Queries And Answers
Bro. Turner:
Please comment on the "Second Supper," or having the Lord's Supper at the evening service, for those unable to be present in the morning.
Reply:
Oddly, I never hear any discussion of the "Second Song Service" or the "Second Prayer Period" or the "Second Bible Reading" -- just the "Second Supper". I'm afraid some have attached a significance to the Supper portion of worship that God did not give it.
And what has the significance- the "waiting on the table" or the actual partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine? Where does the actual "communion" with the Lord take place? I believe it is an experience of each individual Christian, as he or she partakes of the memorial elements (1CO.10:15-f, 11:23-f.). "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come". There is no "Second Supper"; it becomes the "first" for the partaker, and none at all for the observer.
There is no denying a fellowship of saints in this act (1CO.10:17) and "disciples came together to break bread;" (ACT20:7) but they also came together to be edified (1CO.14:19-25). Our consistency wears thin.
But some make a bit to-do about the Jewish time reckoning. After six o'clock in the evening, they say, it is no longer the Lord's Day. If -- if we were being regulated by Jewish time, this would make a point. But we are under no such regulations. MAR.4:35 reads, "And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side". Again, in JOH.20:1 we are told that Mary came to the tomb on "the first day of the week". And in vs. 19, "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, -- " Roman time was clearly being used here. Scriptures teach us to partake of the Lord's Supper on the First day of the Week; but some come close to making a "Holy Day" of certain 24 hours. I do not know how they would manage upon flying back and forth across the international date line.
The question says, "those unable to be present in the morning" I suppose this is subject to question, but I am taking it at face value. There are brethren who will play golf on Lord's Day morning, neglecting the assembling of the saints; and then rush home in time to worship (?) at the evening services. I have no balm for this sort. Lipscomb wrote, "The spirit that prompts a sin adds intensity to it. One man's neglecting the Lord's-Day meeting may be worse than another, owing to the spirit that prompts the neglect". And Amen!!
Brethren, there will be questions like these when you and I are gone. It is not necessary to handle them all in a few weeks; nor wise to think you will ever satisfy some.
If you disagree with my reply, don't feel important: get in line!!