Bible Questions and Answers

The word ‘church’ is a translation of the Greek word ‘ecclesia’ which means a congregation, not a building. Those who believe the gospel and are baptised into Jesus Christ are commanded to meet often with fellow believers (i.e. as a congregation) to share bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. This is the only "ritual" commanded for believers to follow. It is not an option.

The commandment was given at the ‘last supper’ prior to his capture and crucifixion. It is recorded by Matthew Mark and Luke:

Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27  Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28  "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29  "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom."

Mark 14:22-25 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 23  Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24  And He said to them, "This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25  "Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Luke 22:19,20 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 20  Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.
Paul received instruction from Jesus concerning meeting together often to share bread and wine and he explains that how we observe it is important.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29  For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

It is important that we use the occasion to examine ourselves to see whether we are living by Christ’s commandments. It doesn’t matter where we do this or what day of the week we do it on or how often we do it. The early church found it convenient to meet on the first day of the week and this became a tradition.

Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

I hope this helps
Glenn