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Having Faith
A sanctioned supper
By: Jeff Kaplan, Community Contributor
Topics: Church Article
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Tue Aug 28, 2007 16:12:54 PDT
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26180 Plateau Way,
Tehachapi, CA 93561
Sharing in communion is not an option for the Christian. When a believer consciously chooses to never partake of the elements, he/she is directly disobeying Jesus. While Jesus was reclining with His disciples at the Last Supper, Jesus did not say, “Hey guys, I’d like to recommend, I’d like to suggest that you include some of that delicious matzah in our time together tonight.” Nor did Jesus say, “Would you men do a favor for me? Would you try out some of the matzah for me? What do you say, Philip? Care for a piece?” No. Jesus neither suggested nor asked the men to take the bread.
Take a moment to look at 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. Paul writes: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’” Did you notice the repetition of any of Jesus Christ’s words? Look again at verses 24 and 25. The words “do this” or tou’-tah poi-ay’-te are noteworthy. The grammatical construction indicates that this is in a present imperative indicative. This tells us that we are commanded on a regular basis to comply with these words from Jesus. “Do this” can be translated “be doing” or “continue doing” or “repeatedly continue to do what I have just done. Take bread, consecrate it, break it, distribute and eat it” (see Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:22).
In Old Testament times, the Israelites were commanded to observe Passover on the 14th of the Hebrew month Nisan. By contrast, Jesus commands His people to eat the bread and drink the cup regularly. If you are to submit to Jesus’ Lordship over your life, if you are to obey Him in whatever He commands you to do, and if you are to follow His leadership in big and small things, then you should welcome communion on a regular basis. You may ask: “So how regular is a regular basis? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Whenever I’m in the mood?” Great question! I’m glad you asked it! Some churches have communion weekly. Others celebrate the Lord’s Table monthly. Still others observe the Lord’s Supper once every three months. When it comes to communion, Jesus does not mention how often the ceremony is to be held. He refrains from giving His followers a fixed schedule. And so, this ordinance is not limited to a stated time.
On the other hand, Jesus does mention that communion should, at least, be periodic. Verse 26 reads: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup” or “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup” (New International Version). Whatever regular, interval of participation you decide on, it should be faithfully continued until Jesus returns. The last three words of verse 26 tell us that the Lord’s Table should be done or carried out “until he comes.”
Please join us at Bear Valley Church this Sunday morning as we worship the Lord. Our services are at 8:15 am, 9:45 am and 11:15 am. If you live outside of Bear Valley Springs, please call the office at (661) 821-0183 for a gate pass.
