Everybody, Christian and Christendom,
Celebrates this Simple Ordinance
This simple Church ordinance flies under several different names. Some call it eucharist {blessing}, Mass {mission}, communion {sharing} and Lord’s Supper {more properly refers to the Agape meal of the early church than to the ordinance} {Lord’s Supper}. Beyond the obvious I never gave the celebration much thought as it seemed so obvious: memorial to Christ’s sacrifice for sin. Right? Well, an event occurred that forced me to look closely at this ordinance to discern its true meaning.
I attended a wedding in an Episcopal church and Communion was going to be offered to those present as a sign of unity with the Bride and Groom, and with Christ. I do not agree with the Episcopalian approach to this ordinance which is consubstantiation {Christ is spiritually present with the elements versus transubstantiation, the elements are literally turned into the body and blood of Christ}. In addition, I believe the Episcopal church teaches another gospel other than the gospel of the Bible (1Co 3:3-15). Thus, I was prohibited of worshipping with them as wold be identifying with their gospel (2Co 6:14-18). This would set a confusing example to my family and to those whom I had witnessed with. Family members challenged me on this, vigorously. Now, I am not really a debater. I analyze meaning I think too slowly to be an effective debater. So, I took nearly a full day to understand the actually meaning of this ordinance and give a coherent explanation as to why I could not participate. Needless to say I did not effectively sway anyone’s stance, which again is not unusual. Therefore, I am offering to you my clarified understanding of this ordinance to encourage exploration on your part.
One early church form of Eucharist
Elements are altered by each denomination
We know that Christ instituted the ordinance during His last Passover meal and that it consisted simply of bread and wine. This ordinance was to be performed often as determined by each church. It is believed that the early churches performed this ordinance every Sunday service looking back to the recent death of
Christ and expecting His soon return. After the Protestant Reformation resulting denominations performed this ordinance at various times rather than during each Sunday service. Paul added the admonition that each believer was to search out his own sin and confess it to Christ before partaking of the eucharist {a personal search for leaven}. Every group believes the ordinance looks back to Christ’s death on the stauros for sin. I do not disagree; however, I believe that there is another element that should be considered and understood.
There is no confusion about the blood of Christ aspect of the eucharist. Christ was very clear on this point; He was shedding His blood for the New Covenant. The Old Testament teaches that the life of the body is in the blood (Le 17:11). In essence, Christ is saying that He must spiritually die to pay the penalty for sin. Indeed, He spent three of our hours separated from the Father paying the penalty for sin (Mt 27:46). When He said, “It is finished,” the Father’s wrath against our sin was satisfied. Then He gave up His spirit {died} (Jo 19:28-30). Thus, Christ died spiritually for sin and when He had paid the debt He died physically because He no longer had a need for His fleshly body (Jo 10:17-18). Let us be very clear: Death is merely a separation. Christ was separated from the Father and receiving the wrath of the Father for sin. When He had accomplished this mission He separated from His fleshly body; it was no longer needed. Thus, His blood; i.e., His life was poured out for our sin. We can only stand in awe of such a sacrifice reminiscent of the Ascending Offering, commonly called the Burnt Offering. But, the reference to the bread is less clear.
To Understand the Body’s Role One
Must Ask, “What Good is in the Body?”
First, we must look at the body from the Scriptures. Paul echos his plight which we all understand; saved or lost, no good dwells in the flesh (Ro 7:18). When God made man, He made man from the earth {Old Covenant} (1Co 15:47). First man {Adam} could not resist sin in his own power, as he demonstrated. God challenged Cain, who was raided to be the Messiah, that he had to control his flesh; i.e., his sin: Cain failed when he killed Abel (Ge 4:3-7). Every person since has failed to control the flesh; except for Christ. Christ was given a body of flesh via Mary, His mother (He 10:5-10). Though His body was without sin, like Adam’s, He still had to control the flesh, like God admonished Cain. This was the reason for His temptations (Mt 4:1-11). This was not the only time his flesh tempted Him to sin; I believe this was a continual battle that lasted even on the stauros up till the time God poured out His wrath on Christ for sin. Christ was successful in controlling His flesh for only one reason: To be the Paschal Lamb for sin in a horrific, prolong torture. Thus, when Christ told His Apostles, and us, that His body was given for us; He was speaking literal truth. Yet, if we stop here we miss the most humbling aspect of this ordinance.
Through the Eucharist we not only
Proclaim His death but our failure
Christ did not glory in His own flesh; nor, did He achieve victory over the flesh in His own power! Christ relied solely on the Holy Spirit which is the same as we must do in our lives. This flesh was made solely for this current Creation which was only designed as a temporary edifice until God brought in the New Earth for eternity future. Jeremiah revealed that the heart {flesh} was desperately wicked and no one knew the extent of his own wickedness (Je 17:9). Paul builds on this bemoaning that even though he wants to do God’s will with his mind, his body always sabotages his efforts (Ro 7:18-23). So, what does this reveal to us?
Christ had to come in a fleshly body as a man to die for sinful men {people}. He could not achieve victory simply by not sinning, which He successfully accomplished. He could only achieve victory by not sinning in the flesh and then receive God’s eternal, righteous wrath for sin for those who have been, are and will be saved. Each of us fails to control our flesh, like Paul, both pre and post salvation. When we partake of this ordinance we should ponder upon Christ’s agonizing success in contrast to our deplorable and constant failure. However, in no instance should we glorify the flesh: Christ’s or ours. No good dwells in the flesh and it can do no good. Any good done in the life is through the charisma or out working of the Holy Spirit through us as demonstrated in Christ. When Christ accomplished His mission: He discarded His fleshly body. He received a new body.
Paul goes to great lengths to demonstrate that each believer will do the same. At death we are separated from this body and at our resurrection we will receive a new body obedient to the will of the Father (1Co 15:42-49). This body was never designed to inherit eternity future just as this present Creation was never designed to last forever. The flesh fails at every opportunity it is apart from God. Since we have sin in the flesh we are born apart from God. It is only at salvation when we receive the New Covenant {nature} that we have union with God (2Co 5:17). Thus, the Eucharist is not a time to celebrate but a time to mourn our ongoing failure in the flesh, Christ’s victory over the flesh and His agonizing payment for our sin of which we are totally undeserving: ever!
Churches that stand against the true Gospel of Christ, that teach humanity can bring good on earth, that teach Universalism {all will be saved} and denigrate the Bible cannot have a biblical view of the eucharist. For them it is about victory; however, for them it will be a hollow victory for as each one dies they will instantly confront absolute reality, and it will not be pleasant. How could I join with them when all they practice is against the truth of the Bible? Everyday each person must decide whether to stand with Christ or stand with the world. Through a multiplicity of small decisions the major decision will already be decided should tribulation come to us in our time. I pray for my family.