This ordinance is known as: the Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthian 11:20, because Christ instituted it, the communion 1 Corinthian 10:16, because of the common participation of saints, and the Eucharist, 1 Corinthian 11:24, meaning the giving of thanks.
There are four distinct doctrinal positions of this doctrinal ordinance.
- Transubstantiation…..the catholic doctrine that the bread and win mysteriously change into the actual body and blood of the Lord.
- Consubstantiation…..Certain Protestant bodies believe that while the bread and wine retain their natural elements yet the body and blood of Christ are in and with the elements
- Mystical Present Theory…..This view denies the corporal presence of Christ in the elements, but holds that the communicant partakes of and benefits by the mystical present of the human nature of Christ.
- Symbolic…..This is the Bible view. There can possibly be no merit received from the act itself. The reward comes in obeying God’s word and following the design and purpose of the ordinance.
What is the scriptural purpose and design of the Lord’s Supper?
- Christ states its design when He instituted it, “This do in remembrance of me”.
- The Lord’s Supper is a memorial whereby we demonstrate to the world and remember for ourselves the atoning suffering and death of Christ for us. ! Corinthians 11:26.
- The Passover feast looked forward to the vicarious sacrificial suffering of Christ, the Lord’s Supper points backward to it.
- The Lord’s Supper also symbolizes the unity of God’s people. In commemorating it we are drawn not only closer to God but closer to one another. 1 Corinthian. 10:16,17.
- It also shows the unity in the sense that we are one bread. The scriptures symbolized us as wheat, and surely every grain of wheat will produce one bread.
- Who are qualified to partake of the Lord’s Supper? Only the Disciples of Christ. Acts 20:7
- It is not a party or a feast 1 Corinthian 11:20:22
- Participants must be a born again believer living right with God. 1 Corinthian 11:27-29
- Even believers should not partake unworthily. 1 Corinthian 11:27-32.
The Lord's Supper is also commanded in the Word of God (Matt 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20) as a memorial feast (Luke 22:19; I Cor 11:26) and as such, is practiced by the saints of God.
• The Traditional Church, The Lord’s Supper is observed monthly, quarterly, or annually.
• In the New Testament Church, the Lord’s Supper was observed as often as the church regularly gathered, and was the stated purpose for their meetings. (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:18-20, 33)
• The Traditional Church, observed the Lord’s Supper with a piece of cracker and a sip of juice.
• In the New Testament Church, the Lord’s Supper was observed as a full meal. (Acts 2:42, 46; 1 Cor. 11:20, 21).
• The Traditional Church, observance of the Lord’s Supper is like a solemn funeral atmosphere as the worshippers reflect on Christ’s sufferings and death. The believer’s vertical relationship with Christ is emphasized. And public confession of sins are made.
• In the New Testament Church, The Lord’s Supper was observed with glad and sincere hearts as the church not only reflected on Christ’s death, but also on the future marriage supper of the Lamb which it depicted. The believer’s horizontal relationship with other believers was emphasized. (Acts 2:46; Luke 22:15-18, 30; 1 Corinthian 11:26; Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthian 10:16).
Breaking of Bread
Greek Word Meanings:
Sup = deipneo meaning to sup, to take evening meal
Supper = deipnon meaning supper, evening meal
Lord’s Supper = kuriakos meaning belonging to the Lord
Communion = koinonia meaning act of using a thing in common
Break = klazo meaning to break down
Break = klao meaning to break
Breaking = klasis meaning breaking
Bread = artos meaning bread. loaf of wheat(unleavened when in reference to the Passover)
Cup = poterion meaning drinking vessel
Thankful = eucharisteo meaning to thank or be thankful
Sign = semeion meaning a sign, mark or signal
Sacrifice = thusia meaning a slaughter, slaughtered animal
Mystery = musteriou meaning secret, deep truth of something formerly unknown but now revealed.
Table = trapeza meaning a table with four feet(legs)
Lord’s Table = kurios meaning Lord, Master
Blood = haima meaning blood
Body = soma meaning body
Fruit = gennema meaning produce
Wine = gleukos meaning sweet or new wine oinos meaning wine, grape juice
WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER?
Breaking Bread- Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:46 “And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them.”
Communion- I Corinthians 10:16 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Lord’s Supper: I Corinthians 11:20 “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s Supper(it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper).”
Lord’s Table: I Corinthians 10:21 “Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devil.”
Bread: Matthew 26:26;Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; John 6:47-58 “Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is my body.” I Corinthians 10:16 “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” I Corinthians 11:23-24 “The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he break it, and said, Take eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Body: Matthew 26:26 “Take, eat: this is my body.” Mark 14:22 “Take, eat: this is my body.” Luke 22:19 “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” I Corinthians 10:16 “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” I Corinthians 11:24 “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you:”
*Cup: Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:23-24; Luke 22:17 “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink it all of you(divide it among yourselves); for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” I Corinthians 10:16 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? I Corinthians 10:21 “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils;” I Corinthians 11:25 “He took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood.”
Fruit: Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25; Luke 22:18 “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Passover Wine: yayin Hebrew meaning what is pressed out, juice of the grape *Note: It is the blood of Christ which saves NOT cup of Lord’s Supper Acts 20:28 “God hath purchased the church with is own blood.” Romans 5:9 “Now justified by his blood.” Ephesians 1:7 “Redemption through his blood.” Colossians 1:20 “Having made peace through the blood of his cross.” Romans 3:25; Ephesians 2:13; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 9:14, 13:12; I Peter 1:19; I John 1:7; Revelation 5:9
WHY SHOULD THE LORD’S SUPPER BE OBSERVED?
