The term “the Lord’s Supper”, as used by Paul, refers to a congregational meal that that includes the foot washing and the bread and wine ceremonies.  For further information on this see, ‘What is “the Lord’s Supper”, 1Co 11:20?‘  The question naturally arises: how often should the Lord’s Supper be taken?

The Bible nowhere gives a specific answer to this question.  However, by putting the various pieces of the puzzle together we can come to an answer.

In Leviticus 23 God gave instructions to ancient Israel to keep His “Holy Convocations”.  The first one mentioned is the regular Sabbath day, the seventh day of the week.  After that, seven annual “Holy Convocations” are listed.  These occurred once a year, every year, in the same way that Christmas or Easter occur once a year.  The first two of these annual “Holy Convocations” are the first and last days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Lev 23:4  ‘These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.
Lev 23:5  On the fourteenth day of the first month at twilight is the LORD’s Passover.
Lev 23:6  And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread.
Lev 23:7  On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.
Lev 23:8  But you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD for seven days. The seventh day shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no customary work on it.’ “

Passover is not a Holy Convocation, but it is linked to the Feast of Unleavened Bread occurring immediately before it.

Jesus and his disciples undoubtedly grew up keeping the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, just once a year.

Jesus introduced the foot washing ceremony and the bread and the wine at the Passover (His last Passover).

Considering the two statements above, it is natural to understand that what Jesus instituted at Passover (the bread and wine and foot washing ceremony) should be done once a year at Passover time.  There is nothing in Scripture to indicate otherwise.  However, sometimes 1 Corinthians 11:26 is misunderstood to support the idea that the bread and wine can be taken at any time.

1Co 11:26  For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.

This verse does not say, “Eat the bread and drink the wine as often as you want”!  It says, “As often as you do this”.  In other words, “whenever you do this”, or “each time you do this”.  This occurs once a year at Passover time.

Conclusion

The Lord’s Supper should be taken once a year at Passover time.