The word of God authorizes by what it says. This is understood by the way your boss authorizes. When the boss sends an employee to purchase a specific part, that eliminates all other parts or purchases. Most understand this principle in the working world, but move over into the doctrine of Christ (Col. 3:17), and it would seem such common-sense understanding is lost. There is no authority of the Lord in “why not,” but that is often the reason given for why folks do what they do in religion. “Why nots” bring destruction (Lev. 10:1-2). God’s word is complete (II Tim. 3:16-17) with all mankind needs to know to be saved, stay saved, and get to Heaven.
The Lord’s church meets on the first day of the week. It began on the first day (Acts 2), it was the day Jesus arose from the grave, and the day often referenced in the New Testament. It was on the first day of the week when giving was done (I Cor. 16:1-2). The first day was set for worship to God (Acts 2:42), and it would appear that everyone understood it (Acts 20:7). The apostle Paul with his traveling entourage obviously knew it, because while in Troas for a week, they met with the saints for worship on the first day of the week. It was the understood time when the whole church came together for the purpose of worshiping God.
If the church at Troas met on the first day of the week, then it must have been the accepted practice every week. If in Troas for a week but only on the first day of the week did the disciples of Christ meet for the “breaking of bread,” then it must be an exclusive act of worship on that day, weekly (I Cor. 11:26). If Paul and company sought out worship with the Lord’s church while traveling in Troas, then every Christian should be as vigilant in finding the Lord’s people for worship when traveling. You see it’s easy to observe that the church of Christ came together on the first day of every week for the purpose of worshiping God, and everyone understood it to be the practice. It was a special day and a special time when those of like precious faith came together to encourage one another in fellowship with God and each other. A time of gathering to sing and pray (I Cor. 14:15), to read from the word of God with exhortation [re: Paul], to give of their means (I Cor. 16:1-2) and to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
Many of denominational stripe will acknowledge the above to be true, but at the same time embrace change. Why the urgency to change the clearly enumerated worship to God? Where would one find a Bible example of partaking of the Supper quarterly? It’s not there. But most denominations do just that—reserve the Lord’s supper for one day quarterly [sometimes offering it at weddings?]. Not only is the Supper of the Lord changed, but also singing has been changed to playing and assembling together deemphasized. Why? Not because God said so, but because of manmade doctrine and interest in change.
The visit to the Troas Church of Christ was a special day (Acts 20:7)—a day the apostles planned, practiced, and participated in by the design and command of God (Heb. 10:24-25). The first day of the week should be a high day for every Christian. A time to be together with fellow Christians worshipping God by and through the wonderful Savior Jesus Christ. What’s your attitude toward worship and the memorial feast?
-David Hill