Bible Study - The Lord’s Supper

September 11 – 17, 2022

Key Text

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16

Study Help: The Desire of Ages, 652–661, 151, 152

Introduction

“As we receive the bread and wine symbolizing Christ’s broken body and spilled blood, we in imagination join in the scene of Communion in the upper chamber.” The Desire of Ages, 661

Sunday

1 THE PASSOVER

1.a. What important rite was instituted at the time of Israel’s liberation from Egypt? Exodus 12:2–6

Note: “The observance of the Passover began with the birth of the Hebrew nation. On the last night of their bondage in Egypt, when there appeared no token of deliverance, God commanded them to prepare for an immediate release. He had warned Pharaoh of the final judgment on the Egyptians, and He directed the Hebrews to gather their families within their own dwellings. Having sprinkled the doorposts with the blood of the slain lamb, they were to eat the lamb, roasted, with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.” The Desire of Ages, 76, 77

1.b. How do we know that the Passover feast was not a party of joy? Exodus 12:7–11. Who had no right to partake of the Passover? Exodus 12:43–49

Note: “Many of the Egyptians had been led to acknowledge the God of the Hebrews as the only true God, and these now begged to be permitted to find shelter in the homes of Israel when the destroying angel should pass through the land. They were gladly welcomed, and they pledged themselves henceforth to serve the God of Jacob and to go forth from Egypt with His people.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 279

Monday

2 THE TIME OF TRANSITION

2.a. What ceremony was instituted by Jesus when He partook of the Passover ordinance for the last time? Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Note: “When the Saviour yielded up His life on Calvary, the significance of the Passover ceased, and the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was instituted as a memorial of the same event of which the Passover had been a type.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 539

“The Passover was ordained as a commemoration of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. God had directed that, year by year, as the children should ask the meaning of this ordinance, the history should be repeated. Thus the wonderful deliverance was to be kept fresh in the minds of all. The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was given to commemorate the great deliverance wrought out as the result of the death of Christ.” The Desire of Ages, 652, 653

2.b. Before one takes part in the Communion service, what responsibility rests upon him or her? 1 Corinthians 11:27–30; 2 Corinthians 13:5

Note: “There is a necessity for close self-examination, and to closely investigate in the light of God’s word, Am I sound, or am I rotten, at heart? Am I renewed in Christ, or am I still carnal at heart, with an outside, new dress put on? Rein yourself up to the tribunal of God, and see as in the light of God if there is any secret sin, any iniquity, any idol you have not sacrificed. Pray, yes, pray as you have never prayed before, that you may not be deluded by Satan’s devices; that you may not be given up to a heedless, careless, and vain spirit, and attend religious duties to quiet your own conscience.” Messages to Young People, 83, 84

“The holy Watcher from heaven is present at this [foot-washing] season to make it one of soul searching, of conviction of sin, and of the blessed assurance of sins forgiven. … Blessings forgotten, mercies abused, kindnesses slighted, are called to mind. Roots of bitterness that have crowded out the precious plant of love are made manifest. Defects of character, neglect of duties, ingratitude to God, coldness toward our brethren, are called to remembrance. Sin is seen in the light in which God views it.” The Desire of Ages, 650, 651

Tuesday

3 “IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME”

3.a. What is the meaning of Christ’s command, “This do in remembrance of Me”? Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25

Note: “On the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, the very day and month on which for fifteen long centuries the Passover lamb had been slain, Christ, having eaten the Passover with His disciples, instituted that feast which was to commemorate His own death as ‘the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’ That same night He was taken by wicked hands to be crucified and slain.” The Great Controversy, 399

“In instituting the sacramental service to take the place of the Passover, Christ left for His church a memorial of His great sacrifice for man. ‘This do,’ He said, ‘in remembrance of Me.’ This was the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. The one was to close forever; the other, which He had just established, was to take its place, and to continue through all time as the memorial of His death.” Evangelism, 273, 274

3.b. Until when is the Lord’s Supper to be celebrated? 1 Corinthians 11:26

Note: “Christ designed that this supper should be often commemorated in order to bring to our remembrance His sacrifice in giving His life for the remission of the sins of all who will believe on Him and receive Him.” God’s Amazing Grace, 152

