Christian Communion

Ordinances In Old Testament Times

What was connected with the worship of God before the first advent?

“Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary.” 

Hebrews 9:1.

To whom did the sacrificial offerings point forward?

“And live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:2.

Note – Through the provisions of the sacrificial law, the repentant sinner showed his faith in the coming redeemer, who was to shed His blood for the sins of mankind. These sacrificial offerings pointed forward to the work of Christ, which they typified. Since the crucifixion, the ordinances of the Christian church point backward, and are designed to show faith in the work of Christ already accomplished.

New Testament Ordinances

What does the Lord desire us to keep in mind?

“By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as the first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:2-4.  

What ordinance commemorates Christ’s burial and resurrection?

“Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” Colossians 2:12.

For what purpose was the Lord’s Supper instituted?

“For I have already received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:23,24. 

What does the wine signify?

“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is for the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Verse 25.

What do both the bread and the wine commemorate?

“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Verse 26.

What caution is given concerning engaging in this ordinance unworthily?

“Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.” Verses 27-29.

Note – The last expression shows what is meant by eating and drinking unworthily. It is no the one who has a deep sense of his sinfulness and of his unworthiness of God’s mercy and grace, but he who does not discern that Christ died for his sins – who is not penitent – who eats and drinks unworthily.

What preparation should be made for this service?

“A man ought to examine himself before he eats and drinks of the cup.” Verse 28. 

Privilege and Essential of Fellowship

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

What still higher fellowship does the Christian enjoy?

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. Verse 3.

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