Misunderstandings of the Lord’s Supper

Introduction Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20). Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of his betrayal (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20). Rebuking the Corinthian disciples for their corruption of this memorial feast, Paul pointed them back to the original pattern (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). Rebuking the Corinthian disciples for their corruption of this memorial feast, Paul pointed them back to the original pattern (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

Institution Corruptions of the Lord’s Supper are not limited to antiquity, but may also be seen in the modern religious world. Corruptions of the Lord’s Supper are not limited to antiquity, but may also be seen in the modern religious world. In this lesson, let us examine certain practices of Catholicism, Protestantism, and misunderstandings evidenced by some churches of Christ. In this lesson, let us examine certain practices of Catholicism, Protestantism, and misunderstandings evidenced by some churches of Christ.

Catholic: Transubstantiation The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines “transubstantiation” as “the doctrine that the substance of the Eucharistic elements is converted into the body and blood of Christ at consecration, only the appearances of bread and wine still remaining.” The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines “transubstantiation” as “the doctrine that the substance of the Eucharistic elements is converted into the body and blood of Christ at consecration, only the appearances of bread and wine still remaining.” Compare with consubstantiation, i.e., “the doctrine that the substance of the bread and wine coexists with the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.” Compare with consubstantiation, i.e., “the doctrine that the substance of the bread and wine coexists with the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.”

Figurative Language When Jesus said, “This is my body... this is my blood…” he employed metaphorical language, using a figure of speech involving a comparison (Matthew 26:26- 28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20). When Jesus said, “This is my body... this is my blood…” he employed metaphorical language, using a figure of speech involving a comparison (Matthew 26:26- 28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20).

Simile Defined Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a simile as “a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks like roses) — compare metaphor.” Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a simile as “a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as (as in cheeks like roses) — compare metaphor.” The Concise Oxford English Dictionary says a simile is “a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind (e.g. he was as brave as a lion). The Concise Oxford English Dictionary says a simile is “a figure of speech involving the comparison of one thing with another thing of a different kind (e.g. he was as brave as a lion). There are several examples of this in the Bible (Luke 7:31-34; Matthew 23:27; Psalms 1:1-4). There are several examples of this in the Bible (Luke 7:31-34; Matthew 23:27; Psalms 1:1-4).

Metaphor Defined Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money); broadly : figurative language — compare simile.” Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines a metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them (as in drowning in money); broadly : figurative language — compare simile.”

Metaphor Defined The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable; a thing regarded as symbolic of something else.” The Concise Oxford English Dictionary defines metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable; a thing regarded as symbolic of something else.” The Bible is filled with metaphorical language (Daniel 2:37-38; Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 13:32; John 10:7-9; 15:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The Bible is filled with metaphorical language (Daniel 2:37-38; Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 13:32; John 10:7-9; 15:1, 5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The Words of Christ Give Life The Catholic church employs John Chapter Six to defend the doctrine of transubstantiation, but verse 63 reveals the true import of Jesus’ message: The Catholic church employs John Chapter Six to defend the doctrine of transubstantiation, but verse 63 reveals the true import of Jesus’ message: He was speaking figuratively: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (cf. John 6:52- 63, esp. vs. 63). He was speaking figuratively: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (cf. John 6:52- 63, esp. vs. 63).

Continuing & Unbloody Sacrifice Catholicism also teaches that Christ is sacrificed in the Mass, but in an “unbloody manner.” Catholicism also teaches that Christ is sacrificed in the Mass, but in an “unbloody manner.” However, the Bible teaches that the Lord’s sacrifice was a one time act – eternally effective and forever valid – not reenacted in the Eucharist but remembered in the Lord’s Supper (Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:10- 14). However, the Bible teaches that the Lord’s sacrifice was a one time act – eternally effective and forever valid – not reenacted in the Eucharist but remembered in the Lord’s Supper (Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:10- 14).

