Communion
 |
| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
Introduction
The English word communion in the New Testament is the Greek word koinonia. Strong's Concordance translates koinonia as: fellowship, the close association between persons, emphasizing what is common between them; by extension: participation, sharing, contribution, gift, or the outcome of such close relationships. Koinonia is translated in Scripture as fellowship 12 times, communion 4 times, communicate once, communication once, contribution once, and distribution once. Young's Concordance defines koinonia as the act of using a thing in common. The word common, in Acts 2:44 and 4:32, where the early church had all things common, comes from the same root word as does the word koinonia.
For the past 1300 years or so, the usual interpretation within the Christian church of the word communion has been a ritual where believers partake of bread in some form and wine or grape juice. The tradition of man has been that Jesus commanded us to so partake of bread and wine, periodically, in remembrance of Him. Because Jesus never suggested a specific time interval for such remembrance (other than "as oft as ye drink"), some churches observe the ritual of communion once a month, others every Sunday, and some perhaps use other schedules as well.
The following verses all contain the Greek word koinonia, in bold face. We will return to some of the verses, below, that are more pertinent to this word.
About 38 years ago, a true prophet of the Lord shared something with me privately in our home. He said that the ritual called communion, as practiced in Christian churches today, never existed until about 700 years after the ascension of Christ. (For confirmation of that fact, see page 841 of "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible," Baker Book House, by Dr. E.W. Bullinger.) When he told me that, my immediate reaction was bordering on disbelief, although I did not respond in any way outwardly. The first verse that popped into my mind was when Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). After a few short days, The Lord took me back to that very same Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:24-25) and seemed to ask me, "What does "this" refer to?" Then the Holy Ghost took me through all of the scriptures which pertain to what most Christians call communion. Shortly after that, in the mid 1970's, that same true prophet of the Lord told me that many years ago he was at some gathering of believers where bread and wine were served (the ritual of communion). He said that the Lord spoke to him and said that the only value in what the people were doing (as they partook of the bread and wine) was in the vitamin and mineral content thereof, and there wasn't much of that. Further, we believe that there is nothing we can wear or not wear that will make us more holy. Likewise there is nothing we can eat or not eat that will make us more holy. See, for example, Haggai 2:11-14 and Matthew 15:11-20.
This article contains what the Holy Ghost revealed to me both then and now concerning what most Christians call communion. No man shared the appropriate scriptures with me. I present it for your edification.
If you have a difficult time with this word, it is somewhat to be expected, because the traditions of men do not go away quietly or quickly, particularly when that tradition is perhaps the most revered and assumed tradition of all. If that is the case in your experience, then put this word on the shelf until such time as the Holy Ghost will illuminate your heart and mind.
One reference to what was shared earlier (concerning the origination of the ritual called communion) is found in, "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible," by E.W. Bullinger, pages 839-842, Baker Book House. Bullinger first of all explains that "to break bread" is the literal rendering of the Hebrew idiom which means to partake of food, and is used of eating as in a meal, just as among the Arabs today, the idiom, to eat salt, means partaking of a meal. The same Hebrew idiom exists in the Greek words of the New Testament, for example in Matthew 14:19, when Jesus took the five loaves, and blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, etc. The bread was always broken, never cut. In every case, the "breaking of bread" is the ordinary Hebrew idiom for eating as in a meal. It is also evident that the Passover was a meal. Bullinger says (pages 841-842 of his magnificent work as stated above):
Further, have you ever stopped to consider that nowhere in the New Testament is there any record that the early Church participated in what most Christians now call the ritual of communion? The book of Acts, Chapter 2:42-47, lists a number of things that the early church did. They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship (koinonia), and in breaking of bread, and in prayers; fear came upon every soul, many wonders and signs were done by the apostles; all that believed were together, and had all things common (koinos); they sold their possessions and goods and parted to all men, as every man had need (not greed); they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house; praising God and having favor with all the people. The closest thing to the ritual of communion listed there (or any other place in the Bible) is the breaking of bread from house to house. But that is almost universally agreed, and as stated above, to be eating a common meal. In other words, eating natural food together is listed but observing a ritual of communion is not. Does that say anything?
