Concerning the Lord’s Supper

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 1 Cor 11:2, 17-22

Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth was a letter of instruction and rebuke. Much of the language of the letter is in response form relative to questions the apostle had received concerning conditions within the church. This letter reveals how things can get off track when a church begins to be led by human minds rather than God’s Spirit. In this portion of the letter Paul addresses them concerning the Lord’s Supper. Today it seems as though some have taken this passage of scripture out of context and declared that there should be no eating at a church. In fact, I have heard one person say that a church building shouldn’t even have a kitchen in it. This flies in the face of the history of the first century church which shows that fellowship meals were apparently commonplace. It is not eating that creates problems but behavior and attitudes. Churches today can benefit from fellowship meals that allow their members to sit and get to know each other. Today’s trend towards mega-churches that have no fellowship presents a Christian experience more like a drive-through service or factory outlet. Members and visitors are welcome to come in and pick those parts that meet their needs, give a financial offering, and leave. There’s plenty of opportunity to “enjoy” what is going on without even knowing the person who is sitting next to you. True fellowship has its place within a Christian body. But there is a proper way to fellowship and it should never be confused with the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul’s directions concerning this matter are simple.

I. The Ordinances are to be Kept or Observed
A. They were Established by Jesus
B. Disciples were Commanded to keep Them by Jesus
C. The Ordinances are Symbolic Representations that Demonstrate Acts of Obedience by Christians

II. Divisions in Churches are sometimes Necessary
A. Believe Part of What is Heard about Divisions
B. Divisions help Members to See Who is Who in the Body of Christ

III. There is a Difference between a Fellowship Feast and the Lord’s Supper
A. A Feast can be Potluck but the Lord’s Supper is Not
B. A Feast can be Eaten in Separate Groups within the Church
C. The Lord’s Supper is Shared by the Membership
D. A Feast can Leave Some Full and Others Hungry, But the Lord’s Supper will Not

Finally, Paul tells the church at Corinth that what he had taught them, he had received from the Lord. Knowing that these are Jesus’ instructions, then the church should follow them. The unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine when taken in remembrance of Jesus are reminders that Jesus was without sin yet he gave his life as a ransom for the sins of the world. Jesus’ sinless blood was poured out for many. The Lord’s Supper is a reminder of this for all Christians. The Lord’s Supper is a bridge that spans from Calvary to the Rapture. It is a reminder of what Jesus did on Calvary and it is to be done in commemoration of that sacrifice until Jesus returns for his church. Paul gave the church an expectation that when they gather together it should be for the better and not the worse. Today, we should all leave the gathering at the church better than we came. If we came as sinners, we should leave after we have accepted Jesus’ death as the price for our sin. If we came without a church family, we should unite with the church family and leave as a part of this whole. If we came broken, then we should leave mended. If we came in despair, then we should leave in hope. Whatever situation we came in, we should leave better than we came.


Robert C. Hudson
October 4, 2009