Once For All Occurrence The Greek word ephapax, here translated “once for all” occurs 5x in the NT (Romans 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10), and is descriptive of action “taking place once and to the exclusion of any further occurrence, once for all, once and never again” [BDAG]. The Greek word ephapax, here translated “once for all” occurs 5x in the NT (Romans 6:10; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Hebrews 7:27; 9:12; 10:10), and is descriptive of action “taking place once and to the exclusion of any further occurrence, once for all, once and never again” [BDAG].

Protestantism: Frequency Of Observance Protestant denominations often observe the Lord’s Supper on an annual, semi- annual, quarterly or monthly basis. Protestant denominations often observe the Lord’s Supper on an annual, semi- annual, quarterly or monthly basis. All such practices demonstrate a misunderstanding of how frequently the people of God should observe this commemorative feast. All such practices demonstrate a misunderstanding of how frequently the people of God should observe this commemorative feast.

Establishing Bible Authority Jesus said that we would be judged by His word (John 12:48). Jesus said that we would be judged by His word (John 12:48). There are three basic methods of establishing Bible authority: There are three basic methods of establishing Bible authority: –Direct Commands –Divinely Approved Examples –Necessary Inferences

Application to Lord’s Supper First, our basic authority for observing this memorial feast is by direct commandment (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). First, our basic authority for observing this memorial feast is by direct commandment (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). A divinely approved example teaches the day on which we are to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). A divinely approved example teaches the day on which we are to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). We learn how often to partake of the Lord’s Supper through necessary inference (Cf. Numbers 15:32-36; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ). We learn how often to partake of the Lord’s Supper through necessary inference (Cf. Numbers 15:32-36; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 ).

Churches Of Christ: One Cup Controversy The use of one cup in the communion was common in the early days of the Restoration Movement. The use of one cup in the communion was common in the early days of the Restoration Movement. However, over time this tradition took on the quality of a binding ordinance in the mind of some. However, over time this tradition took on the quality of a binding ordinance in the mind of some. This controversy arises from a failure to understand the symbolic use of language in the Bible. This controversy arises from a failure to understand the symbolic use of language in the Bible.

Metonymy Defined Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines metonymy as “a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as “crown” in “lands belonging to the crown”).” Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines metonymy as “a figure of speech consisting of the use of the name of one thing for that of another of which it is an attribute or with which it is associated (as “crown” in “lands belonging to the crown”).”

Everyday Examples “Mom, the kettle is boiling.” “Mom, the kettle is boiling.” “I was thirsty and drank a whole glass of water.” “I was thirsty and drank a whole glass of water.” News correspondents often report, “The White House says...” News correspondents often report, “The White House says...”

Biblical Examples The Scriptures say that Noah was moved with fear to obey God and thus saved his house (Hebrews 11:7). Does this refer to the building in which he lived, or rather to his family? The Scriptures say that Noah was moved with fear to obey God and thus saved his house (Hebrews 11:7). Does this refer to the building in which he lived, or rather to his family? When Jesus said, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20), was he speaking of the container or the contents? When Jesus said, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20), was he speaking of the container or the contents?

Cup The word “cup” is used 33 times in the New Testament. The word “cup” is used 33 times in the New Testament. –It is often used as a metaphor for suffering (Matthew 20:22-23), one’s life (Matthew 23:25-26), lewdness (Revelation 17:4; 18:6), God’s punishment (Revelation 14:10; 16:19). –It is used as a metaphor and metonymy for meat sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 12:21). It is a metonymy for the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:27; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17, 20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 21; 11:25-28). –The only times it refers to a literal container is in Matthew 10:42; 7:3-4, 8; and 9:41.

Conclusion Avoiding the errors of Catholicism, Protestantism, and the misunderstandings of some brethren, let us observe the Lord’s Supper in a manner pleasing to Christ and beneficial to self. Avoiding the errors of Catholicism, Protestantism, and the misunderstandings of some brethren, let us observe the Lord’s Supper in a manner pleasing to Christ and beneficial to self. Partaking of this memorial feast, may we look backwards to the cross, inward in self examination, and forward in expectation of our Lord’s return (1 Corinthians 11:23-34). Partaking of this memorial feast, may we look backwards to the cross, inward in self examination, and forward in expectation of our Lord’s return (1 Corinthians 11:23-34).