Symbols, Clouds, Shadows, or Substance
As a generality, what we call the Old Testament contains many symbols and types, which are done away with by the coming of the Antitype, even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. When Christ, the Antitype comes, the type is of no more value. Unfortunately, man, even Christian man likes to hold on to the symbol (such as a wooden or metal cross), which has no power or value in itself. Spiritual substance is real; symbols and shadows are not; clouds are fleeting and transient. We believers need to distinguish or discern the difference between symbols, clouds, shadows, and substance.
The Lord would exhort His people to no longer dwell beneath a cloud, but to walk out from beneath that cloud into the fullness of His light. For this cloud both conceals and distorts the true vision, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This cloud is neither black nor white ... herein lies the deception.
One meaning of the word "cloud," as given by Webster, is "something that obscures or blemishes." The fact that a cloud conceals or hides something may be looked upon in two different ways. A cloud may provide strictly natural level benefits, such as shelter from the heat of the sun. But God never intended that a cloud should conceal or obscure Himself from His people. Any such cloud conceals or distorts the true vision, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Lord, we ask that we might be enabled, by Your Spirit, to walk away from every cloud that conceals or distorts who You are - every cloud of self, traditions of men, pride, a lukewarm attitude toward You, all of the many enemies of the cross of Christ. Lord, may our senses be exercised to discern both good and evil. For "we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Those verses were literally fulfilled in the time of Moses; the people did come out with great natural substance. The prophetical meaning for us is that the purpose of great affliction is that we might come out with great spiritual substance.
The Lord's Supper
The next question we need to address is, "What is the Lord's supper?" That phrase occurs only once, in 1 Corinthians 11:20, and perhaps two other times by implication, in Revelation 19:9 and 17. So does the Lord's supper consist of bread and wine? Perhaps the Lord's supper is fish and bread, since that is what the resurrected Lord prepared for his disciples (John 21:9-13).
One distinctive characteristic of man, even Spirit-filled Christian man, is the tendency to pull Scripture down to the lowest possible level in the natural realm, so that we can understand with our natural mind. That, of course, is quite contrary to Scripture, which says:
As a generality, most faulty interpretations of Scripture arise when man, using his natural mind and logical reasoning, tries to interpret Scripture in the natural realm. To carry that truth to the next level, we also get into a swamp of misunderstanding when we fail to distinguish between the visible Church on earth (as directed by man, even Godly men) as distinct from the invisible Church, which only the Lord can (and is) building. A third source of error, although perhaps less frequent, is a failure to distinguish between temporal things and that which is eternal.
Therefore, we would suggest that the Lord's supper has nothing to do with any natural food and drink. If we read the context of the Lord's supper in 1 Corinthians 11, verses 21-34 are very clear that the Lord's supper is a spiritual quality of denial of self or "in honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10). The Lord's supper is a heart attitude of giving, not receiving. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The Lord's supper is when we "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Philippians 2:4). The Lord's supper was exhibited by Moses when he said that if the Lord did not forgive the people, then the Lord should blot him out of the book of life (Exodus 32:32). The Lord's supper was also exhibited by Paul when he said that he could wish himself accursed for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh (Romans 9:3). The Lord's supper is exemplified by the following:
The better translation is, Let no one seek his own things but the things of the other.
The Cup
Now let us look at the "cup," which also has nothing to do with the natural realm. (There are a few exceptions, when the "cup" clearly indicates a natural cup; such as Matthew 10:42). Scripture seems to indicate two different and contrasting cups ... the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils.
The cup of devils and the table of devils represent the drink and bread of self, such as pride and the works of the flesh, as listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Those who partake of that cup are promised God's judgment, as follows:
See also Isaiah 51:17-23, Habakkuk 2:15-16, Ezekiel 23:31-34, Jeremiah 25:27-28, and Jeremiah 49:12. The same is true in Revelation 14:10, 16:19, 17:4, and 18:6. In all of those scriptures, the "cup" clearly indicates the judgment of God.
