Many people have questions about the Lord’s Supper. What is it? When and how frequently is it to be observed? Where is it to be observed?
While it is called the “Lord’s supper” in 1 Corinthians 11:20, it is also referred to as “the communion” in 1 Corinthians 10:16, the “Lord’s table” (by synecdoche) in 1 Corinthians 10:21, and “breaking of bread” in Acts 2:42 and Acts 20:7. The term “last supper” is not used in the Bible of the Lord’s supper.
Some people confuse the Lord’s supper with the Jewish Passover. Though the Lord’s Supper was established by Jesus during His last Passover, even incorporating some Passover elements, the Lord’s Supper is not the Passover! According to 1 Corinthians 5:7, Christ Himself is our “Passover,” not the Lord’s supper! The Lord’s supper is the “communion of the body and blood” of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16). The word “communion” is from a Greek word (koinonia) which means fellowship or joint participation. It involves sharing in some activity. Thus, the Lord’s supper is fellowship with Christ, particularly in relationship to His sacrifice on the cross.
Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper at the end of His final Passover observance. Matthew 26:26-29 says,
“As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to his disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’” (Note: The institution of the Lord’s supper is also recorded in Mark 14:22-25 and Luke 22:14-20.)
The “bread” that Jesus “took” would have been the “unleavened bread” that was present for the Passover (this is mentioned earlier in Matthew 26:17). The drink is described as “fruit of the vine.” No New Testament passage uses the word “wine” for the drink of the Lord’s supper. Of course, even if it were so used, the Greek word for “wine” (oinos) does not in itself suggest anything about whether or not the “wine” is fermented or unfermented. Suffice it to say that no New Testament passage can be found that specifically authorizes the use of alcoholic wine for the Lord’s supper. From what we know about the “vine” fruit of Palestine, there can be no doubt that Jesus referred to the juice of the grape, not watermelons or other fruits that grow in vines.
The Lord’s Supper was established by Jesus as a memorial supper. It is observed as a reminder of the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross. This is obvious from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:24 and 25 where he quotes Jesus as twice saying, “Do this in remembrance of me.” People attach various meanings to the Lord’s Supper, but the Bible teaches that it serves the purpose of reminding us of Christ’s death. The bread represents His body and the juice represents His blood. By observing the supper, Christians “show the Lord’s death” (1 Cor. 11:26). It is presumptuous for people to attach purposes for the supper that the Lord never mentioned, intended or authorized.
As I mentioned earlier, Jesus established the Lord’s Supper just after His final Passover observance. The Passover was also a “memorial” meal. God said, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial” (Exodus 12:14). The Passover ordinance was intended to remind the Jews of the time when God “passed over” the blood-marked houses of the Jews and struck Egypt’s firstborn with death (Exodus 12:27). Some people might not think that they need to be regularly reminded of such a monumental event, but history, experience and observance show that humans are forgetful and neglectful. The wisdom of God is plainly seen in His institution of the Lord’s Supper, and His command to “do this” makes its observance a matter of faith.
Though it is referred to as a “supper” in 1 Corinthians 11:20, the Lord’s Supper is not intended as a means of satisfying physical hunger. Paul said, “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home…” (1 Cor. 11:34). He had earlier said, “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not” (1 Cor. 11:22). Clearly, the purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to remind partakers — not to fill them. The emphasis is spiritual, not physical. While it is true that no Scripture dictates or indicates how much unleavened bread we are to eat or juice we are to drink, we do know that the Lord’s Supper is not a common meal. Small quantities of the elements are sufficient to serve as reminders of the body and blood of Christ.
The Lord’s Supper is to be observed in an assembly and only upon the first day of the week. For us, this is “Sunday,” though the name of the day is irrelevant. Acts 20:7 says, “On the first day of the week, when the disciples gathered together to break bread, Paul preached to them…” It should be noted that the day of Pentecost was also on the first day of the week and the first Christians observed the Lord’s Supper on that day (Acts 2:42). Chapters 11, 14 and 16 of the first Corinthians letter address items of worship, and giving was to be done in the assembly “upon the first day of every week” (1 Cor. 16:2). As we have noted, 1 Corinthians 11 addresses the Lord’s Supper and limits it to the church assembly (1 Cor. 11:20, 33). The Corinthian church assembled upon the first day of the week. Acts 20:7 does not contain the word “every,” but we know that every week has a first day, thus Christians are to observe the Lord’s Supper in an assembly upon the first day of every week.
—Tim Haile