“What about…” Aledo Church of Christ Summer Series 2014

The Lord’s Supper… 1.“Whether or not it is commanded” 2.“Should it be offered at all worship services on the first day of the week?” 3.“Is it okay to have small groups to individually pray for the communion. I personally find it hard to focus. Although there are no set instructions, it clearly refers to unity, order and together.”

Was the Lord’s Supper a Centerpiece? It seems to be a focus at Corinth Notice the tongue-in-cheek language (11:17-20) Paul admonishes them for abuse (11:21-22) Paul restates his teaching: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you…” (v. 23) It seems to be a focus at Troas “…when we gathered together to break bread” (Acts 20:7)

How Often? Corinth met weekly, it seems on the first day of the week: 1 Cor. 16:1-2 & 11:20 It was a convenient time to collect because already meeting? Why already meeting – to break bread?

Consider Historical Record “…they were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light…then reassemble to partake of food – but food of an ordinary and innocent kind.” Pliny the Younger, circa 110 AD Ferguson, Everett. Early Christians Speaks. Abilene: ACU Press, 1999; p. 79.

Consider Historical Record “And on Sunday there is a gathering together in the same place of all who live in a city or rural district. …when we cease from our prayer bread is presented and wine and water. …A distribution and participation of the elements for which thanks have been made to each person, and to those not present it is sent by the deacons.” Justin circa 150 AD Ferguson, Everett. Early Christians Speaks. Abilene: ACU Press, 1999; p. 80.

Consider Historical Record “Having earlier confessed your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure, come together each Lord’s day of the Lord, break bread and give thanks.” Didache circa 90 AD Ferguson, Everett. Early Christians Speaks. Abilene: ACU Press, 1999; p. 92.

The Importance of Unity The main issue in Corinth – disunity in the Lord’s Supper.  Problem was some were filled while others were not. (v. 21)  Those able to arrive promptly indulged.  Likely wealthy ate, slaves came later (v. 19, 33)  Solution stop treating meal as personal meal and abusing Lord’s Supper (vss , 34; cf. Jude 12)

Fellowship during the Meal 1 Corinthians 10:14-21 “sharing in the blood of Christ” “…the bread we…break a sharing in the body…” “Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body” “you cannot partake of the table of the Lord…”

The Lord’s Supper… 1.“Whether or not it is commanded” Yes, direct command – 1 Cor. 11:23-24 Yes, example of early church – pattern on Sundays

The Lord’s Supper… 1.“Whether or not it is commanded” 2.“Should it be offered at all worship services on the first day of the week?”  I don’t know.  If so do all eat it even if a second time?  Does everyone have to be in the same room?  Scripture is silent here – Elder’s prerogative.

The Lord’s Supper… 3.“Is it okay to have small groups to individually pray for the communion. I personally find it hard to focus. Although there are no set instructions, it clearly refers to unity, order and together.”  Physical or Spiritual unity, cf. Phil. 2:1-2?  Did the early church do “house to house”? Acts 2:46  Is every small group a worship assembly? Consider: Acts 5:42, 20:20, Mk. 6:7, Lk. 10:1

Take Away on the Lord’s Supper 1.It is something we gather together to do every Sunday. 2.It is something we do as a body to fellowship with one another and Christ. 3.We should always seek to maintain a spiritual unity even if not a physical unity.