Likewise, the cup of the Lord and the table of the Lord have nothing to do with the natural realm. They represent the meal offering and drink offering or the ways of the Lord (see, for example Joel 1:1-2:17). In the verses that traditions of men point to as "communion," there is no place in Scripture that indicates what was in the cup. By tradition, we Christians have assumed that wine was in the cup, but Scripture never says that. Clearly, what is inside our cup and platter (drink and bread) is vital. If the cup of the Lord contains natural wine or grape juice, then what does the cup of devils contain?
In contrast to those who partake of the cup of devils, those who partake of the cup of the Lord and table of the Lord are promised to dwell in His presence and in His glory. But there is a price to be paid. And many are called but few choose. Few choose the Lord's way, which involves suffering and a denial of self.
So what is the cup of the Lord? Suffering and death on the cross. Of course, with Jesus it was a literal, natural death on the cross. With us it is partaking of and identifying with His suffering and death to self. Jesus said,
The cup of blessing in 1 Corinthians 10:16 is suffering, persecution, and tribulation. Not only are we called upon to partake of that cup but even to bless that cup of suffering! Paul said,
Now let us consider the major verses that, according to the tradition of men, speak of the ritual called communion.
In Verse 26, "this is" is a metaphor, wherein the verb "is" always means "represents." It can never mean "is changed into." Further, it is a fundamental law in Greek grammar, without exception, that the article, pronoun, and adjective must agree in gender with the noun to which they refer. So here, the pronoun "this" is neuter and cannot agree with artos (= bread) because artos is masculine. It must refer to that which is also neuter, and this could only be the whole act of breaking the bread. In like manner, in Verse 28, "this" (in "this is My blood of the new covenant"), is neuter and must refer to the cup and not the contents thereof. So "this cup represents My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many, for the remission of sins." At what is called the last supper, this new covenant was made. In that last supper, the Lord was not instituting anything, but was substituting Himself as the sacrificial Lamb ... His body and His blood. There are two different Greek words translated as new: neos, which means new as to time, and kainos, which means new as to quality. In Verse 29, the Lord said He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until He drank it new (kainos) with us in His Father's kingdom. The fruit of the vine is now in the realm of the Spirit. Further, there is a big difference between being born again or "saved" and going to heaven one day on the one hand and the kingdom of God on the other hand.
Now let us consider the verses that are most commonly read when Christian churches serve "communion" of bread and wine.
Verses 20-22 and 33-34 clearly are talking about eating natural food ... a social meal at what the early church called a love feast. Further, Paul is rebuking those members of the Church at Corinth for their self-centeredness and lack of denying self, a prerequisite for being a disciple of the Lord.
The verses in between, Verses 23-32, refer primarily to our attitude or heart as we partake of that natural meal. The "wherefore" in Verse 33 clearly ties Verses 23-32 together with Verses 20-22. Paul exhorts us to have that same mind or attitude that was in Christ, which was a denial of self-will. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and to serve and please the Father, not Himself. Even though the Lord knew that he would be betrayed, that same night He nevertheless remained a servant to all. Paul is saying the same thing as in,
I remember vividly a night some 35 years ago, when, as was our custom, our house church had a potluck dinner on Sunday nights in the home of one of the elders, followed by a teaching. I was the third from last person to go through the buffet line to get natural food. By that time, the food was rapidly disappearing. I could see that there was scarcely enough food for the last four people. However, the young man in front of me in the line apparently had no thought for anyone else except himself because he piled his plate full of food, leaving almost nothing for the three behind him. He was only interested in satisfying his hunger. At that point, the hostess reached into her cabinet and pulled out a jar of peanut butter, which was her meal for the evening. He did not proclaim the Lord's death by his actions. He ate the bread and drank the cup of the Lord unworthily, as in Verses 26 and 27, above. He did not discern the Lord's body. He also was weak and sickly and slept prior to his normal life span of years on this earth.
Let us re-visit 1 Corinthians 11.
Those Verses cannot possibly be speaking in the natural realm about natural bread and natural wine or grape juice. It is true that when Jesus spoke those words that He really did take natural bread, broke it, and gave it to the twelve. However, He said "this bread." The natural bread that He broke 2000 years ago no longer exists. If it did still exist it would be rather dried up and musty. So no one today can partake of "this" bread that He passed out. Jesus never said to take some bread 2000 years later that you bake or buy in a grocery store and eat it. Further natural bread at what men call the Last Supper was not then the body of Christ nor has it ever been so. Neither you nor I look like a loaf of bread. The same parallel exists for the cup, regardless of what was in the cup.
