(Note: in Alan's absence, this week's blog posting comes from our webmaster, Jeff.)
Introduction. When one considers the religion of Christianity, Jesus Christ certainly takes center stage in terms of focus. Of everything He said and did, it was His sacrificial, atoning death on the cross for the sins of the world that seemed to be the primary focus of His life. And as a memorial remembrance of that act, Christians partaking of what is often called the “Lord’s Supper” is a critical focus of public worship.
To my knowledge, every religious group professing to believe in Jesus Christ observes this memorial in one way or another under a variety of names (e.g., communion, Eucharist, Divine Liturgy). It is unfortunate that I have to say “in one way or another”. For an act that should unite all professed believers, there is an incredible divergence in how the Lord’s Supper is observed. And as we’ll see, this is not only unfortunate, but violates pleas for the unity of believers made by Jesus himself along with the inspired writers of the New Testament:
Introduction. When one considers the religion of Christianity, Jesus Christ certainly takes center stage in terms of focus. Of everything He said and did, it was His sacrificial, atoning death on the cross for the sins of the world that seemed to be the primary focus of His life. And as a memorial remembrance of that act, Christians partaking of what is often called the “Lord’s Supper” is a critical focus of public worship.
To my knowledge, every religious group professing to believe in Jesus Christ observes this memorial in one way or another under a variety of names (e.g., communion, Eucharist, Divine Liturgy). It is unfortunate that I have to say “in one way or another”. For an act that should unite all professed believers, there is an incredible divergence in how the Lord’s Supper is observed. And as we’ll see, this is not only unfortunate, but violates pleas for the unity of believers made by Jesus himself along with the inspired writers of the New Testament:
- “Sanctify them [the Apostles] by Your truth. Your word is truth. … I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17: 17-21)
- "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Cor. 1: 10)
- “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.“ (Eph. 4: 3)
- “Coming to Him [as to] a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God [and] precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. … Finally, all [of you be] of one mind, …” (1 Pet. 2:4 - 3:8)
A Basis for Unity. Since God wants believers to be of one mind and one judgment, how can we achieve that? Simply speaking, we need to rely on a careful examination of the New Testament for everything we believe, say, and do from a religious perspective.
Key Verses. Concerning the observance of the Lord’s Supper, there are a relatively small number of New Testament scriptures to guide us. Perhaps the most extensive is found in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 (which reads in part):
In order to avoid making this a long series of lengthy articles, I would like to briefly examine each of these areas, pointing out differences among believers, and invite you to further study this topic with the aid of material on our website I’ll mention at the end.
Why? The scriptures above show we observe the Lord’s Supper to remember and proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns. According to 1 Cor. 11:34, it is not to have a common meal nor to recreate the Passover. Some groups also view the partaking of the Lord’s Supper as a means to receive the forgiveness of sin, but what scripture indicates that?
Who? The scriptures above show believers coming together. Part of this requires remembering, proclaiming, and examining oneself (1 Cor. 11:28). Some individuals and groups also give the elements to young children, but does this fit the pattern? Some groups invite non-Christians to participate (“open communion”) and others forbid non-Christians to participate (“closed communion”). Does this fit the pattern of self-examination (“close communion”)?
Where? The scriptures above show believers coming together into a local assembly “as a church” (1 Cor. 11:18, 20). Some individuals and groups also allow individuals to have communion privately, either at home, in the hospital/nursing home for a shut-in unable to attend, or casually “on the lake” while vacationing. Does this fit the pattern?
What? The scriptures above speak of partaking Passover bread (unleavened) and fruit of the vine (juice of grapes) (Matt. 26:26-29). Some groups may serve common food, or serve only the bread (a priest drinks the juice). Other groups may teach the elements miraculously transform into the literal flesh and blood of Jesus (a.k.a. transubstantiation, consubstantiation). Some groups serve strong alcoholic drink while others serve water (Mormons). Can these practices be justified based on the scriptures above?
When? The scriptures above show the gathering together was done on Sundays, the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2 in context of chapter 12-14 and chapter 11). Some groups only observe the Lord’s Supper annually on the Passover or what is called Easter Sunday. Other groups observe it on religious holy days, quarterly, monthly, at funerals (a.k.a. funeral mass), on Saturdays, or on week days. Does this fit the pattern?
