THE LAW FOR SUNDAY by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 12, 1877

“THE LAW FOR SUNDAY.”

By R. F. Cottrell

Under this title Bro. U. S. has clearly shown that the facts and circumstances of the first-day meeting at Troas, Acts 20:7, instead of making that day the Sabbath, prove the very reverse, showing clearly that Paul and his companions did not so regard it. It may be objected that they were only passengers on the ship, and were obliged to do as we do now, when making a long voyage, that is, they must go when the master of the ship was ready to sail. But it is evident from the narrative that the disciples, and Paul especially, controlled the sailing of the ship, the places of stopping, and the length of time they should tarry at any given place. Read the following language in proof.

“And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for SO HAD HE APPOINTED, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.” And the next day we came to Miletus; for PAUL HAD DETERMINED to sail BY Ephesus, (that is, pass it without stopping,) because he would not spend the time in Asia; for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.”

Thus it is clear that Paul controlled the time of sailing, the places of stopping as they were coasting along, and the length of their stay at any place; and this strengthens the inference that adverse winds had prevented their arrival at Troas before the preceding Sabbath, and though they were in haste and had no time to spare, yet Paul judged it important to remain and spend one Sabbath with them, the Sabbath that he might otherwise have spent at Ephesus, and start early on first-day, and pass by Ephesus without stopping. And the miraculous work done at Troas, and the very interesting meeting they enjoyed, justified the apostle’s judgment, showing that he was directed by the Spirit of God. R. F. COTTRELL.