Most churches observe a memorial they call the "Lord's Supper" or "Communion." Some differences exist concerning this memorial. One of the most noticeable differences is the frequency with which this memorial is observed. Some churches, believing they are at liberty to choose, partake only on an annual basis, some quarterly (once every three months), some monthly, and some every Sunday. Others observe this memorial at every assembly; including "holidays," weddings and funerals. However, we are not at liberty to choose how often we are to observe the Lord's Supper. The Bible teaches that we are to observe it every first day of the week. Consider the following points:

1. The early church, under the guidance of the inspired apostles, observed the Lord's Supper every first day of the week. "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" (Acts 20:7). The breaking of bread mentioned in this verse was not a common meal. The disciples were coming together to worship, so this "breaking of bread" refers to the Lord's Supper, a memorial of the Lord's body and blood (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

The disciples came together on the first day of the week to partake of the Lord's Supper. Which first day of the week? Every week has a first day. Isn't it reasonable to understand that this memorial was kept every first day of the week? This conclusion is consistent with the rest of the Scriptures. For example, the Jews were commanded to keep the Sabbath day. "You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people" (Exodus 31:14). The Jews didn't have to ask which Sabbath day. They understood that God meant every Sabbath day. The same language is used with reference to the observance of the Lord's Supper.

2. Paul told the church to take up a collection on the first day of the week. "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 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" (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Did Paul mean that they should take up a collection annually or quarterly? No. Most churches understand this command to mean every first day of the week, because they take up a collection every Sunday. However, this command has the same wording as Acts 20:7. If they were to take a collection every first day of the week, they partook of the Lord's Supper every first day of the week as well.

3. Partaking of the Lord's Supper was not something done occasionally or randomly. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42, emphasis mine, HR). They were devoted to these acts of worship, including the Lord's Supper (breaking of bread). How can a church be steadfastly devoted to the Lord's Supper if this memorial is skipped more often than it is observed?

4. An argument is sometimes made that the Lord's Supper will lose its meaning and significance if we observe it every week. This isn't true. Why isn't this same argument made about the other acts of worship (taking up a collection, prayer, singing or preaching)? The Lord's body and blood will never lose their significance to those who are truly partaking in remembrance of Him.