| |
|
Every disciple is instructed to participate in the Lord's Supper. A definite time, place or style is not determined in scripture. Some Christians have this supper together weekly, some monthly, some every six months and some yearly.
Our Lord Jesus gave instructions for the Lord's Supper. During the Passover Feast1 He chose to institute the Supper on His last day before the cross.
With simple instructions we read, "Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, 'Take, eat; this is My Body'. And He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them saying, 'Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins".2 The Lord Jesus calls the cup 'the new covenant' in His blood.3 This brings in a New Covenant. It brings in the Christian era forever, and disposes the Jewish law forever.
The BREAD is symbolic of Christ's BODY which was offered as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. The cup of WINE is symbolic of the blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for the sins of the whole world.
Paul, the apostle, gave detailed instruction on the Lord's Supper.4 He said, "As often as you drink this cup and eat this bread you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes". The Lord's Supper (also called Communion) makes us sober yet joyful, sad yet happy, broken yet whole, bent down yet lifted up. Also of great importance in this teaching is this instruction: 'Let a man examine himself' so that he does not condemn himself of the Body and Blood of Christ by taking the Lord's Supper without discerning or testing his own heart for sin.
Other names for the Lord's Supper are the Eucharist, the Thanksgiving Feast, the Last Supper, Communion and Holy Communion.
Additional Scripture References:
Matthew 26:20-29
Mark 14:17-25
Luke 22:14-24
John 13:1-30, John 6:41-58
Ephesians 4:5
1 Corinthians 5:7-8, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
1. Exodus 12, Deuteronomy 16:5-8
2. Matthew 26:26-28
3. Luke 22:20
4. 1 Corinthians 1:17-34
© Copyright 2001 Lighthouse Ministries. All Rights Reserved.
Return to the top
|
|
|
