Communion gatherings from Jerusalem to Corinth and beyond.
After the resurrection of Jesus and his Ascension the disciples gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, and the church was born. Immediately, without advertisement or Internet, believers began to gather in one another’s homes, talking about the wonderful works of Jesus and what was being preached by the apostles concerning who he was, his resurrection, and what that meant to them. They celebrated together ministering to one another and it appears that they broke bread and had communion together. It was like a new Passover, a new covenant not focused on the deliverance of the first born from the angel of death through applying the blood of a lamb applied to the doorpost but one of applying the blood of the lamb of God, Jesus, to God’s firstborn Adam and his seed. This new celebration over what Jesus did for us on the cross was not one that happened once a year but it was celebrated daily in homes throughout the city. As thousands were saved, there would be larger gatherings at Solomons porch but the main stay of the church was their gathering together in one another’s homes.
Going fast forward we look at first Corinthian’s chapter 10 and 11. There probably are no cities more different from each other than Jerusalem and Corinth. Jerusalem was the center Of Jewish religious life, people came from all over to celebrate their religion. Corinth on the other hand was In many ways the center of The pagan world. It was famous for it’s trade, luxury, and prostitution. Yet in both cities you see those that have called on the Lord and are walking with Jesus gathering together in one another’s homes and breaking bread together. Communion was central to their gatherings. Both in the face of a religious spirit and in the face great debauchery Believers were celebrating the Crucifixion of Christ and the power of his resurrection.
We’ve come a long way from that experience. We now have large churches where people gather together often without much relationship, we have big rallies, and have communion as a religious celebration in larger meetings. I believe that the Lord is calling for his people to converge around his table in one another’s homes in every city and every day. Gatherings where people come together and minister one to another and celebrate in the Lord Jesus, taking communion together as the family of God.