“ERRORS ABOUT COMMUNION” (MATT. 7:15)
1. In Matt. 7:15 Jesus issued a warning. He said, Beware.
2. The tense of this word is present; on-going action is described.
3. In addition to the tense of the word there is a “mood” of the original word.
4. The mood is imperative; that this is a command and order.
5. The single word “beware” means: we are ordered to continually be on guard against.
I. JESUS COMMANDS HIS PEOPLE TO CONTINUALY GUARD AGAINST “FALSE PROPHETS.” THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IS TO BE CAREFUL.
A. Jesus knew that false doctrine would be taught.
B. In our day doctrine is often the last thing many are worried about.
C. It is said, “We are on different roads, but heading to the same place.
D. Jesus taught that doctrine does matter.
E. Doctrinal purity is not just important; it is an essential.
F. If we look at religious error in regard to Christianity,
G. I am hard pressed to find any area which has been left alone by false doctrine.
(1) False doctrine has been taught about all members of God
(2) False doctrine has been taught about worship.
(3) False doctrine has been taught about Christ’s Second Coming.
(4) Error has been taught concerning the plan of salvation.
(5) Wrong information has been given out about heaven and hell.
(6) Error about the Bible has been spread far and wide.
H. False teachers have been abounded and still abound.
I. For a time we are going to concentrate on religious error.
J. Today’s subject is that of communion; the Lord’s Supper
K. Plenty of error can be found regarding this part of our worship.
L. At Present, as well as in the past, these ideas have been taught:
(1) There is no schedule for the Lords’ supper.
(2) We may observe it at any time during the year
(3) One group may select Wednesday; Thursday; or Sunday.
(4) The number of times that the Supper is observed is also up to selection.
(5) We may do it a few times a year, 12 times a year or 52.
M. Another idea about the Lord’s Supper is the belief it is the most important matter.
(1) Not a few have concluded that while others aspects of worship are important,
(2) Communion is the highest, holiest, and most spiritual act
N. Other ideas are even stranger.
(1) The Catholic Church has taught that Catholics will benefit the dead.
(2) Catholic doctrine argues that there is a placed called purgatory.
(3) This denomination says that Catholics can provide aid to those in purgatory.
Q. Communion has been offered at funerals,
R. Unusual ideas have been taught about the bread and the fruit of the communion.
S. It has been (and is taught) that the bread becomes the body of Christ.
T. The fruit of the vine becomes the blood of Jesus.
U. These ideas have led groups to put limits upon communion.
(1) Some worshippers may only get to eat bread.
(2) Others groups have practiced closed communion
(3) When the Lords’ Supper is offered, only certain ones get it all.
II ALL KINDS OF IDEAS AND ERRORS EXIST ABOUT THE LORDS’ SUPPER. FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT IS TRUE AND RIGHT, THE BIBLE MUST BE OUR ONLY GUIDE. ASSUMPTIONS, FEELINGS AND LONG HELD BELIEFS ARE NOT AN ACCURATE GAUGE FOR TRUTH WHEN WE DEAL WITH COMMUNION OR ANY OTHER BIBLE MATTER.
A. Lets see what scripture says about the Lords’ Supper.
B. I am going to first turn to Acts 20:7.
C. Many of the errors that involve from communion have a common root.
D. Communion is elevated to a special status.
E. It is considered to be superior to all other religious acts.
F. From this belief comes error like I described:
(1) Certain people are forbidden to partake of the supper;
(2) The fruit of the vine may be reserved for a special class;
G. READ ACTS 20:7.
(1) This passage has been used by many including our brethren.
(2) One of the things drawn from this verse is found in the words, “to break bread”.
(3) It has been argued that this is a “purpose statement.”
(4) This was the reason that the disciples came together.
H. It is true that this is a purpose statement.
I. Breaking bread (communion) is the reason these people came together.
J. However, Let’s not jump from A to Z.
(1) Just because we have a reason for something being done,
(2) That does not mean that the thing done is the most important.
K. Suppose after the service I say to you, “I am going home to get rest.”
L. You have been told why I am going home.
M. Is it fair to say that rest is the most important thing in my life?
(1) I don’t know about you, but food is just as important as rest.
(2) All the rest in the world is insufficient without food.
N. A purpose statement DOES NOT NECESSARILY tell us the importance of the act.
O. In some cases it may; in plenty of other cases it does not.
P. Saying that Acts 20:7 proves that the LS are the most important act.
Q. What other proof could be offered that the LS is the most important.
R. The next reference would be to the life of Jesus. The Argument goes something like this
S. Without Christ’s death, redemption would have been impossible.
T. The supper reminds us of that death. Hence, it is the most important.
U. I could make this same argument based upon the Bible.
(1) Without God’s word, salvation would be impossible.
