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History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week - John N. Andrews

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many Christians after <strong>the</strong> apostles' times, even till<br />

<strong>the</strong> council <strong>of</strong> Laodicea [A.D. 364], as<br />

ecclesiastical writers <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> twenty-ninth canon <strong>of</strong><br />

that council testify, which runs thus:[59] 'Because<br />

Christians ought not to Judaize, <strong>and</strong> to rest in <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Sabbath</strong>, but to work in that day (which many did<br />

refuse at that time to do). But preferring in honor<br />

<strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong> (<strong>the</strong>re being <strong>the</strong>n a great<br />

controversy among Christians which <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se two<br />

days ... should have precedency) if <strong>the</strong>y desired to<br />

rest <strong>the</strong>y should do this as Christians. Wherefore if<br />

<strong>the</strong>y shall be found to Judaize, let <strong>the</strong>m be accursed<br />

from Christ.' ... The seventh-day <strong>Sabbath</strong> was ...<br />

solemnized by Christ, <strong>the</strong> apostles <strong>and</strong> primitive<br />

Christians, till <strong>the</strong> Laodicean council did in a<br />

manner quite abolish <strong>the</strong> observation <strong>of</strong> it. ... The<br />

council <strong>of</strong> Laodicea [A. D. 364] ... first settled <strong>the</strong><br />

observation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord’s <strong>Day</strong>, <strong>and</strong> prohibited ...<br />

<strong>the</strong> keeping <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Jewish <strong>Sabbath</strong> under an<br />

ana<strong>the</strong>ma."[60]<br />

The action <strong>of</strong> this council did not extirpate <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Sabbath</strong> from <strong>the</strong> eastern churches, though it did<br />

materially weaken its influence, <strong>and</strong> cause its<br />

614

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