1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. “As often as you drink it…” How Often? Weekly? Monthly? Quarterly? Simi-annually? Annually? Can’t All be Right!

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. First Day of the Week Secular History Just a short time after the last book of the Bible was written Pliny said in 107 AD that the Christians met and worshipped on a stated day. In 108 AD Ignatius says that the day was the first day of the week, the Lord’s day. About a decade later in 120 AD Barnabas wrote: “Wherefore also we keep the eighth day with joyfulness, the day, also, on which Jesus rose again from the dead.”

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. First Day of the Week Secular History Justin Martyr in 140 AD said: “Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Savior on the same day rose from the dead.” In 204 AD Tertullian wrote: “The church of Christ composed of baptized believers, does meet each Lord’s day to hymn praise unto God and partake of the Supper as was the custom of the Apostles”

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. First Day of the Week Secular History In looking at other religious leaders: John Calvin [Presbyterian Church]said, “Every week at least, the table of the Lord should have been spread for Christian assemblies.” John Wesley [Methodist Church] stated that, “I also advise the elders to administer the Supper of the Lord on every Lord’s day.”

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. First Day of the Week The Lord’s Day The Lord’s day was spoken of by the inspired writers of the New Testament (Revelation 1:10) David in prophecy - “the day that the Lord has made” is mentioned in conjunction with foretelling of the coming Messiah (Psalm 118:22-24) Moses – Leviticus 23:10,11 “the day after the Sabbath” 1 Corinthians 15:20 “firstfruits”

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. References to the First Day of the Week? Christ raised on the first day (Mark 16:9) God began creation on this day. Genesis 1:5 The Jews met in Jerusalem to keep Pentecost on this day (Leviticus 23:13-15) The Holy Spirit first descended upon the apostles on this day (Acts 2:1-4) The gospel was first preached on a Sunday. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:22-37) Saints were to lay by in store on the first day (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. The New Testament & The Lord’s Supper Continued steadfastly – Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 20:7 “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. What Did They Do When They Observed The Lord’s Supper? 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 Luke 22:19.20 Occasion was Passover – unleavened bread & fruit of the vine on the table Unleavened bread stood in the place of His body Fruit of the vine stood in the place of His blood shed for the forgiveness of sin

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. Cautioned Regarding How They Observed The Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 They Came Together as a Church In One Place Intending to Eat the Lord’s Supper Paul Said it Was Not the Lord’s Supper “Each one takes his own supper.” Should be eating in their OWN HOUSES

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. Cautioned Regarding How They Observed The Lord’s Supper Not a Common Meal Give Careful Attention to the Manner of Our Observance 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 “Unworthy Manner” – irreverently “Not discerning the Lord’s Body” – “discerning” – to separate, discriminate

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. Cautioned Regarding How They Observed The Lord’s Supper Making the distinction between ordinary unleavened bread, & bread taken in memory of the body of Christ Making the distinction between ordinary fruit of the vine, and that which is taken of in memory of the blood of Christ that was shed “Examine yourself” – proper manner being observed

Why Every First Day Of The Week The history behind partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week. Blessings Involved in Taking The Supper of the Lord Obey the Lord (Matthew 26:26-28) Remember the Lord (1Corinthians 11:24,25) Proclaim the Lord’s death (1Corinthians 11:26) Enjoy the communion of His body & blood (1 Corinthians 10:16) The Lord placed this feast in His Kingdom for His Disciples to observe (Luke 22:29,30) As they did under guidance of Apostles, we do now each 1 st day of the week.