Frequency of the Lord's Supper

With regard to the Lord's Supper we learn "what to eat" and "what to drink" from the Lord himself (Matt 26:26-28) and also from the apostle Paul's reference to the emblems (1 Cor 11:23-24). But "how often" should disciples of Christ commune in this way with the Lord? Many think the Bible does not tell us and therefore each church may determine the frequency of observance.

In Acts 20:7 we find a reference to disciples coming together to eat the Lord's Supper: "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…" This is the only reference to which we can appeal to establish authority for the frequency of the Lord's Supper, and it says "first day of the week." Thus, it should be clear that God teaches us by example that he wants us to formally remember the Lord on the first day of the week, which is Sunday. But the phrase teaches more; it implies that we should eat the Supper every Sunday, not just one or two Sundays of our choosing each year. The following observations are offered as support of the foregoing statement:

If an event is to be observed annually both the month and day of the month for its observance is provided. Example: your birthday. If one is expected to do something monthly then the day of the month is specified. Example: a car payment. But if an event is to be observed "weekly" only the day of the week need be provided. Example: the Sabbath day. The command in the Old Testament was simply, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy." Since every week had a Sabbath day the Jews knew that it was a weekly observance; and we know they observed it weekly under the law of Moses.

Since the Lord prayed that his disciples might be united (John 17:20-21) is it reasonable to contend that God left it for man to decide when to take the Lord's Supper? If Acts 20:7 does not teach us to observe the Lord's Supper weekly, then who is to decide which "first day" of which week?

Some insist that Jesus' statement "this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" teaches us that we can participate in the memorial Supper whenever we want. But that is not what Jesus meant. The version "Bible in Basic English" translates it: "whenever you take it." Jesus was simply saying: "When you partake of these emblems, think about me and what I did for you." He did not specify a day-he left that for his apostles who, after his death, dealt with such issues (Matt 16:19).

By example and inference God teaches us to take the Lord's Supper weekly and on Sunday. What man has the right to suggest that "weekly" is too often (Matt 17:5; 1 Cor 4:6; 1 Pet 4:11)?

Some preachers argue that taking the Lord's Supper weekly will result in its being less meaningful and more ritualistic. Well, the same could be said of the "offering," which also is to be a weekly practice (1 Cor 16:2).

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