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Mass, Baptism & Prayers
of the First Christians


This liturgical guide has been reconstructed from historical records, eyewitness accounts, theologians and the scriptures of Paul the Apostle. It is designed to be used in conjunction with The Very First Bible and will teach you how to conduct a simple mass during times of persecution and oppression just as the first Christians did.

In the Beginnning...

At the dawn of Christianity very few structures were set aside for the sole purpose of conducting mass and purpose-built churches were few and far between. Instead, larger private homes were used and the mass was presided over by a 'Presbyter' - usually the owner of the home. A typical mass would consist of under ten people worshipping together.

You will also learn how they conducted a Christian baptism, following the ancient rites and sacraments. Detailed instructions are included in the walkthroughs - including responses, motions, directions and blessings of the water and oil.

This special edition also includes the ancient prayers just as they were invoked almost 2,000 years ago - including:

*Prayer for All Needs
*Prayer for Perseverance
*Writer’s Prayer
*The Intercession Prayer
*Prayer Before a Journey
*Prayer in Preparation for Death

Who?

Any baptized Christian man who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that God was revealed through Him is qualified to lead a simple Mass. He will assume the title of Presbyter. The Mass as structured is non-denominational and does not favor one 'brand' of Christianity over another.

Where?

Any home with a space large enough to accomodate up to ten people. Ideally, the home will have a large C-shaped couch or seating area. In some cases, Mass will have to be conducted underground in a 'catacomb church' like those used by the Christian Russians under Bolshevik persecution.

When?

The first Christians met twice on Sunday - first at dawn for a Service of the Word with prayer and an oath not to partake in theft or adultery and again at the end of the day for Mass and a meal which was both real and sacramental. It symbolizes fellowship, sharing, unity and brotherhood. Saturday is a day of fasting.

Sunday Mass

The first Christians fasted on Saturday and celebrated Mass on Sunday

(The following is a sample of what's included in the liturgical guide)

I.

Service of the Word at Dawn

Presbyter (All sit): AWAKE, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
HONOUR and glory through endless ages to the king of all the ages, the immortal,
the invisible, who alone is God. Amen.

All (kneel): GLORY in the heights to God,
on earth peace,
to men favour.
We Praise you,
bless you,
worship you,
laud you,
we give you thanks
for your great glory,
0 lord, King of heaven,
God the Father all-powerful,
Lord the only Son,
Jesus Christ,
and you, Holy Spirit.
0 Lord God,
God’s Lamb,
the Father’s Son,
you take the world’s sins away:
have mercy on us.
You take the world’s sins away:
accept our prayer.
You sit at the Father’s right hand:
have mercy on us.
For you alone are holy,
you alone are Lord,
0 Jesus Christ,
for God the Father’s glory.
Amen.

- Morning Prayer and Oath

All (stand): I RISE and pledge myself to God
to do no deed at all of dark.
This day shall be his sacrifice
and I, unmoved, my passions’ lord.
I blush to be so old and foul
and yet to stand before his table.
You know what I would do, 0 Christ;
0 then, to do it make me able.

- End Service of the Word and resumption of daily activities until Mass at the end of the day.

II.

Mass

- Opening Intercessory Prayer

Presbyter (arms outstretched) All (stand): MAY God, the author of all
endurance and all encouragement, enable you to be all of one mind
according to the mind of Christ Jesus, so that you may all have but one heart
and one mouth, to glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . .

May God, the author of our hope, fill you with all joy and Peace in your
believing; so that you may have hope in abundance, through the power of
the Holy Spirit. . . .

May God, the author of peace, be with you all, Amen. 

God, who is the author of peace, will crush Satan under your feet before
long. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

All: And also with you, Amen.

- Reading of Scripture

All (sit) Presbyter: Any scripture from the Epistles of Paul (Galatians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Romans, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, Ephesians, Laodiceans, Colossians, Philemon and Philippians) within pages 75-237 of The Very First Bible can be used here.

- Sermon

Presbyter: Bases sermon on scripture read above and applies it to events and issues facing the church and community. Material can also be found in The Gospel of the Lord (pages 1-72).

III.

Communion

- Eucharistic Prayer

Presbyter: THE Lord is with you.

All: May he be with your spirit too.

Presbyter: Set your hearts on the things above.

All: They are fixed on the Lord.

Presbyter: Let us give thanks to the Lord.

All: It is right and proper that we should.

Presbyter: We give you thanks, 0 God, through your dear Child, Jesus Christ,
whom in this, the last of all periods of time, you sent to save and redeem
us and to tell us what you wanted of us.

He is your Word, inseparable from you; you made all things through
him and you were well pleased with him.

He did what you wanted him to do, and when he suffered, acquiring
thereby a holy people for you, he stretched out his hands to free those who
believed in you from suffering.

When he was handed over to undergo the suffering he had chosen him—
self, thereby to destroy death, to break the chains the Devil held us in,
crush hell beneath his feet, give light to the just, make a covenant and
manifest his resurrection: he took bread, gave thanks to you and said:

Take this and eat it: it is this body of mine that is to be broken for you.

In the same way, he took the chalice, saying:

This is my blood being shed for you. When you do this, you will be
commemorating me.

Calling, then, his death and resurrection to mind, we offer you bread
and a chalice and we thank you for enabling us to stand before you and
serve you.

We ask you to send down your Holy Spirit on the offering holy Church
makes you, to unite all who receive holy communion and to fill them with
the Holy Spirit, for the strengthening of their faith in the truth.

So may we give you praise and glory, through your Child, Jesus Christ.

All: Amen.

Presbyter: Dispenses communion.

IV.

Song & Closing Prayer

All: O gladsome Light, O Grace
of God the Father's face,
th'eternal splendor wearing;
celestial, holy, blest,
our Savior Jesus Christ,
joyful in Thine appearing!

Now, as day fadeth quite,
we see the evening light,
our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
Thee, His incarnate Son,
and Holy Ghost adoring.

To Thee of right belongs
all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, Life-giver;
Thee, therefore, O Most High,
the world does glorify
and shall exalt forever.

- Closing Prayer of Perseverance

Presbyter: YOUR prayers are more likely to be answered now, for it is easier to obtain
what you ask when you are being persecuted. Beseech the good God, then,
as earnestly as you can that we may all confess His name to the end, and that
we too may emerge unscathed and glorious from the snares of this world and
its darkness.

As we have been linked together by charity and peace, and
together have withstood persecution from the pagans, so may we rejoice
together in the kingdom of heaven.

All: Amen.

V.

Fellowship Meal

It was traditional for the first Christians to share a meal with each other after Mass, each person bringing some food that was equally divided among all. This was the fitting end to a day that began with a simple prayer at dawn, culminating in celebration of God, Christian fellowship and a shared meal.

The meal is also to be delivered to the infirm, sick or anyone unable to attend Mass.

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