As published in GOSPEL ADVOCATE
February 12, 1976 ~ The LORD's Supper BY
Lloyd E. Ellis. Visit them for good quality
publications here.
The subject of the Lord’s Supper or "Communion" is one which deserves to be studied at regular intervals — especially by new
members of the body of Christ, and those who may
not have had an opportunity to give much attention
to it.
THE SUPPER INSTITUTED by CHRIST
THE
ELEMENTS USED
A
MEMORIAL
OFFERING
THANKS
TIME
of OBSERVANCE
WHO
IS to PARTAKE
OFFICIATING
at the
TABLE
THE SUPPER
INSTITUTED by CHRIST
A careful study of the
Scriptures should help to clarify any questions
which one may encounter in regard to the Lord’s
supper.
This memorial was instituted by the
Lord himself on the night in which he was betrayed
as the Scriptures clearly state. After they had
eaten the Passover meal
according to the Jewish custom and law, Jesus took
the bread, offered thanks, and told his disciples to eat of it, and
in
the same manner he took the “cup” and told them that each should drink of it (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19,
20; 1 Cor.
11:23). He also explained the purpose as we shall note
further. BACK TO BEGINNING
THE ELEMENTS
USED
Two very simple elements were
used — the bread which was unleavened in
accordance with the law of Moses given by God through him to govern the Israelites in their observance of the Passover.
Since Jesus used the unleavened bread in
instituting the supper, we use unleavened bread
today also.
The other element was the
juice of the grape, designated the “fruit of the
vine.” (Matt. 28:29; Mark 14:25). There is no discussion in the
Bible
as to whether this fruit of the vine was fermented or unfermented. Of the many words translated wine in the Bible, some
refer to fermented and others to unfermented grape
juice, but we have no argument concerning whether
one must be used in preference to the other, as long
as we use the fruit of the vine. Since the unfermented grape juice
is easily preserved throughout the year today,
Christians generally prefer to use the unfermented
grape juice, keeping unused portions of an opened
bottle in the refrigeration to prevent its
souring.
The “cup”. There are those who
contend that the “cup” is the container and so
insist on “one cup” (container) for a congregation. But
such argument is based upon a misunderstanding of the use of the
word “cup.” This word is often used in a
figurative sense, as when one speaks of the “cup
of suffering.” The words of Jesus should make the matter
clear, when he stated that the cup was the New Covenant in his blood(Luke 22:20; Mark 14:24; Matt. 26:28; 1 Cor.
11:25). But this “cup” was the fruit of the vine —
grape juice. Jesus told his disciples to
drink the cup; one does not
drink the container, but what is in the
container.
Yes, we Christians believe
in the “one cup,” but that one cup is the fruit of
the vine — grape juice — which so fitly represents the
blood of the
Christ which he poured out at the cross, and whether there is one or a thousand containers in one or a hundred
congregations, we still have the one
cup.
The knights of old who searched for the
“Holy Grail” were wasting their time — Jesus never
“blessed” a container. BACK TO BEGINNING
A MEMORIAL
The Lord’s supper is not a
sacrament as some religious people call it, but is
simply a memorial to Christ who died for the salvation of
men. He
stated that the bread was (represented) his body(Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19), which was given for the
purpose of making salvation possible, and the
fruit of the vine (represented) his blood which
was shed or poured out on Calvary(Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20).
The argument that
the bread and the fruit of the vine are actually
his flesh and blood is based upon the fact that the translation of
what
Jesus said, “This is my body,” is taken literally, whereas this is
a figure of speech in which one item is placed for
another without using
the word “represents.” We constantly use the same
kind of language, as when one said of another,
“His face was marble.” He did not mean that the
flesh of his face actually became marble, but that it had the appearance of marble.
Jesus
was sitting in the midst of his disciples in the flesh, with his blood flowing through his veins, and in his hand he
held the bread
and the fruit of the vine at the same time. So when the
disciples partook of the elements, they were
reminded of the death of Christ. Thus
the supper is a memorial, just as
Jesus said, “This do . . . in remembrance of me”(1
Cor. 11:25). It is a monument which results in
Christians constantly
keeping in mind what Christ did for us, just as a
monument erected in a public place reminds men of some event, or of
what some man has done. BACK TO BEGINNING
OFFERING
THANKS
There are those who call the
Lord’s supper the “Eucharist.” This is a misuse of
the word, or words, used by the Bible writers. In our use of words today, we would do well to use the word
“thanks.” It might be
said that Jesus did “bless” or “consecrate” the bread
for all time,
because of the word that he used in Matthew 26:26, and
usually translated “blessed,” but no man today has any authority to
so
“bless” or consecrate these elements — all we can - or need to do is
to offer thanks to God through Christ for what was
done for us.
Let us also observe that the
offering of thanks at the table is not a time for
long prayers, but simply an occasion for the offering of
thanks for the
bread and fruit of the vine, keeping in mind what they
represent. BACK TO BEGINNING
TIME of
OBSERVANCE
The first century Christians
met upon the first day of the week to break bread
(observe the Lord’s supper). When Paul visited Troas(Acts
20:7) he
found the Christians meeting upon the first day of the week, and only the self-will of men would decide upon any
other time. Each
week has a first day and true lovers of God and the
Bible meet upon this
day.
Early writers, outside the Bible,
even the enemies of Christians, also testify to
the fact that the early Christians met upon the first
day of the
week. BACK TO
BEGINNING
WHO IS to
PARTAKE
Baptized (immersed) persons are
the ones who have a right to partake of these
emblems. Jesus addressed his disciples; the letters are
written to
Christians; and it is unthinkable that an unbeliever could partake. It is the Christian who partakes and thus
testifies to the
world that he believes in Christ; that he died; rose
again, and will return according to his promise. 1
Cor. 11:26. BACK TO
BEGINNING
OFFICIATING at
the TABLE
We often use the term
“officiating at the table,” but the Bible does not
use that phraseology. One does not have to be an “official” to
serve at
the table. Any member of the church may so serve, either for the offering of thanks, or in serving the congregation.
Of course, as
the Bible teaches, the men perform these duties as with
other public actions such as preaching and praying
in the congregational worship.
We need to
study and follow the Biblical teaching and examples.
There is no
Scriptural reason for saying the Lord’s supper is the “most important part of the worship.” The prayers, singing,
preaching and the teaching are no less important
than participating in the Lord’s supper.
Contributing of one’s money, time and energies is important in the
life of the Christian. One’s entire being should
be dedicated to the worship of God and the service
of others. BACK TO
BEGINNING