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Question
Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wed. Night not that three times a week is enough or to much what is the history.
That, by the way, is an excellent question. The church as the formal organized and clockwork like demeanor is certainly not the church of the first century. As you probably know, in the early years of the church, and especially after the destruction of Jerusalem, the church was literally spread to the winds. Anyway, the same way church plantings were conducted (meeting in homes) the church began to grow tremendously. Where large congregations of people assembled, such as at the churches mentioned in Paul's epistles. The church began to gain structure and organization. Remember that deacons were selected at a huge gathering to help with serving tables. In another instance certain Apostles are instructed, as they head out on their missionary journey, to ordain elders and appoint leaders in the churches. This was still in the first century.
Also we are given insight into the early "ceremonies" in that we are told at a meeting in an upper room Paul preached, they sang hymns, and certain musical instruments were used. As the church continued to organize programs were actually printed up, in the early second century as well as abbreviated instructions for different functions and ceremonies. So then we come to the days of worship.
It is still a matter of debate as to which day of the week is for formal worship. But in any case, it is recorded that every day was a day of work healing, baptism, and other activities of the church in the very first days. The Apostles assembled virtually every day to keep abreast of the church growth and other matters. At each assembly, there were prayers, reading of scriptures, and other things - such as the previously mentioned hearings and things. For the early church, then, every day was a day of service to the lord. Paul wrote that some (during that very period) honored one day more than others, some tow or three, and some honored every day equally. He also noted that some didn't honor any specific day. His point to them then was that whatever you do you do to God, and whatever your exempt (or don't do) you do to God as well.
So then, I would have to say that days of worship, praise, singing, and church matters varied from church to church and day to day.
Sunday, Wednesday, slowly became a tradition in the last of the second century in some of the churches of the western Roman empire. Some scholars say it is because the days were chosen, especially in Rome, to honor certain pagan gods or festivals. In some "churches" that may have been the case. But for whatever reason it soon became common practice. Keep in mind though that this wasn't a practice (documented) until the very late third century and beginning fourth century. Also some churches met exclusively on Saturday as the holy day of worship, and others never really became formally organized. So the bottom line is that formally, the earliest time that is well documented of structured church worship on Sunday, Wednesday, etc. was in the very late third and early fourth century. But, the days of the week were all church days in the earliest days of the church.
I'm sorry it took so long to answer, but as you know some questions cannot be answered well in a few sentences. I hope this helps and please don't hesitate to ask anything that concerns you. Thank you and bless you,
Dr Ley
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Answers by Expert:
Dr Wesley B Ley Rose
Expertise
I can answer questions on: Biblical Studies, Biblical History, Church History, Early Christian History, Sociopolitical Background in the Early Church, Biblical Archeology, Biblical Theology, and some Greek
Experience
I did my field work in Israel, Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan while on active duty in the US Air Force during the period between 1989 to 2000. I served as a Chaplain in five theaters of war and spanning well over a decade. This afforded me the opportunity to view digs, museums and Universities where i was blessed by the staff and many graduate students. I also viewed many original manuscripts, me Archeologists, Anthropologists, and benefited from the direct teachings of Rabbi's and many learned individuals. UI have personally written almost three hundred commentaries, Essays, Treatise, and Theses. I founded my own School on Early Christian History and recently began the process to offer courses in Biblical Archeology. I teach at the local community colleges, churches, and community centers. I have authored seven books and still continue research and study. I recently received my Doctorate in Early Christian History through Scripture Institute.
Organizations
Biblical Archeology Society, Paralyzed veterans of America, Habitat for Humanity, Christians with Disabilities, and many more Academic organization not to mention alumnus to many Universities throughout the world including the University of Cairo, University of Tel Aviv, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, King Fadd University, plus so many in the US and the pacific rim. many I just too a few courses, and some are honorary alumni status. Schools such as Cambridge, MIT, Stanford, University of Maryland, Appalachian State University, University of New Mexico, Empires State University, Clemson University, http://www.icjs.org/Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies, and almost a dozen others. I have been attending college since 1977.
Publications
http://scripturestudies.spruz.com/member/?g=68103DCA-9F60-4232-BB0A-CBD142486574; http://cwd.spruz.com/member/?g=8A3552CE-F43E-4867-BD5E-A9F772180B4C; http://moriyahswayministries.spruz.com/member/?g=7E81CAA1-F5D0-4D3A-B7DD-AA49CB4C0B89; http://office.untcilive.org/en/tuckerhall/mylatest.html; http://jesustheonlyway.ning.com/profiles/blog/list?user=3evycepnc6eel; http://lucian.uchicago.edu/workshops/earlychristianstudies; http://ley-academic.spruz.com/; www.lightofchristministry.webs.com; http://books.google.com/books?id=tYEYAAAAIAAJ&dq=related%3AISBN1576072630&source=gbs_slider_thumb; http://studiesinscripture.bravehost.com/index.html; http://firstfollowers.vision.org/first-followers/; http://www.libraryinthepalms.blogspot.com/; http://www.christisdeity.org/; http://www.cacbma.net/index.html; http://msbaptist.org/clients/msbaptist/index1.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No; http://www.icjs.org/; http://independent.academia.edu/drley, etc.
Education/Credentials
I currently Hold two Doctorates in Theology and Divinity. Additionally i hold two separate master's in Biblical History-Biblical Studies, and Early Christian Studies. I'm also enrolled in salt lake Bible College as a Master's seeking a Masters in Christianity through the First 500Yyears. I have three Associate degrees in Electronic Engineering, Teaching, and Biblical Archeology. i was a Communications Engineer and worked in that field along with my Chaplianship; I received a field ordination in Kuwait by the US ARMY, yes the US Army. It's a very long story. Essentially I served in both branches for over five years; officially on loan to the Army when needed.
Awards and Honors
Aside from Military Educational Awards and others, I have been entered into the National Archives, American Honor Society, Who's Who, and National Award of Academic Achievement, Distinguished Graduate Air Force Academy, Magna Cum in all of my Master's Degrees.
Past/Present Clients
I have been a ghost writer for several ministers/evangelists; Trinity International Christian Consultants, Christian Book Reviews, etc, etc
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