The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow me as I also follow Christ.” What is the relationship between 21st century Christians and the first-century apostles? The apostles were chosen and empowered to give flesh-and-bones to the pattern for Christianity Jesus intended. See Philippians 4:9.
THE BIBLE AUTHORIZES US BY THREE AVENUES:
Direct command – “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every Creature.” That’s a direct command.
Necessary inference – “He that believes” implies that before one can be baptized, he/she must be old enough and mentally mature enough to understand the Gospel and believe it.
Approved apostolic examples – this is the point of this study.
DEFINITION OF AN “EXAMPLE”
Webster’s defines examples as: “2. a case, punishment, etc. that serves as a warning or caution [to fine a speeder as an example to others] 3. a person or thing to be imitated; model; pattern; precedent.”
Thus we see that “examples” can be negative – what not to do; and positive – what to do. What about the examples of what to do? How should we thus follow those examples?
One of the most noticeable differences between the churches of Christ and denominational churches is our weekly observance of the Lord’s Supper. But such a weekly observance is actually following the pattern laid down by the apostles.
Bring down the generic viagra 100mg frequency of consuming alcohol, smoking and medicines. The original viagra uk shop reasons has led the industry create its alternatives and sell them in the market. Meaty and idle individuals might discover alleviation from general activity and progressive weight reduction. free viagra for women It is permitted free viagra without prescription all over the world. Acts 20:7. The clear implication of this text is that the point of coming together on the first day of the week was to observe the Lord’s Supper. “To break bread” is clearly an infinitive of purpose. But this is not the only verse that demands a first-day-of-the-week assembly:
Hebrews 10:25. Keep in mind, Hebrews was not written to a specific congregation or regional area but to all Christians. Also, since the Hebrew author is not explicit about certain details, there is implied that the Hebrew readers knew the details already.
1 Corinthians 11:20 & 33 suggests that there was an assembly for the purpose of “eating the Lord’s Supper” and this “coming together” was a regular pattern. This context – 1 Corinthians 11 – clearly does not tell us when the Lord’s Supper was eaten nor how frequently.
There is one last verse that essentially ties together Hebrews 10:25 and 1 Corinthians 11:20 & 33 and shows that Acts 20:7 was not a one-time decision or specific to the city of Troas. That verse is 1 Corinthians 16:1-2. When Paul wants the Christians in Corinth to take up the collection, he does not command them to assemble. They were already assembling “on the first day of the week”.
What we observe, now, is this. The apostles – Paul specifically – commanded the first-century Christians to gather together on Sunday – the Lord’s Day – in order to observe the Lord’s Supper. At that very assembly, we note from Acts 20:7 that there was preaching and from 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, there was giving. From other passages, we also learn they sang and prayed.
ONE LAST POINT:
There is no doubt from early church history that weekly communion was the pattern of the first-century church. G. W. Bromiley, writing in The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, volume three under “Lord’s Day” writes (158):
“The expression ‘Lord’s Day’ found only in Christian sources, first appears in Rev. 1:10 as a designation of the first day of the week. …it derives from the parallel expression ‘Lord’s Supper’ (1 Cor. 11:20), since the early Christians gathered on the first day of the week to celebrate this meal as the culmination of their corporate worship. An account of an early (late 50’s) Lord’s Day service is found in Acts 20:7-11. …Hence, Lord’s Day worship is the Christian festival of the Resurrection, in which Christians, like the original disciples, have fellowship with one another and with the risen Christ whom they trust as Savior and worship as God (emph. mine).”
–Paul Holland