“[T]he Lord’s Supper was not to be observed only occasionally or yearly, but more frequently than the annual Passover. This solemn ordinance commemorates a far greater event than the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. That deliverance was typical of the great atonement which Christ made by the sacrifice of His own life for the final deliverance of His people.” The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, 203

“Then I was pointed back to the time that Jesus took His disciples away alone, into an upper room, and first washed their feet, and then gave them to eat of the broken bread, to represent His broken body, and juice of the vine to represent His spilled blood. … [A]ll should move understandingly, and follow the example of Jesus in these things, and when attending to these ordinances, should be as separate from unbelievers as possible.” The Present Truth, November 1, 1850

Wednesday

4 THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST

4.a. In His discussion with the Jewish leaders, what truth did Jesus make plain? John 6:32–35

Note: “We cannot, as individuals, maintain our bodily life unless we eat and drink for ourselves of temporal food. In order to maintain spiritual life and health, we must feed on Jesus Christ by studying His word, and doing the things He has commanded in that word. This will constitute a close union with Christ. The branch that bears fruit must be in the vine, a part of it, receiving nourishment from the parent stalk. This is living by faith upon the Son of God.” The Review and Herald, June 7, 1898

“To the death of Christ we owe even this earthly life. The bread we eat is the purchase of His broken body. The water we drink is bought by His spilled blood. Never one, saint or sinner, eats his daily food, but he is nourished by the body and the blood of Christ. The cross of Calvary is stamped on every loaf. It is reflected in every water spring. All this Christ has taught in appointing the emblems of His great sacrifice.” The Desire of Ages, 660

4.b. What is the meaning of the words: “My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed”? John 6:53–58

Note: “To eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ is to receive Him as a personal Saviour, believing that He forgives our sins, and that we are complete in Him. It is by beholding His love, by dwelling upon it, by drinking it in, that we are to become partakers of His nature. What food is to the body, Christ must be to the soul. Food cannot benefit us unless we eat it, unless it becomes a part of our being. So Christ is of no value to us if we do not know Him as a personal Saviour. A theoretical knowledge will do us no good. We must feed upon Him, receive Him into the heart, so that His life becomes our life. His love, His grace, must be assimilated.” The Desire of Ages, 389

“ ‘He that eateth My flesh,’ He says, ‘and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.’ John 6:54, 56, 57. To the holy Communion this scripture in a special sense applies. As faith contemplates our Lord’s great sacrifice, the soul assimilates the spiritual life of Christ. That soul will receive spiritual strength from every Communion.” Ibid., 660, 661

Thursday

5 THE GREAT SUPPER

5.a. What glorious event should encourage us to remain faithful in our Christian experience? Revelation 19:6–9

Note: “Jesus, the compassionate Saviour, has sent to our world the general invitation, ‘Come; for all things are now ready.’ Will you imitate the Jews, who refused the invitation? To us the invitation is given, and the Lord would have you fear and tremble at His word, that He may kindle in your heart hope and faith and holy trust. He commands you to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and promises that all necessary things shall be added unto you. He unfolds before you the glories of paradise, and the question is, Will you accept His invitation?” The Review and Herald, November 5, 1895

5.b. What gracious invitation is extended to every human being, and through whom? Isaiah 55:1–3; Revelation 22:17

Note: “God has called this people [of the gospel ministry] to give to the world the message of Christ’s soon coming. We are to give to men the last call to the gospel feast, the last invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Thousands of places that have not heard the call are yet to hear it.” Gospel Workers, 64

“The loving and compassionate Jesus declares that there is a greater sin than that for which Sodom was overthrown. It is the sin of those who, after hearing the gospel invitation to come to the marriage supper of the Lamb, turn away, and refuse to respond to the heavenly invitation. The invitation to the gospel feast is often rejected with apologies.” The Review and Herald, November 5, 1895

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

1 How does the Lord’s Supper relate to the ancient Passover service?

2 Why is self-examination so important before Communion?

3 Why should church members separate from unbelievers on these occasions?

4 What daily experience denotes “eating” and “drinking” of Christ?

5 What event should we encourage both ourselves and others to seek?