Why Weekly Communion

Our series is asking Why ?

1. Why do we demand biblical authority? I Pet. 4: 11a – Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; … 2. Why do we have weekly assemblies ? Heb. 10: 25a – not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; … 3. Why do we sing acapella Eph. 5: 19 – speaking to one another … singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

Why observe the Lord’s Supper every week ? Eucharist : transliteration of “eukarista” which means “thanksgiving or gratitude.” I Corinthians 10: 16a Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? …

The Eucharist is one of the seven things some denominations consider as “sacraments.” “The seven sacraments are baptism, penance, confirmation, holy orders, the Eucharist, matrimony, and anointing of the sick.” From the Latin “sacramentum” meaning an oath

With this lesson it is our objective to consider : 1. Ways various religions view the communion 2. The biblical case for weekly communion 3. The when, where, why and who of the Supper 4. Some benefits of weekly communion

I.Different religions view the communion in different ways.

Catholics believe that the communion “makes present Christ’s sacrifice on..” From the council of Trent ( 1545 – 1563 ) "...By the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."

The Lutheran doctrine is that there is “a Sacramental Union of the bread and wine.” 1. Christ's body and blood are present "in, with and under " the forms of bread and wine 2. This is sometimes known as Consubstantiation

Most churches rooted in Calvinism believe that Christ is not present literally in the elements, but He is spiritually present. 1. “Those who receive the elements with faith can receive the actual body and blood of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit which works through the sacrament.” 2. This is sometimes known as Receptionism.

Most other churches who believe in Christ believe as we do, that it is a memorial. 1. The reformer Ulrich Swingli taught that the communion is a symbolic memorial. 2. This is commonly known as Memorialism.

I Corinthians 11: 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; 24 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." 25 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." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

We eat the Lord’s Supper to remind us of the price paid for our salvation.

II. The Biblical foundation of weekly communion.

There are those who advocate partaking of the communion on various schedules. 1. Annually 2. Quarterly 3. Trimesters 4. Monthly 5. Weekly

How often did Christians eat the Lord’s Supper in the New Testament? There is no clearly stated command.

I Corinthians 11: 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." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Some say this means any time, others every time.

They assembled TO partake of the Lord’s Supper. I Corinthians 11: 20 – Therefore when you meet together, it is not TO eat the Lord’s Supper, They assembled every first day of the week. I Corinthians 16: 2 – On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

III. The when, where, why and who of the Lords Supper.

When did N.T. Christians eat the Lord’s Supper ? Acts 20: 7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together TO break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. I Corinthians 16: 2 … Churches Macedonia and in Corinth also met on Sunday.

Where did the New Testament Christians eat the Lord’s Supper ? Acts 20: 7 … when we were gathered together TO break bread, I Corinthians 11: 20 … when you meet together, it is not TO eat the Lord’s Supper,

Why must we partake of the Lord’s Supper in an Assembly? Matthew 26: … Jesus ordained it as a memorial. Communion : the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.

Who can partake of the Lord’s Supper ? All believers may partake I Corinthians 11: 26 – For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Not eating to proclaim faith in Him is sin. I Cor. 11: 26 – Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.

Why do we not practice “closed communion?” We explain the meaning of the observance. We do not want to discourage visitors.

IV. Some benefits of weekly communion.

1. Partaking of the Supper reinforces my faith. 2. Partaking of the Supper encourages me. 3. The Lord’s Supper gives me an opportunity to publically proclaim my faith. 4. Assembling together around the Lord’s Table strengthens us as God’s family.

I Corinthians 10: 17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. I Corinthians 11: For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.

With this lesson we have observed : 1. Ways various religions view the communion 2. The biblical case for weekly communion 3. The when, where, why and who of the Supper 4. Some benefits of weekly communion

The Lord ’ s Supper commemora tes a sacrifice that was made for you.

In order to receive the benefit of that sacrifice, one must surrender to Christ.

Jesus invites you to receive the gift He has purchased for you.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. I Corinthians 11: 26