OceanSide church of Christ

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How Often Is It to Be Done?

Victor M. Eskew

 

            Most denominational bodies do not partake of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week.  They partake on Sunday for the most part, but it is done once a month, or, once a quarter.  The churches of Christ always partake of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week.  The question that needs to be asked is:  “How often is it to be done?” 

            To answer this question let’s look at some illustrations.  As we look at them, we will ask the question:  “How often is it to be done?”

 

The Sabbath Day

 

The Command (Exo. 20:8)

Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.

 

How often was this done?

 

Answer:

It was to be done every sabbath day. 
The sabbath day was remembered 52 times each year by the Jews.

 

 

Pay Day

 

The Contract:

You will be paid upon the first day of the week.

 

How often was this done?

 

Answer:

The individual will be paid every first day of the week.

The person will be paid 52 times each year by his employer.

 

Stock Day

 

The Store Policy:

The store will receive a truck of stock upon the first day of the week?

 

How often was this done?

 

Answer:

The store will receive a truck loaded with stock every first day of the week.

The store will be stocked 52 times each year.

 

The Contribution

 

The New Testament Verse (I Cor. 16:1-2)

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  Upon the first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

 

How often is this done?

 

Answer:

Churches take up collections every first day of the week.

The offering is taken up 52 times each year.

 

The Lord’s Supper

 

The New Testament Verse (Acts 20:7)

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…

 

How often is this to be done?

There is a first day of the week, every week of the year.

The Lord’s Supper should be taken 52 times every year.

 

Individuals understand that the sabbath was to be observed every week.  Individuals realize that if they are promised to be paid on the first day of the week that they will receive 52 pay checks each year.  People know that if a stock truck is going to come on the first day of the week that the store will have a truck in its parking lot 52 times over the course of the year.  Those who call themselves Christians have no doubt that a collection will be taken every first day when the church assembles together for worship.  Why, then, don’t rational people understand that the Lord’s Supper should be taken every first day of the week?  The wording that describes the other events is exactly the same in reference to the Lord’s Supper. 

            Often individuals argue that the Bible does not say that the Lord Supper was taken “every” first day of the week.  Isn’t it interesting that none of the other examples contain the word “every,” but they are still practiced “every week.”  The sabbath was observed every week.  A pay check is received every week.  The stock truck comes every week.  The collection is taken every week.  However, the word “every” is not used in any of the statements that authorize them to be done every week.  The same consistency should hold true for the Lord’s Supper.  When the disciples partook of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week, they did it every week.  If not, why not?

            This ought to be a very simple matter.  Reasonable people ought to quickly see that the practice of taking the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week is the right way.  Sadly, many have been so deceived by Satan that they will never see their inconsistency.  They will continue their daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly observances of the Lord’s Supper believing all the time that they are doing the Lord’s will.  Not so.  “Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” is the divine authorization.  This verse will always authorize partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week.  In fact, this is the only text in the New Testament that indicates when the Lord’s Supper was observed by early Christians.  Daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly observances are not found anywhere within the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.  They all are of man-made origin.