(2) Heb: 111:6 – Rom. 10:17 - QUOTE
(3) I can argue that (LS) is just as essential as Jesus Death.
V. I do not dispute the necessity of Christ’s Death.
W. Neither do I dispute the need to remember it.
(1) Furthermore, I admit that some matters are more “weighty”.
(2) Listen to what Jesus said to the Jews in Mat. 23:23 – READ
(3) Jesus saw some items in OT as being “weightier” than others.
(4) EDNT says this means “the more important parts of the law.”
X. In the OT this point is illustrated.
(1) Moses received “10 commandments.”
(2) He received other instructions which were also important.
(3) However, the 10 written on stone stood out; weightier matters.
Y. I maintain that the LS important, but not more important than others.
Z. I further maintain that this is indicated in scripture.
(1) Go back to Acts 2 with me. This is the chapter where about 3,000 people became Christians.
(2) Verse 42 describes what the new Christians did-READ- If the LS is the weightiest matter.
(3) In our worship to God, and we can trust Luke as a writer;
(4) Where should the Lord’s Supper be placed in this passage?
A. Folks, “the breaking of the bread” (GR text) should be first!
B. Instead of being at the beginning, it is as the end.
C. Think of what Paul did with his 1st epistle to the Corinthians.
(1) The Corinthians had problems with the Lords’ supper.
(2) If the LS is the main part of worship, one would expect that Paul
(3) The Lords’ Supper is put off until the latter part of the book.
(4) If we believe in Bible worship that God selects.
D. P. 1st covers division; lawsuits; sexual sin; following preachers.
E. Paying preachers; baptism; and a few other subjects.
F. Saying that the LS is the highest/holiest act is going beyond what
G. This idea is really one that is rooted in Catholicism.
H. Catholic belief says, “The Eucarist is indeed the source and
I. ‘Summit of the entire Christian life’ (Catholicism, P. 757.
III. SOME OTHER QUICK POINTS ABOUT TRUTH AND ERROR IN REGARD TO THE LORDS’ SUPPER. IF THE BIBLE IS GOING TO BE OUR GUIDE, WE NEED TO STATY WITH BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SUPPER. THESE INCLUDE: LORDS’ SUPPER; LORDS’ TABLE; COMMUNION; BREAKING OFBREAD; COUP OF BLESSING; CUP OF THE LORDS FRUIT OF THE VINE. NAMES AND ESCRIPTIONS NOT FOUND IN THE BIBLE INCLUDE: THE EUCHARISTS; LITURGY; MASS; HOST; AND SACRAMENT.
A. In addition to using Bible, terminology we want to be correct in purpose.
B. A rather novel idea is that the supper cleanses us from sin.
C. This concept may be likened to a car wash.
D. Just as going to a car wash will get dirt from a car, so partaking
E. There is no passage in the Bible teaches this concept.
F. Jesus said of the supper, do this in remembrance of me.
G. The Lord did not say to eat the supper to find forgiveness of sin.
H. Sin is cleansed by baptism; Acts 22:16.
I. Continued cleansing is offered by confession and repentance 1 Jon: 1:7, 9.
J. In dealing with sin, another point need to be made.
K. A few Christians do not partake of the supper because they do not feel worthy.
L. If we were worthy, the supper would be unnecessary.
M. It would not exist because Jesus would not have died.
N. Worthy people do not need a savior.
(1) The KJV translation is a great translation.
(2) It will probably send more people to heaven than any other translation.
(3) The KJV is a translation; in places it could be better.
(4) One of these places is in 1st Co. 11.
(5) If you have the KJV, make a note by verse 27 – see ASV- American Standard Version.
(6) The ASV says, “Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread,”
P. The thought is not that those who partake of the Lords Supper will be sinless;
Q. The emphasis is upon the MANNER of partaking.
R. This is what Jesus was describing – do this IN MY MEMORY.
S. If we do not have Christ in mind; if we are not thinking of His suffering.
T. When we partake, we want to do so at the right time.
(1) Jesus told us to remember Him. Is it plausible that he told us to do this, but gave us?
(2) Absolutely no instruction. God’s word claims scripture “furnishes us unto every good
(3) This is true in regard to the Lord’s Supper. Acts 2:42 which was already cited, says, QUOTE.
(4) The Supper was observed “steadfastly.” This tells us that it was more than once/twice a year.
U. Acts 20:7 adds a little more information to our study – QUOTE.
V. 1st Co. 11:20 is an even more revealing passage – 16:1-2.
W. From here we can go to 1st Co: 4:17 – QUOTE.
CONCLUSION;
1. There is more to be said about the supper.
2. We will further develop the material next week.
3. Today we close with this thought.
4. When the Lord’s Supper is passed.
5. Does it just remind us that there was a person named Jesus, who died for us?
6. Or does it remind us of His death & our conversion to Him.
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