Dale Ridge church of Christ

                In regard to the institution of the Lord’s Supper, the Bible says, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said. Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28).

                In instituting this memorial feast, Jesus set apart two simple elements and described their individual representative meanings.  Unfortunately, the Lord’s Supper has been misunderstood and misrepresented since almost its very beginning.  When Jesus spoke of these elements being His body and His blood, He was not saying they were literally His body and blood.  He was rather speaking figuratively.  Yet, the Christians in ancient Rome were charged with cannibalism. 

Others likewise have twisted the meaning of Jesus’ words in the meaning of the elements of the Lord’s Supper.  The Catholic Church began to teach “transubstantiationism” whereby they said the elements actually become the literal body and blood of the Jesus.  Martin Luther termed it “consubstantianism” whereby he said the elements become the literal body and blood of the Lord along with the elements themselves.  Both of these concepts though are false.  They crucify the Lord afresh (Hebrews 6:6).  The Bible says that Jesus was crucified “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).  Moreover, the elements of the fruit of the vine and bread are not the literal blood and body of the Lord; they are simply figurative representations of His body and blood.

Another aspect of these elements is their nature.  If you Google images of the “Lord’s Supper” on the internet, you will likely see numerous pictures of loaves of bread as part of communion.  Does the type of bread matter in the Lord’s Supper?  What does the Bible say (Matthew 22:18; John 9; Revelation 22:18-19)? 

The passage in Matthew’s account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper begins by giving the timing of this event (Matthew 26:17).  The timing was during the Jews’ feast of unleavened bread or the Passover.  It was called the feast of unleavened bread, because it memorialized the events when the Israelites were thrust out of the land of Egypt.  They were to be prepared to leave quickly and be ready to travel (Exodus 12:11).  There would be no time for the making of bread; therefore, they would eat the Passover with unleavened bread.  In fact, no leaven was to be found in their house during the entire week of the Passover (Exodus 12:15).  Therefore, when Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, what type of bread did He Bless, Brake, and pass out to His disciples?  It goes without saying that it was unleavened.  As we gather around the Lord’s Table today, may we respect and submit to the Lord’s authority in this and in all matters (Colossians 3:17).

In regard to the fruit of vine, some have argued that fermented wine is acceptable to use on the Lord’s Table.  But is this justifiable?  Did Jesus use institute the Lord’s Supper using an alcoholic beverage?  What does the Bible say?  To begin with, the Bible condemns drunkenness in all its forms (Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18).  Second, the word wine (Greek oinos) is generic in nature and can refer to either non-intoxicating or intoxicating wine.  The context must determine the meaning.  Intoxicating wine being used at the Passover feast is both unwarranted and unthinkable.  Third, Jesus again figuratively connected His blood of the New Covenant with the fruit of vine.  The apostle Peter spoke of the blood of Christ as being “without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).  Certainly, the fruit of the vine representing that pure and precious blood was without any intoxicating properties.

When we therefore gather around the Lord’s Table and partake of these elements, may our minds be upon their significance and meaning as we show the Lord’s death till He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).  [See also the previous article on The Lord’s Supper as a Memorial].

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Filed under: Doctrine, Michael Carter on October 5th, 2008