Did the Primitive Christians have a Specific Meeting to keep the Ordinances?
By D. Hewitt
OUR only way to settle this question satisfactorily is to appeal to the sure word of the Lord, which is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. iii, 16, 17. The first testimony which I shall try to examine on this important subject you will find recorded in 1 Cor. xi. In verses 1, 2, the Apostle tells them to follow him as he follows Christ, and keep the ordinances as he delivered them to them. We see from the above quotation that there was more than one to be observed, because they are spoken of in the plural. We can now readily perceive by examining verses 17-22, that they came together, not for the better, but for the worse. There were, when they came together, divisions among them. From this we see that they were not prepared to keep the ordinances. And notwithstanding they came together and had a meeting to eat the Lord's supper, they did it only in form, for they made a common, ordinary meal when they came together, and did not eat and drink in their own houses before they met to eat the Lord's supper. In pursuing this course the Apostle praised them not. The Apostle now proceeds to tell them the true way to eat the Lord's supper, and that he had received it of the Lord and had delivered it unto them, how that Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took the bread and cup and gave thanks and said, This do in remembrance of me; for as oft as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. In following out the connection of this subject, we can ascertain the needed preparation to celebrate the Lord's supper; and in verse 30 we find awful consequences of eating and drinking unworthily: for this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. In verse 33 the Apostle says, Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another; and in the next verse, If any man hunger, let him eat at home, that ye come not together unto condemnation; and the rest will I set in order when I come. Dear reader, in examining this chapter we can find the necessary preparation for eating the Lord's supper.- We must follow Christ.
- We must not be contentious.
- If hungry, we must eat our supper at home before we go to eat the Lord's supper.
- We must have no divisions among us, (consequently we must strive for union.)
- We must discern the Lord's body.
- We must examine ourselves before eating.
- They had a special meeting for the communion. Acts xx, 7; 1 Cor. xi, 17, 18, 20, 23.
The Lord's supper, if I understand the subject, was eaten at evening, or at night; for those inspired writers who speak of it tell us that it was evening, or night. See Matt. xxvi, 20, 21; Mark xiv, 17, 18; John xiii, 30; Acts xx, 7; 1 Cor. xi, 23. This may open the way for some to inquire if the Saviour and primitive Christians did wash one another's feet when they ate the Lord's supper. If I am allowed to answer, I must answer in the affirmative; for we find in the testimony of the four evangelists that write of the passover supper, in the same evening and same night the Lord's supper was instituted, they washed one another's feet. John xiii. The Saviour says, commencing at verse 13, Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet; for I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you. He further saith that the servant is not greater than his Lord: showing that the Lord of glory could condescend to wash the feet of his disciples. O what humility, and what love! He saith again, If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. The above language plainly shows that this is an institution or ordinance to be perpetuated during this dispensation, for the Saviour has commanded it to be kept. John xv, 10. If ye keep my commandments ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. See chap. xiv, 21. If ye love me, keep my commandments. In the same night after washing the disciples feet he gave them a new commandment. John xiii, 34. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. The blessed Saviour had great love for his own chosen ones. He loved them to the end. Dear brethren, we can now see how in our lukewarm condition we have lacked brotherly love, and have not kept the ordinances as we should, neither as often. Washing feet and the Lord's supper should be more frequently practiced. Jesus set us the example, and told us to do as he had done, "The example of Christ should be as exactly followed as possible." Having proved from the word of the Lord that they had a special meeting to keep the ordinances, it may now be asked with propriety at what time did they meet. We have one instance plainly recorded in Acts xx, where Paul came to Troas and abode seven days. And then the disciples came together to break bread, and Paul preached unto them, &c. From the nature of the language it appears to have been an established custom of that church in Troas. The Apostle having staid at Troas seven days, of course had kept the Sabbath; and having rested on the Lord's day, he and his disciples were prepared to meet upon the first day of the week to break bread. Some of our brethren have said, and justly too, that after the saints have rested and communed with God and one another on the Sabbath, or Lord's day, they are prepared for the communion of the cup and bread of Christ. D. HEWITT.
Battle Creek, Aug., 1858.