The first thing those who were saved under the authority of Christ, under the oversight of the apostles of Christ, and under the teaching of the apostles of Christ, did was expressed by Luke in these words: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Now, what day was this? It was on the first Pentecost after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week!
Question: Would the apostles of Christ, of whom Luke wrote: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4); allow those who were the first to be saved under the authority of Christ, have as their first act, do that which was unauthorized by the authority of Christ? God forbid! God forbid that any person who has any respect for Christ and his authority, answer this question, yes! It is true, that no recorded command was given but those who were the first to be forgiven of their sins, by means of the gospel of Christ; thus, the first ones to be saved under the authority of Christ, and under the oversight of his apostles, would never be allowed as their first act after being saved, to be one not authorized by Christ!
Could it be said, that those who do likewise today, are doing so by implication? Remembering there is no command to worship on the first day of the week. Therefore, how is it that churches of Christ gather to worship God on the first day of the week today? We do so by implication! With this in mind, let us here recall the words of Jesus to the woman at the well: “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Just when do you think, that time came of which Jesus spoke? Is it not true, that the first time, those who were saved in Acts 2:41, gathered to worship God “in spirit and in truth” did so as written by Luke? Here are his words once more: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Notice the phrase, “and in breaking of bread.”
Before continuing with our subject, it is necessary that we note, there are some in the denominational churches who regard the words, “and in breaking of bread,” as referring to nothing more than a common meal! And yes, it is so sad to write, that there are some even within the churches of Christ today who have come to believe the same thing! When Jesus instituted this “supper,” Matthew wrote: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26;26-28). Jesus took the occasion of the “Passover meal,” to introduce to his disciples what would be in his Father’s kingdom; once it came to be under his authority! Now, let us notice Jesus’ concluding words: “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29). Question: Just when did Jesus, for the first time, “drink” “of this fruit of the vine” in the “Father’s kingdom?” Would it not be when those who were the first to obey the gospel and were “translated” “into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Col. 1:13)? Would not this be those who: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). Yes! Just who else would be in the right place, to do so, other than, those who were saved on that Pentecost day?
If you have not noticed, this is all teaching by implication! We are taking the parts and putting them where the apostles of Christ put them! Remembering, there is no command to gather and worship, wherein the Lord’s Supper is taken on “the first day of the week.” Luke, as he wrote “The Acts of the Apostles,” revealed worship, “in spirit and in truth,” wherein Jesus did in fact, drink with the saved “of this fruit of the vine” in his “Father’s kingdom!”
What day was it? It was “the first day of the week;” it is as David wrote in the long ago: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psa. 118:24).
No command in the New Testament is directly given to us today; those all reach us by implication!
Frank R. Williams