The Lord’s Supper and baptism are two ordinances or sacraments instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. The Lord’s Supper commemorates the suffering and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the Cross for the sins of mankind. Baptism on the other hand, is a demonstration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as it pertains to the believer. These ordinances are observed by Christian denotations, usually on Sunday (the Lord’s Day).
Christians around the world rejoice in this wonderful and foundational truth “that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3.4). This bears testimony to the fact that Christ died for our sins. He died to pay the penalty that our sins deserved.
The “emblems” chosen by the Lord to commemorate His death are bread and wine. This is recorded in Matthew 26:26-29 at the institution of the Lord’s Supper. Why bread and wine, one may ask? “Bread has to pass through many tortures before it becomes food to us.” C. H. Spurgeon explains. “The wheat was sown in the ground. It was buried, it sprang up, it was exposed to cold winds and to hot sunshine before it ripened—and then it was cut down by a sharp sickle. After being cut down, it was threshed, then it was ground into flour, then the dough was kneaded into bread, which was baked in an oven and cut with a knife—all of which processes may be used as images of suffering. So the broken bread which we eat at the communion sets forth the suffering of Jesus. And the juice of the grape also sets forth suffering, for the clusters from the vine are flung together into the winepress, and trodden by the feet of men, or otherwise pressed until their life-blood spurts forth. Even so was the Savior pressed in the winepress of JEHOVAH’s wrath till His blood was poured forth on our behalf.” (A sermon by C.H. Spurgeon on Sept. 2, 1877 at Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington).
The Lord’s Supper (or Holy Communion) is the greatest and grandest expression of the Christian faith. Therefore, it must be celebrated or observed with utmost care, respect, reverence, and gratitude. Whereas, bread or the “wafer” and wine or grape juice are household items, they become very sacred when administered at the Lord’s Supper. Christians must always be mindful of the order and true meaning of the Lord’s Supper. These items are not intended for those who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior. One must first be saved to fully appreciate what the death and shed blood of Jesus means.
The apostle Paul sets forth ‘prerequisites’ for participation at the Lord’s Supper. “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:27-31). Note it is self-examination and no one else to examine.
Partaking of the Lord’s Supper is not literally ”eating the flesh and drinking the blood” of the Lord Jesus. Rather, it is an essential reminder of what Jesus has done for us in His death, burial, and resurrection. And that in ceaseless love “I am His and He is mine” for time and all eternity. It is also a reminder that the Lord’s Supper is celebrated only until He comes. “For as often as you eat this bead and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). With this in mind, believers should therefore embrace each opportunity to remember the Lord in His divinely chosen and appointed way.
When it comes to the frequency of the Lord’s Supper, the Scripture is not specific in that it says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaims the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Note the words, “For as often.” Church leaders set the frequency. Some Churches observe this ordinance on a weekly basis. Others on a monthly basis. Still others two or three times per year, which can hardly be considered frequent. It is believed that the disciples met together on the first day of the week to remember the Lord. Paul states, “On the first day of the week when we were gathered together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). Some individuals and Churches refer to the Lord’s Supper as “to break bread.” The main principle is that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ gather together to proclaim His death until He returns.
And rest on Calvary,
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice,
I must remember thee”
(James Montgomery 1771-1854).
Since the Lord’s Supper is a memorial occasion, we are bound to offer to the Lord our heartfelt thanksgiving and worship for His atoning sacrifice on the Cross. We also rejoice in the fact that we are awaiting His return when faith will become sight. Dr Charles Stanley writes, “The Lord’s Supper not only looks back at Christ’s sacrifice and gives Him praise for His great gift of salvation to us, but it also looks ahead to that day when we will see Him again and enjoy our heavenly home with Him for ever” (Charles F Stanley, Life Principles Bible p.1374).
May it be our resolve to enter into the true spirit of remembering the Lord with reverence and godly fear until the day of His return dawns and the shadows flee away. Amen.