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The Lord’s Supper 1 Corinthians 11:20-34
Christ’s body and blood. Chris- tians agree, however, that par- ticipating in the Lord’s Supper is essential to Christian faith and that Christ’s presence, however we understand it, strengthens up spiritually. What do you be- lieve as a Christian? Renewing Our Commitment
1 Corinthians 11:25
With the old covenant, people could approach God only through the priests and the sac- rificial system. Jesus’ death on the cross brought in the new covenant or agreement between God and us. Now all people can personally approach God and communicate with him. The people of Israel first entered into this agreement after their Exo- dus from Egypt, (Exodus 24), and it was designed to point to the day when Jesus Christ would come.
The new covenant completes, rather than replaces, the old covenant, fulfilling everything the old covenant looked forward to (see Jeremiah 31:31-34). Eating the bread and drinking the cup shows we are remem- bering Christ’s death for us and renewing our commitment to serve Him.
Jesus said, “This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
How do we remember Christ in the Lord’s Supper? By thinking about what he did and why he did it. If the Lord’s Sup- per becomes just a ritual or pious habit, it no longer remem- bers Christ and it loses its signif- icance.
Paul Gives Specific Instructions
1 Corinthians 11:27
Paul gave specific instruc- tions on how the Lord’s Supper should be observed. (1) We should take the Lord’s Supper thoughtfully because we are pro- claiming that Christ died for our sins (11:26). (2)We should take it worthily with due reverence and respect (11:29). (3) We should examine ourselves for any unconfessed sin or resentful attitudes (11:28). We are to be prepared and ready, based on our belief in and love for Christ. (4) We should be considerate of others (11:33), waiting until everyone is present and eating in an orderly and unified manner.
When Paul said no one should take the Lord’s Supper in an un- worthy manner, he was speaking to the church members who
were rushing into it without thinking of its meaning. Those who did so were “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” This means instead of honoring his sacrifice, they were sharing in the guilt of those who cruci- fied Christ.
In reality, no one is worthy to take the Lord’s Supper. We are all sinners saved by grace. This is why we should prepare our- selves for communion through healthy introspection, confes- sion of sin and resolution of dif- ferences with others. These actions remove the barriers in our relationship with Christ and with other believers. Awareness of your sin should not keep you away from communion, but should drive you to it.
Supernatural Judgment 1 Corinthians 11:30
“Many sleep” means some of the people died. This may have been a special supernatural judgement on the Corinthian church. It highlights the serious- ness of the communion service.
The Lord’s Supper is not to be taken lightly; this new agree- ment cost Jesus his life. It is not a meaningless ritual, but a sacra- ment given by Christ to help strengthen our faith.
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord”
(1 Corinthians 11:27).
Order At The Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:20-22
When the Lord’s Supper was celebrated in the early church, it included a feast or fellowship meal followed by communion. In the church of Corinth, the fel- lowship meal had become a time when some ate and drank exces- sively while others went hungry. There was little caring and shar- ing. This certainly did not demonstrate the unit and love that should characterize the church, nor was it a preparation for communion.
Paul condemned these actions and reminded the church of the
real purpose of the Lord’s Sup-
per.
What Does The Lord’s Supper Mean? 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
The early church remembers that Jesus taught about the Lord’s Supper on the night of the Passover (Luke 22:13-20). Just as Passover celebrated de- liverance from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper celebrates deliverance from sin by Christ’s death.
Christians have several op- tions about what Christ meant when he said, “This Is my body” (1) Some believe that the wine and the bread actually become Christ’s physical blood and body; (2) Others believe that the creed and wine remain un- changed, but Christ is spiritually present with the bread and wine. (3) Still others believe that the bread and wine symbolize
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