Why do we come together?

I know people come to Sunday worship for a number of reasons. Pressure from loved ones, a sense of obligation, a need to be served, good programs and services etc. However why we come and what we do when we gather says a lot about us.

After the 3000 came to the Lord on Pentecost, the very next verse reads this way: 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NASB)

We then read: 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 (NASB).

They were of one mind (homothumadon) they had one accord or impulse that drove them to assemble together. Their desires and goals were the same. They praised God for everything and not just the good stuff. They found favor with “all the people” having a God centered drive rather then a world centered drive. They could be seen as helpers of others, they were sincere in what they did, they shared meals and each others burdens (caring for any that had a need).
They also prayed daily as a body and individually. They continually devoted to the teachings of the apostles (Jesus) and their fellowship witnessed to their love for one another. Notice the use of the term breaking bread twice in this chapter. In verse 46 they were breaking bread from house to house. This was the sharing of meals together. But notice in verse 42, they were devoting themselves to “the breaking of bread”. The definite article there tells us this was the Lords Supper and this was done daily in the infant church.

While I think daily partaking of the Lords Supper is not practical in today’s world, I am saddened by the way the Supper has been treated in recent times. Some partake only monthly, while others only once or twice a year. In 1 Cor 11 Paul says “as often as you eat the loaf and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. This is a public declaration of what price was paid and it was according to Paul to be done often.

I have spoken with some churches that have moved the Lords table off to the side so as not to block the view of the stage where Drama’s and music presentations take place. Others have told me the emblems are in the back and people are free to partake as they leave. I believe we have lowered the place this Supper the Lord instituted and replaced it with entertainment. We make the preacher the star of the show and that is who people come to hear rather then share in the declaration of the Lord’s death until He comes. When people view the Supper as something that has gotten iin the way of why we meet, we need to reevaluate why we meet.

What do you think?