating God resting after creation. But after the resurrection of Jesus, the church began to gather on Sunday, the first day, to celebrate the new creation inaugurated by the risen Christ.

This wasn’t an accidental change—it was deeply theological. Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4), and now instead of a shadow pointing forward, we have the reality: rest in Christ himself.

Where Does a “Week” Even Come From?

You might never have thought about it, but why does the world operate on a seven-day week? It’s not based on the sun, moon, or stars. The answer is: God created it that way.

In Genesis 1 and 2, God created the world in six days and then rested on the seventh—not because he was tired, but to establish a pattern for humanity. God made the seventh day holy, setting it apart to teach us the importance of a rhythm of work and rest.

So, the concept of a week itself comes from God. It’s built into the very fabric of creation. It teaches us that life isn’t meant to be endless work—we were made for cycles of productivity and worship, labor and delight.

"Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." — Exodus 20:9-10

From Work-Then-Rest to Rest-Then-Work

In the Old Testament, the pattern was work first, then rest. God’s people worked six days and then looked forward to the Sabbath rest on the seventh.

But after Jesus rose on the first day of the week, the pattern flipped. The church began with rest, then work. We gather on Sunday to start our week not by striving, but by resting in what Christ has accomplished for us.

Sunday worship reminds us every week that the most important work—our salvation—is already finished by Jesus (John 19:30). We don’t work to earn rest; we start by resting in Christ and then go out to work, live, and serve in his strength.

The proportion remains the same: six and one. God’s people still have six days to do their work, but one day in seven belongs uniquely to him. That day re-centers us, reorients us, and reminds us of what is ultimate.

More Than a Tradition—A Testimony

So when Christians gather on Sunday, it’s not just about tradition or convenience. It’s a weekly testimony that Jesus is alive, the new creation has begun, and eternal rest is coming for all who trust in him.

When we gather, we don’t just show up to a building. We gather with God’s people to worship, hear God’s Word, receive the sacraments, and get equipped to live for Christ in the world.

Should You Go to Church on Sunday?

If you’ve never been part of a church before, Sunday might just feel like another weekend day. But there’s more happening than you think. When God saves someone, he brings them into a family—a community. Church is where that family gathers, week after week, to remember what’s most important.

At Central Presbyterian Church in Irvine, we’d love for you to join us on a Sunday. Come and see why gathering on the Lord’s Day is so central to the Christian life. You’ll hear about the God who raised Jesus from the dead—and who offers new life to you.