Now let us consider Verse 26: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come." "Till He come" either refers to His literal second coming (parousia) or His apocalypse (coming spiritually in His saints). The balance of Scripture heavily favors the first interpretation, His parousia.
But now, what does it mean to "shew His death?" The Greek word translated as "shew" is most commonly translated as preach. The most effective demonstration of preaching is by our lives ... by our actions which evidence the fruit of the Spirit. The kingdom of God is not in word but in power. Others may argue with or disagree with our words but no one can argue with a changed life that now exhibits the fruit of the Spirit. In the context of 1 Corinthians 11:26, "shew" means to preach or proclaim by our lives ... by our identification with the death of Jesus. It is by crucifying the old man that we make the death of Christ our own. We show His death by showing our death to self. It means we are dead in Christ; it means that the life we now live in the flesh is no longer I or mine but Christ Who lives within us. It is His life, not ours. It means we deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him and His ways. Anyone can eat some natural bread and drink some natural wine or grape juice. It is not quite so easy to die to self. In fact it is impossible without the power of the Holy Ghost working within us. Even then, we must cooperate.
At the time when Jesus walked the face of the earth, the people, even His disciples, could only understand with their natural minds. There were two exceptions: (1) when the Father revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-17); and (2) when the resurrected Jesus opened the eyes of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-32). The disciples still had no understanding just before the ascension of the resurrected Lord, in Acts 1:6. It was only on and after the day of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost began to reveal Jesus and His teachings and ways to His disciples.
The Real Communion
The real communion is koinonia with the Father and with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Ghost. It is a relationship, an identification with the Lord Jesus in every respect, including His suffering, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, His intercession, and His weeping over spiritual Jerusalem. It is being in Christ (which means far more than being born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit), abiding in the Vine, walking in the Light. It is a mystery in the realm of the Spirit but it is more real than any natural-level event.
One last thought. The definition of idolatry (Columbia Encyclopedia) is the substitution of that which is natural for that which is intended to be spiritual. Only the Holy Ghost can quicken to you the significance of this word. May He illuminate your mind and spirit in this and all other things.
The English word communion in the New Testament is the Greek word koinonia. Strong's Concordance translates koinonia as: fellowship, the close association between persons, emphasizing what is common between them; by extension: participation, sharing, contribution, gift, or the outcome of such close relationships. Koinonia is translated in Scripture as fellowship 12 times, communion 4 times, communicate once, communication once, contribution once, and distribution once. Young's Concordance defines koinonia as the act of using a thing in common. The word common, in Acts 2:44 and 4:32, where the early church had all things common, comes from the same root word as does the word koinonia.
For the past 1300 years or so, the usual interpretation within the Christian church of the word communion has been a ritual where believers partake of bread in some form and wine or grape juice. The tradition of man has been that Jesus commanded us to so partake of bread and wine, periodically, in remembrance of Him. Because Jesus never suggested a specific time interval for such remembrance (other than "as oft as ye drink"), some churches observe the ritual of communion once a month, others every Sunday, and some perhaps use other schedules as well.
The following verses all contain the Greek word koinonia, in bold face. We will return to some of the verses, below, that are more pertinent to this word.
