The Materials of the Lord’s Supper

 The elders do not think we are “correcting past mistakes”.  The elders are not trying to follow any “fads”.  Strategy in the discussion:  Take the principle to a thorough conclusion  & then examine our circumstances and adjust accordingly

 Elements – what the Lord prescribes  Circumstances – what man must determine

 Bread  Wine  Participation Question: Should not we use wine in the Lord’s Supper? Fermentation

 The wine was not a part of the original meal.  The blood was poured out and painted on the doorpost.  And there is an over-all prohibition to the partaking of any literal blood in the diet of the Israelite. (Lev. 7:26-27; 17:10-14; Dt. 12:16, 23; 15:23)  Wine was added by tradition in the perpetual observance of the Passover and given its own symbolical significance.

 Jesus incorporated into the Lord’s Supper  We eat the bread instead of the meat  We drink the wine as the “blood of Christ”.  The “fruit of the vine” (Mt. 26:29; Mk. 14:25; Lk. 22:18)  Seders have 4 drinks of wine – blessings  Blessing – a theme adopted for the Lord’s Supper “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16 NKJV)

 We partake of the cup of the Lord’s blessing (Jn. 2:1-12; Lk. 22:18; 1 Cor. 10:16)  We avoid the cup of God’s wrath (Jer. 25:15-29; Ps. 75:6-8; cf. Rev. 17:2-6) which Christ himself will symbolically drink on the cross (Jn. 19:28-30)

 No precedent of Jesus’ avoiding it (Lk. 7:34), It was a common liquid staple of the times  References  to its abuse & correction in the early church (1 Cor. 11:20-22),  But not to its prohibition or to a call for substitution – instead, Paul calls for self-control.  Upon other occasions, abstinence is a vow  that a person makes to the Lord for himself  but not something he imposes on others (rf. Lk. 1:15).

 19 th c. American Temperance Movement  Scripture simply does not teach temperance (Ps. 104:15; Eccl. 9:7; Zech. 10:7; Lk. 5:39; Jn. 2) “Drink is not from the Devil, the drunkard is from the Devil!” (Increase Mather)  Scripture does warn and rebuke abuse and sin by over-indulging in wine and beer (Mk. 7:14-23; Lk. 21:34; Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:18; 1 Thess. 5:7; 1 Tim. 3:3, 8; Tit. 1:7; 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:3)

 While drinking wine is not forbidden in Scripture, some Christians portray it as such (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 8, 10; Col. 2:16-23).  Yet, other things Scripture clearly does condemn are often socially condoned among Christians: Gluttony Self-indulgence Pride/Vanity Unnecessary risk-taking

 A visible expression of unity  “the cup” (Mt. 26:27; Mt. 14:23; Lk. 22:17; 1 Cor. 10:16, 21; 11:25-28)  Common Sense  It is a circumstance of worship:“fruit of the vine”  The Elders’ responsibility before weaker brothers (Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 8:9-13; 11:22)  We will offer a “split cup”

New Covenant Presbyterian Church Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace to a World of Need 128 St. Mary’s Church Rd., Abingdon, MD