Against Apion, Book 2.
John Butler in his book, Natural and Revealed Theology, p. 396, says, ‘We also learn from the testimony of Philo, Hesiod, Josephus, Porphyry, and others, that the division of time into weeks, and the observance of the seventh day were common to the nations of antiquity. They would not have adopted such a custom from the Jews. Whence then could it have been derived, but through tradition, from its original institution in the Garden of Eden?
Hesiod, BC 870 ‘The seventh day is sacred.’
Homer, BC 907, ‘Then cometh the seventh day, that is sacred.’
It is said that a ‘Creation Tablet’ found on the bank of the Tigris, Nineveh, and which is recorded as being in the British Museum, describes the strictness of the Sabbath as kept in Babylon. In his lecture before the Royal Institution, A.H. Sayce said concerning Assyrian tablets, ‘The Sabbath of the seventh day appears to have been kept with great strictness; even the monarch was forbidden to eat cooked meat, change his clothes, or drive his chariot.’
Both Sabbath and Sunday have been known for a long time. They have always been in conflict. The Bible upholds the seventh-day Sabbath throughout its pages. William Gladstone in ‘Later Gleanings’ p.342 says this, referring to the Sabbath ‘deposed’, ‘The seventh day of the week has been deposed from its title to obligatory religious observance, and its prerogative has been carried over to the first, under no direct precept of Scripture.’ Here he clearly stated that there is no Bible mandate for worshipping on Sunday.
Today the claims of Sunday are strongly re-emerging. The events of history give us valuable lessons, and pointers to follow in our decision making. This is not the first time this issue has been faced by Christians, and it has always required a choice, a decision, and an action. This will give you the necessary information to make a reasoned decision.
Here is an outline of the process of the change of the Sabbath
AD 100-199
Paul had warned in his letters of heresies and new attitudes that would arise in the church. He had seen some of these errors arising in his own day.
Acts 20:29,30. For this I know that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them.
2 Timothy 4:3,4. For the time will come