COMMUNION When should we partake? Acts 20:7 Who should partake? Luke 22:30
Biblical Terms
Communion Lord's Supper Lord's Table Memorial Breaking Bread
2 Issues
WHEN – When, how often, how seldom? Should we partake every week? Can we partake on other days?
WHO – Closed / Open Communion Who should / should not partake?
WHEN TO PARTAKE
Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
This is a binding example
WHEN TO PARTAKE
An example is binding when it illustrates a requirement
First day of the week is required1 Corinthians 16:1-2
Assembly is required – Hebrews 10:25 Communion is required –
1 Corinthians 11:20 Communion required in the assembly
– 1 Corinthians 11:18
What about Saturday night?
Acts 20:7 On Saturday evening we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day. (Good News Translation)
What about Saturday night?
Same phrase “first day of the week” - Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; 1 Corinthians 16:2
Roman Time – midnight / midnight They met on Sunday evening Had communion Paul preached till midnight
What about Saturday night?
Jewish Time – sunset / sunset They met on (what we would
call Saturday evening) To the Jew – Saturday was
over – it was now Sunday Paul preached till midnight
What about Saturday night?
Either View – the facts are the same The Lord's Supper was part of their
regular worship assembly. They met on the first day of the
week Not Saturday or Thursday Not monthly or semi-annually
What about Sunday night?
Most congregations offer communion on Sunday evening
For those unable to attend at the morning worship (sick, work, stay with a sick child)
What about Sunday night?
NOT FOR: Those who stay out late Saturday
night and sleep in Those who fish, play ball or golf on
Sunday morning
What about Sunday night?
What is the difference? Those who partake Sunday morning
and watches TV at night? OR Those who do play in the
morning and partake at night?
WHO SHOULD PARTAKE?
Some denominations practice “closed communion” - only members of that congregation can partake.
Some denominations practice “open communion” - pass the trays and allow all present to partake or not, their choice
WHO SHOULD PARTAKE?
Citizens of the kingdom – Luke 22:30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
WHO SHOULD PARTAKE?
Remember His death – 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
WHO SHOULD PARTAKE?
Respect His shed blood – 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
WHO SHOULD PARTAKE?
Those who examine themselves – 1 Corinthians 11:27-28 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
