7P. The Lord's Supper, Eucharist and Agape

As Christianity developed, at least three kinds of communal meals are known, but how they differed from one another at different times and places is not at all clear. However, for Christian families, family participation in all of them was important. (7)

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper was celebrated weekly on the first day of the week in continuity with the meals of Jesus with his disciples, especially the last one before his arrest. Another type of early Christian meal is that known as the agape or "love feast," which may originate from the custom called the "breaking of the bread" in Acts (2:42-47; 20:7-12), which may or may not be the same as Eucharist.

Doing Agape

There may be a reference to it in Jude 12: Inappropriate deeds are "spots on your agapes," but the textual variants make it unclear. When Ignatius stipulates that he thinks every genuine Eucharist should be sanctioned by the bishop, he goes on to add two other events to the same category: baptism and "doing agape". Many scholars think that in the early years, Eucharist and agape were the same event, but that they became distinct later. If so, they were already different, by the early second century, in Antioch and in some parts of the province of Asia, where Ignatius was writing.(7)

Celebrating Martyrdoms

The Acts of Perpetua and Echeitos relate that on the eve of their martyrdom, those in prison celebrated their last meal as an agape. Tertullian describes the agape meal by name as what we later know it has become: a meal held out of familial duty to help those in need, that is, to feed the hungry of the community. In contrast to what we know is true [about the] later order of the Eucharist, reading and teaching, then the meal, Tertullian's description of the agape meal follows the order of the classical symposium: first the meal, then drinking and conversation or entertainment. In Tertullian's description, first there is prayer, then the meal with drinking, then the washing of hands, lights brought in, then recitation of scripture and singing, ending again with prayer. There is no indication that what he is describing is also the Eucharist. Rather, it is a true meal held in a private house, into which the less fortunate are brought to be nourished both physically and spiritually. As such, it probably took the form of an extended family festival. (7)

Feeding the Poor

One aspect of the agape meal as a charitable exercise can still be seen in Hippolytus's Apostolic Tradition, and it reveals that charitable patronal activity is still practiced. Just after the treatment of the Lord's Supper, there is a brief treatment of meals held for widows. It is legislative and deals only with two specific points. First, anyone who wishes to hold a meal for widows should observe propriety by sending them home before the evening is too advanced.

Take Home Food Gifts

Second, one who would like to feed them but cannot because of other responsibilities should give them a portion to take home and eat there, a small basket of food that was regularly given by patrons to clients who were not lucky enough to be invited to the dinner itself. The text seems to indicate that more widows than could be fed in the house would arrive, perhaps uninvited, like clients expecting a handout. (7)

Widows in Hippolytus's church who are in need of support or extra nourishment are still invited to private houses for dinner and gifts of food. The patron, though losing authority to the centralized power of the bishop, still holds charitable meals to feed widows. (7)

Eucharist

"Eucharistia" is Greek for "thanksgiving." Christ began, as the celebrant begins, by giving thanks (1 Corinthians 11.24).Justin in about A.D. 155 describes the Eucharist, which, after the service of Scripture reading, preaching, and prayers, was the crown of Sunday's worship: "Bread is brought to the President, and wine mixed with water. He says a prayer of thanksgiving, as well as he is able, and the congregation say Amen, which is Hebrew for "May it be so." The deacons give the bread and wine to all present, and take it to those absent. Those who are well off, and who want to do so, give to the collection. This is placed with the President, and he takes care of orphans, widows, and those ill or otherwise in need, those in prison, and strangers who are staying here. In fact, he becomes the helper of all who are in need."(2)

Questions for Discussion

1. Discuss the similarities and the differences between the Lord's Supper, the Agape and the Eucharist.

Bibliography

"You are fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household." Ephesians 2.19

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