How? When it comes to what I might call the “mechanics” of serving the Lord’s Supper, the scriptures tend to be somewhat silent (e.g., when to serve it during a Sunday worship service, who serves it, appropriate words to say, how to distribute the elements, how to dispose of left-overs, etc.). But some groups prohibit anyone other than an officially ordained priest from serving it, require a single physical container regardless of the number of believers partaking, require a foot-washing ceremony in conjunction with it, require a period of fasting prior, or forbid it being offered more than once on Sunday in the assembly. And there may be other practices that groups explicitly require or prohibit, but can they be justified based on the scriptures?
Conclusion. As you can tell, the key point of this article is not to provide an in-depth examination of the scriptures nor what people do in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper. It simply is to potentially challenge our thinking and traditional customs in light of Jesus’ plea for unity, a unity that would have all believers practicing the same things in a way that gives honor to God and serves as a sign to unbelievers “that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17: 21).
For Further Study. At the BibleQuestions.Org website, look under the “Topics >” menu item for the following:
- “Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written” (1 Cor. 4:6)
- “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
- “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.“ (2 John9)
Key Verses. Concerning the observance of the Lord’s Supper, there are a relatively small number of New Testament scriptures to guide us. Perhaps the most extensive is found in 1 Cor. 11:17-34 (which reads in part):
- “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. … For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
In order to avoid making this a long series of lengthy articles, I would like to briefly examine each of these areas, pointing out differences among believers, and invite you to further study this topic with the aid of material on our website I’ll mention at the end.
Why? The scriptures above show we observe the Lord’s Supper to remember and proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns. According to 1 Cor. 11:34, it is not to have a common meal nor to recreate the Passover. Some groups also view the partaking of the Lord’s Supper as a means to receive the forgiveness of sin, but what scripture indicates that?
Who? The scriptures above show believers coming together. Part of this requires remembering, proclaiming, and examining oneself (1 Cor. 11:28). Some individuals and groups also give the elements to young children, but does this fit the pattern? Some groups invite non-Christians to participate (“open communion”) and others forbid non-Christians to participate (“closed communion”). Does this fit the pattern of self-examination (“close communion”)?
Where? The scriptures above show believers coming together into a local assembly “as a church” (1 Cor. 11:18, 20). Some individuals and groups also allow individuals to have communion privately, either at home, in the hospital/nursing home for a shut-in unable to attend, or casually “on the lake” while vacationing. Does this fit the pattern?
What? The scriptures above speak of partaking Passover bread (unleavened) and fruit of the vine (juice of grapes) (Matt. 26:26-29). Some groups may serve common food, or serve only the bread (a priest drinks the juice). Other groups may teach the elements miraculously transform into the literal flesh and blood of Jesus (a.k.a. transubstantiation, consubstantiation). Some groups serve strong alcoholic drink while others serve water (Mormons). Can these practices be justified based on the scriptures above?
When? The scriptures above show the gathering together was done on Sundays, the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2 in context of chapter 12-14 and chapter 11). Some groups only observe the Lord’s Supper annually on the Passover or what is called Easter Sunday. Other groups observe it on religious holy days, quarterly, monthly, at funerals (a.k.a. funeral mass), on Saturdays, or on week days. Does this fit the pattern?
How? When it comes to what I might call the “mechanics” of serving the Lord’s Supper, the scriptures tend to be somewhat silent (e.g., when to serve it during a Sunday worship service, who serves it, appropriate words to say, how to distribute the elements, how to dispose of left-overs, etc.). But some groups prohibit anyone other than an officially ordained priest from serving it, require a single physical container regardless of the number of believers partaking, require a foot-washing ceremony in conjunction with it, require a period of fasting prior, or forbid it being offered more than once on Sunday in the assembly. And there may be other practices that groups explicitly require or prohibit, but can they be justified based on the scriptures?
Conclusion. As you can tell, the key point of this article is not to provide an in-depth examination of the scriptures nor what people do in conjunction with the Lord’s Supper. It simply is to potentially challenge our thinking and traditional customs in light of Jesus’ plea for unity, a unity that would have all believers practicing the same things in a way that gives honor to God and serves as a sign to unbelievers “that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17: 21).
For Further Study. At the BibleQuestions.Org website, look under the “Topics >” menu item for the following:
- “A” for “Authority”
- “B” for “Bible Study”
- “L” for “Lord’s Supper”
- “T” for “Transubstantiation”
- “U” for “Unity”