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NASB | Acts 20:7 ¶ On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 20:7 ¶ Now on the first day of the week (Sunday), when we were gathered together to break bread (share communion), Paul began talking with them, intending to leave the next day; and he kept on with his message until midnight. |
Bible Question:
"On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread." The early church had a communion every Lord's Day (once a week). The communion was both the Lord's Supper and common regular meals. Why does the modern church not follow the tradition? Why do we just meet and worship and leave, not eating together, on the Lord's Day? By not eating together (we do ceremonial communions a few times a year or not more than once a month, which are not food at all to quench the hunger), our Christian fellowship seems to be weakened: we do not know one another and. |
Bible Answer: You bring up a good point. I'm bias but I believe much of it stems from the Protestant desire to separate themselves from the Catholic Church. One of the major differences between Protestants and Catholics is their difference in meaning and understanding of the Eucharist / Communion. I see the Protestants in their desire not to get caught up in rituals, traditions, and sacraments to insure they are different from the Catholic church have unintentionally downplayed the importance of communion. However from everything I read in scripture communion is of vital importance to a Christian and is second only to the actual salvation experience of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The concept of Blood Covenants is lost to this generation. There are many reasons for this but I think it falls at the feet of the Church. Most people have no idea in what their salvation is based. How it was secured and what provides for it through out eternity. Proof of that can be seen in discussions on forums like this and others on internet and from discussions and articles written by others. I further believe that unless a Christian grasps the full understanding of communion their Christian walk is seriously impeded. And I believe we are seeing the results of this in the Christian churches today. The Fire upon the Altar is slowly going out. |