467 – The Institution of the Lord’s Table

SEMESTER 5

467 – The Institution of the Lord’s Table

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: BIBLE SURVEY V LESSON # 67
INSTITUTION OF THE LORD’S TABLE
READ MAT. 26:17-30, MK. 14:12-35, LK. 22:1-20, JN. 13:20-30 AND I COR. 11:23-34. ALSO, READ MAJOR BIBLE EVENTS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, LESSON 18.

INTRODUCTION:

1. In these several verses, we have the mass of New Testament revelation concerning the Lord’s Table, The Lord’s Supper or Communion.
2. In this lesson, we shall consider four areas of Bible truth about this ordinance.

i. The symbolic purpose of the ordinance.
ii. The proper elements of the ordinance.
iii. The proper participants of the ordinance.
iv. The proper administrator of the ordinance.

I. THE SYMBOLIC PURPOSE OF THE ORDINANCE

1. In the Old Testament, the Passover was to prefigure the substitutionary death of the Lamb of God.
2. In the New Testament, the Lord’s Table typifies that same work as having been already done.
3. Our Lord makes this plain in Matthew 26:26-30, where He said of:

i. the unleavened bread, “This is my body” (not literally but typically).
ii. the cup, “This is my blood” (not literally but typically).

4. The purpose is clear and it states the Christian faith.

i. Our Lord gave His body to be slain for the believer.
ii. Our Lord shed His blood for many for the remission of sins.

II. THE PROPER LIQUID ELEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE

1. The only New Testament revelation, or pattern, for determining these elements is in comparing the Gospels with I Corinthians 11:23-34, yet the patter is clear.
2. The bread was taken from the Passover table, and was thus, unques­tionably, unleavened bread. (Ex. 12:8)
3. The cup was also taken from the Passover table and was referred to only as “the cup,” (Matt. 26:27) and “the fruit of the vine” (Matt. 26:29).
4. I believe this was simply fresh squeezed grape juice for several reasons, among which are the following:

i. The Israelites who certainly observed the Passover during the wilderness trek, drank no wine during that time. (Deut. 29:6)
ii. The priests were not allowed to drink wine during times of service in the tabernacle. (Lev. 10:9, Eze. 44:21)
iii. The wine, which symbolizes joy and blessing in the Old Tes­tament, is always “tyirowsh” (Strong’s – number 8492). It is MUST, or fresh grape juice, just as it is squeezed.
iv. This MUST is always referred to in Scripture as a blessing, or in a good sense, as in (Judges 9:13, Gen. 27:28 and 37, Ex. 18:12, Prov. 3:10).
v. It is this MUST which is brought as the Lord’s tithe. (Deut. 7:13, Deut. 11:14, Deut. 12:17, Deut. 14:23, etc.)
vi. This wine (MUST) is never used in a bad sense, as in YAYIN, (Strong’s – number 3196) such as in (Gen. 9:21, Prov. 4:17, Prov. 20:1, Prov. 31:4, etc.).
vii. I can’t conceive of anything which has been “purged of leaven by the process of fermentation” as the propagators of fermented wine argue, or by any other process, being a superior type of our Lord’s blood.

III. THE PROPER PARTICIPANT IN THIS ORDINANCE

1. Every believer should observe this ordinance, and in his own church. (Num. 9:6-13, I Cor. 11:27-28)
2. No one may rightly abstain because of “unworthiness.” They are to get right and participate, this is the purpose of the ordinance.
3. Refusal to do so is, in effect, a denial of the faith.

IV. THE PROPER ADMINISTRATOR OF THIS ORDINANCE

1. Christ administered it to His church only. (Matt. 26:17-18)
2. Even Judas was absent at its institution. Compare Matthew 26:25 and 26 to John 13:30.
3. This ordinance is for the church, and is to be administered by the church. This is why Paul addresses the church concerning it. (I Cor. 11:17-34)
4. This is why it is so important for every believer to be part of a true New Testament Church, for in no other way can he observe it properly.
5. What you believe constitutes the church, will determine to whom you feel it should administer this ordinance.
6. Scriptural pattern in both Old and New Testaments indicate con­finement to the local congregation.