That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:6
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Galatians 6:6
That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate. 1 Timothy 6:18
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. Philippians 4:15
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:16
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42
God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1 Corinthians 10:20
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 2 Corinthians 8:4
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Galatians 2:9
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3:9
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:5
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies,Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. Philippians 3:103 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:3, 6-7
About 38 years ago, a true prophet of the Lord shared something with me privately in our home. He said that the ritual called communion, as practiced in Christian churches today, never existed until about 700 years after the ascension of Christ. (For confirmation of that fact, see page 841 of "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible," Baker Book House, by Dr. E.W. Bullinger.) When he told me that, my immediate reaction was bordering on disbelief, although I did not respond in any way outwardly. The first verse that popped into my mind was when Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19 and 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). After a few short days, The Lord took me back to that very same Scripture (1 Corinthians 11:24-25) and seemed to ask me, "What does "this" refer to?" Then the Holy Ghost took me through all of the scriptures which pertain to what most Christians call communion. Shortly after that, in the mid 1970's, that same true prophet of the Lord told me that many years ago he was at some gathering of believers where bread and wine were served (the ritual of communion). He said that the Lord spoke to him and said that the only value in what the people were doing (as they partook of the bread and wine) was in the vitamin and mineral content thereof, and there wasn't much of that. Further, we believe that there is nothing we can wear or not wear that will make us more holy. Likewise there is nothing we can eat or not eat that will make us more holy. See, for example, Haggai 2:11-14 and Matthew 15:11-20.
This article contains what the Holy Ghost revealed to me both then and now concerning what most Christians call communion. No man shared the appropriate scriptures with me. I present it for your edification.
If you have a difficult time with this word, it is somewhat to be expected, because the traditions of men do not go away quietly or quickly, particularly when that tradition is perhaps the most revered and assumed tradition of all. If that is the case in your experience, then put this word on the shelf until such time as the Holy Ghost will illuminate your heart and mind.
One reference to what was shared earlier (concerning the origination of the ritual called communion) is found in, "Figures of Speech Used in the Bible," by E.W. Bullinger, pages 839-842, Baker Book House. Bullinger first of all explains that "to break bread" is the literal rendering of the Hebrew idiom which means to partake of food, and is used of eating as in a meal, just as among the Arabs today, the idiom, to eat salt, means partaking of a meal. The same Hebrew idiom exists in the Greek words of the New Testament, for example in Matthew 14:19, when Jesus took the five loaves, and blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, etc. The bread was always broken, never cut. In every case, the "breaking of bread" is the ordinary Hebrew idiom for eating as in a meal. It is also evident that the Passover was a meal. Bullinger says (pages 841-842 of his magnificent work as stated above):
The "breaking of bread" was used of the love-feast [or agape], and never, until recent years, used of the Lord's supper as a separate ordinance. The error has arisen from the misunderstanding of the Hebrew idiom; and from translating literally that which is used as a figurative expression.Rome has done exactly the same, though in another direction. Rome forces the words "to break bread," to prove its practice of withholding the cup from the laity, or of communion of one kind!Rome argues that as it says "bread," and wine is not mentioned; therefore the "wafer" is sufficient.Had Gentiles been acquainted with the Hebraism, neither malice nor ignorance could have diverted the words from their simple and only meaning.
Further, have you ever stopped to consider that nowhere in the New Testament is there any record that the early Church participated in what most Christians now call the ritual of communion? The book of Acts, Chapter 2:42-47, lists a number of things that the early church did. They continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship (koinonia), and in breaking of bread, and in prayers; fear came upon every soul, many wonders and signs were done by the apostles; all that believed were together, and had all things common (koinos); they sold their possessions and goods and parted to all men, as every man had need (not greed); they continued daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house; praising God and having favor with all the people. The closest thing to the ritual of communion listed there (or any other place in the Bible) is the breaking of bread from house to house. But that is almost universally agreed, and as stated above, to be eating a common meal. In other words, eating natural food together is listed but observing a ritual of communion is not. Does that say anything?
Symbols, Clouds, Shadows, or Substance
As a generality, what we call the Old Testament contains many symbols and types, which are done away with by the coming of the Antitype, even the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. When Christ, the Antitype comes, the type is of no more value. Unfortunately, man, even Christian man likes to hold on to the symbol (such as a wooden or metal cross), which has no power or value in itself. Spiritual substance is real; symbols and shadows are not; clouds are fleeting and transient. We believers need to distinguish or discern the difference between symbols, clouds, shadows, and substance.
The Lord would exhort His people to no longer dwell beneath a cloud, but to walk out from beneath that cloud into the fullness of His light. For this cloud both conceals and distorts the true vision, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This cloud is neither black nor white ... herein lies the deception.
