COMMUNION WITH CHRIST
The Lord’s Supper is a physical and spiritual act 1 Corinthians 11:20 Other passages refer to breaking bread Acts 2:42 Acts 2:46 is a different breaking of bread 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 makes a clear distinction 1 Cor. 10:16 breaking bread is communion Matthew 26:26-29; 18:20 Jesus is with us
Breaking Bread as a Physical Act We literally break bread 1 Corinthians 10:16 It is unleavened bread 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 We physically eat it We also drink the fruit of the vine Even when something physical is required of us, there is a spiritual reason for it The emphasis is on the attitude (spirit) we have when we do what God says to do
The Scriptural Form Unleavened bread because it represents the sinless body of Jesus 1 Cor. 5:6-8, Heb. 4:15 It also represents the spiritual body of Jesus 1 Cor. 10:16 Fruit of the vine represents the blood of Jesus 1 Cor. 10:16 “Wait for one another” 1 Cor. 11:33 “One cup” is not literal 1 Cor. 10:16 The first day of the week Acts 20:6-7
The Scriptural Day Lord’s (kuriakos) Supper 1 Cor. 11:22 Lord’s (kuriakos) Day Revelation 1:10 Only times the word kuriakos is used Christians ate the Lord’s Supper on the Lord’s Day The bread is a memorial of His body The fruit of the vine memorializes His blood The first day of the week memorializes His resurrection Any deviation distorts spiritual reality
Breaking Bread as a Spiritual Act We must discern the Lord’s body 1 Cor. 11:17-34 We must remember His sacrifice 1 Cor. 11:24-25 We proclaim the Lord’s Death 1 Cor. 11:26 We must examine ourselves 1 Cor. 11:28 We are spiritually strengthened 1 Cor. 11:28-30
Breaking Bread as a Spiritual Act It is communion with each other 1 Corinthians 10:17; 11:26 It is communion with Christ 1 Cor. 10:16-17 He partakes with us in His kingdom Matthew 26:27-29 We partake “till He comes” 1 Cor. 11:26 The kingdom is on earth the same time the Lord’s Supper is kept
Communion With Christ Jesus designed His Supper as a way for us to remember Him and His sacrifice 1 Cor. 11:24 Discern His body by realizing He “bore our sins in His body on the tree” 1 Peter 2:24 Discern His blood by counting the precious price He paid to redeem us 1 Peter 1:18-19 Jesus designed the supper to remind us of His resurrection and return Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 11:26 Jesus designed the supper as a way to be with us spiritually 1 Cor. 10:16