The Lord’s Supper: When are we to Partake?
When Jesus instituted the Lord Supper, He simply gave the command that we are to partake of it, but He did not specify the time. As a result, questions often arise as to the “When” of the Lord’s Supper? We might ask, “Since Jesus instituted it on a Thursday night, should we then partake of it on Thursday nights?” Or should it be observed on Sunday? Is there a specific day to partake of the communion? We should also ask, “How frequently should we partake?” The Bible provides the answers to these important questions, but not in a direct manner.
Before we get to that answer, a preliminary matter should be taken under consideration. This can be easily illustrated with an example of buying bread. If my wife, Ruth, tells me to go out and get a loaf of bread, I would be able to accomplish easily the task. Furthermore, I could do with it without any further information than her simply telling me to go and get the bread. How might you ask? Because I have been with her and have seen where she buys her bread, and I have seen (and tasted) what kind of bread she normally buys. I know that she goes to a place called Hollywood Bakery and buys their fresh sandwich bread. So, by simply following her example, I could get the right bread, a happy wife, and some delicious bread.
In like manner with the Lord’s Supper, we are simply told to partake of it (Matthew 26:26-29). There is no direct statement when we are to partake of it. But just like the illustration of buying bread, we have an example of the church in the first century partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and in addition, we have with that example valuable information given to us as to the day in which they partook of it.
Acts 20 records for us events in the life of Paul when he was returning from his third missionary
journey heading to Jerusalem. The first four verses cover in sweeping fashion Paul’s movement from Ephesus in Asia Minor to Macedonia to Greece back again through Macedonia and then back to Asia Minor again. While in Greece, Luke also informs us that Paul stayed for three months. That is a lot of ground to cover in just a few verses. But when you get to verse 5 where Luke begins to discuss the happening at Troas [the Harbor of Troas is seen in the picture above], Luke slows down to a halt. Why? Because now he has something very valuable to tell us, and so here, we pay careful attention.
Here we have the biblical details of the “when” in regard to the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Note the significant information given to us in this matter: 1) First, we are told that Paul’s companion went to Troas and remained there for some time as they awaited for the arrival of the apostle Paul (Acts 20:5); 2) Paul and Luke then traveled from Philippi to Troas on a five- day journey (Acts 20:6); 3) Paul and his companions remain in Troas for seven days. Why wait seven days? Obviously to be in Troas with the disciples for what was to occur on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
According to verse 7, we are told “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.” The first day of the week was of great importance to these disciples. This was the Lord’s Day (Revelation 1:10). This was the day when Jesus was resurrected from the dead (Mark 16:2-6).
This was the day Luke tells us that “the disciples came together to break bread.” The phrase “break bread” is sometimes used in reference to a common meal (as in Acts 2:46 and Acts 20:11), and sometimes, it is used in reference to the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:42). As with any word or phrase that has a variety of meanings, the context must determine the meaning. What does the context indicate in Acts 20:7? All the details in this text point to the Lord’s Supper. They could have gathered at any time for a common meal (Acts 2:46), but this “breaking of bread” had special significance.
Another important factor in this text is the presence of the Apostle Paul. So not only do we have an example which indicates that the early church observed the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, we have an apostle present. It should also be added that Luke indicates that the disciples came together every first day of every week of the year to observe the Lord’s Supper.
Paul reminds us that all that we do should be done by the authority of Christ (Colossians 3:17). When we follow the example set forth at Troas and come together on the first day of the week to break bread, we do that which “is in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
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Doctrine, Michael Carter
on November 1st, 2008
