Part Two: What is the “First Day” of the week and what events occurred on the “First Day” of the week?

In Genesis 1, we read that God created the heavens and the earth in six days.

"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made." - Genesis 2:1-2

The seventh day is called the Sabbath. It is Saturday.

The First Day of the week is Sunday.

There are a number of significant events that occurred on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

Jesus was resurrected on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre...

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

“And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

“And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word." - Matthew 28:1, 5-8

The First Day (Sunday) of the week is when news of Jesus’ resurrection was first proclaimed.

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept." - Mark 16:9-10

This is also recorded in Luke 24:1-12.

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them." - Luke 24:1

This same day, the First Day (Sunday) of the week, Jesus appeared to two of His followers on the way to Emmaus.

"And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them." - Luke 24:13-15

The First Day (Sunday) of the week is the day in which Jesus first appeared to His disciples.

"And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them... And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." - Luke 24:33, 35-36

His appearance to His disciples on the First Day (Sunday) of the week is also recorded by 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, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. ... Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." - John 20:19, 21-23

This is the “Great Commission” as found in the book of John. It is recorded by John that Jesus gave His disciples this “Great Commission” as they were gathered together on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." - John 20:26

John records Jesus’ next appearance to the disciples again on the First Day (Sunday) of the week. (“After eight days”)

It was on this same day, the First Day (Sunday) that Jesus gave His disciples His “Great Commission” as found in the book of Luke.

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:46-49

Luke then records His ascension.

"And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." - Luke 24:50-51

In the book of Acts, it is recorded that the disciples were assembled together on the First Day (Sunday) of the week to break bread and hear the preaching of Paul.

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." - Acts 20:7

In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth, he told them to be prepared with an offering on the First Day (Sunday) of the week.

"Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem." - 1 Corinthians 16:1-3

Other translations say, “On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned” and “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up.” The First Day of each week is Sunday.

John records, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea." - Revelation 1:10-11

“The Lord’s day” (not the same as “The Day of the Lord”) refers to the First Day (Sunday) of the week. “The day on which Christ returned to life, Sunday therefore”. (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)