Shortly before our LORD was crucified He shared in a memorial meal with His disciples.
(Matthew 26:26-29). Later on in the New Testament we find the Apostle Paul charging the
church at Corinth to likewise observe this memorial meal and to do so in the proper manner.
(1st Corinthians 11:20-34) The Bible clearly commands us to remember the LORD’S
death by partaking of this supper.
While Jesus and Paul both spoke of this meal no specific day was directly commanded,
however we know that GOD wanted us to partake at some point due to the command
given.
When then should we observe it?
In (Acts 20:7) we have an example given of a day in which this memorial supper was
observed.
“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul
preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until
midnight.” (Acts 20:7)
In (Acts 20:7) we have an example of this command being carried out on the 1st day of the
week by Christians under the guidance of one of the Apostles. Jesus was given all power
and authority in (Matthew 28:18-20) and He delegated authority to His apostles in the 1st
century in regards to their teaching and the establishment of the early church. When we see
an example of the early church carrying out a command under the guidance of an Apostle
we can regard it as authoritative. Paul writes “For I have received of the Lord that which
also I delivered unto you…” (1st Corinthians 11:23) and then proceeds to speak of the
command given by the LORD to partake of the bread and the cup. While breaking bread
can and often is used in other scriptures to refer to a common meal (Acts 2:46) it’s also
used to refer to the LORD’S Supper (Matthew 26:26-29, 1st Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:24)
Breaking of bread in (Acts 20:7) wasn’t speaking of a common meal but rather the
memorial meal that our LORD instructed that we observe until His coming.
How do we know?
(Acts 20:7) clearly states that their purpose for coming together on the 1st day of the week
was to break bread.
“…upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts
20:7)
In 1st Corinthians 11 Paul spoke of the Corinthian church coming together for the purpose
of eating the LORD Supper. (1st Corinthians 11:20) Even though they had turned it into a
common meal and receive sharp rebuke from Paul, it was understood that their coming
together was for the purpose of observing this memorial meal. Later in this same vein of
instructions he writes “…my brethren, when ye come together to eat…” (1st Corinthians
11:33) indicating again that their purpose for coming together was to partake of the LORD’S
Supper. Paul and the disciples at Troas likewise came together on the 1st day of the week
to observe this memorial meal (break bread) just as Paul spoke of in 1st Corinthians 11.
This point is further strengthened by the fact that Paul tarried in Troas for 7 days (Acts
20:6) so that he could assemble with the saints on the 1st day of the week to break bread. It
doesn’t seem reasonable to suggest that Paul would tarry for 7 days to simply assemble for
a common meal, which was something that could be observed on any other day at any
other time. Factor in Paul’s determination to be at Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (Acts
20:16) it doesn’t seem likely that He would risk missing it for a common meal. It appears to
be clear that the breaking of bread in (Acts 20:7) is a reference to the LORD’S Supper.
Concerning how often…
In Acts 20:7 the 1st day is shown, but how many 1st days and which ones?
If which 1st day(s) aren’t specified this implies that it was to be observed every 1st day.
Notice an Old Testament example that helps illustrate this point. In Exodus 20:8 God’s
people were told to remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy. The Israelites understood the
direct command to remember the Sabbath and while it was never specifically stated
anywhere in the Old Testament to do this every single Sabbath the logical conclusion that
they came to was, every Sabbath. We know this to be true because the Lord was very
specific when the command involved a yearly or monthly observance. If the observance
was to be yearly the month and day would be given.
Consider Leviticus 23:26 The Lord spoke to Moses: “The tenth day of this seventh month
is the Day of Atonement.” The Day of Atonement in the OT was to be observed on the 10th
day of the 7th month. If the observance was to be monthly the day of the month would have
been given.
The Sabbath day in Exodus 20:8 indicates that it was every Sabbath. Likewise the 1st day
of the week in Acts 20:7 implies every 1st day.