The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper or Lord’s Table is immensely important. Dr. Bruce Shelley, one of my seminary professors called it the supreme element of biblical worship. Robert Saucy in his book on the Church said Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are at the heart of the Church’s expression of faith.
·
Why do we call it an ordinance? An ordinance is a practice ordained or commanded
by Christ for His Church. We do not use
the term sacrament which refers to
worship activities that convey saving grace to the participants. Nor do we use the term eucharist which has come to refer to the Mass.
·
What is the relationship between baptism and the
Lord’s Supper? Baptism symbolizes the
believer’s union with Christ in death and resurrection, done once as an open
profession of faith. The Lord’s Supper
symbolizes Christ’s death for believers and is to be observed regularly and as
often as desired (1 Cor. 11:26). Because
of this we would maintain that it is proper for individuals to be baptized
before beginning to observe the Lord’s Supper.
·
When and where should the Lord’s Supper be
observed? As noted, it should be
observed often because it is a
necessary reminded of the essence of our life in Christ and relationship with
God through the New Covenant. Many
Churches have a tradition of regularly observing the Lord’s Supper. But there is no need to limit the observances
to that regular time. It can be quite
meaningful when observed spontaneously.
We see this as a local church
observance as that is the setting in which we see it in the New Testament (e.g.
Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:17-34). We do not
forbid its observance in the home or in small group settings; after all the NT
Church met in a variety of contexts. But
there is a concern that it be observed in propriety as taught in the
Scriptures. There are necessary
safeguards to be observed. Thus let us
ask …
·
Who may partake of the bread and drink? We would first say baptized believers (note above).
Even children can partake if they understand what it is about; mindless
worship is always harmful. The concern
of Paul in 1 Cor. 11:27-32 is that the participants should be unified, self-examined believers. In v29 the need to discern the Lord’s body refers to this unity, as
does the problem he addressed in 11:17-22.
The symbolism of the ordinance is the common experience of every
believer. The self-examination called
for goes to the fact that participation while living in unrepentant sin is
dangerous and dishonoring to the One we honor.
It is interesting that Jesus taught this to His disciples on the same night in which He was betrayed
(1 Cor. 11:23). It was also on an
occasion when the disciples were arguing about personal greatness, and on an
occasion when Jesus taught them to wash each other’s feet and to love each
other (John 13).
·
What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper? The meaning is bound up in the Passover, the
context in which Jesus instituted His Supper.
The traditional order for the Seder involved four cups and bread
(Afikoman) that was hidden before the meal and then retrieved later, broken and
eaten by all. The eating of the bread
occurred before the third cup which was the Cup
of Redemption. The broken bread
spoke of His death; while hidden it spoke of His burial; when retrieved it
spoke of His resurrection; and when eaten it was a reminded that all must trust
in the Messiah. The cup, as Jesus
Himself says, speaks of the redemption that makes possible the New
Covenant. From Jer. 31:31-34 we know
that atonement had to be provided for sin so that God could set aside (no
longer remember) our sins, thus making possible His law in our hearts (by the
indwelling Holy Spirit) and the believer having the promised relationship with
God. Thus we are being reminded of what
binds the Church together: it is the one, complete work of Christ (cf. also
John 6:47-58).
We hope these thoughts
on this essential part of Christian worship are helpful. Let us never forget or become neglectful of
the person and work of our Savior!
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