A) INTRODUCTION.

B) TO THE NITTY-GRITTY.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

Of course, the place we find our information about this service is in Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20; First Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-29.

 

However, the one that is modeled the most is First Corinthians 11:23-29.  So let’s have a look at it closely.

 

 

B) TO THE NITTY-GRITTY

 

 

23) For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:

24) And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat:  this is My body, which is broken for you:  this do in remembrance of Me.

25) After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood:  this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.

26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He Come.

27) Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

 

Let’s break this down.  According to verse 23, Paul states, “I have received of the Lord.”  And we find in Second Corinthians 12:7 that Paul had received an “abondance of many revelations.”  The communion service must have been one of them.

 

When performing the communion service, according to verse 24, the “bread” is used as a symbol of our Lord’s “body” which was given in sacrifice for our sins.  It is not stated here, but unleavened bread is most likely appropriate, for leaven is a representation of sinfulness in one’s life (1Co. 5:8).  Thus wafers are generally provided.  Then, in verse 25, the unfermented grape juice (fermentation would indicate sinfulness) was drunk in symbolism of our Lord’s “blood” that was spilled for the cleansing of our sins.

 

Many struggle with how often this service is to be done.  The only clue given is in verses 25 and 26, “as oft as ye drink” and “as often as ye eat.”  Since no specific time of the season, or how many times in the year we are to perform this ceremony, the point would be to at least perform the service sometime during each year.  And possibly, “often.”

 

Then comes the most important instruction in regards to the service itself.  That of preparing before-time of the service.  In verse 27 we find the term “unworthily” (G371; anaxioos), and means properly, “in an unworthy or improper” manner; “in a manner unsuitable to the purposes for which it was designed or instituted;” and may include the following things, namely:

 

1) If one is prone to “gluttony and intemperance” they should be in a correcting form before considering partaking of this service.  Fasting and prayer the week before (all Churches should post when they will be administering this service at least a week before) would be appropriate before considering taking part.

 

2) Observance should be such that it is not thought of as a normal meal; for it is a representation of our Lord’s sacrifice (body and blood) for our sins.

 

3) The expression “shall be guilty” is rendered and expressed by Doddridge as, “Shall be counted guilty of profaning and affronting in some measure that which is intended to represent the body and blood of the Lord.”  While Grotiusrenders it, “He does the same thing as if he should slay Christ.”

 

Then we come to verse 28, where once one has “examine[d] himself,” and found “himself” in the right frame of mine to be “worthy” of partaking in the service, only then should one then proceed with reverence.  Otherwise, verse 29 states that one will receive “damnation to himself.”  That this refers to the future and final punishment and extinguishment of the wicked in hell is frightful.  Let the frivolous be forewarned.

 

Some argue that the Greek word for “damnation,” (G2917; krima) literally only means “judgment.”  However, what is the result of that “judgment?”  Thus, to take part in the communion service in an unreverent manner is to disrespect our Lord and show your lack of commitment to serving our Lord in one’s life.  Do you represent yourself or Who is Lord of your life?