Communion
1 Cor 11:23-34
23 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; 24 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.” 25 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.”
I received- Look at Gal 1:12. This is not man made
Night-The exact time was the Passover when Jesus did this
Took bread- The beginning of the meal, everyone took a piece of bread before they would start to eat.
this is My body- Compare Luke 22:19. he was using symbolism. Bread is the physical means to satisfy, Jesus’ body is the spiritual means to satisfy.
in remembrance of Me- When we take communion we are to remember why Christ died.
the same manner -Symbolism. It is not the real blood of Christ.
took the cup- This would be the 3rd cup of the hallal, “I will redeem” We think this because Matt 26:30.
after supper- This was not done right after the bread but after the meal was eaten, there was time in between the two.
cup is the new covenant in My blood- the Law needed blood of animals perpetually, the new covenant was made by the blood of Christ, one and done Heb 9:12
as often as you drink it- The idea here is that we are to take communion more then once, It should be part of the life of the Church.
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
unworthy manner– the main meaning here is simple, unrepented sin in our lives.
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. – Putting God to open shame (the purpose of Crucifixion) God will judge us and chasten us until we forsake our sins and repent.
29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Judgment- This is explained in verses 30-32
Lord’s body. – The Church 1 Cor 12:27. The exact thing the church in Corinth was doing. (read the book!)
33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
wait for one another-The Love feast, early church tradition.
1 cor 11:17-22
It is not about tradition
It is not about the type of bread
It is not about the wine
It is not if you are worthy
It is about what Christ did for you
If we put conditions on it, we miss the point
First Baptist Church Delmar 