Weekly Communion: What does the Bible teach?

A BIBLICAL DEFENSE OF THE WEEKLY OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

The memorial meal instituted by Jesus in the context of the Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-29) is the only thing that Jesus asked His disciples to do “in remembrance” of Him (Luke 22:14-20; 1Corinthians 11:23-26).  It is clear that the early church continued in this practice (Acts 2:42) and both Scripture (Acts 20:7; 1Corinthians 16:2) and early history and tradition indicate that the Lord’s Supper was the central focus of their weekly meeting.  Christians should not only want to maintain Apostolic tradition (2Thessalonians 2:15), but also see the importance of keeping the focus on the central and saving events of the Gospel: Jesus’ death for our sin, burial, and resurrection (1Corinthians 15:1-4) in a regular manner.  Congregations offer, but do not “police” (examine people and restrict it to “Christian Church” members only), the meal to all believers every week as an important means of obeying and remembering Christ.  While some claim that weekly observation can render it a “commonplace” experience, this same reasoning never seems to be applied to any other activity that could equally become “routine” - such as church attendance, hymn-singing, prayer, preaching, paying the preacher, telling your mate that you love them, etc.

       It should be noted that there may be a deep spiritual reason why the frequency of the Lord’s Supper and mode/meaning of baptism, etc. have become so varied and controversial amongst believers over the centuries.  If I were the Devil, I would make it a priority to remove the impact of the Christ-centered symbolism - make communion a rare occurrence so that people are less-frequently reminded of His death and shed blood.  With this in mind, let us examine some additional Biblical facts concerning the Lord’s Supper.   

  A. IT IS TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS...

      1. There is ample indication the Supper is designed to be a communal meal

 

         a. The disciples "came together" to break bread - Acts 20:7

 

         b. When they came together, they were to "wait for one another"- 1Cor. 11:33

 

       2.  Partaking together of "one bread", they demonstrate they are "one bread and one body" -           1Cor. 10:17-- We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another

   B. TO BE DONE OFTEN...

      1. The Biblical evidence is that it was done weekly

         a. Christians came together on the first day of the week to "break bread" - Acts 20:7

         b. Other indications of a weekly observance:

            1) The church at Corinth was coming together to eat the Lord's Supper, though they were                            abusing it - cf. 1Cor. 11:17-22

            2) Instructions concerning the collection suggest their coming together was on the first                                     day of the week - cf. 1Cor. 16:1-2

         c. Following the divinely approved example of Christians in the Bible, we know God                                     approves of a weekly observance on the first day of the week

      2. The earliest historical evidence outside the Bible confirms the  day and frequency.

         a. The Didache (ca. 95 A.D.) indicates Christians were to come together on the first day of                                 the week to break bread- Didache 14:1

         b. Justin Martyr (ca. 150 A.D.) records how Christians assembled on Sunday and partook                                    of the Supper - Apology I, 67

         c. "...the early church writers from Barnabas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, to Clement of                                        Alexandria, Origen and Cyprian, all with one consent, declare that the church                          observed the first day of the week. They are equally agreed that the Lord's

                        Supper was observed weekly, on the first day of the week." - B. W. Johnson,                                     People's New Testament

      3. Religious scholars confirm this was the practice

         a. "As we have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord's Supper was still held to             constitute an essential part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150)..." - Augustus Neander (Lutheran), History Of Christian Religion And Church, Vol. I, p. 332

         b. "This ordinance (the Lord's Supper) seems to have been administered every Lord's day;     and probably no professed Christian absented themselves..." - Thomas Scott (Presbyterian), Commentary On Acts 20:7

         c. This also is an important example of weekly communion as the practice of the first             Christians." - A. C. Hervey (Episcopalian), Commentary On Acts 20:7.

         d. "It is well known that the primitive Christians administered the Eucharist (the Lord's             Supper) every Lord's day." - P. Doddridge (Congregationalist), Notes On Acts 20:7.

      4. Some believe that a weekly observance diminishes the importance of the Supper

         a. Which is why they may do it monthly, quarterly, or annually

         b. But does the frequent practice of:

            1) Assembling diminishing its value and importance?

            2) Singing praises and offering prayers devalue their benefits?

            3) Preaching and studying God's Word decrease their significance to our lives?

      -- Our spiritual lives are dependent upon the value and benefits of our Lord's death on the cross; a weekly observance of the memorial helps us to live appreciatively and accordingly!

CONCLUSION

1. "The Lord's Supper" is a very special memorial of Jesus’ death for our sins...

   a. Instituted by Jesus Himself, He asked His disciples to do it in His memory

   b. Jesus told His disciples that He would not eat of the elements again until:

      1) "...that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." - Mt 26:29

      2) "...that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God." - Mk 14:25

      3) "...it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God." - Lk 22:16

      4) "...the kingdom of God shall come." - Lk 22:18

2. The first Christians "continued steadfastly" in its observance...

   a. Just as they did in the apostles' doctrine, fellowship and prayer- Acts 2:42

   b. Coming together on the first day of the week for that very purpose- Acts 20:7

3. Christians today should never lose sight of its significance for us...

   a. A constant reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins

   b. A communion or sharing of the body and blood of the Lord

   c. A time for self-examination and rededication of our service to the Lord

   d. A means for building fellowship with one another in the body of Christ

4. May such thoughts encourage us to never neglect opportunities we have to observe the Lord's     Supper, but to continue steadfastly and in so doing "proclaim the Lord's death till He comes."