Called Sunday 'First Day'; reject sabbatarian legalism; all days holy
Quakers historically rejected Sabbatarian legalism and special observance of Saturday or rigid Sunday rules. Early Quakers called Sunday 'First Day' rather than 'Lord's Day' to avoid elevating one day above others and to resist institutional Christianity's sanctification of particular days. This reflected the Quaker principle that all time is sacred and that legalistic observance can obscure authentic spirituality.
The Quaker position is nuanced: while Sunday remains the traditional day for corporate worship in most meetings, this is more for practical community gathering than theological requirement. All days are equally available for encounter with God and responsive obedience. Quakers emphasize that rest and worship should characterize daily life, not be confined to a single weekly observance. This reflects the underlying conviction that genuine sabbath—cessation from self-will and alignment with divine rest—is a perpetual spiritual reality rather than a calendar rule.
Key Distinctions
- Day observed:
- traditionally Sunday; First Day Meeting
- Observance theology:
- every day is holy; meeting for worship on Sunday; no strict Sabbatarian rules
- Binding on christians:
- not legally binding; all of life is sacred
Scripture References
Sources
- Early Quaker writings
- Quaker Faith & Practice
- Religious Society of Friends Testimonies