Holy Communion
Holy Communion
INTRODUCTION
Holy Communion is one of the Sacraments instituted by Christ Himself, Matthew 26:26-29. Christ only celebrated this once with His disciples-on the eve of Gethsemane. The story of the first Communion is told in the Gospels, and by running the narratives together this seems to be the correct order.
The disciples gather at the table but their fellowship was marred by an argument as to who was the greatest among them, Luke 22:24-30.
As a rebuke Jesus washed their feet, John 13:1-20.
Jesus declares that one of them would betray Him, Matthew 26:21-25.
This arouses great excitement and each one asks, "Lord, is it I?" Matthew 26:21-23.
Jesus says that the traitor is eating with them, John 13:21-22.
Peter makes a sign for John to ask the question, John 13:23-25.
Jesus gives the sign. The one that receives the sop, Matthew 26:23.
Judas leaves to the surprise of all, John 13:26-30.
Jesus took bread, blessed, brake it and gave it to them, Luke 22:19.
Jesus took the cup, blessed it and gave it to them. Luke 22:20
They sang a hymn and went out to the Garden of Gethsemane, Matthew 26:30-36.
I. IS IT POSSIBLE TO CONDUCT A COMMUNION TODAY EXACTLY AS THE FIRST ONE?
If we were to follow the pattern of the first Communion these would be necessary:
It was evening. Matthew 26:20, "Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve."
It was held in the Upper Room. Luke 22:12, "... he shall show you a large upper room. "
They ate unleavened bread. Matthew 26:17, "... the feast of unleavened bread.
The bread must be broken. Luke 22:19, "And He took bread. . . and brake it."
They used only one loaf and one cup, Matthew 26:26-27. Common Oriental practice.
They were in a reclining position, John 13:23-26. John was leaning on Jesus’ breast.
It was held after the meal. Matthew 26:26, "And as they were eating.. "
No women were present, only the Lord Jesus and His disciples.
PURPOSE OF A COMMUNION SERVICE
We do not partake of Communion to receive forgiveness of sins. There is no power in the Sacrament to give the recipient forgiveness.
We partake of Communion in obedience to the command of Christ, 1 Corinthians 11:24.
We partake in anticipation of His soon return, 1 Corinthians 11:26.
We partake to show forth the Lord’s death, 1 Corinthians 11:26. No one partakes of this meal because he is worthy. It is all of His grace that we have been born into the family of God. No one sits in pride at this table. Our coming merges two things, our unworthiness and our confidence. If we are true children of God we come boldly for fellowship and strength.
Let us not draw back in fear from a loving Heavenly Father’s table. He bids us to come and we ought not to deny Him the pleasure of our fellowship. At the Communion He would draw near to commune with us as on the Emmaus Road.
WHO MAY PARTAKE OF COMMUNION?
Only those who have been born into the family of God have the right to sit at His table in fellowship with the Lord. The unbeliever and natural man belong at the "table of devils" 1 Corinthians 10:21.
Some churches make the rule that only baptized believers may partake.
Most evangelical churches welcome members in good standing in other evangelical churches to partake of the Communion with them.
Some strict churches will only give Communion to members of their own Assembly. Members that are being disciplined by abstaining from the Lord’s Table should refrain from partaking in that or any other church until the proper time.
SELF-EXAMINATION IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE PARTAKING OF COMMUNION
1 Corinthians 11:28, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. "
1 Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves."
Psalms 26:2, "Examine me, 0 Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart." Psalms 139:23, "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts." The candidate should pray, "Lord turn the searchlight of Thy Word on me. " To examine oneself means to scrutinize, investigate carefully, search and test.
Whom am I to examine? The preacher? My wife? Elders? Neighbours? NO.
Myself.
Why must we examine ourselves?
Because it is the direct command of the Scriptures.
To eat unworthily brings judgment, weakness, sickness and an early death.
It must be an examination that finds sin and then casts it away in contrition.
How am I to examine myself? By asking myself certain pertinent questions.
Do I really and truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? Acts 16:31.
Am I really born again in the family of God? John 3:3-7.
Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Self-pity? Pride? Covetousness? Laziness? Disobedience? Love of sin? Love of the world? Has my thought life been clean? Have I consistently witnessed for Christ? Have I been faithful in Bible reading and prayer? Have I kept my promise to pray for individuals?
Do I heartily repent of my sins? Confession without repentance is mockery.
Do I promise in my heart to live a more holy life?
Do I love God with all my heart, soul, strength and mind? Luke 10:27 a.
Do I love my neighbour as myself? Luke 10:27 b.
Have I forgiven those who have sinned against me? Matthew 6:14-15; Matthew 5:23-24.
Am I obedient in my heart to the commands of Christ to me personally? To preach" To sing? To give to the poor? To teach Sunday School? To witness? To tithe?
j. Have I been obedient in my preparation for this Communion?
REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMMUNION SERVICE
Bread and wine are the only two substances used as symbols of the body and Blood.
We teach neither transubstantiation nor consubstantiation, but believe that the elements continue to remain merely elements, symbols or pictures.
We flatly deny any mystical power or change in the elements. The bread is unleavened, signifying that sin is put away. From this we infer that after Communion we ought to live clean, holy lives.
RESULTS
The believer is cleansed and purified as he has examined himself and claimed the Blood to remove not only the sin but the desire to sin. The believer is strengthened by the fellowship with the Lord and fellow believers. The believer is edified as he has meditated on the death and return of Christ.
CONCLUSION Where do we go from the Communion Table?
Some go to market, to cockpit or gambling table. This is entirely wrong.
Tile disciples went out and denied and forsook the Savior after the first Communion.
We ought to go from Communion to the place of prayer. Let the blessing go deeper.
We ought to advance in our Christian lives to a place of daily victory in Christ.
Every believer ought to come humbly, yet boldly and often to the Communion table.
Let us partake of this Supper with an air of expectancy, "Till He Come." Remember Jesus’ words, "This do in remembrance of Me." As we partake, let us think of His incarnation, birth, baptism, ministry, transfiguration, temptation, miracles, teaching, hardships, Gethsemane, trials, mockings, scourgings, death, resurrection, ascension and second coming. Fill your mind at the Communion with HIM.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
List the eleven parts to the first Lord’s Supper.
Mention 7 things about the first Communion that are not ordinarily practiced now.
Is there forgiveness of sins in the Communion? Explain.
Why do we partake of Communion? (3 reasons)
Who may partake of Holy Communion?
What is the one essential of every believer before partaking of Communion?
How are we to examine ourselves? (6 questions to ask ourselves)
What are the two requirements for a Communion service? Do they remain as such throughout the service?
List 3 results of partaking of Communion.
Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of Me "--What should we remember about Him?