WHAT 1^ST & 2^ND CENTURY CHURCH FATHERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT

LORD’S SUPPER/COMMUNION

Around 90 AD, an unknown Christian in Syria wrote in his Didache 14:1: "Having earlier confessed your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure, come together EACH Lord's day of the Lord, break bread, and give thanks." 

And in Didache 9; 10; 14 he wrote this: "Concerning the [Lord's Supper], give thanks in this way: First concerning the cup, 'We give thanks to you, our Father, for the holy vine of David, your Servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your Servant. To you be the glory forever.

"Concerning the broken bread, 'We give thanks to you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you made known to us through Jesus your Servant. To you be the glory forever. As this broken bread was scattered upon the mountains and being gathered together became one loaf, so may your church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. Because the glory and the power are yours through Jesus Christ forever.'

"No one is to eat or drink of your [Lord's Supper] except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord.

"Having earlier confessed your sins so that your sacrifice may be pure, come together EACH Lord's day of the Lord, break bread, and give thanks. No one who has a quarrel with his fellow is to meet with you until they are reconciled, in order that your sacrifice may not be defiled. For this is what was spoken by the Lord.

Ignatius, a friend of the Apostle John, said in his Magnesians 9: "If therefore those who lived according to the old practices came to the new hope, no longer observing the Sabbath but living according to the Lord's day, in which also our life arose through him and his death (which some deny)...."

Justin Martyr wrote this around 100 AD in his Apology I,65: "After we thus wash him who has been persuaded and agreed entirely with our teachings....we pray that we who have learned the truth may be counted worthy and may be found good citizens through our works and keepers of his commandments so that we may receive the eternal salvation.

"When we cease from our prayers, we salute one another with a kiss. Next there is brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of water mixed with wine. Taking these he sends up praise and glory to the Father of all through the name of his Son and of the Holy Spirit and makes thanksgiving at length for the gifts we were counted worthy to receive from him.

"When he completes the prayers and thanksgiving, all the people present sing out their assent by saying 'Amen'....When the president has given thanks and all the people have made their acclamation, those called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water for which thanksgiving has been given, and they carry some away to those who are absent."