For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come (1 Corinthians 11:26, KJV).

ABSTRACT

The Lord’s Supper, known as Communion, serves as a sacred ordinance in Christian worship, drawing from biblical roots to symbolize unity with Christ and the community while calling for self-examination and spiritual nourishment. This rite, grounded in Scripture, emphasizes purging sin, fostering harmony, and reflecting divine love through preparation and reconciliation. Applicable to daily life, it reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice, urging the community toward holiness and mutual support in a divided world.

SACRED SYMBOLS SUMMON!

The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion, stands as a central pillar of Christian worship. Rooted in biblical tradition and upheld by the early church, this sacred ordinance symbolizes a profound unity with Christ and the community. The significance of this rite extends across faith traditions, providing both spiritual nourishment and a call to sincere self-examination. Understanding its foundational principles helps us appreciate its spiritual depth and relevance. Christ establishes the emblems as representations of His sacrifice, as seen when Scripture declares, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16, KJV). In addition, Jesus affirms the necessity of partaking spiritually, stating, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you” (John 6:53, KJV). Ellen G. White explains the memorial aspect, writing, “The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was given to commemorate the great deliverance wrought out as the result of the death of Christ. Till He shall come the second time in power and glory, this ordinance is to be celebrated. It is the means by which His great work for us is to be kept fresh in our minds” (The Desire of Ages, p. 652, 1898). A passage from The Desire of Ages further reminds us, “Christ is still at the table on which the paschal supper has been spread. The unleavened cakes used at the Passover season are before Him. The Passover wine, untouched by fermentation, is on the table. These emblems Christ employs to represent His own unblemished sacrifice” (The Desire of Ages, p. 653, 1898). This ordinance invites us to ongoing remembrance and renewal. What foundational elements from Scripture shape our approach to this sacred rite?

PASSOVER POWER REVEALED!

The roots of the Lord’s Supper trace back to the Passover. Exodus 12:15 (KJV) commands, “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses.” Here, leaven represents sin, and its removal signifies spiritual cleansing. The Apostle Paul echoes this concept in 1 Corinthians 5:7-13, urging us to “purge out” the old leaven to partake of the communion service in sincerity and truth. Ellen G. White reinforces this principle, stating that the church must “purge the camp” of persistent sin to preserve its sanctity (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 107). These insights remind us that approaching the communion table requires a heart free from defilement and a life committed to Christ. Scripture further illustrates this cleansing, proclaiming, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27, KJV). Moreover, the word declares, “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Corinthians 5:7, KJV). Through inspired counsel we are told, “As He ate the Passover with His disciples, He instituted in its place the service that was to be the memorial of His great sacrifice” (Counsels for the Church, p. 298, 1991). The inspired pen adds, “The symbols of the Lord’s house are simple and plainly understood, and the truths represented by them are of the deepest significance to us” (Counsels for the Church, p. 298, 1991). This connection underscores the need for purity in worship. How does self-reflection prepare us for such sacred participation?

INNER INSPECTION IMPERATIVE!

Participation in the Lord’s Supper demands careful self-reflection. In 1 Corinthians 11:28-29, Paul writes, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.” This solemn warning emphasizes the need for introspection and repentance before engaging in this sacred act. Sr. White echoes Paul’s caution, advising that proper instruction and heartfelt prayer must precede the ordinance (People of the Ark, p. 309). This preparation fosters humility, allowing each of us to approach the table in faith and with a clear conscience. How often do we pause to assess our spiritual condition before participating in sacred acts? This practice not only protects the sanctity of the Lord’s Supper but also deepens our connection with God. Christ highlights the gravity, as Scripture notes, “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31, KJV). In addition, the Bible teaches, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV). A prophetic voice once wrote, “None should exclude themselves from the Communion because some who are unworthy may be present. Every disciple is called upon to participate publicly, and thus bear witness that he accepts Christ as a personal Saviour” (The Desire of Ages, p. 656, 1898). In Pastoral Ministry we read, “The salvation of men depends upon a continual application to their hearts of the cleansing blood of Christ. Therefore, the Lord’s Supper was not to be observed only occasionally or yearly, but more frequently than the annual passover” (Pastoral Ministry, p. 170, 1995). This emphasis on examination safeguards our spiritual integrity. What role does unity play in enhancing this sacred experience?

BODY BONDED BOLD!

