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 Bro.
Turner;
What
arguments can you offer for the frequency of your partaking of
Lord's Supper? Why observe this every week? WT.
Mississippi
Reply:
I
offer three arguments: scripture, reason, and historical precedent.
If the first is valid, the others are not really necessary.
The
early Christians met on every first day of the week.(1 Cor.
16.2)(KATA MIAN, every first day; KATA POLIN, every city, KATA MENA,
every month; etc. Acts 15.21; Rev. 22:2)
I
1 Cor. 11:20 Paul censures what these Corinthians did
"when ye come together" (every first day, a6:2) and
explains what they should do, viz., partake of the Lord's
Supper. (vs23-). It's a "left handed" argument, but
it is clear and strong. (See ARV)
Acts
20:7 says the disciples met upon the first day of the week to break
bread. "The" is definite article, expressive
of a stated or fixed day. There is certainly no authority for
the L.S. on any other day. Further, here is equal
authority on each and every "first day" that rolls
around. (Example: "Remember the Sabbath..." Ex.
20.8. WHICH Sabbath Day? The Jews had no difficulty in
recognizing that this was authority for every 7th day that
came>) These are scriptural arguments which I hold to be
sound.
Reasonable
evidence is found in the fact that all commemorative intitutions
which God ordained in prior times
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(Law of Moses) had a
fixed and regular time for observance. (The Passover, Feast of
Tabernacles, Purim, Pentecost, etc.) If the Lord's Supper is
not to be observed every first day there is no way to determine a
fixed time (within divine authority) and this vital memorial (1 Cor.
11:23-f) is left to wander aimlessly.
Finally,
secular history vindicates our conclusion. For the first three
centuries all the churches broke bread once a week. The weekly
communion was prepared in the Greek church until the seventh
century. We give one quote for those interested: "But
every Lord's Day do ye gather yourselves together, and break
bread,... etc." (From a writing called, "The Teaching
of the Twelve Apostles" dated about 120 A.D. Taken from Vol. 7
p 381, Ante-Nicene Fathers.) Why
do I observe the Lord's Supper every Week? Because the Word of
God which makes it clear that this is God's will for His people. Now,
be honest with yourself. Can you give as good a reason for observing
this memorial less frequently?? And how can you justify the
common Thursday night observance?? ------------------------------------------
Your questions and comments are truly appreciated. We will get to
the questions as rapidly as possible. If you reside in the vicinity of
Burnet we would be happy to come to your home for a private Bible study.
You are always welcomed at all services of the Oaks-West church. RFT
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