May 21, 2000 Humble Messenger
Humble Messenger
Building Knowledge
Does "break bread" here refer to a common meal or to the Lordıs Supper?
It was Paulıs custom to go back and meet with the churches he established in order to strengthen them (Ac. 14:21,22; 15:36,41; 18:23). He had established this church when he came through Troas on his third journey (2 Co. 2:12,13; Ac. 20:1). It would be in perfect accord with what Luke has told of his custom to believe he would seek opportunity to met with this church to strengthen them‹in fact, it would be out of harmony with all recorded about his general practice to assume he didnıt. Now, if this be established, it is reasonable and in accord with scripture to believe Paul came to Troas seeking opportunity to meet with the church.
If this is a common meal, when did the church at Troas meet for
worship? (Note: Paul had already expressed disapproval of integrating a common meal
with an assembly for worship, 2 Co. 11:17f, esp. v. 34.) If this is not an assembly for
worship, then the church did not meet for worship during the entire week Paul was there
for he would have met with them to strengthen them (his custom‹ see above) and been
on his way, for his time was limited (see below). Is it credible that the church in Troas
had no religious meeting the entire week?
Indications favor the fact that Paulıs time was limited. Only a couple days later
Luke noted, "he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of
Pentecost," v. 16. His original plans to sail from Greece to Syria, the shortest and
fastest route, had to be changed at the last moment ("as he was about to sail")
and he went north through Macedonia (v. 3). This longer route would add constraints to the
time he could spend in any one place if he hoped to make Jerusalem by Pentecost.
This information strengthens the idea that the church in Troas had no assembly for worship
before this during the seven days Paul was there, for he would surely have met with them
then and been on his way.
So we are back to the question: If they did not meet for worship during the seven days
previous to this one, and if this assembly to "break bread" on "the first
day of the week" was not an assembly for worship, when did the church at Troas
meet for worship?
This day was one that would naturally hold special significance to
Christians and relate especially to their faith, Mk. 16:9, Jn. 20: 19,26, Acts 2. One
might expect, if any day was singled out for special religious services by the early
Christians, this would be it.
Other churches of Christ established by Paul were meeting on the first day of the
week for religious purposes, 1 Co. 16:1,2.
No other day of the week is singled out but this one in all Lukeıs record
of the activities of the apostles and their work in early churches‹not the
"second," "third," "fourth," "fifth,"
"sixth," or even the "seventh." He could have written, "the next
day," or "the eighth day" (compare vv. 7,15; 21:1,8,26; 7:8; etc.), but he
didnıt. Does a gathering to eat a common meal justify such a singular mention?
One might argue that the notable events of that night (vv. 9-12), justified noting the day
of the week. But, equally noteworthy events are recorded throughout his record with no
mention of what day of the week they occurred.
So, while the phrase, "break bread," by itself may refer to either a common
meal, context and harmony point to a special observance: the "Lordıs Supper."
NEWS
There will be no Wednesday morning class this week. The Wednesday
morning class is suspended until the fall . . . Visitation group number three will meet
briefly after evening assembly . . . Gospel Meeting: Woodlands, May 21-24,
SundayWednesday, different speakers. More information and a map to the building is
posted on the bulletin board in the foyer . . . Some here might have known Earl Pickle, an
elder in the church in Huntsville, TX. He passed away and was buried last week . . . An
elders/deacons meeting is scheduled after Wednesday evening assembly, May 24 . . .The
menıs training class will meet Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., the Lord willing. All men
are encouraged to attend. This week the discussion will focus on serving the Lordıs
Supper in the assembly. We are having good discussion and input from those present . . . Chuck
Durham is scheduled to be with us for a weekend meeting, August 4-6, 2000. Have you
marked these dates on your calendar? . . . Due to Leon Catheyıs move to work with
the Josey Lane congregation in Carrollton, Texas, he will no longer be in need of our
support. In order to help him with moving expenses, the congregation here is sending him
$1,000 for his final check in lieu of the normal $300 . . . New cushions for the pews are
on order and should be here in about a month . . .New carpet for the auditorium has also
been ordered . . . Articles will be put in the local papers (Sun/Observer) in an effort to
reach those in the community with the truth. This will probably begin in July.
Transportation for Zelma Bobbitt
MAY
Sun. 21 pm E & E Osteen
Wed. 24 pm Michael Gove
Sun. 28 pm E & E Osteen
Wed. 31 pm Rocky
JUNE
Sun. 4 pm
Wed. 7 pm
Sun. 11 pm
Wed. 14 pm
Sun. 18 pm
Wed. 21 pm
Sun. 25 pm
Wed. 28 pm
Song Leader: Charles Tu
Close: John Lowrance
Announcements: Gregg Hutson
Song Leader: Gary Tuttle
First Prayer: David Osteen
Lordıs Table
Song Leader: Charles Tu
First Prayer: Ennis Osteen
Lordıs Table
WEDNESDAY EVENING CLOSE
May 24 John Lowrance
May 31 Craig Moore
June 7 David Osteen
June 14 Craig Ottersbach