The First Day of the Week

A significant difference between the churches of Christ and other churches is the practice of observing the Lord’s Supper every Sunday. Some churches do so only twice every year (at Christmas and Easter), some include other holy days on the calendar, and some have a “Communion Sunday” once every month. The practice of a weekly supper is not what most people today would consider to be the norm in Christianity.

But, what if I told you that ancient Christians, in the earliest days of the Lord’s church made the Lord’s Supper a regular part of their weekly worship services? The best evidence of this is seen in Acts 20. The first few verses of the chapter record Paul’s three-month excursion into Macedonia. We see in Acts 20:6 that Paul sailed from Philippi to Troas, where he rejoined traveling companions who had arrived there before him. He stayed for a week in Troas, and preached to the church there at their weekly assembly.

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together…” – Acts 20:7

The language of Acts 20:7 indicates that “the first day of the week” was “when the disciples came together.” That is why the modern church meets for worship on Sunday – not because it is Sunday – but because it is the first day of the week. 1 Corinthians 16:2 also indicates that the first day of the week was the day in which the church gathered for its regular assembly. Hebrews 10:25 indicates that ancient Christians understood these regular gatherings to a compulsory exercise. Relevant to this discussion, 1 Corinthians 11:20 indicates that an observance of the Lord’s Supper was supposed to be part of the weekly worship assembly. Paul rebuked the church in Corinth for failing to observe the Lord’s Supper, as they were supposed to do so. Members of the church in Corinth had made the Lord’s Supper into a common meal, which was not even shared among all the brethren. Paul reminded them of the emblems and purpose of the supper, as he encouraged them to get back what they ought to have been doing all along.

Does the church where you worship celebrate the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week? If not, then I would like to invite you to consider worshipping with the church of Christ in your community. In accordance with the Biblical pattern, we partake of the Lord’s Supper, as a regular part of our weekly worship, just like our brethren did, in ancient times.