Expert: Joe Norman - 2/8/2012

Question
Thanks for the forum you are associated with.  My wife and I are studying with a lady that is not a member of the C of C.  I am a deacon at our local C of C.  Let me say first I have no problem with Wed bible study/worship.  But how do you respond to someone who ask how is it scriptual to meet on Wed evening?  The only day given as an example is 'on the first day of the week' Act 20:7.  We know from Acts that the early church met daily.  But nothing to designate Wed.  Are we adding to the word by meeting Wed?

Thanks,

Answer
Hi Tom,

Thank you for choosing to ask me your question. In short, no we are not adding to the word by meeting Wednesday nights. Yes the first day of the week is the designated day to remember Christ's death in our place by taking the "Lord's Supper". and the main day for worship. And yes we know that the church in the first century met daily together as you said.

Acts 2:44-47
44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

If we see that the first century church met daily is not one of those days Wednesday? Yes. What we are encouraged to do is come together to woship God and encourage and uplift each other. There is no command to meet daily. There is no command to meet Sunday morning Sunday night and Wednesday night only either. To be honest I know we got the three times a week pattern and meeting on wednesday night from denominations but it has to do with our culture and the fast pace in which we live these days too.

It is up to the elders of each local church to decide how often to have the doors open and meet. We sometimes have gospel meetings. These days most are only from Sunday through Wednesday or Wednesday through Sunday or sometimes fewer days. But our elders can decide how often we meet. I know I need my spiritual battery recharged by Wednesday too so that really helps me. It doesn't have to be Wednesday nights though. It can be any day. But yes Sunday is the most vital day to us as Christians.

My point of view though is as a Christian where else should I want to be more than with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? When I was young I told my dad one Sunday that I didn't want to go to church. His response has stuck in my head ever since. He said - What's the matter? Don't you love God?

Whenever I sometimes am tired and don't feel like going to worship with my church family I remember those words and even when I don't feel like going, I ALWAYS leave glad that I went and feeling I benefited. So much is a matter of your heart and attitude.

I hope I have helped in some small way.

God bless.

In Christian Love, Joe Norman