By: Mike Riley
We in the churches of Christ observe the Lord’s Supper on Sunday for that is the “example” given us by the early church under the direction of inspired men. “And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them …” (Acts 20:7). This is indeed a fitting day to remember the Lord for it is the day on which He arose from the dead (Mark 16:9) and was declared to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4).
We observe the Lord’s Supper every Sunday for the same reason we observe it on Sunday in the first place, we have an approved apostolic example. “Which week?” one might ask. The week which has a “first day” is our reply. The Jews kept the Sabbath. how often did they keep it? Every week had a Sabbath, which of course, was every week. The early church was also to give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Greek in this verse means “on the first day of every week” and is so rendered by the New American Standard Version. So, on the first day of every week, they communed and gave.
We take the Lord’s Supper only on the first day of the week because that is the only day we have authority from the Scriptures to take it. “And whatsoever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17). The consequence of adding to what the Lord has approved is outlined in the following verse: “Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9)