Section 13

Prayer and Public Worship

Chapter 146.

Christian Communion

1. WHAT was connected with the worship of God before the first advent?
"Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." Heb. 9:1.

NOTE.-Paul says that these ordinances consisted "in meats and drinks, and divers washings," imposed "until the time of reformation," and that they were "a shadow of good things to come." Heb. 9:10; 10:1.

2. To whom did the sacrificial offerings point forward?
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor." Eph. 5:2.

NOTE.-Through the provisions of the sacrificial law, the repentant sinner showed his faith in the coming Redeemer, who was to shed His blood for the sins of mankind. These sacrificial offerings were ordinances which pointed forward to the work of Christ, which they typified. Since the crucifixion, the ordinances of the Christian church point backward, and are designed to show faith in the work of Christ already accomplished.

3. What does the Lord desire us to keep in mind?
"By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, . . . how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor. 15:2-4.

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4. What ordinance commemorates Christ's burial and resurrection?
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." Col. 2:12.

5. For what purpose was the Lord's Supper instituted?
"The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me." 1 Cor. 11:23,24.

6. What is signified by the wine?
"In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in My blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me." Verse 25, R.V.

7. What do both the bread and the wine commemorate?
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come." Verse 26.

8. What caution is given concerning engaging in this ordinance unworthily?
"Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. . . . He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." Verses 27-29. 

NOTE.-The last expression shows what is meant by eating and drinking unworthily. It is not the one who has a deep sense of his sinfulness and of his unworthiness of God's mercy and grace, but he who does not discern that Christ died for his sins- who is not penitent- that eats and drinks unworthily.

9. What preparation should be made for this service?
"Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup." Verse 28.

10. What is essential to Christian fellowship and cleansing from sin?
"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.

11. What still higher fellowship does the Christian enjoy?
"And truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." Verse 3.

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