Miracle At Troas; Acts 20:7 – 12 Part 1

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

7On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" 11Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

The first day of the week; this was the day which the Lord had made, it being called from his resurrection, which was on this day, the Lord's day, (Revelation 1:10). On this day the disciples met, and Christ honored them with his presence, (John 20:19, 26). And when he was ascended, this day was appointed for the Christians to meet in, (1Corinthians 16:2); To break bread; to take a meal in common together, which they called Eucharist, or the love feast, so great a harmony and natural love was manifested in it; which was concluded with celebrating the Lord's supper; and this is chiefly, if not only, intended in this place. The love feasts being abused, were soon laid aside; but the other must continue until the Lord come, (1Corinthians 11:26).3

The discourse of Paul continued until the breaking of day. But it was interrupted about midnight by the accident that occurred to Eutychus. The fact that Paul was about to leave them on the next day, probably to see them no more, was the principal reason why his discourse was continued so long. We are not to suppose, however, that it was one continued or set discourse. No small part of the time might have been passed in hearing and answering questions, though Paul was the chief speaker. The case proves that such seasons of extraordinary devotion may, in peculiar circumstances, be proper. Occasions may arise where it will be proper for Christians to spend a much longer time than usual in public worship. It is evident, however, that such seasons do not often occur.