COMMENT #5:

Hello, I grew up attending Church of Christ which I left after I turned 18 and didn't attend Church for many yrs again until about 7 yrs ago. I began in a Baptist Church but never have liked Denominationalism so have been attending a Bible Church since it made since they would follow what the Bible says. I always wondered why they only have Lords Supper once quarterly so I started studying which hasn't clarified the issue. The view my current work hold is the Bible doesn't specify how often so it is up to the Church to decide. You have made some good points in your website for every Sunday but other Websites I have studied make just as good a argument from scripture for once a year. Even in your own explanation of Scripture it appear the issue is not clear because you point out " you believe this is what scripture says" just as the other gentlemen on the other websites are stating what they believe the Bible says. This issue of who is making the correct interpretation is relevant other issues as well, such as musical instruments in the Church. Church of Christ doesn't use musicals instruments because it doesn't say to in the New Testament. But it also doesn't say to use microphones, songleaders or pews in the Church and they elect to do that. The Bible doesn't mention NOT to use instruments or microphones in the Church. My purpose here is not to criticize the Church of Christ but to find how a person is suppose to select the appropriate Church to attend. My parents tell myself and siblings that if we don't attend Church of Christ we are lost and may as well not even attend Church. Isn't the definition of a cult a group that believes what they say is the only way. I'm only looking for Truth.

Sincerely, May God Bless You

CLARIFICATION #5:

Hi,

Some of this reply is copied from the web site when I replied to another person with this question “how do we know that Acts 20:7 is talking about the Lords Supper and not a common meal.”

I have to disagree with the statement “the bible does not tell us when to take the Lords Supper”. In fact even though most Denominational churches do not take the Lords Supper each first day of the week, it’s on a first day of the week when they do take it. If asked why? They would probably say because the bible says so. Now if this is true, then why one first day of the week over the others? Some argue that Christ said as often as you do this, meaning anytime is ok. So why take it Sunday and not Thursday. Remember when Christ said “as often as you do this”, it was on a Thursday night. It seems to me, that they are trying to justify their beliefs by confusing the meaning of two scriptures. When Jesus said "as often as you eat this bread" He was explaining how (in remembrance of me) to eat and drink not when. This could also be read, "every time you eat, remember me" and get a better understanding of what He was saying. Acts 20:7 tell us when to come together and what we are to do.

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.

Paul was correcting the Corinthians for coming together on the first day of the week and having a common meal in 1 Corinthians 11:18-22

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

I think this shows that in other verses, when the disciples come together and break bread it was the Lord supper in which it is referring to. Otherwise Paul would not have condemned the Corinthians.  

Again Paul make a point that when we come together it's not for a common meal in 1 Corinthians 11:34.

1 Corinthians 11:34.And 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.

This reinforces Acts 20:7 to mean that the disciples came to take the Lords supper on the first day of the week and not to eat a common meal. Also the day of week we are to eat. 

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

I have to ask. How often does the church you attend now take collection? Why are there no arguments on how often we do this?

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Also, God warns us not to make traditions of men. If we did not take the Lords supper every first day of the week, then a man made tradition would need to tell us how often to take the Lords supper.  

There are examples of taking the Lord supper every week, but I know of no example for any other time frame.  

As for musical instrument verses microphones and song leaders. Again some of this reply is copied from the web site when I replied to another person with a question. There is a different between things used in church and ways you serve God. A song leader is needed to keep everything decent and in order, he is an expedient. He’s not offering anything different to God by singing. If he where singing solos he would be transgressing or going beyond the law. He does not provide a second melody like the instrument does. The melody is to be from the heart, not a musical instrument. It’s the words we sing and the meaning of those words that are important to God, not the physical sound. God plainly gave command for the use of musical instruments in the Old Testament, I’m sure it was not an oversight for Him not to put the commandment in the New Testament.

2 Chronicles 29:25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the LORD by his prophets.

As far as microphones, I think it falls in the same category as sitting on a rock or climbing up a tree as Zacchaeus did.

Luke 19:4  And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.

Christ once used a ship as an aid when speaking to a crowd.

Matthew 13:2  And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

We find authority in the bible through examples and commandments given to us.

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. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

Here we find where lights were used. However I don't think we would have to have many lights or even any lights because the lights were not being used in worshiping God. Some things we do to abide by local laws. The biggest different between running water and electricity and instrumental music is this. Running water and electricity are required by local law in order to have a building. The New Testament plainly said to abide by local laws unless it goes against Gods law.

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.  

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,  

I Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

Instrumental music is not required by law or by God. Instrumental music was introduced around 700 AD to add human enjoyment while praising our Lord. American Encyclopedia, Volume 12, p. 688

New Testament Scriptures authorize singing and making melody in our heart only. The command to sing is specific and excludes all other kinds of music.  

(1) God commanded Noah to build the ark of gopher wood. By specifying "Gopher" God eliminated all other kinds of wood (Gen. 6:14).  

(2) God's command to sing excludes any other kind of music. There are only two kinds of music, vocal and instrumental. God has specified vocal.

Matthew 26:30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.  

Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.  

Romans 15: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.  

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.  

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;  

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  

Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.  

James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms.

I hope this helps you in searching for the truth. I think I would give the church of Christ another chance. It’s possible even the church of Christ you attend is not right. Just because they use the name doesn’t mean they are a sound church. You need to ask the right question. If you need help in finding a sound church we would be glad to help. Just let me know what area you’re in.

Thanks for your comment,

END OF COMMENT: #5