Page 371 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

LORUHAMAH - LOVE

is restricted as to its purpose (1 Co. 11:20-22). 2. The members re-congregate in a different part of the church
Lord’s Supper is restricted as to place — in the church building to observe the Lord’s Supper. This is something
(1 Co. 11:18). The Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance. that is decided on a church by church basis, and is
Contrast those who give the Lord’s supper privately in largely a practical matter that is determined through the
homes or via a radio broadcast or at a parachurch Bible use of “sanctified common sense.” [See also Baptism,
study or at an ecumenical conference. 3. The Lord’s Church, Footwashing, Mass.]
Supper is restricted as to the elements used — LORUHAMAH (not favored, not pitied). The name
unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (1 Co. 11:26; Mt. God gave to Hosea’s daughter as a sign of His rejection
26:26; Lk. 22:19-20). Contrast those who use coca cola of northern Israel (Ho. 1:6, 8).
and or orange squash. 4. The Lord’s Supper is restricted LOT (a covering). Abraham’s nephew (Ge. 11:31;
to baptized church members (Acts 2:41-42). 5. The 12:5). Lot chose to live in wicked Sodom and had to be
Lord’s Supper is restricted to church members who are dragged away by angels before Sodom was destroyed
not under church discipline (1 Co. 5:11). 6. The Lord’s (Ge. 13:5-13; 19:1-25). Because of his poor testimony
Supper is restricted to church members who are orderly and love of the world, Lot lost his family (Ge.
(2 Th. 3:6). 7. The Lord’s Supper is restricted to those 19:14,26,30-38). The N.T. says Lot was a saved man (2
who have examined themselves (1 Co. 11:28). Instead Pe. 2:7-9). [See Sodom.]
of the self-examination being the only requirement, it is
in addition to all of the other restrictions LOTAN (a covering). Ge. 36:20.
Close or Closed Communion. For the following reasons LOVE. The Greek N.T. uses two main words for love.
we believe the Bible teaches that each church should (1) The Greek word most frequently translated love
partake of the Lord’s Supper with its own members. 1. is AGAPAO, referring particularly to a giving, sacrificial
The Communion is taken as a church body (1 Co. love, as God’s love for man (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:10). It
12:27). The Lord’s Supper is a church function (“when “indicates a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in
ye come together”--1 Co. 11:20,33,34). Each church is a anything” (Zodhiates). This is the kind of love Christians
body and takes its own Supper. 2. The Communion is are to have toward God (Mt. 22:37), toward other
under the church’s discipline (1 Co 5:9, 13). It is the Christians (Jn. 13:34), and toward all men (Ga. 5:14).
church’s responsibility to exercise discipline over its (2) Another common word for love is PHILEO,
members. This is impossible unless serious church referring more to an affection and friendship. It is
functions and business are limited to members of that translated “kiss” in Mt. 26:48; Mk. 14:44; and Lk.
body. 3. The church is to be unified (1 Co. 1:10; Ph. 22:47. Phileo is used to describe Jesus’ love for Lazarus
2:2). The unity required by God’s Word is impossible (Jn. 11:3) and John (Jn. 20:2). Phileo is from the same
except in a sound New Testament assembly among Greek root as the word translated “friendship” (Jn.
members committed to and yielded to that church’s 15:13-15). Agapao and never phileo is used of love
teaching authority. If church business (including the toward our enemies (Mt. 5:44) (Zodhiates). In Jn.
Lords Supper) is not controlled so that only members 21:15-17 the Lord Jesus uses both agapao and phileo
participate, it would be impossible for the church to when He inquires about Peter’s love for Him. The first
fulfill the command for oneness of mind. two times, He asks Peter, “lovest [agapao] thou
We believe the church can invite visiting Christian me?” (vv. 15-16), and Peter replies, “I love [phileo]
workers to share the Lord’s table with them if they are thee.” The third time Christ uses phileo and Peter replies
well known by the church family (Acts 20:7-11). with phileo (v. 17).
As a practical matter, it is wise for a church to Phileo is combined with other words to describe
observe the Lord’s Supper in a meeting that is separate various kinds of love: Philadelphia refers to brotherly
from the normal services that might include visitors and love (Ro. 12:10; 1 Th. 4:9; He. 13:1; 1 Pe. 1:22; 3:8).
the unsaved. This way the visitors are not embarrassed Philoteknos refers to love of children (Tit. 2:4).
by not being allowed to participate. This can be done in Philandros refers to love of husband (Tit. 2:4).
several ways. Some churches have the Lord’s Supper Philanthropia refers to love of mankind (Tit. 3:4).
during a special service that is conducted exclusively for Philotheos refers to love of God (2 Ti. 3:4). Philagathos
that purpose, a service to which visitors are not invited, refers to love of good (Tit. 1:8). Philoxenos refers to love
either on a day not ordinarily used for church services of hospitality (Tit. 1:8). Philautos refers to love of self (2
or at a different time on Sunday than the time of the Ti. 3:2). Philedonos refers to love of pleasure (2 Ti. 3:4).
regular services. Some churches have the Lord’s Supper SEVEN BIBLE FACTS ABOUT LOVE: (1) Love is God’s
following a regular Sunday service, and they first kindly nature (1 Jn. 4:8,16). (2) Godly love is giving, sacrificial
dismiss the visitors before conducting the Supper. Some love (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:9; 3:16-17). (3) Love is the
churches dismiss the regular service, then the church greatest thing (1 Co. 13:13). (4) Love is an evidence of

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 371