Paul wrote to a divided church of Christ in Corinth dealing with many issues there.  One problem in Corinth was that the
church had caused the Lord’s Supper to be turned into a common meal wherein they even divided further into preferring one
over the other in eating (I Corinthians 11:18-22).  In Paul’s inspired attempt to correct this particular problem in Corinth, we
have instructions that help us understand how to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  Paul wrote: “For I have received of the Lord
that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And
when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in
remembrance of me.  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.  For as often as ye eat this bread, and
drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this
cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.  But let a man examine himself, and so
let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup” (I Corinthians 11:23-28).

   In the midst of Paul’s writing we have a phrase that has caused some to begin new practices with the Lord’s Supper (verse
26 which is in bold in the above quote).  Some have thought that this phrase allows us to partake of the Lord’s Supper “as
often as ye come together” (you’ll note that I Corinthians 11:26 does not really mention the words “come together”).  This has
started a “Monday Night for the Master” partaking of the Lord’s Supper at liberal congregations like one in the Dallas area.  
They have concluded that the first day of the week is just as good to partake as any other day of the week.  Some argue that
while Acts 20:7 limits us to the first day of the week, they think I Corinthians 11:26 authorizes many times upon that first day of
the week.  Where’s the truth on these questions?


   In regards to the Lord’s Supper we know many things.  We know we are to use unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17; 26).  
We know we are to partake of the fruit of the vine which represents the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:27-28).  We know that
we can partake of the fruit of the vine by using multiple containers (Luke 22:17ff.).  We know that the local church of Christ in
Troas did the following: “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).  The church
in Troas assembled together to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.  We see nothing in the text
surrounding this event to even conclude that they came back a second time for a “make-up” serving of the Lord’s Supper
(Acts 20:7-12).  This one example is all that we have telling us anything about a frequency of partaking of the Lord’s Supper.  
If we follow this example, as we do here at Sunrise, a congregation would assemble on the first day of the week to partake of
the Lord’s Supper together.

   When we take a step further into the text Paul wrote to Corinth, we find nothing different.  For example, we find that the
Lord’s Supper is to be taken in an assembly together based on what Paul wrote to Corinth.  In fact, Paul instructed the
brethren in Corinth to wait on each other before partaking (I Corinthians 11:33).  This sure gets away from the idea that some
have of, “well they can just take it later at services tonight if they don’t make it”.  Brethren, we ought to be communicating
enough to know what may hinder another from being able to remember the Lord’s death with the brethren by communing one
with another in partaking of the Lord’s Supper.  If someone can’t be there right now, we should tarry for them.  This is
commanded.  Of course, that demands that we be not selfish with our scheduling.  What do we think Paul teaches us about our
attitudes towards one another when he writes Rome saying: “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).  These are the things we know.



  The congregation here at Sunrise has been criticized locally and elsewhere for assembling once on the first day of the week to
partake of the Lord’s Supper rather than twice.  Men such as David Bonner, Don Martin, and boys like Joe Wright believe we
are taking an opportunity away for people to partake.  Well folks, these men are also criticizing churches such as the one that
assembled in Troas.  There is not one command, example, or implication that exists within the pages of inspiration telling us to
assemble again on the first day of the week to offer again the Lord’s Supper.  So, if we have taken an opportunity away from
people to partake of the Lord’s Supper, it is an opportunity that men made without authority from the Lord in the first place.  
That is a good thing to take away (Mark 7:7-9).  To be clear, we could assemble as often as desired for other purposes (Acts
2:42 and Acts 26-27; cf. Hebrews 3:13; 10:25), but not once do we see a second meeting on the first day of the week for the
Lord’s Supper in the Scriptures.  Folks, going beyond what we know is not wise (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6,
and Revelation 22:18-19).


   It is good to review things and recall some familiar texts (II Peter 3:1-2).  I often wondered why all of the fuss over following
the pattern we do here to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  The battles often turn to the way you word something.  Some don’t
like the idea of a second serving.  Others don’t like a second partaking.  Some don’t like both.  Folks, we know for sure what
the Lord approved of (Acts 20:7ff.).  I can show someone what we do and know it is right.  In Troas, the single assembly they
had on the first day of the week was the time that they ate the bread and drank of the cup to show the Lord’s death.  Thus, I
Corinthians 11:26 was fulfilled in Troas once on the first day of the week.  Since we have nothing more to conclude a
frequency from, we stick to what we know!  To start the “well it doesn’t say…” garbage is to deny II Timothy 3:16-17!
Volume VII   ~   Issue XXXIX   ~   June 24th, 2007
Words of Truth Weekly - Online Edition
What must one do to be saved (Acts 2:37)?  Hear and believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16 & Romans 10:17), repent of their
sins (Acts 3:19), confess Christ (Acts 8:37), and be baptized (immersed) for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38 and
Romans 6:1-6).  Upon your obedience to these requirements of the Lord He will add you to the church of Christ (Acts 2:41; 47
and I Corinthians 12:12-13; cf. Romans 16:16).  One must then remain faithful (Colossians 1:23 and Revelation 2:10).
Edited by: Brian A. Yeager
The Frequency of the Lord’s Supper Being Served
By: Brian A. Yeager
Stating What We Know is Right (I Corinthians 4:6)
Conclusion
Going Beyond What We Know