How often should a Christian partake of the Lord’s Supper?

     This question is given many different answers in the religious world.  Some groups partake of the Lord’s Supper annually, some quarterly, some monthly, others weekly.  Some religious groups will partake of the communion on Friday, others Saturday, and still others will partake on Sunday.  Does the frequency with which one partakes of the Lord’s Supper matter?  Does it make any difference on which day one partakes of the divine memorial?  Let us look at the Bible for the answer.
     On the night he was betrayed, shortly before his betrayal, Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper in the presence of the twelve (Mt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:13-20).  Luke’s account, coupled with the words of Jesus as recorded by the hand of Paul (I Cor. 11:23-26), show that by partaking of the unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine (grape juice), Christians are fulfilling the Lord’s command to do this in remembrance of his death.  Had this been all that was written concerning the memorial feast instituted by the Lord, then it would have been left to man’s discretion as to the time and the frequency with which this Supper is to be observed.  As a matter of fact, it would be necessary to partake of the Lord’s Supper only once in one’s lifetime in order to fulfill the command, “this do in remembrance of me.”
     Apostolic example fixes the time and the frequency with which the Lord’s Supper is to be observed.  The apostles were guided into all truth (Jn. 16:13) as far as their teaching is concerned [divine guidance did not rule out mistakes in their personal lives and personal judgement].  Therefore, what they spoke, what they wrote, and what they did as directed by the Holy Spirit served as a guide for the infant church, and continues to serve as a guide for the church today.  As Paul was making his return to Jerusalem from his third missionary journey, he came to Troas (Acts 20:1ff).  When he and the other disciples got to Troas, they waited 7 days (20:6).  Mind you, Paul was in a great hurry to get to Jerusalem, to take the offering that the Gentile churches had given to help alleviate the suffering of the saints in Judea.  So why tarry 7 days when time was so important?  Paul and his travelling companions waited 7 days so that they could assemble with the church at Troas to partake of the Lord’s Supper.  This they did upon the first day of the week.  The word “when” in verse 7 is very important.  It explains why the church came together upon the first day of the week—to break bread.  This breaking of bread was not a common meal, for Paul would not have waited 7 days to partake of a common meal.
     This example sets the time that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed—the first day of the week (Sunday).  It also sets the frequency—every Sunday.  Some will argue that it does not say every first day of the week.  In giving the 10 Commandments, God said, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.”  He did not say every Sabbath, but the Jews understood what God meant.  The same holds true for the Lord’s Supper.  The saints assemble every Sunday.  Therefore, they observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday.

Do you have a Bible question that deserves a Bible answer?  Do you want more information about this subject?  Feel free to contact the Mabelvale church of Christ at 455-2548 or by fax at 407-0072.  We may also be reached by e-mail at mabelval@cei.net, and we have a web page at www.cei.net/~mabelval.  On the web page you will find archives of all of the “Ask A Bible Questions” to date, as well as other items.  Also, tune into the Search television program on Sunday mornings at 8:00 on channel 4.