One meaning of the word "cloud," as given by Webster, is "something that obscures or blemishes." The fact that a cloud conceals or hides something may be looked upon in two different ways. A cloud may provide strictly natural level benefits, such as shelter from the heat of the sun. But God never intended that a cloud should conceal or obscure Himself from His people. Any such cloud conceals or distorts the true vision, which is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
Lord, we ask that we might be enabled, by Your Spirit, to walk away from every cloud that conceals or distorts who You are - every cloud of self, traditions of men, pride, a lukewarm attitude toward You, all of the many enemies of the cross of Christ. Lord, may our senses be exercised to discern both good and evil. For "we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2).
Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. Song of Solomon 4:616 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Colossians 2:16-17For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:112 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.13 And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, (and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them) four hundred years;14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. Genesis 15:12-14
Those verses were literally fulfilled in the time of Moses; the people did come out with great natural substance. The prophetical meaning for us is that the purpose of great affliction is that we might come out with great spiritual substance.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
The Lord's Supper
The next question we need to address is, "What is the Lord's supper?" That phrase occurs only once, in 1 Corinthians 11:20, and perhaps two other times by implication, in Revelation 19:9 and 17. So does the Lord's supper consist of bread and wine? Perhaps the Lord's supper is fish and bread, since that is what the resurrected Lord prepared for his disciples (John 21:9-13).
One distinctive characteristic of man, even Spirit-filled Christian man, is the tendency to pull Scripture down to the lowest possible level in the natural realm, so that we can understand with our natural mind. That, of course, is quite contrary to Scripture, which says:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14
As a generality, most faulty interpretations of Scripture arise when man, using his natural mind and logical reasoning, tries to interpret Scripture in the natural realm. To carry that truth to the next level, we also get into a swamp of misunderstanding when we fail to distinguish between the visible Church on earth (as directed by man, even Godly men) as distinct from the invisible Church, which only the Lord can (and is) building. A third source of error, although perhaps less frequent, is a failure to distinguish between temporal things and that which is eternal.
Therefore, we would suggest that the Lord's supper has nothing to do with any natural food and drink. If we read the context of the Lord's supper in 1 Corinthians 11, verses 21-34 are very clear that the Lord's supper is a spiritual quality of denial of self or "in honor preferring one another" (Romans 12:10). The Lord's supper is a heart attitude of giving, not receiving. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). The Lord's supper is when we "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Philippians 2:4). The Lord's supper was exhibited by Moses when he said that if the Lord did not forgive the people, then the Lord should blot him out of the book of life (Exodus 32:32). The Lord's supper was also exhibited by Paul when he said that he could wish himself accursed for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh (Romans 9:3). The Lord's supper is exemplified by the following:
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 1 Corinthians 10:24
The better translation is, Let no one seek his own things but the things of the other.
The Cup
Now let us look at the "cup," which also has nothing to do with the natural realm. (There are a few exceptions, when the "cup" clearly indicates a natural cup; such as Matthew 10:42). Scripture seems to indicate two different and contrasting cups ... the cup of the Lord and the cup of devils.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. 1 Corinthians 10:21
The cup of devils and the table of devils represent the drink and bread of self, such as pride and the works of the flesh, as listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Those who partake of that cup are promised God's judgment, as follows:
For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and He poureth out of the same; but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them. Psalm 75:8
See also Isaiah 51:17-23, Habakkuk 2:15-16, Ezekiel 23:31-34, Jeremiah 25:27-28, and Jeremiah 49:12. The same is true in Revelation 14:10, 16:19, 17:4, and 18:6. In all of those scriptures, the "cup" clearly indicates the judgment of God.
Likewise, the cup of the Lord and the table of the Lord have nothing to do with the natural realm. They represent the meal offering and drink offering or the ways of the Lord (see, for example Joel 1:1-2:17). In the verses that traditions of men point to as "communion," there is no place in Scripture that indicates what was in the cup. By tradition, we Christians have assumed that wine was in the cup, but Scripture never says that. Clearly, what is inside our cup and platter (drink and bread) is vital. If the cup of the Lord contains natural wine or grape juice, then what does the cup of devils contain?
