SOME OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE LORD’S SUPPER
Pastor Floyd Koenig
Wooster Baptist Temple
PO Box 433
Wooster, OH 44691-0433
Mk. 14:22-26
At the end of the last Passover just before our Lord’s betrayal and
crucifixion, He instituted what has been known down through the years as
the "Lord’s Supper."
The Lord’s Supper is the second ordinance that the Lord has given to
His Church. The first ordinance is "Baptism."
I. THE LORD’S SUPPER WAS INSTITUTED BY CHRIST HIMSELF
A. The night before His crucifixion, our Lord instituted the Lord’s
Supper. Mk. 14:22-26.
- He gathered His church together in order to observe this sacred
ordinance.
B. The account of Jesus Christ instituting the Lord’s Supper is recorded
by the first three gospel writers. Mt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-26; Lk.
22:17-20.
C. It is also recorded by Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church.
I Cor. 11:23-26.
D. The Lord’s Supper was to be a permanent ordinance until the return
of Christ. I Cor. 11:26.
II. THE LORD’S SUPPER IS TO BE OBSERVED BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
A. Only BELIEVERS are entitled to partake of the Supper.
1. This is not left up to the individual.
2. The whole world is not invited.
3. The Lord’s table is only for those who have a personal relationship
with Christ.
4. Those who shared in the "breaking of bread" were those who
"gladly
received His Word" and "continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine"(Acts
2:41-42).
B. The Lord’s Supper is only for the MEMBERS of a local New Testament
Church.
1. It is a local church ordinance.
2. The administration of the ordinance is not given to an individual
or to the clergy.
3. The responsibility for administering this ordinance was given to
the local church.
4. The local church was to observe this ordinance together as a unified
body and not privately. I Cor. 11:33.
5. The local church had the right to forbid certain people from partaking
of the ordinance. I Cor. 5:11.
III. THE LORD’S SUPPER HAS A SPECIFIC MEANING
A. It has no sanctifying virtue.
1. It is not a sacrament – it is an ordinance.
2. Some teach that there is a sanctifying virtue in receiving the elements
of bread and the fruit of the vine.
3. They teach that the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—actually
become the body and blood of Christ when properly blessed.
4. Others teach that while the elements do not become the physical
body and blood of Jesus, there is nevertheless, a real spiritual presence
of Jesus in the elements.
- None of this is true according to Scripture.
5. There are two great errors that are prevalent in relation
to this ordinance.
a. Some think that there is a saving grace bestowed upon those who
partaking of the Lord’s Supper – this is certainly not the case.
b. There are others who feel that partaking of the Lord’s Supper is
not that important, so they don’t bother to attend the services of the
church when it is observed.
— I would remind you that when the Lord commands us to do something,
it is imperative that we do it.
B. The primary meaning of the Lord’s Supper is that it is a symbolicmemorial.
- Jesus said, "this do in remembrance of me"(Lk. 22:19;
I Cor. 11:24-25).
1. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Christ’s death on our behalf.
I Cor. 11:25-26.
a. The broken bread speaks of His bruised and crucified body. I Cor.
11:23-24.
b. The fruit of the vine speaks of Christ’s shed blood that He poured
out for us. I Cor. 11:25.
2. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder that our Lord is coming again.
I Cor. 11:26.
Let me conclude by asking several questions.
1. Are you qualified to partake of the Lord’s Supper?
2. Have you been saved?
3. Are you a faithful member of this church?
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Source: http://woosterbaptisttemple.org/studies.html