A sister in Christ sent me a message: “Can you send me a couple easy-to-understand verses about why we partake of the Lord’s Supper every Sunday? And some easy verses to understand about instrumental music. I’m having a discussion with someone and need to give just basic things.”
This is a great question. And a common question. Both of those are important subjects, with much that could be said about each one. But, here is what I sent back to this sister. Maybe it will help you.
First, before getting into specific subjects, you need to lay the foundation of the authority of Scriptures, otherwise it will not matter what you say. Christ has all authority, not us (Matt. 28:18). His Word is going to be the final judge, not ours (John 12:48). We must do all by the authority of Christ—we must have authority from His all-authoritative Word for all that we teach and practice, including in worship (Col. 3:17). We have no right to add to, take away from or modify His Word in any way (Rev. 22:18-19; Gal. 1:6-9). Once you lay down those foundational principles, here is what the Bible teaches.
What do we know from the New Testament about the Lord’s Supper? As soon as the church was established, they “continued steadfastly…in the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42). There was regularity to it. Scripture then tells us that the church was coming “together” on “the first day of the week” for the purpose “to break bread” (Acts 20:7). The church in Corinth was rebuked because their purpose when they came together as a church was “not to eat the Lord’s Supper” (1 Cor. 11:20). So, the church was partaking and was supposed to be partaking when they assembled on the first day of the week. And since they assembled “every first day of the week” (1 Cor. 16:1-2, NASB), they were to partake every Sunday.
What do we know from the New Testament about the music in the worship of the church? Every verse in the New Testament regarding music in worship, without one exception, specifies singing. The church was commanded to engage in “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19; see also Col. 3:16). There is no Biblical authority to add an instrument to the singing anymore than there is authority to add peanut butter and jelly to the bread in the Lord’s Supper. We live under the New Testament and must have New Testament authority for what we teach and practice.
All of our worship must be done “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). Worshiping “in truth” is done according to God’s “Word” (John 17:17). If I change God’s authorized worship, then it becomes my worship and not God’s worship.
