Here is a brief comparison of the “Lord’s Table” and the “Lord’s Supper”:
| Table of the Lord (1 Cor 10) | The Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11) |
| Principles (“table rules”) | Manner |
| Cooperative privileges, blessings, and responsibility with regard to external relationships | Personal privileges, blessings, and responsibility in relation to the inner attitude |
| Fellowship with our Lord and with one another | Personal blessings in the foreground |
| Who do we break bread with? – Shared responsibility | How do I eat the bread? – Personal responsibility |
| Cooperatively, we have the desire to express that we are “one.” | Personally, everyone desires to think of the Lord Jesus and the Lord’s death. |
The signs
- Bread: speaks of the Lord’s body given into death (Lk 22:19) and of the one body created as a result of his death (1 Cor 10:17).
- Cup: speaks of the Lord’s atoning blood that flowed, i.e., of his life given in death (Lk 22:20).
Why do we break the bread?
- It is his request, his invitation (Lk 22:19).
- to have fellowship with the Lord (1 Cor 10:16)
- to have fellowship with one another (1 Cor 10:17)
- as one body (Eph 4:3, 4; 2:22; 1 Cor 12:13).
- The local assembly is the representation of the whole assembly on the whole earth. What one assembly decides applies to all the others (1 Cor 12:27). We express this unity precisely in the breaking of bread. Therefore, we cannot simply “commute” between different Christian groups that…
– are not in full communion with one another,
– or do not realize the decisions of the other local assemblies
– or come together on the basis that the Bible shows us.
– For God, outward participation means inward fellowship (1 Cor. 10:18). - We proclaim his death before God, the angels, the world, and the whole universe (1 Cor 11:26).
- We do it in remembrance of him (1 Cor 11:24, 25).
Where do we break bread?
It is in connection with the local assembly (1 Cor 11:27, 17, 18, 20, 33).
What do we do when we break bread?
- We offer thanks, praise, worship, and adoration to God and the Lord Jesus (1 Pet 2:5; Heb 13:15; John 4:23).
- We have Himself as our center (Lk 22:19).
- We remember our great Savior and proclaim His death (1 Cor 11:26).
- We eat of the bread and drink from the cup (1 Cor 10:16; 11:26).
- We realize fellowship with the Lord and with one another.
When do we break bread?
Every first day of the week – a new beginning (Acts 20:7).
Who takes part in the breaking of bread?
- Basically, it is a matter for the Lord because it is His table, His meal and He is the host and Lord (of the house).
- In principle, every child of God has a place at the Lord’s table.
- Yet he has given the local assembly the responsibility to decide who – according to the criteria of the Bible – is received and who is not (Mt 18:17.18; 1 Cor 5:6-8) ->, e.g., Isa 26:1.2; 2 Chr 23:19.
- What are these criteria?
– New life (1 Cor 10:17; Mt 7:20; 1 Jn 5:2; 2 Tim 2:19),
– Moral purity (1 Cor 5:1, 2, 6, 7, 9, 11),
– doctrinal purity (Gal 5:1-9; 2 John 9-11),
– no unclean associations (1 Cor 10:16, 18; Rev 18:4; 2 Tim 2:19-21; Ps 93:5).
How (in what manner) do we break bread?
- worthily => with inner exercises of the soul and not lightly (1 Cor 14:33, 40).
- holy => let each one examine himself / daily self-judgment (Mt 5:23.24).
Until when do we break bread?
Until He comes! (1 Cor 11:26)
A place of worship
- Worship presupposes having the Lord Jesus or God alone before one’s eyes.
- The highest form of worship is to tell God something about the Lord Jesus (Gen 45:13a).
- Only children of God can worship the Father.
- The Father is looking for true worshippers.
- We worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23).
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