SOME OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE LORD’S SUPPER

Mk. 14:22-26
At the end of the last Passover just before our Lord’s betrayal and crucifixion, He instituted what has been known down through the years as the "Lord’s Supper."
The Lord’s Supper is the second ordinance that the Lord has given to His Church. The first ordinance is "Baptism."
I. THE LORD’S SUPPER WAS INSTITUTED BY CHRIST HIMSELF
A. The night before His crucifixion, our Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper. Mk. 14:22-26.
- He gathered His church together in order to observe this sacred ordinance.B. The account of Jesus Christ instituting the Lord’s Supper is recorded by the first three gospel writers. Mt. 26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-26; Lk. 22:17-20.
C. It is also recorded by Paul in his letter to the Corinthian church. I Cor. 11:23-26.
D. The Lord’s Supper was to be a permanent ordinance until the return of Christ. I Cor. 11:26.
II. THE LORD’S SUPPER IS TO BE OBSERVED BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS
A. Only BELIEVERS are entitled to partake of the Supper.
1. This is not left up to the individual. 2. The whole world is not invited. 3. The Lord’s table is only for those who have a personal relationship with Christ. 4. Those who shared in the "breaking of bread" were those who "gladly received His Word" and "continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine"(Acts 2:41-42).B. The Lord’s Supper is only for the MEMBERS of a local New Testament Church.
1. It is a local church ordinance. 2. The administration of the ordinance is not given to an individual or to the clergy. 3. The responsibility for administering this ordinance was given to the local church. 4. The local church was to observe this ordinance together as a unified body and not privately. I Cor. 11:33. 5. The local church had the right to forbid certain people from partaking of the ordinance. I Cor. 5:11.
III. THE LORD’S SUPPER HAS A SPECIFIC MEANING
A. It has no sanctifying virtue.
1. It is not a sacrament – it is an ordinance. 2. Some teach that there is a sanctifying virtue in receiving the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine. 3. They teach that the elements—bread and the fruit of the vine—actually become the body and blood of Christ when properly blessed. 4. Others teach that while the elements do not become the physical body and blood of Jesus, there is nevertheless, a real spiritual presence of Jesus in the elements. - None of this is true according to Scripture. 5. There are two great errors that are prevalent in relation to this ordinance. a. Some think that there is a saving grace bestowed upon those who partaking of the Lord’s Supper – this is certainly not the case. b. There are others who feel that partaking of the Lord’s Supper is not that important, so they don’t bother to attend the services of the church when it is observed.
— I would remind you that when the Lord commands us to do something, it is imperative that we do it.B. The primary meaning of the Lord’s Supper is that it is a symbolicmemorial.
- Jesus said, "this do in remembrance of me"(Lk. 22:19; I Cor. 11:24-25).
1. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of Christ’s death on our behalf. I Cor. 11:25-26. a. The broken bread speaks of His bruised and crucified body. I Cor. 11:23-24. b. The fruit of the vine speaks of Christ’s shed blood that He poured out for us. I Cor. 11:25. 2. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder that our Lord is coming again. I Cor. 11:26.Let me conclude by asking several questions.
1. Are you qualified to partake of the Lord’s Supper? 2. Have you been saved? 3. Are you a faithful member of this church?


Author: Pastor Floyd Koenig Wooster Baptist Temple PO Box 433 Wooster, OH 44691-0433