Great Doctrines Lesson 12

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15

King James AV1611

Great Doctrines of The Bible by Dr. James Modlish

The Lord’s Supper

(Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:1-34)

Intro: We believe that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance of the church, in which the members of a church, by the sacred use of broken bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love and the shed blood, with all the benefits from it; proceeded always by solemn self-examination.

In the Old Testament the Jews had what was called the "Passover Feasts." They were to keep it as a memorial of their deliverance out of Egyptian bondage. So Christ, on the night before the crucifixion with the unbroken band, observed the "Passover" and then dismissing Judas, the betrayer, took the bread, broke it, blessed it, then the cup, thus instituting the "Lord's Supper."

I. What is the Lord's Supper?

There are 3 theories concerning the Lord's Supper:

[1]. The Roman Catholic theory of Transubstantiation -

This means that when the priest prays over the bread and wine that they are changed into the actual body and blood of Christ. to them it becomes a "mass" or a repeated crucifixion, Christ making sacrifice over and over, therefore denial of the finished work of Christ on Calvary. (See Heb. 9:24-28)

The Lord's Supper:

A. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50).

B. Adam had the Kingdom until the fall. He had the Kingdom of Heaven (dominion) and the Kingdom of God - (image of God).

C. Jesus Christ came to restore to us what Adam lost for us - He is called the 2nd Adam (1 Cor. 15:45).

D. We know that the blood was essential for salvation (1 Jn. 1:7).

E. Jesus' blood is never mentioned in his resurrected state (Lk. 24:39) the blood had been applied to the Mercy Seat.

F. Did Adam have blood in his first state? Will you have it in your resurrected body? "The life of the flesh is in the blood." Note: Adam leaves out blood (Gen. 2:23) - no blood in (Eph. 5:30).

G. When Adam partook his soul stuck to his dust (Ps. 119:25) He lost the image of his creator. From then on men took on the image of Adam (Gen. 5:3).

H. From these assembled facts it makes sense that whatever the tree was, it must have something to do with the blood! - Only Tree In The Bible That Pictures Blood! THE VINE TREE (Num. 6:4; Eze. 15:2,6).

I. Two kinds of wine in the Bible. Notice Jesus said "fruit of the vine" (Matt. 26:26-30) New wine is pictured in (Gen. 40:10,11; Isa. 65:8). New wine is pure blood (Deut. 29:5-6;32:14).

J. Jesus associated wine with his hour - which was the blood (Jn. 2:3,4; 7:30; 12:27).

K. How do we partake of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16,17; 12:13). To repeat this is to blaspheme the blood once shed (Heb. 10:11-14,29). God gave us the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:19-30).

[2]. The theory of Consubstantiation -

This theory is believed by most all who believe that the observance of the Lord's Supper has anything at all to do with salvation. by this theory the body and blood of Christ is supposed to become united with the emblems. Most that believe this call the Lord's Supper a "Sacrament".

[3]. The Bible teaches -

That it is a memorial, symbol or commemoration of the suffering, sacrificial and atoning death. The broken bread pictures his broken and bruised body which was delivered up for us and the cup is the new covenant in his blood which was poured out for us (1 Cor. 11:24-25; Lk. 22:19-20).

II. Where Should The Lord's Supper Be Observed?

"When we come together in the church" (1 Cor. 11:18). This does not necessarily mean the church building, but it does definitely mean a body of people assembled together in one place. It is clearly a church ordinance. Every reference made to the Table of the Lord, is always and only to baptized believers in Church capacity (Acts 2:41-42; Lk. 22:29-30; 1 Cor. 11:18,20,23).

III. Who Should Observe The Lord's Supper?

"Let a man examine himself" )1 Cor. 11:28)

[1]. Have I received Jesus as Saviour and Lord? -

Christ gave the supper to His disciples, to those who were saved, to those who loved him; not to the world, to lost men, His enemies (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:9). No unsaved person could possible observe the supper, scripturally.

[2]. Have I been buried with Christ in Baptism? (Acts 8:12) -

The Bible order makes plain that baptism comes before the Lord's Supper just as repentance and faith proceed baptism (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; Gal. 3:26-27).

[3]. Am I in unity and fellowship with the church body? (1 Cor. 11:18) -

If these scriptures mean anything, they mean that the body of people must be in unity in faith and practice. That's why I do not believe that all denominations, regardless of what they believe, can scripturally get together and observe this ordinance.

[4]. Do I come with the right motive? (1 Cor. 11:29) -

Do we appropriate fully the cost, greatness and prospects of all redemption through Christ? Let our minds meditate upon the sacrifice, compassion, and love of God through Christ.

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