How did the early church perform the ceremony of the Lord’s Supper?
We are not given a lot of information in the Bible about the structure of how the Lord’s Supper was carried out. I think we can all realize that it was carried out in simplicity and by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at a couple of occasions of the Lord’s Supper, also known as “breaking bread.”
Of the early church, we read in Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” It was so important to these early believers to honor the Lord’s request to be remembered and they “continued stedfastly” to do so. The NASB says they were “continually devoting themselves.” Indeed, they devoted themselves to following the Lord and seeking to honor Him.
Acts 2:46-47 says, “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” In the early church, they remembered the Lord (broke bread, partook of the Lord’s Supper) EVERY DAY! Doesn’t this manifest their continued devotion to the Lord? Indeed, it does!
Then, we read in Acts 20:7, “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.” This seems to show us that at some point, the Lord’s people began to remember Him (break bread) once a week on the first day of the week, which is the Lord’s Day, or Sunday. Possibly because of time constraints and travel constraints, they began to partake of the Lord’s Supper each Lord’s Day. That should be the norm for us today. We should follow this example and set aside time each Sunday to gather with fellow saints and spend time in remembrance of the Lord. It’s such a simple task the Lord has asked us to do. When we consider all He has done for us, is doing for us, and will do for us, we realize that doing this once each week is not a hardship…it is a privilege.
As I said before, we do not have a lot of information from the Bible as to how this service was carried out, but we do know a few things about the proper order.
o There was prayer and giving of thanks – Mark 14:23
o There was explanation of the importance of the feast – 1 Cor. 11:24
o There was singing – Matt. 26:30
o The sisters are to participate in silence – 1 Cor. 14:34
Who is able to give thanks and dispense the bread and the cup to the others? Who is able to pray or call out a hymn? Any brother who is in fellowship with the church group he attends. This is the work of the priest, and all believers are HOLY PRIESTS (2 Peter 2:5) and ROYAL PRIESTS (2 Peter 2:9). Therefore, we are all able to “offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually” (Hebrews 13:15). As we wait upon the Lord, He will lead in His church and cause the Lord’s Supper to operate in a way that will honor and please Him. (CC) (564.4)