Topic(s): Bible Study, Worship

Todd Clippard

There are several passages indicating the early church assembled on the first day of the week.

Acts 20:7 not only teaches this, but also joins this gathering to the observance of the Lord's Supper:

“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.” NKJV

The phrase “to break bread” is generally understood to mean observe the Lord’s Supper, especially in light of Acts 2:42 and 1 Corinthians 11:18-34.

In 1 Corinthians 11:18-34, the Lord's Supper was a part of the gathering together of the church. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, a collection for the saints was to be taken each first day of the week. These two passages indicate the church gathered to worship on the first day of the week.

This case is further strengthened by the fact that three of the four chapters in between (12-14) give instruction as to how church members are to conduct themselves in worship.