Church Ordinances – The Lord’s Supper

I.  The Scriptural Origin.

  A.  The background of the ordinance is provided in the Old Testament Passover.

        Exodus 12:1-4

  B.  The lord Jesus terminated the Passover remembrance and instituted the Lord’s Supper.             Four Scripture passages record this change.  Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:24,25;

        Luke 22:17-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31

II.  The Scriptural Design.

  A.  Two false views to be noted. (Latern Council 1215, Council of Trent, 1500’s)

    1.  Transubstantiation.  The Roman Catholic doctrine that interprets the bread and the wine           are literally changed into the very body and blood of Christ by the priestly consecration.

    2.  Consubstantiation.  Lutheran doctrine that interprets His body and blood are present in             the elements while they are not literally changed.

  B.  Scriptural view – the Lord’s Supper is a memorial.

    1.  The Old Testament Passover was a memorial.

      a.  A reminder that they had been slaves.

      b.  A reminder that their deliverance was through the shed blood of a sacrifice.

    2.  The Lord’s Supper is a memorial.  1 Corinthians 11:24-28

      a.  A reminder of our former condition as sinners.

      b.  A reminder of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ for us.

        1).  Look backward.  11:26   “…ye do show the Lord’s death.”

        2).  Look inward.  11:28     “…let a man examine himself…”

        3).  Look forward.  11:26  “…till He come…”

III.  Scriptural Prerequisites.

The Lord’s Supper is not for everyone.  The Scripture records a stern warning to those who partake unworthily.

  A.  Salvation.  1 Corinthians 10:16,17.  The blessing of the Lord’s Supper is for those who            have partaken of the Living Christ.  It is impossible to have communion with Christ until         we know Him.

  B.  Baptism.  Baptism symbolizes salvation through the Gospel, while in the Lord’s Supper           there is a picture of fellowship.  As there can be no fellowship with Christ until one is              saved, the symbol for fellowship will follow the symbol for salvation. The Scriptures               teach that the Lord’s Supper follows baptism.  Acts 2:41,42

  C.  Church membership.

    1.  The Passover was observed by a definite and separate body of people – Israel.

    2.  The Lord’s Supper is to be observed by those who have been baptized into fellowship

              with Christ’s church.  Acts 2:41,42

    3.  Paul instructed the Corinthian church in the observance of the ordinance.

        1 Corinthians 11:17,18,20

    4.  Three views regarding the eligibility for observing the Lord’s Supper.

      a.  Open.  This view teaches that all believers may observe the ordinance when the church            assembles for that purpose – regardless of the church they are members of or the mode             of their baptism. 

      b.  Close.  This view teaches that all those in attendance who meet the prerequisites and                who are members of churches holding the same doctrine may partake.

      c.  Closed.  This view teaches that the supper is only served to those members of that                    particular church.

  D.  Unity.  1 Corinthians 11:17-22

In this passage, Paul  corrected the abuse of the Lord’s table.  The disunity in the church invalidates the observance even though the form is followed.  Therefore, we learn that unity in the church is vital to the legitimate observance of the ordinance.

    1.  Unity of heart.  Note the great divisions in Corinth.  1 Corinthians 11:18

      a.  Divided around personalities.  1 Corinthians 1:11,12; 3:3,4

      b.  Divided around stronger and weaker brethren.  1 Corinthians 8

      c.  Divided between rich and poor.  1 Corinthians 11:21,22

    2.  Unity of belief.  1 Corinthians 11:19 

      a.  They had differences regarding eating of meat offered to idols.

      b.  They had differences regarding morality. 1 Corinthians 5

      c.  They had differences regarding ministry.

Each church must resolve the problems causing division prior to observance of the Lord’s Supper.

  E.  Proper motive.  1 Corinthians 11:21,22

        It is clear that the Corinthians motive was to feast rather than to have communion with             the Lord.

IV.  Scriptural Preparation.

  A.  Self-examination.  1 Corinthians 11:28.  The examination should reveal any violation of          the other prerequisites or any unconfessed sin.

  B.  Self-judgment.  1 Corinthians 11:31.  If we fail to judge our own sin, God promises that           He will judge us.  The consequence of partaking without correction through self-                      judgment is   severe.  1 Corinthians 11:27-34

 V.  Scriptural Occasion.  1 Corinthians 11:26  No set time is prescribed.  It is simply noted             “…for as often…”.  The time should be set according to the desire of the church.