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Matthew 23:25-26
In contrast to those who partake of the cup of devils, those who partake of the cup of the Lord and table of the Lord are promised to dwell in His presence and in His glory. But there is a price to be paid. And many are called but few choose. Few choose the Lord's way, which involves suffering and a denial of self.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm 116:1322 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto Him, We are able.23 And He saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on My right hand, and on My left, is not Mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of My Father. Matthew 20:22-23And He said, Abba, father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me: nevertheless not what I will, but what Thou wilt. Mark 14:36Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you. Luke 22:20The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16
So what is the cup of the Lord? Suffering and death on the cross. Of course, with Jesus it was a literal, natural death on the cross. With us it is partaking of and identifying with His suffering and death to self. Jesus said,
If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:38
The cup of blessing in 1 Corinthians 10:16 is suffering, persecution, and tribulation. Not only are we called upon to partake of that cup but even to bless that cup of suffering! Paul said,
10 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship [communion, koinonia] of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church.
Colossians 1:24
16 Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Now let us consider the major verses that, according to the tradition of men, speak of the ritual called communion.
26 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.27 And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.28 For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom. Matthew 26:26-29
In Verse 26, "this is" is a metaphor, wherein the verb "is" always means "represents." It can never mean "is changed into." Further, it is a fundamental law in Greek grammar, without exception, that the article, pronoun, and adjective must agree in gender with the noun to which they refer. So here, the pronoun "this" is neuter and cannot agree with artos (= bread) because artos is masculine. It must refer to that which is also neuter, and this could only be the whole act of breaking the bread. In like manner, in Verse 28, "this" (in "this is My blood of the new covenant"), is neuter and must refer to the cup and not the contents thereof. So "this cup represents My blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many, for the remission of sins." At what is called the last supper, this new covenant was made. In that last supper, the Lord was not instituting anything, but was substituting Himself as the sacrificial Lamb ... His body and His blood. There are two different Greek words translated as new: neos, which means new as to time, and kainos, which means new as to quality. In Verse 29, the Lord said He would not drink of the fruit of the vine until He drank it new (kainos) with us in His Father's kingdom. The fruit of the vine is now in the realm of the Spirit. Further, there is a big difference between being born again or "saved" and going to heaven one day on the one hand and the kingdom of God on the other hand.
Now let us consider the verses that are most commonly read when Christian churches serve "communion" of bread and wine.
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.22 What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:24 And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew [or proclaim] the Lord's death till He come.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.30 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.31 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.32 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.33 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home: that ye come not together unto condemnation.34 And the rest will I set in order when I come.1 Corinthians 11:20-34
Verses 20-22 and 33-34 clearly are talking about eating natural food ... a social meal at what the early church called a love feast. Further, Paul is rebuking those members of the Church at Corinth for their self-centeredness and lack of denying self, a prerequisite for being a disciple of the Lord.
The verses in between, Verses 23-32, refer primarily to our attitude or heart as we partake of that natural meal. The "wherefore" in Verse 33 clearly ties Verses 23-32 together with Verses 20-22. Paul exhorts us to have that same mind or attitude that was in Christ, which was a denial of self-will. Jesus came to do the will of the Father and to serve and please the Father, not Himself. Even though the Lord knew that he would be betrayed, that same night He nevertheless remained a servant to all. Paul is saying the same thing as in,
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God:7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:4-8
I remember vividly a night some 35 years ago, when, as was our custom, our house church had a potluck dinner on Sunday nights in the home of one of the elders, followed by a teaching. I was the third from last person to go through the buffet line to get natural food. By that time, the food was rapidly disappearing. I could see that there was scarcely enough food for the last four people. However, the young man in front of me in the line apparently had no thought for anyone else except himself because he piled his plate full of food, leaving almost nothing for the three behind him. He was only interested in satisfying his hunger. At that point, the hostess reached into her cabinet and pulled out a jar of peanut butter, which was her meal for the evening. He did not proclaim the Lord's death by his actions. He ate the bread and drank the cup of the Lord unworthily, as in Verses 26 and 27, above. He did not discern the Lord's body. He also was weak and sickly and slept prior to his normal life span of years on this earth.
Let us re-visit 1 Corinthians 11.
