Study 622 The Lord’s Supper Text: Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34

Memory Verse: “ For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” 1 Corinthians 11:26

Origin and Importance of the Lord’s Supper  Instituted by Christ during the Last Passover at the eve of his death  Passover – Observed by the Jews in remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt. God plagued the land of Egypt by killing all firstborn both human and animal in one night.  God commanded them to kill a lamb without blemish and put the blood on their doorpost so the angel of the Lord will pass over them.  The lamb is then cooked and eaten with unleavened bread.  The lord passed through Egypt and killed all the firstborn in the land. It was called the Lord’s Passover Exodus 12:11-12  The Lord passed over every house that had the blood on their door post.  The Passover was a preview of what Christ himself ( the real Lamb of God) was to go through to safe mankind.  Today, unlike the Passover which was celebrated yearly, the Lord’s Supper can be done more often than the Passover.

What’s the Lord’s Supper? It is a reminder of what Jesus did in the past for our sake, a symbol of our present relationship with him, and a promise of what He will do for us in the future.  Eating of unleavened bread and drinking of fruit of the wine representing the body and blood of Christ.  One of the two major ordinances commanded by Christ – Water baptism and The Lord’s Supper.  Baptism is a one time event observed by believers – symbolizing identification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.  Unlike baptism, The Lord’s Supper is observed perpetually as commanded by Christ himself.  Matthew, Mark, Luke and John gave different accounts but all pointing to one fact – The Lord commanded it. Paul also kept record of it as revealed to him. Note: Both events, though mandatory, it is not forced on anyone. It is the believer’s duty to submit to both events.

Question1 What are the two major ordinances left by Christ for believer’s observance in the dispensation of grace?

1. Relationship b/w The Passover and The Lord’s Supper – Exodus 12:1-36 The Passover  Observed in remembrance of the great deliverance of Israel from Egypt.  Observed once a year  A lamb without blemish was slain by each family and the blood put on doorpost.  Symbolizes the substitutionary sacrifice to come through Christ.  Replaced by The Lord’s Supper The Lord’s Supper  Performed by Christ, first, with the disciples during his last Passover  Christ, the actual Lamb of God was slain - the Great sacrifice to redeem mankind.  Observed “as oft as ye do it”  Christ substitutionary sacrifice remembered through the Lord’s Supper  Perpetually observed by the redeemed in memory of Christ’s death

2. The Scriptural Observance – Mark 14:22-24  Two items required – Unleavened bread and the fruit of the wine  Unleavened bread symbolizes the sinless body of Christ which is broken for us. Leaven bread cannot be used because it has yeast. Yeast means sin.  Unleavened bread is a representative of the body of Christ not the actual body.  The fruit of the wine represents the blood of Christ which was shed for the remission of sins.  Christ served his disciples wine after blessing and giving them the unleavened bread.  Intoxicating wine, black currant, artificial juices or water are prohibited.  Christ commanded it to be observed till He comes.

What’s the purpose?  For remembrance – Luke 22:19  To show His death – 1 Corinthians 11:26  To anticipate His promised return – 1 Corinthians 11:26 Note: As mandatory as the Lord’s Supper, it cannot be taken unworthily. Self- examination is required. Consequence of eating it unworthily – Disastrous to both church and individual member “ Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” 1 Corinthians 11:27, 29, 30.

Questions 2, 3, 6  What is the correlation between the last Passover and the Lord’s Supper?  What emblems are to be used for the Lord’s Supper and what do they symbolize?  What are the consequences of partaking unworthily in the Lord’s Supper?

3. Self- examination before Participation  One must examine himself/herself with the Word of God before participating – “ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the that bread and drink of that cup” 1 Corinthians 11:28.  Just as eating it unworthily brings sicknesses and even death, eating it worthily brings love, unity, healing, spiritual vitality and other blessings.  Brethren, let’s examine ourselves before partaking in the Lord’s Supper to avoid the consequences of eating unworthily but rather, enjoy the blessings as we eat worthily.  All in all, anything that keeps you from participating in this new covenant is also capable of denying you heaven.