Here is a subject that requires careful study of the Word of God. Like baptism, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper is generally misunderstood and there seems to have arisen many substitutes for the real thing. The only references to the

Lord's Supper in the New Testament are the Gospels' accounts in Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke 22:7-20, and in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians (in which he actually rebukes the church for its serious disorders at the Lord's table) – 1 Corinthians 10:14-22 and 11:17-34. Before doing this lesson, carefully read each of these passages above.

I. WHAT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER?

A. Notice the Scriptural Terminology

What is an ordinance?

It is “an outward rite appointed by Christ to be administered in the church as a visible sign of the saving truth of the Christian faith.”

There are only three Bible terms:

1. C__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ (1 Corinthians 10:16)

2. The L__ __ __ ' __ T__ __ __ __ (1 Corinthians 10:21)

3. The L__ __ __ ' __ S__ __ __ __ __ (1 Corinthians 11:20)

The Bible does not use the following terms: “The Mass,” “Holy Communion,” and “Eucharist.”

B. It is an O__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of the church.

(1 Cor 11:2) “Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” (1 Cor 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. . . .”

In 1 Corinthians 11:2 and 23 the connecting phrase “…I delivered unto you . . .” shows that the Lord’s Supper is one of those ordinances Paul delivered.

C. When we partake of the Lord's Supper, we:

1. Do it in R__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25).

2. Do S__ __ __ the Lord's death (1 Corinthians 11:26).

D. Is the observance of the Lord's Supper commanded, or is it a choice?

See: 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25.

It is .

II. WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM OF THE LORD'S SUPPER?

A. The Elements of the Supper

1. Unleavened B__ __ __ __ (Matthew 26:17, 26; 1 Corinthians 11:23)

2. The F__ __ __ __ of the V__ __ __ (Matthew 26:29)

NOTE: 1 Corinthians uses the term, the C __ __

(1 Corinthians 11:25, 26)

B. The Symbolism Of The Bread

The bread pictures the B__ __ __ __ __ B__ __ __ of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:24). This reminds us of the terrible suffering of our Lord, though not a bone in His body was broken. Read: Isaiah 52:14; Isaiah 53:4-7; Matthew 27:29-31; John 19:31-37.

C. The Symbolism Of The Cup

The cup (grape juice) pictures the S__ __ __

B__ __ __ __ of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 11:25). This reminds us that without the shedding of the blood of Christ, there could be no R__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ of sin (Hebrews 9:22).

Read 1 Peter 1:18,19.

D. The Purpose Of The Lord's Supper

Like the ordinance of baptism, the Lord's Supper is a picture of Jesus Christ.

1. Baptism is a picture of our Lord's D__ __ __ __ , B__ __ __ __ __ , and

R__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ .

2. When we observe the Lord’s Supper we set forth symbolically the L__ __ __ ' __ D__ __ __ __ until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

III. WHO SHOULD OBSERVE THE LORD'S SUPPER?

A. According to Matthew 26:20, who was present when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper (during a pre-Passover meal)? ________________________

B. According to 1 Corinthians 12:28a, what did this group of people constitute? The C__ __ __ __ __ .

C. Compare: Matthew 26:30 and Hebrews 2:12

The Lord's Supper was instituted in the

C__ __ __ __ __ .

Note: No where does the Bible refer to “wine” as part of the Lord's Supper. Alcoholic (fermented) wine is a result of the action of yeast (leaven). Leaven is a symbol of sin – 1 Corinthians 5:6, 7. Thus alcoholic wine and leavened bread would be invalid symbols of the sinless Son of God.

D. Look up: 1 Corinthians 11:17-21

The Apostle Paul is rebuking the church at Corinth for turning the simple memorial Supper into a drunken orgy-type feast. However, note the following:

v.17 – “ye C__ __ __ T__ __ __ __ __ __ __ .”

v.18 – “ye come together in the C__ __ __ __ __ .”

v.20 – “ye come together into O__ __ P__ __ __ __ .”

E. According to 1 Corinthians 1:2a, to whom was this letter initially addressed?

“…the C__ __ __ __ __ of God which is at

C__ __ __ __ __ __ .”

F. Conclusion: The Lord's Supper is a church ordinance. It is given to the Lord's churches to observe.

IV. HOW DO WE OBSERVE THE LORD’S SUPPER?

A. How Often?

The Bible does not give a definite time to observe the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:26 simply says,

“A__ O__ __ __ __ A__ .”

B. According to 1 Corinthians 11:28, the observance of the Lord’s Supper should be preceded by solemn

self-E__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

Note: Eating “unworthily” means “in an unworthy manner” as the context shows (verse 29).

Note: The word “damnation” means “severe judgment” (even physical death) (verse 30).

C. When observing the Lord’s Supper, the elements are distributed to the members, then all eat (or drink) together.

D. Following the observance of the Lord's Supper, the meeting closes with the singing of an H__ __ __ (Matthew 26:30).

V. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE ROMAN CATHOLIC “MASS”?

This section is included because the vast amount of confusion regarding the meaning and benefit of the Lord's Supper.

A. What Are Roman Catholics Taught?

1. The “mass” is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

Who is really present on the altar. The priest offers him to God for the living and the dead.

2. Upon the words of consecration by the priest, “Hocest corpus meum,” the wafer and the alcoholic wine literally change into the real flesh and blood of Christ. This is called “transubstantiation.”

3. That observance of the mass is a means of grace (part of salvation) whereby the person actually eats the real flesh of Jesus. They believe it is a

mortal sin to not receive “Holy Communion” at Easter.

B. How Did This Teaching Originate?

The doctrine of transubstantiation can be traced to the 9th Century writings of Paschasius Radburtus. It was declared a doctrine by Pope Innocent III in 1215 AD at the Council of Lateran IV. It is “based” upon a misinterpretation of Matthew 26:26-28 and John 6:53-58.

C. What Does The Bible Have To Say?

1. Eating blood is forbidden by the Law (Leviticus 17:10; Matthew 5:17).

2. Idolatry is forbidden (1 John 5:21; Exodus 20:4-5). Roman Catholics are taught to worship the “Host.”

3. Jesus spoke symbolically in Matthew 26 because He was literally present. “This is my body” means “This represents My body.” An exact word-for-word interpretation of this passage would also require the same for every passage, for example, Matthew 16:23. Uh! Oh! (Roman Catholics are also taught that Peter was the first pope, and Jesus just called him Satan!)

4. Jesus explains John 6:53-58 by John 6:63. This passage refers to a spiritual partaking of Jesus Christ, Who is metaphorically the “Living Bread” (John 6:51).

5. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ was sufficient and once and for all. The continual, repetitious “sacrifice” of Christ by Roman Catholic priests is a denial of the finished work of Christ. See: John 19:30; Hebrews 10:10-12.

6. How can a priest make Christ? The creature cannot make the Creator!