Articles
Did You Hear What You Said?
The mind, brain, or lack thereof is amazing. Have you ever been there when you say something and then say to yourself, “I can’t believe I said that?” (happens a lot around here). Two admonitions are of note: 1) “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19). 2) “Take heed therefore how (what) ye hear” (Lk. 8:18; Mk. 4:24). Strictly speaking, the text of each have specific applications, but generally speaking, it would do well to think about what is said, heard and ultimately spoken.
That being said: A recent discussion, relative to the Lord’s supper, just makes you want to shake your head and wonder if individuals follow their statements to the end. A question was asked of the presiding preacher why the collective did not partake of the Lord’s supper every first day of the week, or even once a month. The response to the inquiry: “he does it less often to make it special and give it more meaning.”
So, let’s run with this one. What else could follow that sort of reasoning? When Israel was told, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exod. 20:8), did Israel understand that to include “every sabbath” or just an occasional sabbath day, i.e., not even once a month “to make it special and give it more meaning?”
Let’s consider a couple of questions/answers that are just as valid. The apostle Paul authorized the church, on the first day of the week, to “let each one lay by him in store, as he may prosper” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). How about foregoing a collection of the saints to not even once a month, “to make it special and give it more meaning?” How about foregoing “teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God,” (Col. 3:16) to not even once a month, “to make it special and give it more meaning?”
The apostle Paul indicated that the brethren came together “to eat” (1 Cor. 11:33). The eating, in context, was the Lord’s supper. If the purpose of coming together was to eat the Lord’s supper, but the Lord’s supper was not partaken of even once a month, “to make it special and give it more meaning,” why come together at all? Why not limit the assembly of the saints to not even once a month, “to make it special and give it more meaning”?
It is interesting that many religious assemblies, on the first day of the week, do not partake of the Lord’s supper “not even once a month,” but will not fail to fill the bellies of the parishioners, and in some cases, teach that it is a sin “not too do so.”
Lest it weary the reader, or promote more “what about” debate: How did the brethren, in the first century regard the frequency of partaking in the Lord’s supper? “And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). This breaking of the bread was translated in the Syriac “to break the eucharist,” and in the Arabic version, “to distribute the body of Christ.” Not a common meal, nor as it has been said, “not to eat a common meal, or to make a feast, or grand entertainment for the apostle and his company, before they departed” (Gill). Thus, the scriptures authorize the church to partake on the first day of the week. As with the sabbath, there is a first day of the week every week. Any “other” times neglect to have authority.
It may do man well to consider, when attempting to justify some traditional, and/or personal practice, to take the argument to its ultimate end: “take heed to what ye hear” (ibid). Did you hear what you said?
- Did_You_Hear_What_You_Said.pdf (76.77 kB)
