[an error occurred while processing this directive] Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ  Lesson 25 LESSON 25

Why I am a Member of the Church of Christ

"BECAUSE IT IS SCRIPTURAL IN IT'S TEACHING AND OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER"

by:  Bill Cantrell

Introduction:
What is the Lord's Supper?
How Frequent is the Lord's Supper to be Observed?
Who is to Participate in the Communion?
What are Some Questions that are Frequently Asked?
Conclusion:

INTRODUCTION.

1. "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day they were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and prayers".

Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)

"Upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continue his speech until midnight.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (KJV)

2. A study of the observance of the Lord's supper is an important study:

A. Because of the confusion in the religious world regarding it.

B. Because the church needs to continually be reminded of its value, importance and purpose.

C. Because it is a bible topic and an understanding of it must be attained in order to fully appreciate and respect it.

3. In our study we will be considering some crucial questions about the Lord's supper, in hopes of producing a better understanding and deeper love and respect for this most solemn occasion.

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I. WHAT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER?

A. The Lord's supper is a memorial.

1Cor 11:23 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. (KJV)

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.  21 But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.  22 And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!  23 And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.  (KJV)

B. It is a memorial which is done in memory of his birth,life, teaching and especially his death.

C. What this memorial entails.

1. It is memorial which preaches the Lord's death.

1Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (KJV)

a. The word "SHOW" is the word "KATANGELLO" which means "To announce, declare, promulgate, make known; to proclaim publicly, publish." (Thayer page 330)

b. "To declare, proclaim, is translated to proclaim in the R.V., A.V., to shew.

Acts 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.  (KJV)

Acts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.  (KJV)

1Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (KJV)

The verb makes clear that the partaking of the elements of the Lord's supper is a proclamation (an evangel) of the Lord's death". (W.E. Vines Vol. 3, Page 216)

c. Thus it can be seen that the Lord's supper is a silent witness or proclamentation of what the Lord has done for us.

2. It is a memorial that proclaims the second coming of Christ.

1Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. (KJV)

Note "TILL HE COMES" The Lord's supper in retrospect it proclaims the Lord's death. In prospect it serves as a weekly reminder that the Lord is coming again.

3. It is a memorial that preaches the new covenant.

1Cor 11:25 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. (KJV)

"This cup is the new testament in my blood. This cup, the symbol of Christ's blood, is the sign and confirmation of a new covenant between God and man.

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II. HOW FREQUENT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER TO BE OBSERVED?

A. If there is no frequency for the observance of the Lord's supper, then once a year, once every twenty-five years or once a life time would suffice. If not why not?

B. If there is to be a regularity and frequency in observing the Lord's supper, who determines it, God or the church?

C. Since whatever we do in religion is to be done by the authority of Christ,

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all  in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (KJV)

then this question must be answered in light of the scriptures.

D. Some biblical considerations:

      1. The Jerusalem church continued steadfastly in the observance of it.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)

a. Note the definite article "the" signifying a special event, the Lord's supper, in contrast with the common meal of Acts 2:46.

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (KJV)

b. The idea of "continuing steadfastly" is in the imperfect tense, suggesting the idea that the observance of this special event (Lord's Supper) was a habitual practice.  Note the following "In past time of the indicative mode the imperfect always gives the linear idea. The imperfect was only employed in narrative what the durative idea was to be accented". (A NEW SHORT GRAMMAR OF THE GREEK TESTAMENT by A.T. ROBERTSON and W. HERSEY DAVIS< Page 300).

      2. The church at Troas came together on the first day of the week to break bread.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (KJV)

In this passage we have an apostolic example of the weekly observance of the Lord's supper.

a. The word "WHEN" in this passage is an adverb of time. Luke used this word to indicate an occurrence everywhere known; and therefore expected.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (KJV)

Acts 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.  (KJV)

b. "CAME TOGETHER" is in the passive voice, indicating that the action of coming together was not of their own doing, but was by divine appointment.

c. "TO BREAK BREAD" is a statement of purpose. Why did they come together? "To break bread". This is not to indicate that this is the sole purpose of assembling, but it certainly does indicate an important reason for coming together.

d. Some seek to offset the force of the passage by saying that the word "EVERY" is not in the passage. this is true, but neither is it found in Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (KJV)

But the Jews were obligated to observe every Sabbath.

      3. The early church (church at Corinth) observed the Lord's supper when             they came together.

a. They observed the Lord's supper when they came together.

1Cor 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. (KJV)

1 Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. (KJV)

b. They came together on the first day of every week.

1Cor 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (KJV)

The word "KATA" in the phrase "kata mian sabbatou" is important. It is translated "EVERY" in,

Acts 14:23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. (KJV)

Titus 1:5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: (KJV)

"KATA" means the same thing in,

1Cor 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (KJV)

Some translations bear this idea out in rendering the phrase "upon the first day of every week".

c. Since they observed the Lord's supper when they came together.

1Cor 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. (KJV)

1Cor 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. (KJV)

And since they came together upon the first day of every week.

1Cor 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.  2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (KJV)

Thus they observed the Lord's supper upon the first day of every week.

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III. WHO IS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMUNION?

A. Members of the church.

1. Members of the church in Jerusalem.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (KJV)

2. Members of the church at Troas.

Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (KJV)

3. Members at the church at Corinth.

1Cor 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.  21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.  22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.   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 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.        31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.  32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.  33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for  another.  (KJV)

B. Members of the Kingdom of God.

Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (KJV)

C. Those who have been born again. Since only those who are born again enter the Kingdom of God, and since the Lord's Supper in the Kingdom, it follows that only those in the Kingdom are to observe the Lord's Supper.

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IV. WHAT ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED?

A. What does it mean to eat and drink unworthily.

1Cor 11:27 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. (KJV)

1. The word unworthily is an adverb and modifies the verbs eat and drink, and therefore has reference to the manner it is observed and not to the worthiness of the individual.

2. The A.S.V. renders the passage "Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord".

B. Is the bread turned into the Lord's actual body; and the fruit of the vine, his actual blood.

1Cor 11:25 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.  (KJV)

1. This doctrine is called "consubstantiation" and "transubstantiation". They contend that the change is made today when it is "blessed" by the Priest.

2. When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he said the bread was his body and the cup was his blood.

Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.  20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. (KJV)

Such could not have been the literal case, for he was still living and his blood still flowing through his veins.

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CONCLUSION:

1. When we come together let us offer to God the worship he is due and in every aspect of our worship offer to God our best.

2. As we gather around the Lord's Supper let each of us focus our attention on the Lord's life and death.


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