Bible Questions and Answers

Paul’s instruction (direct from Jesus) is as follows:

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Paul says ‘as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come’.

This indicates that we are to do it ‘often’ without specifying ‘when’.

In Acts 2 we are told that the converts ‘continued in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread’ etc.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

‘Breaking of bread’ is generally understood to refer to the memorial meal described by Paul.

In Acts 20 we read that the disciples met on the first day of the week to ‘break bread’.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…

Christian tradition is to meet on the first day of each week for this purpose. Traditions usually spring from common practice.

Paul goes on to say that the sharing of the bread and wine should be used as an opportunity to examine ourselves to see whether we are living Christ-like lives.

1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

The tenor of the instruction seems to require that this meal should take place regularly.

It can be done on any day at any time.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,

Glenn