The Lord’s Supper has been lovingly practiced upon the first day of every week by faithful members of the church of Christ since the birth of the church on Pentecost (Acts 2:42; 20:7). This distinctive feature of worship in the Lord’s church is to be recognized as a sacred and holy event in memory of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and His cruel death on the cross of Calvary for our sins, as well as reminding us that He will come again. This sacred memorial, given by the Lord Himself, is strictly a New Testament ordinance, and one which was never practiced in the Old Law of Moses. It is a permanent kingdom institution, to be observed among the Lord’s disciples who have entered into the Lord’s church, until He comes again (Luke 22:29-30).
Jesus’ Teaching Clear
“The Lord’s Supper” (1 Corinthians 11:20), “the Lord’s table” (1 Corinthians 10:21), “the breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42) and “the communion” (1 Corinthians 10:16) are all Bible terms that have reference to the blessed memorial instituted by our Lord on the night of His betrayal before the cross (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20). However, due to various confusing denominational teachings concerning the communion, about which Catholics make reference in speaking of one of seven “sacraments” (ordinances made by their church) and Protestantism defines as one of two sacraments, ignorance reigns with the multitudes, and often questions arise in the minds of the honest Bible student! It has always been our plea, and we now again strongly encourage for proper understanding in all spiritual subjects, that all use Bible terms in order to have clear Bible understanding (1 Peter 4: 11).
Some of the Questions and Answers
We are often asked: Who can partake? (Answer: the Lord’s disciples, Acts 2:42). Can one who is not a member of the church partake? (Answer: Not correctly, Romans 6:16-18). Should we partake every first day of the week? (Answer: Yes! We have an approved, apostolic example, which is equal to a direct command, Acts 20:7). Is partaking connected, like repentance and prayer, to the forgiveness of sins? (Answer: No, obedience removes our sins, not partaking of the Lord’s Supper, Hebrews 5:8-9; 7:25; Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:7). Must the emblems be only unleavened bread and fruit of the vine? (Answer: Yes, that is all Jesus used, Matthew 26:26-29). With prayer, do these emblems become the literal body and blood of the Lord? (Answer: No. It is still bread and fruit of the vine after prayer, 1 Corinthians 11:24-26). Do we have Bible teaching for practicing “closed communion,” where the congregation votes on who are worthy to partake and who are not? (Answer: No!) Most of the questions can be easily answered by a simple study of the texts dealing with the institution made by the Lord.
Who Is Worthy?
Another question perhaps more often asked, “Who is worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper?” Our brief answer would be, “No one!” We do not know, nor have we ever known, any who claimed to be or were “worthy” to partake of the Communion, or for that matter “worthy” of any act of worship we practice! Neither do we know of any who are “worthy” to obey and become children of the Lord (cf. 1 John 3:1-3). We must rather come to the Lord for His mercy with the attitude of the Prodigal Son: “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants” (Luke 15:18-19). While it is true that people in transgression, who refuse to be obedient to Christ (Luke 6:46), should not sit at the Lord’s table, nor approach in any way except in repentance, the Lord’s redeemed people are commanded to assemble and partake in “the breaking of bread” on the first day of every week (Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25; 1 Corinthians 10:14-22; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17). It is not because we are “worthy” that we come to the Lord’s Table, but because we honor Him who made us worthy by forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7).
Misunderstanding
The problem of being “worthy” to partake generally arises in a misunderstanding of the term “unworthily” (1 Corinthians 11:27). This does not take into consideration those who are “worthy” and who are not! Rather this verse has reference to the manner of partaking the Supper. The word “unworthily” is an adverb of manner. Paul spoke to the spiritually weak and sickly Corinthians, who came to the Communion in an unholy, careless, irreverent, frame of mind, thinking of this memorial with no more thought than they would a common meal! He taught them, and us, that the proper manner of partaking must be reverent, thoughtful and remembering our Lord’s sacrifice for us, as well as His coming again! This is the worthy manner that will keep us from partaking “unworthily” wherein we would cast contempt on Christ!
