I would ask that you show me documentation that states they were hearing confessions and performing the mass. Actually if you read the didache you get a very different picture of what was going on. I believe Iraneus also wrote how they worshipped. They basically spent their entire time reading scripture from the apostles, praying, and then observing the Lord’s supper after which they would break bread and have dinner together. This is how we worship at our church although we serve communion in the middle. I would submit to you the mass was a much much later invention and was not practiced by those initial churches. If you can show me documentation that specifically states they were re-sacrificing Christ during Communion I would gladly read it. Actually back to Acts we see nothing of this type of worship at all. Acts tells us the following:
The Fellowship of the Believers
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe [4] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
How in the world do we get the mass from that?? You also have to remember how uneducated these people were. We need to imterpret these letters as if we lived during that time. Not by todays language.
PEACE
