1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you… Four things strike us with amazement: — I. THAT ANY SHOULD DOUBT THE GENUINENESS OF CHRISTIANITY. Here is an institution that was started the night previous to our Saviour's crucifixion, and which from that to this hour, through eighteen long centuries, has been attended to by all the branches of the true Church. Since its origin thousands of generations have passed away, many systems have risen and disappeared, nations have been organised, flourished, and broken up, but this ordinance continues. And what for? To commemorate the great central fact of the gospel, viz., that Christ died. Is there any other fact in history sustained by evidence half so powerful as this? II. THAT ANY SHOULD MISINTERPRET THIS ORDINANCE. It is to "show forth the Lord's death." There are three abuses of this institution which imply the grossest misinterpretation. 1. The gustatory. The Corinthians thus abused it. Hence, in the preceding verses he says, "When ye come together, therefore, into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper," etc. They had been accustomed, in their heathen festivals, to give way to gluttony and intemperance. Many of them, from the force of old habits, were tempted to use the Lord's Supper in this way, hence they were guilty of profaning the institution. Thus, they ate and drank "unworthily," and by so doing ate and drank condemnation to themselves. 2. The superstitious. There are some who believe that after the words of consecration pronounced by the priest over these elements, the elements become carnally the "body and blood of the Lord." This is transubstantiation. 3. The formalistic. There are those who partake of the bread and wine merely as a matter of ceremony. It is regarded as the proper thing to be done, and is done mechanically. We evangelical Christians are not guilty of the first nor the second, but we may be of the third. Let us "examine ourselves"; so let us eat, etc. III. THAT ANY SHOULD SAY THE INSTITUTION IS NOT PERMANENT IN ITS OBLIGATION. The apostle tells us distinctly that it was to show forth the Lord's death till He come. On to that distant point the obligation is binding. There are some professing Christians who think themselves too spiritual to observe such an ordinance. These very spiritual ones, to be consistent, should avoid all scientific studies, for science has to do with material forms. They should also avoid all Biblical studies, for Biblical truths are, for the most part, embodied in material facts. Christ Himself was flesh and blood. IV. THAT ANY ACQUAINTED WITH THE BIOGRAPHY OF CHRIST SHOULD NEGLECT IT. Consider — 1. That it is to commemorate the world's greatest Benefactor that has served the world — (1) In the highest way, effected its deliverance from sin and hell. (2) By the most unparalleled sacrifice. (3) With the most disinterested love. 2. It is enjoined by the world's greatest Benefactor, under the most touching circumstances. How amazing it is that men should neglect it!Conclusion: The excuses that men make for neglecting this are singularly absurd. 1. A man will sometimes say, "I can be saved without it." We ask, who told you so? What is damnation? What but disobedience to Christ? And he who neglects this institution disobeys Him. 2. Another man will say, "I am unfit for it." We say, if you are unfit for this you are unfit for any other religious observance; unfit to read the Bible, sing, or pray, nor can you ever become fit by neglecting your duty. (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: |
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