A.Scriptural evidence as well as historical records indicate that the practice of the early churches regarding the Lord’s Supper was to assemble and observe it together on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1Cor. 11:17-34).For the most part, members of the churches of Christ are united on this tradition.
B.The controversy about the Lord’s Supper to be addressed here is regarding two types of untraditional observances of communion.
1.One such observance is that which is commonly offered in Sunday evening assemblies of the church for those who did not attend an earlier assembly and missed the first observance.
2.The other observance is the practice of individuals observing the Lord’s Supper by themselves outside of the assemblies of the church.Examples of this are when the elements of the communion are taken to Christians who are physically unable to assemble with the church (hospitalized or shut-in) or when Christians simply do not assemble with the church but still observe the Lord’s Supper (such as on camping trips).
C.This controversy has been the basis for the division of some local churches.Therefore, it is a serious matter, for the Lord’s church is His holy temple (1Cor. 3:16-17).
D.Our purpose here is to answer whether or not these two types of observances are Scriptural.The arguments and evidence for both sides of these issues are presented below, and then a resolution is suggested.
II.ARGUMENTS AGAINST
A.The arguments against these two types of observances are based on the elements of unity and fellowship that are required in communion.
1.“Communion” means “a sharing together.”
2.We often use this word to describe the Lord’s Supper, but the word is not found in most English translations of the New Testament.However, the idea is present in 1Corinthians 10:17.
a.“Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.”
b.Thus we see that those who partake of the Lord’s Supper are participating in fellowship with two entities: Christ and the church.
3.Those who argue against these two untraditional observances cite that the element of fellowship with other Christians is missing when a Christian observes the Lord’s Supper alone or apart from the majority.
B.These observances are also argued against based on the New Testament examples of Christians coming together to observe the Lord’s Supper.
1.For example, in Acts 20:7, the disciples were gathered to break bread together.
2.Likewise, the Corinthian Christians were instructed to wait for one another when they came together to eat (1Cor. 11:33).
III.ARGUMENTS FOR
A.These two types of observances are not necessarily justified together.It may be that one is a legitimate observance and the other is not.Let their distinction be noted.
B.The arguments in favor of offering the Lord’s Supper in a Sunday evening service are based on the fact that the observance is still in compliance with the Scriptures regarding the day and the place of the observance.
1.A Sunday evening assembly is still a gathering on the first day of the week, the day on which the disciples gathered to break bread in Acts 20:7.
2.An observance of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday evening is still observed in the assembly of the saints.The Christian who partakes of the Supper in that assembly is likewise in fellowship with those saints in the assembly.
3.Also, regarding the command in 1Corinthians 11:33 to “wait for one another,” the context of that chapter tells of the divisions that existed among the Corinthians.
a.In that context, the command is understood to be an admonition to unity.It is directed toward those who are present in the assembly, not those who are absent.Paul wrote, “when you come together to eat, wait for one another.”Some of the Christians at Corinth were engaging in an observance of the Lord’s Supper without others who were present.Paul commanded them to observe the communion together with all who were present in the assembly.
b.Otherwise, this instruction would prohibit the church from observing the Lord’s Supper until every member was present.
4.There is also an account of a similar situation involving the Passover in Numbers 9:1-14.
a.In this situation, certain men could not observe the Passover at the appointed time because they had handled a dead body and were unclean.These men appealed to Moses, who appealed to God, and God appointed a second opportunity for these men to observe the Passover Feast.This commandment was given as law for any who were unclean because of a dead person or who were on a distant journey.
b.It is understood that this is not a commandment regarding the Lord’s Supper, but it does give insight to how God made an allowance for persons who were prevented from observing a memorial feast.
c.Also notice that this allowance was not for willfully neglectful persons, and the command did not require all of Israel to observe the Passover a second time for the sake of those persons who missed the first observance.
C.The arguments in favor of individuals observing the Lord’s Supper outside of the assembly are more subjective and don’t have a strong Scriptural foundation.
1.Our sympathies are with those who are physically unable to attend worship services with the church.We want to do something to help them, and offering them the Lord’s Supper is a way of comforting them.However, this reasoning does not offer sound authority for a practice of worship.
2.Sympathy perhaps is not as strong for those who are physically able to assemble with the church but do not because of business commitments or recreational activities.
3.Scriptural arguments in favor tend to be regarding the fact that all Christians are commanded to observe the Lord’s Supper and deserve the opportunity.Therefore, proponents seek to facilitate them.
4.Another Scriptural argument some have made is based on Matthew 19:20, when the Lord said, “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.”
a.This argument has some merit, but one must be careful in the application.Two or three who gather one time do not constitute a local church.The context of Matthew 18 shows a distinction between the church and two or three persons (Matt. 18:15-17).Yet the Lord’s Supper is to be observed in the church (1Cor. 11:17-34).
b.Also, the primary application of the Lord’s teaching in Matthew 18:18-20 involves the authority of the apostles.Compare Matthew 18:18 to Matthew 16:19.
IV.RESOLUTION
A.Any resolution of this matter must be made with the understanding that participating in the observance of the Lord’s Supper is an intensely personal matter (1Cor. 11:23-29).
1.Each individual is responsible for himself when he eats and drinks, for the Scripture says, “Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1Cor. 11:27-28).
2.Therefore, if any individual Christian has issues of conscience regarding one of these observances of the Lord’s Supper, by no means should he participate.
B.With little to offer for Scriptural evidence or approved examples, the observance of the Lord’s Supper by individual Christians outside of the assembly is not well justified, although one may make an allowance for opinions and weak faith (Rom. 14).Again, each individual is accountable for himself.
C.Otherwise, while arguments on both sides of the issue regarding the observance of the Lord’s Supper in a Sunday evening assembly are compelling, evidence is strong in favor of the practice.Yet different churches have resolved different decisions about the practice.
1.Some churches have resolved to offer the Lord’s Supper only once on Sunday regardless of how many assemblies they have.
2.Other churches have decided to offer the Lord’s Supper during Sunday evening assemblies for those who did not partake of it earlier.
3.Still others have resolved that the entire congregation should participate when the Lord’s Supper is offered during a Sunday evening assembly.
4.The best resolution is for each church to decide on its own and to stay out of the business of other churches.This is a matter for the local church, and no one except the Lord should dictate how all local churches should resolve it.
