Narrator:
TSS William Genthree
Duration:
9min
There is a unity in the church that goes beyond a mere commonality of faith. The Church of Rome makes much of its unity, but historically, at least, it has relied on the fear of excommunication and even death to maintain the appearance of unity. With an absolute and supposedly infallible ruler we are not surprised at the unity of that system. Contrariwise, within Protestantism we see very little unity. That which does exist within each sect, is accomplished through the institutions of men — councils, constitutions, and the like. All the attempts of men to achieve unity have failed. It is only in Christ that we will find unity. If He draws us, we will be found in unity with Him.
It is not through His life on earth that the Lord Jesus gathers men unto Himself. Men will happily consider the gospels to be the profound teachings of a man, just as they do the teachings of other men, but when it comes to acknowledging the Lord Jesus as God manifest in the flesh, His death for them, and the resurrection, man will not have it. Yet it is through His death that He gathers together in one.
“And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, ... being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad” (John 11:49-5249And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:49‑52)).
The outward memorial of the Lord’s death is the Lord’s supper: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26)). It is the blood of Christ alone that makes us fit to partake of that feast, but is unto a risen glorified Christ that we are gathered. It should not be surprising to us that the loaf is a picture of the one body — of every blood-bought saint of God. It is inconceivable that it should picture anything less. If we see it as something less, or act as if it means something less, are we not limiting the work of the cross? Should not the full truth of what it represents be reflected in our conduct at the Lord’s table?
While there are, perhaps, a considerable number of Christians that do recognize the one body, there is much confusion as to how the assembly today should act on this principle. The Word of God, however, gives us ample direction.
The Lord’s Table
Most houses have a table around which the family enjoys meals. We have often heard the call, “Time to come to the table.” Those outside of the family do not respond to the call, and, of those that are of the family, not one is expected to absent themselves. The Lord’s table brings before us the thought of separation from all that He died to and the unity into which we have been brought. The table is His and there we own His authority, His claims upon us, and His love towards us.
In partaking of the Lord’s supper at the Lord’s table we identify ourselves with it and all that is connected with it: “Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?” (1 Corinthians 10:1818Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (1 Corinthians 10:18)). The word translated “partaker” means to “have in common” and is the same word translated “communion” in verses 16 and 17 (see above). The word is used again in verse 20: “But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (1 Corinthians 10:20). A weaker word, a word that means to share in, is used in verses 17 — for we are all partakers of that one bread — and 21 — “ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” Physically we share in the bread; one might claim that we are doing nothing more. But contrary to our thoughts, Scripture makes it plain; we place ourselves in communion with the table (or altar as the case may be) and all that it stands for. The spiritual table around which we meet on the Lord’s day — what is it connected with? How did it come about? On what ground was it spread? Was it established on sectarian ground or in independence? Is it the Lord’s table or our table? Saying that all will be received does not remove division; it does not create unity. Overlooking the divisions of Christendom doesn’t change a thing.
There is another side to this as well. We need to be careful about those things that we partake of during the week — the associations we bring to the Lord’s table.
The Lord’s Supper or Our Supper?
When the Corinthian saints came together there were divisions — schisma, schisms — among them, for there were sects — hairesis, heresies, the schools or parties found in the first chapter of Corinthians (verses 11:18-19). This was manifested in their coming together. Their own supper took precedence over the Lord’s supper, and they did not even bother to share it; some went hungry. There was also insobriety.
Nowadays we would not consider what we call a fellowship dinner to be the Lord’s Supper; but we still need to ask ourselves, “Is the remembrance feast the Lord’s supper or is it our supper?” There are three things in the New Testament referred to as the “Lord’s”: the Lord’s table (1 Corinthians 10:2121Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:21)), the Lord’s supper (1 Corinthians 11:2020When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. (1 Corinthians 11:20)), and the Lord’s day (Revelation 1:1010I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10)). Each is used only once and each marks in a peculiar way something that is His. The reality of the Lord’s table and the Lord’s supper, presented in contrast to error, only emphasizes the truth that these belong to the Lord. Do we handle that table and that supper as His or ours?
The Lord’s Supper
The details concerning the character of the Lord’s supper were revealed to the Apostle Paul. This is a very important point. We cannot simply take what we find in the gospels in connection with the Lord’s supper and implement it as we choose. The exercise of our wills cannot have any place when we are talking about the Lord’s Supper.
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also [He took] the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink [it], in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come” (1 Corinthians 11:23-2623For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:23‑26)).
In these verses we have the Lord’s supper as we carry it out. It is a feast of thanksgiving, thanksgiving for grace already received. In carrying out this memorial feast we announce the Lord’s death. It is not a private act. We do it collectively unto His remembrance, not to remember as if we had forgotten Him. It is not in memory of, but an affectionate re-calling of the Lord Himself to mind. Throughout its history, the Church has sought to its great loss to add to the simplicity of the Lord’s supper. The Lord’s supper is to be “till He come;” of that we are sure. As to how frequently it is to be carried out, we are not left in doubt as to that, either.
Let a Man Examine Himself
It is not a light thing to be found at the Lord’s table; there is a responsibility on the part of the individual and also on the part of the assembly. “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say” (1 Corinthians 10:1515I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (1 Corinthians 10:15)). “Do not ye judge them that are within?” (1 Corinthians 5:1212For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? (1 Corinthians 5:12)).
“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink [this] cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27-2827Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (1 Corinthians 11:27‑28)).
It is not a question of our being “unworthy” (we are made forever worthy by virtue of His blood), but of partaking in an unworthy manner. We are to examine our actions and attitudes so that we might partake, not for the purpose of absenting ourselves. It would be unusual to come to the family dinner table all dirty from work or play and just sit there and not eat. It would be more respectful to the host and everyone present to take the extra time to wash before coming to the table and partaking.