Feeding the Lambs - Ordinances
The Last Supper
"When the hour had come, Jesus reclined at the table with His apostles. And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before My suffering. For I tell you that I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”
And He took the bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you."
Luke 22:14-20
[18th message of the New Believer Series]
So much of what religious people have done and still doing today are based on human tradition or human made rules and regulations. If we don't do our own study, we wouldn't be able to tell which are God given and God inspired or human made.
Bible
If we are to read the bible and follow what Christ has told us to do (as believers), we would find out that there are far fewer ordinances (sacred acts/rituals) that we as believers are mandated to do.
Communion
One of them is Holy Communion. This ordinance instituted by Jesus Himself, originated at the Last Supper of Christ with His disciples.
According to Luke, Christ told His closest followers to "do this in remembrance of Him".
Incidentally the Last Supper coincided with their celebration of the Jewish Passover, more importantly the celebration of the Passover Meal.
Passover
Passover is the Jewish celebration of their people's liberation from slavery.
The Lord instructed them to celebrate the Passover Meal to remember how God "passed over" their ancestors, saving them from death and destruction during the time of Moses.
Read Exodus 12:1-28.
The Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament bible) foretold and foreshadowed the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world.
As Christ partook of the Passover Meal with His disciples (all of them being Jewish) in His "last supper" with them before He was to be nailed to a tree (cross), He told them to partake (eat) of the bread (His body) given them to take away the sins of the world.
Christ, not having done so yet at that time, but His followers will do communion again and again to remember how Christ died for them, taking their place so that death and destruction would "pass over" them.
Rumors
Incidentally during the first centuries of Christianity, unbelievers spread rumors that Christians (a derogatory term then) were doing human sacrifices eating human flesh and drinking human blood and other unsavory acts. Remember unbelievers were not included in the secret meetings of the early Christians and we know how rumors start and how they are spread especially by those who have malicious intentions. The early Christians had to do their meetings in secret because of persecution and these just added fuel to these rumors.
Holy Communion
Today, new believers still do Holy Communion because Jesus instructed His disciples to do so who in turn instructed suceeding believers after them. They did so, so that they and future believers will remember Christ and His sacrifice. [With this message we are instructing you and future believers]
Christ did not tell His disciples how often or how to do communion specifically and even as early as the time of Paul many believers were already doing so in an unworthy manner (how much more today).
But we can read in the New Testament bible how and particularly how not to do communion.
Matthew narrated the Last Supper in Matthew 26:20–30.
Mark in Mark 14:17–26.
And Paul told us this in
1 Corinthians 11:17–28.
Freedom
Christ have died to set us free. Believers of today can do communion anywhere, anytime the Holy Spirit leads them to do so.
But the most traditional way would be to partake of the bread and the cup (of fruit wine or fruit juice) is among other believers as they come together in celebration of the Lord's Resurrection, on Sunday (the day Christ came back from the dead on the first Easter Sunday or first Resurrection Sunday).
Us, believers of today are instructed to do the same where ever we are in the world and whenever we can -- be it at "church" or not (remember we are the church).
Meeting Together
If you are unable to be at "church" where you are at, you could try to do communion virtually with other believers around the world who are also not able to come meet together.
We can set up "church" for you as in meeting up (online) with other believers.
Incidentally during the first centuries of Christianity, unbelievers spread rumors that Christians (a derogatory term then) were doing human sacrifices eating human flesh and drinking human blood and other unsavory acts. Remember unbelievers were not included in the secret meetings of the early Christians and we know how rumors start and how they are spread especially by those who have malicious intentions. The early Christians had to do their meetings in secret because of persecution and these just added fuel to these rumors.
Holy Communion
Today, new believers still do Holy Communion because Jesus instructed His disciples to do so who in turn instructed suceeding believers after them. They did so, so that they and future believers will remember Christ and His sacrifice. [With this message we are instructing you and future believers]
Christ did not tell His disciples how often or how to do communion specifically and even as early as the time of Paul many believers were already doing so in an unworthy manner (how much more today).
But we can read in the New Testament bible how and particularly how not to do communion.
Matthew narrated the Last Supper in Matthew 26:20–30.
Mark in Mark 14:17–26.
And Paul told us this in
1 Corinthians 11:17–28.
Freedom
Christ have died to set us free. Believers of today can do communion anywhere, anytime the Holy Spirit leads them to do so.
But the most traditional way would be to partake of the bread and the cup (of fruit wine or fruit juice) is among other believers as they come together in celebration of the Lord's Resurrection, on Sunday (the day Christ came back from the dead on the first Easter Sunday or first Resurrection Sunday).
Us, believers of today are instructed to do the same where ever we are in the world and whenever we can -- be it at "church" or not (remember we are the church).
Meeting Together
If you are unable to be at "church" where you are at, you could try to do communion virtually with other believers around the world who are also not able to come meet together.
We can set up "church" for you as in meeting up (online) with other believers.
You would need communion elements which can be purchased in Christian stores (physical stores or online stores). Or you can use any bread and any juice made from fruit, as Jesus and the early disciples did it.
Holy Priesthood
As a new believer, we are all priests. The Apostle Peter told us in 1 Peter 2:9-10:
"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” -- and this is why we celebrate communion, to celebrate and remember God's goodness.
We are priests and ambassadors of Christ. We can lead communion in our own homes with our family and friends (like how the first believers did it).
Or we can come together as a "church", physically or virtually. Or we can even do so on our own as we come together with God's Spirit -- the Holy Spirit, and commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.
It is important though, as the Apostle Paul told us, to partake of holy communion not in an unholy manner. First only believers should do communion.
And secondly, we should examine our motives, test our heart and to only come to this meal (to partake of the bread and the cup) in holy awe and holy reverence to what Christ has done.
Holy Priesthood
As a new believer, we are all priests. The Apostle Peter told us in 1 Peter 2:9-10:
"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” -- and this is why we celebrate communion, to celebrate and remember God's goodness.
We are priests and ambassadors of Christ. We can lead communion in our own homes with our family and friends (like how the first believers did it).
Or we can come together as a "church", physically or virtually. Or we can even do so on our own as we come together with God's Spirit -- the Holy Spirit, and commemorate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.
It is important though, as the Apostle Paul told us, to partake of holy communion not in an unholy manner. First only believers should do communion.
And secondly, we should examine our motives, test our heart and to only come to this meal (to partake of the bread and the cup) in holy awe and holy reverence to what Christ has done.
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