The Lord’s Supper

Henry Allan Ironside

Sailing with Paul

Apart from the historical accounts of its institution in the first three Gospels, Paul is the only New Testament writer who communicates anything to us on the precious theme of the Christian’s “forget-me-not” feast—the Lord’s Supper. Yet, it is of such importance that he received a special  revelation  from  heaven  concerning  it.  This  he passes on for our learning in the great Church epistle, First Corinthians. This letter has well been called “the Charter of the Church,” because of the fulness of its instruction in all matters pertaining to assembly life. After Romans it is, I believe, the most important portion of the New Testament to become well grounded in. It should be read and reread until one is thoroughly familiar with every part of it and it controls the reins and the heart.
To chapters 10 and 11 we turn for truth in connection with the memorial feast. In chapter 10 we have “ the Lord’s table ,” and in chapter 11, “ the Lord’s supper .” We need to apprehend the true character of the table  before we can properly enter into the blessing of the
supper.

Three tables are brought before us, each standing for a distinct fellowship or communion. In 1 Corinthians 10:18 we are told that “Israel after the flesh ... are ... partakers of the altar,” which Malachi calls “the table of the LORD [Jehovah]” (Malachi 1:12). The heathen are partakers of “the  table  of  devils  [or,  demons],”  while  Christians  are partakers of the Lord’s table (1 Corinthians 10:21). I have sometimes heard very untaught people speak of some celebration of the Lord’s supper other than the one they attended as the table of demons. This is a shocking perversion of the truth declared in 1 Corinthians 10. No Christian celebration is dedicated to devils. All are in the name of Christ, however mistaken people may be as to method and principles. It is not therefore correct for any particular company of  Christians  to  claim  that  they  alone  have  the  Lord’s table. Every table spread with bread and wine upon it in remembrance of the one offering of the Lord Jesus on the cross, is His. There may be persons received there who should not be, and some excluded who have divine title to participate; but it is the Lord’s nevertheless, and He will judge accordingly. His table may be connected with unscriptural practices and teachings, but it remains His still; and He, as Son over the house of God, takes note of every infringement of His rights and authority, and of every unholy thing linked with the table that, in symbol, sets forth His death. It is not incumbent on any one to select one of the many companies of believers in Christendom, and decide which one possesses the Lord’s table. What we are responsible to do is to see that we are identified with those who are gathered in a scriptural way and who observe the supper of the Lord “as it is written.” The symbolism of the table is explained in verse 16: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread [or, loaf] which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” This is divinely simple, and in full accord with the words of the Lord Jesus when He instituted this feast of love. At His table we remember Him in death. The cup and the loaf, apart, tell of death accomplished, as when the blood is separated from the body. A whole loaf upon the table would seem to be indicated by the next verse: “For we being many are one bread [loaf], and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread [loaf]” (verse 17). The bread then symbolizes not only the actual body of the Lord given for us upon the cross, but it also pictures His mystical body, to which all believers belong. In partaking of the loaf, we express our fellowship one with another, as well as individual communion with the Lord. But this must be in separation from evil, as verse 21 plainly teaches. In chapter 11 the mind of the Spirit is occupied with the supper itself rather than with its symbolism as in chapter 10. In verses 23 to 26 we learn that Paul had received a special revelation regarding the supper, yet fully agreeing with the accounts given by the three evangelists—Matthew, Mark and Luke—only that the thought of the Lord’s return is added to the remembrance of Him in His death: “For as
often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come ” (verse 26). Thus are the cross and the glory linked together for faith, and ever kept before the soul in this observance of the Lord’s Supper.

The word rendered “show” is often translated “preach” in the New Testament. Every celebration of the eucharist (as the early Christians loved to call this feast—a word meaning thanksgiving)  is  in  itself  a  sermon.  It  is  a  proclaiming  of the Lord’s death; and were there more holiness, and consequently more power with it, we might often expect to see 1 Corinthians 14:24,25 fulfilled when we are thus gathered together. Some  of  us  will  never  forget  such  an  instance  a number of years ago in Sacramento, California, when  an unconverted man from Japan was present. We had barely replaced the bread and cup upon the table, before this heathen man rose to his feet in great emotion, and burst out in prayer, about as follows: “O God, I all broke up to pieces. I, a poor sinner. For long  time, for one whole year, I fight you hard—but here I see your people eat the bread, drink the wine, that show how Jesus He die for sinners. O God, I can fight no more—I all break down. I take Jesus; He be my Saviour now!” And  that  very  day,  at  his  earnest  request,  he  was baptized as owning his personal faith in Christ. For years he was in fellowship as simply gathered to the name of the Lord. Alas, that such scenes are not more common! One  more  point  and  I  am  done.  Never  become  so occupied with the
form  that you neglect the spirit  of the Lord’s Supper. It is a place for the heart’s affections to flow out. Do not make it a ritualistic observance, but let it ever be an occasion where Christ Himself is before the soul, who has said, “This do in remembrance of Me.”