Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. -- II Peter 1:12

The Lord’s Supper: A Study in Biblical Interpretation

The First Supper Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

The First Supper Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” – Luke 22:19

The First Supper Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”  And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

The First Supper What Do We Learn? The supper is about Jesus and His sacrifice The supper involves a covenant with the forgiven The supper involves literal eating and drinking

More Information Is Needed The First Supper What Do We Not Learn? Who is to partake? If it involves me, when do I partake? If I do partake, what setting is required? More Information Is Needed

The Supper at Corinth Further explanation on why to partake: The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Participation: Fellowship, Communion, Sharing Exclusive to those in a covenant with Christ

The Supper at Corinth You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? (10:21-22)

The Supper at Corinth Explanation concerning with whom to partake Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (17)

The Supper at Corinth Explanation on danger of improper partaking Defeating purpose of participation (11:21) Defeating purpose of unity (17-18) For the one who eats and drinks without careful regard for the body eats and drinks judgment against himself -- (29 NET)

The Supper at Corinth Explanation on danger of improper partaking Combating impropriety in partaking Remember the original command (23-25) Remember what is being proclaimed (26) Remember danger of spiritual demise (29-30)

The Supper at Corinth What do we learn? More about the purpose of the supper The attitude I should have toward Christ Partaking is carried out with fellow-believers Concern must be given to God’s instructions

When Do I Partake? “When You Come Together”

But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. (11:17) For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part (11:18) When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. (11:20) So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another (11:33) If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come. (11:34)

When Do I Partake? “When You Come Together” Taken at set time, as a group…but when? On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (16:2)

When Do I Partake? On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight – Acts 20:7 Coincidence?

But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.  On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. (20:6-7)

The supper is about Jesus and His sacrifice The supper involves a covenant with the forgiven The supper involves literal eating and drinking The purpose of the supper The attitude I should have toward Christ Partaking is carried out with fellow-believers Concern must be given to God’s instructions Partaking is done “when we come together” Partaking is done on the first day of the week

Most of All… We Learn How Much We Are Loved