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Did the early church meet on the first day of the week?

Direct

A clear verse states this directly, and no higher-or-equal-authority text overturns it.

Yes, the narrative record directly attests that the early assembly gathered on the first day of the week, though the same record also shows them meeting on the Sabbath, and no text commands the first day as the required day of worship.

Acts 20:7 states plainly that "on the first day of the week the disciples were gathered together to break bread," and John 20:19 records Jesus appearing to the assembled disciples on the first day of the week. These are direct narrative statements of the fact asked.

Key texts:
Acts 20:7Tier 5 · Other
On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight.
Acts 20:11Tier 5 · Other
When he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
John 20:19Tier 2 · Jesus
When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and sa

…and 13 more verses weighed in the full analysis.

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Original-language words behind this answer:
potamós (Greek G4215)méchri (Greek G3360)hypostréphō (Greek G5290)paragínomai (Greek G3854)thýra (Greek G2374)hikanós (Greek G2425)diérchomai (Greek G1330)éxō (Greek G1854)Hierousalḗm (Greek G2419)eirḗnē (Greek G1515)

SAM answers from primary-source texts only, weighing each verse by its authority tier. Every quotation is verified word-for-word. How the method works →

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