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:24 And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.25 After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew [or proclaim] the Lord's death till He come.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Those Verses cannot possibly be speaking in the natural realm about natural bread and natural wine or grape juice. It is true that when Jesus spoke those words that He really did take natural bread, broke it, and gave it to the twelve. However, He said "this bread." The natural bread that He broke 2000 years ago no longer exists. If it did still exist it would be rather dried up and musty. So no one today can partake of "this" bread that He passed out. Jesus never said to take some bread 2000 years later that you bake or buy in a grocery store and eat it. Further natural bread at what men call the Last Supper was not then the body of Christ nor has it ever been so. Neither you nor I look like a loaf of bread. The same parallel exists for the cup, regardless of what was in the cup.
Now let us consider Verse 26: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come." "Till He come" either refers to His literal second coming (parousia) or His apocalypse (coming spiritually in His saints). The balance of Scripture heavily favors the first interpretation, His parousia.
But now, what does it mean to "shew His death?" The Greek word translated as "shew" is most commonly translated as preach. The most effective demonstration of preaching is by our lives ... by our actions which evidence the fruit of the Spirit. The kingdom of God is not in word but in power. Others may argue with or disagree with our words but no one can argue with a changed life that now exhibits the fruit of the Spirit. In the context of 1 Corinthians 11:26, "shew" means to preach or proclaim by our lives ... by our identification with the death of Jesus. It is by crucifying the old man that we make the death of Christ our own. We show His death by showing our death to self. It means we are dead in Christ; it means that the life we now live in the flesh is no longer I or mine but Christ Who lives within us. It is His life, not ours. It means we deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him and His ways. Anyone can eat some natural bread and drink some natural wine or grape juice. It is not quite so easy to die to self. In fact it is impossible without the power of the Holy Ghost working within us. Even then, we must cooperate.
Verse 27: "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord."
How can anyone eat this bread and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily? We can say it dozens of ways. By having a form of Godliness but denying (or not allowing) the power thereof; by frustrating the grace of God by relying on our own righteousness; by exhibiting a false humility rather than the humility brought about by the Holy Spirit; by having on a wedding garment not furnished by the Host (Matthew 22:11); by trying to climb up some other way (John 10:1).
One last question ... why did the Lord use the metaphor and symbology of natural bread and the cup? He could have been very explicit. Our answer is the same as why the Lord Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables. Further, if we can understand the ways and wisdom of the Lord with our natural minds, we don't need the Holy Ghost to teach us. When Jesus walked the face of the earth, He said some things that no man understood; for example in the sixth chapter of John, when Jesus said,
One last question ... why did the Lord use the metaphor and symbology of natural bread and the cup? He could have been very explicit. Our answer is the same as why the Lord Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables. Further, if we can understand the ways and wisdom of the Lord with our natural minds, we don't need the Holy Ghost to teach us. When Jesus walked the face of the earth, He said some things that no man understood; for example in the sixth chapter of John, when Jesus said,
53b Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.54 Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:53-54
At the time when Jesus walked the face of the earth, the people, even His disciples, could only understand with their natural minds. There were two exceptions: (1) when the Father revealed to Peter that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:13-17); and (2) when the resurrected Jesus opened the eyes of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24: 13-32). The disciples still had no understanding just before the ascension of the resurrected Lord, in Acts 1:6. It was only on and after the day of Pentecost that the Holy Ghost began to reveal Jesus and His teachings and ways to His disciples.
The Real Communion
The real communion is koinonia with the Father and with His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and with the Holy Ghost. It is a relationship, an identification with the Lord Jesus in every respect, including His suffering, His death, His burial, His resurrection, His ascension, His intercession, and His weeping over spiritual Jerusalem. It is being in Christ (which means far more than being born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit), abiding in the Vine, walking in the Light. It is a mystery in the realm of the Spirit but it is more real than any natural-level event.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13:14God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ. Ephesians 3:9
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:51 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies,2 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. Philippians 3:10
3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1 John 1:3, 6-7
One last thought. The definition of idolatry (Columbia Encyclopedia) is the substitution of that which is natural for that which is intended to be spiritual. Only the Holy Ghost can quicken to you the significance of this word. May He illuminate your mind and spirit in this and all other things.
No comments:
Post a Comment