The Remembrance Meeting (2)

by M. Archibald, Paisley, Scotland | Category: The Remembrance Meeting | Oct 1989

Designed For Whom?

Please read John 13, especially vv.1,21,26 and 30; 1 Corinthians 5:1,7,8,12 and 13.

1.The Lord with His Disciples

We first return to the accounts of what the Lord did. We note that, with one exception, He gathered those whom John called "His own", who not only had believed on Him, but "have continued with Me in My temptations" (Luke 22:28), and for whom He prayed that they might be united into one. They were already so united in their faith in Him, but He further prays that they be united in collective service, and in deepening commitment to this.

It can be shown that Judas was not present when the new ordinance was enacted. John records how the Lord rose from supper (i.e. the Passover supper) and began to wash His disciples' feet. When He had foretold the betrayal, and given the "sop", understood to be a choice piece of the Passover meat, to Judas, verse 30 reads, "He then, having received the sop went out straightway..." Then follow the accounts of Matthew and Mark: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it ..." (Mat. 26:26). (We therefore understand Luke 22:21,22 as not recording chronological order).

Thus the Lord introduced the ordinance to committed disciples.

2. Those in Corporate Responsibility

1 Corinthians 5:7,8 conveys an instruction to those who were in a position to keep the Remembrance as a community. They were together responsible to "purge out the old leaven" - that is, to debar those who had sinned grievously. They were also exhorted to examine and rectify their own attitudes to the occasion (1 Cor. 11:27-34).

3.Disciples Together for United Service

In Deuteronomy 12 and 16, the covenanted people, and those specially admitted who had been circumcised also, and they alone, were at liberty to offer on Israel's altar. The offering was to be made and eaten in the place of God's choice. Similarly, Acts 2 and Ephesians 2 describe a gathering of enrolled believers, united in one purpose, in churches "fitly framed together", forming a "habitation of God in the Spirit".

Accordingly, there is no scriptural basis for such a thing as the "occasional fellowship" taught by some, in this observance. We do not find Biblical support for fellowship in worship or in the Breaking of the Bread, with those not added to Churches of God, and about whose beliefs and practice we might know little. Rather, those in Jerusalem in Acts 2 continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and the breaking of bread. Such exacting faithfulness is important to God, as Hebrews 10:2325 shows. It follows then that the emblems should not be taken independently of the Assembly meeting, for example to a hospital sick-bed, or where a few gather in a holiday resort, or even by a few isolated believers.

It might be thought that Matthew 18:20,21 is relevant here, referring as it does to "where two or three are gathered together in My Name". But the setting of that passage is concerned with the exercise of assembly discipline and judgement, in a church already established. The Lord there looks ahead to the needs of assemblies after Pentecost, preparing the apostles for the discrimination they would later require, and demonstrating the abiding principle of order in the service of God.

When, and How Often?

Please read Luke 22:7,8,13,14; Luke 23:54-56; Acts 20:6,7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2; John 20:19,26; Acts 2:1.

The Day of the Week

In identifying the day and frequency of the disciples' observance of such a meeting, we might first compare the above verses in Luke's Gospel. This dispels any idea that the Lord's supper was first held on a sabbath. It also makes clear that that occasion was "at even" or later, that is, in the evening, after the ordained time for the Passover (Deut. 16:6). We note further that the Jews of that time reckoned a day as beginning from what we would call the previous evening, so that this evening in Luke 22 was the beginning of the Passover "day".

From Acts 20 and 1 Corinthians 16 we then understand that the first day of the week was a normal occasion for a Remembrance or worship gathering, and that this gathering was a regular, weekly one. This is supported by John 20:19, which suggests that the evening on the first day of the week was a convenient or customary gathering time for the early disciples. We may speculate with interest on whether evening was chosen by association with the Passover, or because many would work a long day; or whether there were special circumstances attending, Paul's visit to Troas - for instance, it being his last, hence his ministry till midnight. The point for our present purpose is that the regularity stands out, and the repeated mention of the first day of the week.

The Time of Day

In contrast, the time of day is not specifically commanded, or even placed beyond doubt by example. We must then look for principle to establish what is proper for our century. It has been pointed out that the expression used in the first instructions for the Passover, "between the two evenings" (e.g. Ex. 12:6), marked the beginning of the Hebrew Passover day, the 14th of the month, as the time chosen and prepared for by the Lord. Deuteronomy 16:6 confirms that the hour referred to is that at which the Palestine sun makes its rapid descent. But the Pharisees and scribes followed their traditions in choosing a later hour (John 18:28). We reason that our Lord took the earliest Opportunity for His company to be together in quietness. Surely we also should break bread at the first opportunity available to us on a regular basis?

Fortunately as far as the Western world is concerned Lord's day is still recognized as a non-working day for most, by traditional association with worship. Already, however, this advantage is being eroded in various ways. A further material consideration is that a time for commencing the first meeting of the Lord's day should take account of travelling requirements, and the needs of those involved in schools and later meetings for witness.

Order in the First Day of the Week

This brings us to perhaps the most important matter, of timing, that is drawn from New Testament teaching and practice as a whole. It is surely proper that our ministry as a holy priesthood towards God should precede our going out to our fellow-men. Some point out that order of importance is not always bound by order in time. Yet to remember our Lord first of all in the collective activities of the week sets the tone for the spiritual life of an assembly. The Remembrance then takes a special place as an exercise distinct from all others, even though sharing certain elements like thanksgiving and praise.

M. Archibald, Paisley, Scotland | Oct 1989
The Remembrance Meeting