Who meet simply in the name of the Lord Jesus for the Breaking of Bread on the First
Day of the Week
1. Make it a special point, if in your power, always to be in the place
of meeting in due time; better be a few minutes before the time, and spend them in secret
prayer, praise, or meditation. Coming in late tends to distract the minds of those
gathered. Remember, "When the hour was come He sat down" (Luke 22:14; 1 Cor.
14:40).
2. Be occupied with "Jesus only," as He who died and rose
again; who ascended, and who is coming again. Do not talk to each other, unless it be
really needful, nor turn over the leaves of your Bible or Hymn-book except when necessary.
"This do in remembrance of Me" (1 Cor. 11:24).
3. Remember that EACH one gathered at the Table either helps or hinders
in blessing, therefore the need that EACH saint there be in realized fellowship with God.
"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that
cup" (1 Cor. 11:28).
4. Remember that the Holy Spirit is present to guide in the worship and
ministry. Let the brethren see, when leading in worship and ministry, that they are in the
Spirit; for only as worship and ministry are in the Spirit can it be pleasing to God, and
profitable to those gathered. "The Father seeketh such to worship Him....They that
worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:23,24).
5. Remember that we are all in the same position as worshipers:
blood-bought sinners saved by the sovereign grace of God (Eph 2:4,5); but not so with
regard to ministry; some are special gifts given by Christ, the living Head, for the
edifying of the Body (Eph. 4:11-16); but there is also a general ministry, in which all
members of the Body have their place (1 Cor. 14:29-34).
6. Any brother leading in worship or ministry, should read and speak so
distinctly that all present can hear well, and give due time to those gathered to find the
hymn, or portion to be read, before beginning. "Let all things be done unto
edifying" (1 Cor. 14:26). Edifying is to be the object. "Except ye utter
by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken?" (1
Cor. 14:9).
7. When you miss any from the meeting, visit them if you can, and learn
the reason; if in trouble, help them if possible. "The members should have the same
care one for another" (1 Cor. 12:25). "Bear ye one another’s burdens"
(Gal. 6:2).
8. Take heed not to condemn or hinder a weak or young brother in the
exercise of any gift, however small; try rather to encourage and help him; but do not show
love at the expense of truth. Both are to be exercised together; and each member in the
Body has its own special place. "Why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou
set at naught thy brother?" (Rom. 14:10).
9. When gathered at the Lord’s Table, remember that the special
object in gathering thus is to "show the Lord’s death till He come"
(1 Cor. 11:26). Just in proportion as this is kept in mind, will the praise, teaching or
exhortation be profitable; therefore the breaking of bread ought not to be kept in the
background, as it sometimes is. Though there is no special time appointed for the dividing
of the bread and wine, yet we have the example of the Lord Himself, for He gave it a
prominent place, as the special teaching in John, chapters 13,14,15 and 16 appears to be
after the breaking of bread. "The disciples came together to break bread" (Acts
20:7; Acts 2:42).
10. Be considerate and courteous to strangers who come amongst you.
Bear and forbear one with another. Love each saint for Jesus’ sake. If the flesh be
manifested in any one, pray for that one, speak kindly to such, and remember the flesh is
also in you. "Let brotherly love CONTINUE." "Be kindly affectioned one to
another with brotherly love" (Heb. 13:1; Rom. 12:10).
11. Do not be wounded if others do not show love to you; let this
rather lead you to show love to them. Manifesting thus the mind of Jesus, you will enjoy
His love, and draw out their love. "Overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21).
12. If any one offend you, be sure to take the Scriptural way of
dealing with that one; speak to that one personally first, go in the spirit of prayer and
forgiveness; pray together over the point first, if possible. "Go and tell him his
fault between thee and him alone " (Matt. 18:15).
13. If you find your interest in gospel work abating, be sure that
something is wrong; go to God at once about it in prayer and supplication. "Demas
hath forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Tim. 4:10).
14. Remember that each saint has an individual responsibility to God,
and that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (Rom. 14:10; 2
Cor. 5:10).
15. Keep the coming of the Lord Jesus continually upon your hearts.
"Looking for that blessed hope" (Titus 2:13; 1 Thess. 4:16-18).
16. Let none be brought into fellowship except with the full approval
of all gathered; and if any has not full confidence in the one proposed, mention it at the
time, or to those who have the rule, and who watch for souls.
17. In giving for the poor saints or the Lord’s work, give
cheerfully, as the Lord hath prospered you. If you have little, the Lord only expects
little; if much, the Lord expects much. Beware of "covetousness, which is
idolatry" (Col. 3:5).
18. As stewards, each has his individual responsibility to God. There
is also a responsibility at gatherings. Remember those in whom you have confidence as sent
of God to preach His gospel, not only when laboring beside you, but also when they are
laboring in the "regions beyond." "Ye sent once and again unto my
necessity" (Phil. 4:16).
19. Do not be ashamed or backward to take your stand beside the
Lord’s servants who preach the Word in the open air. "Be not thou therefore
ashamed of the testimony of our Lord" (2 Tim. 1:8).
20. In speaking to anxious souls, point them to the word of God.
"They spake unto him the word of the Lord" (Acts 16:32).
W. G. S.