Date 12/10/1980
The early Christians held common meals in church called "Agapes" meaning "love feasts". Together with these common meals they also celebrated "The Lord's Supper".The practice emanated from the great love they had for the Lord and for one another. They didn't want to part, they felt the need and desire to be together as much as possible. It was a good practice, promoting brotherly love, and was exercised within the framework of the fellowship in which the brethren steadfastly continued, together with the apostles' doctrine, the breaking of bread and prayers. Not much later, however, irregularities appeared, especially at Corinth, which caused Paul to undertake putting things right. What he did was to bring out some of these irregularities, show how incompatible with the Christian faith and life they were, and suggest that the saints eat at home and come to the house of God only for the purely spiritual part, including the Lord's Super. His suggestion was not enforced upon them, but, though not right away, in due time brought about the separation of the Lord's Supper from the "Agapes", something that has been practiced by the true churches of Christ ever since. However, the "love feasts" did not eclipse  altogether from the churches. They are still practiced as part of the fellowship of the believers, and prove a real blessing, promoting brotherly love and church unity, provided they are done according to the rules set forth in the New Testament and under the supervision of the Pastor or elders.The picture is quite old. It was taken in 1980. And speaking of love, that was the time when the Athens Baptist Church was truly one soul and then it was that the Lord blessed with professions of faith and baptisms. Now, we need a revival, we need a rekindling of the holy fire, we pray for that and wait for His answer. In the meatime I continue preaching the gospel of Christ that is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, and His word never returns void!