This post is a continuation of an ongoing series discussing "Bible Authority", you might want to consider reading Part 1 before you proceed:
"How the Bible Authorizes"
Within the realm of Bible authority is the necessity of following what God has said, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). Paul clearly stated that doing something “…in the name of the Lord…” is doing it by the authority of Jesus (Acts 4:7-18). In this same statement concerning authority, Paul implied there are consequences to not following what God has said. Jesus proclaimed:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity”
With consequences of not adhering to the authority of God’s Word being so severe, it would be of necessity for one to know how the Bible authorizes. The authority of God’s Word is established three different ways. These three different ways can be demonstrated in the observance of the Lord’s Supper. When Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, He gave a direct command as to “what” should be eaten:
“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.”
When the apostle Paul met with the church at Ephesus, he established an approved example as to when the Lord’s Supper is to be eaten, “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…” (Acts 20:7). The same statement implies how often the Lord’s Supper was to be eaten. Since the disciples met upon the first day of the week to partake of the Lord’s Supper, the implication is they met every first day of the week seeing how every week has a first day.
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