Questions About The Lord's Supper

Questions About The Lord's Supper

Dear Brother:
Should the church observe the Lord's Supper at the evening service? If one is hindered from partaking God doesn't require him to do so. If he just forsakes, should he go ahead and partake it at night? And while we are thinking about that, would it be necessary to bless the bread and cup in the evening since it was blessed in the morning? And what about the practice of taking the Lord's supper to the sick and shut in at home? The other items of worship being neglected? And just one other, Should those who prepare the supper break the bread in small pieces?
-Allen

Dear Bro. Allen:
As to offering communion on Sunday evening: Remember the Bible says nothing about the time of day that we commune, only that we do so on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7). There are many valid reasons why one might not be able to assemble with the church on Sunday morning. For example, He might have been ill; He might be caring for a sick wife, child, etc.; He might have been traveling and unable to get to the services on time; He might have had transportation problems; He might have had to work, etc. etc. It is not our prerogative to question a brother as to why he was not present. Remember, "Let each many examine himself and so let him eat..." (I Cor. 11:28).

You ask, if he was truly hindered he would be excused. That is true, if he were sick in bed. etc. but in the case we are discussing the brother who is able to assemble later on the first day. It is both his privilege and his duty to commemorate the Lord's death by partaking of the elements. It is not the prerogative of a congregation to withhold communion from Christians who wish to partake.

You ask if we should bless the bread and fruit of the vine in the evening since prayers were offered in the morning. I would answer, Yes, we should. We are blessing it for those who are to partake. A similar question would be should we sing or pray at the evening service since we did those things in the morning worship?

Most of our brethren take the Lord's Supper to members fo the church who are shut in. This is not a specified command, rather it is an act of kindness for the sick and elderly who can not make it to services. The golden rules teaches me to treat others as I wish to be treated (Matt. 7:12). If I were an invalid and could not attend worship, I would be most grateful if some brother came to my home and provided the communion for me. The sick also need to remember what Christ suffered for their sake. On any Lord's Day saints around the world unite in breaking the sacred bread. By taking the communion to the sick brother we afford him that opportunity to participate with fellow-Christians around the world. When the church meets on Sunday night or Wednesday evening we worship without communion and giving. Does that invalidate our worship? The sick brother worships with prayer and communion, perhaps a bible reading. These situations are similar.

The expression to "break" bread refers not so much to the tearing it apart, but to eating it. Remember, each morning you "break your fast." For some12-14 hours you have not eaten, now in the early morning you break your fast by eating breakfast. Jesus took a piece of the bread and then passed it to the others. The act of separating a small piece of the bread from the larger whole has no spiritual significance. It is the eating and drinking of the elements and the sharing the experience with others that have symbolic significance. It therefore is of no consequence if whether the sister who prepares the communion, the brother presiding, or the individual member breaks off a piece for his commemorative bite to eat. The brother who presides does not represent Jesus.

Remember we have no instructions as to how the communion is to be served. Only the elements, the day of observance and the purpose for the meal are prescribed.

Sincerely,

Back -- or go -- Home