Unity among the community forms the foundation of the Lord’s Supper. Paul’s appeal in 1 Corinthians 1:10 is clear: “That ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Divisions within the church threaten the sanctity of this ordinance. The communal bread, as described in 1 Corinthians 10:17, represents the unity of the community as one body in Christ. Sr. White highlights that true unity with Christ leads to harmony among the community (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 47). This unity is not merely symbolic but practical, requiring reconciliation of differences and a commitment to love and cooperation. In a world rife with division, the Lord’s Supper stands as a call to collective spiritual alignment and mutual support. Scripture supports this bond, stating, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you” (1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV). Furthermore, the word affirms, “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, KJV). Through inspired counsel we learn, “In partaking with His disciples of the bread and wine, Christ pledged Himself to them as their Redeemer. He committed to them the new covenant, by which all who receive Him become children of God, and joint heirs with Christ” (The Desire of Ages, p. 656, 1898). A passage from Counsels for the Church reminds us, “Christ’s example forbids exclusiveness at the Lord’s Supper” (Counsels for the Church, p. 298, 1991). This communal focus strengthens our shared faith. How do these principles mirror divine affection in our observance?

DIVINE DEVOTION DISPLAYED!

The principles underlying the Lord’s Supper reflect God’s profound love. By inviting us to partake, God extends an opportunity for renewed fellowship and spiritual growth. The command to “purge out” sin (1 Corinthians 5:7) demonstrates His desire for holiness among His people, while the call for unity (1 Corinthians 10:17) reveals His intention for collective harmony. Sr. White observes that “God’s love calls for earnest preparation before sacred ordinances” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 108). Through self-examination and communal reconciliation, we experience His transformative grace. These acts mirror Christ’s love, fostering a spirit of repentance and renewal that extends to all aspects of life. Scripture illustrates this love, declaring, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, KJV). Additionally, the Bible states, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10, KJV). In The Desire of Ages we read, “The Communion service points to Christ’s second coming. It was designed to keep this hope vivid in the minds of the disciples” (The Desire of Ages, p. 659, 1898). A prophetic voice shares, “And the administration of the Sacrament was to keep before the disciples the infinite sacrifice made for each of them individually as a part of the great whole of fallen humanity” (Counsels for the Church, p. 298, 1991). This reflection inspires ongoing devotion. How can we apply these truths in contemporary settings?

MODERN MARVELS MANIFEST!

How can we uphold the sanctity of the Lord’s Supper? For individuals, this means engaging in personal reflection, confessing sins, and seeking forgiveness. For the church community, it involves collective discernment and mutual accountability. As Sr. White notes, the church is entrusted with maintaining the sacredness of its ordinances (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 107-108). In society, the principles of communion challenge us to prioritize unity and integrity. Whether in addressing conflicts within our congregations or extending grace to others, we reflect the love of Christ when we model His example. The Lord’s Supper is more than a ritual; it is a living testimony of God’s redemptive power. Scripture guides this application, noting, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40, KJV). Moreover, the word encourages, “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24, KJV). Through inspired counsel we are advised, “When believers assemble to celebrate the ordinances, there are present messengers unseen by human eyes” (The Desire of Ages, p. 656, 1898). In Pastoral Ministry we find, “In instituting the sacramental service to take the place of the Passover, Christ left for His church a memorial of His great sacrifice for man. ‘This do,’ He said, ‘in remembrance of Me’” (Pastoral Ministry, p. 169, 1995). This practical engagement vitalizes our witness. What final commitments does this ordinance inspire in us?

HOLINESS HEROES HARMONIZE!

The Lord’s Supper serves as a sacred reminder of Christ’s sacrifice and the unity of His body, the church. Its observance demands purity, preparation, and reconciliation. As Paul’s writings and Sr. White’s insights reveal, this ordinance is both a personal commitment and a communal responsibility. Through sincere self-examination and collective unity, we honor the sanctity of this sacred rite. Let us approach the Lord’s table with reverence, embracing its profound significance and reflecting God’s love in every aspect of our lives. In doing so, we fulfill the divine purpose of communion, becoming living witnesses of His grace and truth. Scripture encapsulates this harmony, affirming, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1, KJV). Additionally, the Bible declares, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13, KJV). A passage from The Desire of Ages emphasizes, “As we receive the bread and wine symbolizing Christ’s broken body and spilled blood, we in imagination join in the scene of Communion in the upper chamber. We seem to be passing through the garden consecrated by the agony of Him who bore the sins of the world” (The Desire of Ages, p. 661, 1898). Through inspired counsel we learn, “The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was given to commemorate the great deliverance wrought out as the result of the death of Christ” (Counsels for the Church, p. 298, 1991). This culmination calls us to enduring faithfulness.

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SELF-REFLECTION

How can I, in my personal devotional life, delve deeper into the truths of the Lord’s Supper, allowing them to shape my character and priorities?

How can we adapt these themes of unity and self-examination to be understandable and relevant to diverse audiences, from seasoned church members to new seekers or those from different faith traditions, without compromising theological accuracy?

What are the most common misconceptions about Communion in my community, and how can I gently but effectively correct them using Scripture and the writings of Sr. White?

In what practical ways can our local congregations and individual members become more vibrant beacons of truth and hope, living out the reality of Christ’s sacrifice and the call to harmony?