It is a mistake to think that the early church was free to meet together as a larger group whenever they wanted.
The Romans saw the early church as a sect of Judaism (Acts 24) and therefore a religious group. This meant that they were not seen as a threat to the empire and were given the same priveleges as the Jews and were able to meet together weekly.
Other secular groups such as guilds were not treated so liberally. They were only allowed to meet together monthly. In this way the Romans could keep control of their subject people and keep a lid on any seditious movements.
Paul was obviously jealous about safeguarding this privelege. We see this in the Corinthian letters where he warns them about getting too carried away with their new found freedoms and drawing unnecessary attention to themselves. I have no doubt that Paul saw the need for meeting together on the seventh day as a pattern that God had set.
Meeting together on a weekly basis was important to the life and health of the NT church. And remember, living in a rural village society they probably saw one another just about on a daily basis any way. How much more important is it for us who do not have the same kind of daily relationships.
Dad
Is it the "pressures" of the modern world?
I think not - but I may be wrong.
Paul and the other early followers obviously meet often and if we are to believe the Book of Acts, then gathering on the Sabbath of Judaism and the first day were in fact the Custom.
Now there's a thought two days a week in total fellowship. One day preaching, teaching, helping and abiding in God, to the Jews and others, (the Sabbath), and one day together as a group of followers doing it all over again.
Then the rest of the week to worship, work, witness and love ... gives a whole new meaning to the concept of "one man eteems one day"
Blessings. Malcolmite
PS: Really glad I found the website and yopur blog. Have been follwing outside the "Church" since 1989.