• Luke 22:19 “This do in remembrance of me.”
• I Corinthians 11:23 “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you.”
• I Corinthians 11:25 “This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
WHERE SHOULD THE LORD’S SUPPER BE OBSERVED?
• Matthew 26:18 “I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.”
• Mark 14:14-15 “Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.”
• Acts 2:42 “And thy continued steadfastly in breaking of bread.”(Where ever they met)
• Acts 2:46 “And they, continuing daily breaking bread from house to house.”
• Acts 20:7-8 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.”
WHO SHOULD OBSERVED THE LORD’S SUPPER?
• Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14 “He sat down with the twelve.”
• Matthew 26:27 “Drink it all of you .” Mark 14:23 “They all drank of it.”
• Acts 1:15 “The names of together were about an hundred and twenty.
• Acts 2:41-42 “the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
• Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread.”
• I Corinthians 10:16-17 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and on body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”
• I Corinthians 10:21 “Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”
• I Corinthians 11:21 “For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper.”
HOW SHOULD THE LORD’S SUPPER BE OBSERVED?
Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11:24 “And as they were eating (supper/meal), Jesus took bread and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.”
Matthew 26:27-30; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17 “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink it all of you; For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in y Father’s kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn(humneo = to sing a song of praise), they went out into the Mount of Olives.”
I Corinthians 11:27 “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily (anxios = meaning wrong attitude, wrong spirit, unworthy way or motive, treating it as common, wrong spirit, unworthy way or manner) shall be guilty (enochos = held in, subject to, desecrating, profaning) of the body and blood of the Lord.”
I Corinthians 11:28 “But let a man examine(dokimazo = to prove, test, self- examination, look into his own heart) himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”
I Corinthians 11:29 “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,(anxios = meaning wrong attitude, wrong spirit, unworthy way or motive, treating it as common, wrong spirit, unworthy way or manner) eateth damnation(krima = judgment, condemnation) to himself, not discerning(diakrino = to recognize, distinguish, evaluate, judge thoroughly) the Lord’s(not in original manuscripts) body.”
I Corinthians 11:30 “For this cause many are weak(asthenes = without strength) and sickly(arrhostos = not robust or strong, weakly, feeble) among you, and many sleep(koimaomai = to lie down in sleep, to die).”
I Corinthians 11:31 “For if we would judge(diakrino = to judge throughly, examine, recognize, distinguish, evaluate) ourselves, we should not be judged(krino = to judge, punish).”
I Corinthians 11:32 “But when we are judged(krino = to judge, punish), we are chastened( paideuo = to instruct, train up, discipline) of the Lord, that we should not be condemned(katakrino = to judge down, condemn) with the world.”
I Corinthians 11:33 “Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat(phago = to eat which is same word used by Jesus at Last Supper) , tarry(ekdechomai = to receive in, wait) one for another.”
I Corinthians 11:34 “And if any man hunger(peinao = to hunger), let him eat(esthio = to eat) at home(oikos = own house, household); that ye come not together unto condemnation(krima = judgment, punishment). And the rest will I set in order when I come.”
WHEN SHOULD THE LORD’S SUPPER BE OBSERVED?
Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17; Luke 22:14 “When even was come.”
Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly…in breaking of bread.”
Acts 2:46 “And they, continuing daily…breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
Acts 20:7 “Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to bread bread…midnight…had broken bread, and eaten…”
I Corinthians 11:23 “The Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:”
I Corinthians 11:25 “This do ye, as oft as (pollakis meaning as many times, as much)ye drink it.”
I Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.”
The Love Feast
The Sense of Family and Communion
The memorial of Christ sacrifice
1. Matthew 26:26-27(Mark 14:22-23; Luke 22:19-20; John 13:1-2) “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples…And he took the cup, and gave thanks and gave it to them…”
2. The Greek for Love Feast is specifically mentioned twice in the New Testament. Jude 12 “Your feasts of love.” and II Peter 2:13 “While they feast with you.”
3. An account of the Lord’s Supper is given in I Corinthians 11:20-34 “When you come together therefore in one place it is not (possible) to eat the Lord’s Supper…”
4. In Acts 2:42 “They continued steadfastly in breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness(leaping for joy) and singleness of heart.”
5. According to Acts 20:7 “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread…”
OTHER REFERENCES:
Bread-Matt.6:11,15:2; Mk.7:5; Lk.7:33,11:3,24:35;
Jhn.6:5,48,51, 21:9,13;Acts 2:46, 20:11, 27:35;
I Cor.10:16-17.
Cup/wine-Matt.11:19;Lk.7:33-44;Jhn.2:3-10.
Dine/dinner-Lk.11:37-38,14:12;Jhn.21:12,15.
Eat/eating-Matt.9:11,11:10,12:1,14:16-21,15:2,37-8,26:17,21,26;Mk.2:16,7:2,6:31,36,37-44,
14:14,18,22;Lk.5:30,6:1-5,9,7:34-36,9:131 7,10:7,13:26,14:15f,15:2,22:16,
43; Jhn.6:13, 6:54-58,13:18,18:21,28;Acts10:10,13,20:11,26:17,26;I
Cor.5:11,10:31,11:21-22,24,26-29, 33-34;
Rev.2:7,17.
Fish-Matt.14:17-19,15:34-36;Mk.6:38-43,8:7;Lk.5:6-9,9:13-16,24:42;Jhn.6:9-11,21:9-13.
Meat-Matt.25:35,42;Lk.8:55,24:41;Jhn.21:5;Acts2:46,9:19.
Supper-Lk.14:12-24;Jhn.12:2,13:2-4,21:20