08 Communion Chronology



Most Grace Brethren Churches observe the Three-fold Communion service at the Easter season.  The service is again observed at Thanksgiving time.  Other GB Churches may observe this 4 times a year.   I am not aware of any of our churches that practice more often than this.  However there are a few that observe only the Bread and Cup between the three-fold service times.

The “Three-fold service” consists of:  a. the washing of the saints’ feet, b. the Love feast, and c. the Eucharist or Bread and cup.   

I.          The Love Feast.  John 13

A.        The Love Feast was before the Feast of the Passover.

            The Jewish day started in the evening and continued overnight to the next evening, not midnight to midnight as we usually think of it.

            This meal was something new.  It occurred in the upper room (Mark 14:14-16) before the Feast of the Passover (John 13:1).  The washing of feet was also new.  It was not a custom.  Peter as well as the other disciples, did not understand what Jesus was doing.  (John 13:6-10) 

Matthew 26:20-29; Mark 14:25; and Luke 22:14-23 also refer to the meal with Jesus and the disciples.   In the Synoptic Gospels there is no mention of the feet washing.  In John there is no mention of the Bread and the Cup although Jesus does give a piece of bread to Judas.  It is obvious that all the gospels refer to the same events occurring at the same time in the Upper room.

B.         The Love Feast was in the Evening of (or night before) the Day of Preparation for the Passover.

            This Love Feast described above actually took place in the evening on the Day of Preparation.  As you read the Synoptic account as well as John, Jesus and the disciples conclude the meal with the singing of a hymn (Matt.26:30; Marl 14:26;).  Jesus' discourse in John 14-17 may have taken place in the Upper Room (Luke 22:30), but more likely it was en-route to the Mount of Olives.  John gives detailed comments, instructions, and warns of persecution as they make their way to the Garden.

Three times Jesus found the disciples asleep after his time of prayer.  Arousing them the final time, he told them his betrayer was at hand.  He was arrested and the long night began.  The disciples dispersed in fear of their lives.  John and Peter followed along hoping not to be recognized.  The chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders took Jesus first to Caiaphas, the high priest’s house (Luke 22:54).  Early in the morning they led Jesus to Pilate at the Praetorium.  John 18:28 says the Jews did not go inside.  Had they done so, they would have been defiled and not permitted to eat the Passover.  Again showing that the previous meal with the disciples was not the Passover.    Pilate sends Jesus to Herod and Herod returns him.  Pilate made a feeble attempt to release Jesus, but the crowd refused and demanded His crucifixion.   

Finally in John 19:13-14, Pilate brings Jesus, with a crown of thorns on His head and severely beaten, and presents Him to the crowd saying “Behold your King!   They took Him and crucifed Him at noon.  The sun was darkened  until 3pm (Luke 23:44).  Jesus was our Passover Lamb (I Cor. 5:6-8) for the remission of sin.  It follows that He should die at the same time the lambs were being prepared the Passover Feast. 

All of the above is convincing proof that Jesus did not eat the Passover as He had said, but rather a full meal that we call the Love Feast.    

II.         The Washing of Feet.  John 13

            John 13:1-17 is the major passage, but is again referred to in I Tim. 5:10

A.        The washing of the disciples’ feet took place during the meal (13:2)  A better translation than ‘supper being ended.’  This establishes the fact that it occurred at the same time.

B.         Peter did not understand what Jesus was doing (13:6-10).  If this had been a custom or a mere act of humility, Peter and the others would have understood and Jesus would have no need to explain it. 

C.        In the explanation Jesus uses two different words translated as “bathe” and ‘wash’.  One who has been bathed (taken a bath) or washed (as in wash your hands).  He only needs to have his feet washed.  He does not have to take a bath to be cleansed from his daily defilement (Jn. 13:10).  This interpretation is understood when Jesus refers to Judas as not being clean (Jn. 13:11).  And yet Judas was included in having his feet washed with the others (Jn.13:18), a clear reference to Judas after the conclusion of the feet washing.

D.        The fourth thing we learn here, is that the believers, the followers of Christ, are instructed to follow His example (Jn 13:14-15).  That this was a practice of the early church is seen in I Tim. 5:10, where Paul describes the Christian widow.  The church today should follow the Lord’s example.    

1 Tim. 5:10

“…well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

III.       The Bread and the Cup. Matt. 26; Mark 14; Luke 22. John 13.

            In most churches today the Bread and Cup or Eucharist is referred to as the Lord’s Supper.  This is a misnomer since the Lord’s Supper or rather the Love Feast is a three-part event, not just the Bread and Cup. 

A.        The Time was the same evening.

Luke 22:19-20 points out that the bread and cup were presented “after supper.”  This is also seen in I Cor. 11:25, “…He also took the cup ‘after supper.’”  This should make it clear that all three events took place in the same evening, the night before He was crucified as the Passover Lamb of God.   

           

B.         The Purpose for Observance is seen in I Cor. 11:26  

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.”

C.        It’s Observance is restricted. 

1 Cor. 11:29-31

“For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.”

 D.       The solemnity involved.  It should not be taken lightly

1 Cor. 11:33-34

“Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.”

The Love Feast itself, varies from church to church and might consist of Bread and delicious roast beef, a cold beef sandwich with pickles and cookies; or some churches have made it a ‘carry-in.’  In light of verse 34, I am inclined to think the carry-in  is a little too much. 

An opportunity for testimonies or sharing is usually given as the meal is concluded.  The Bread and Cup is the final part of the service.  The evening is then concluded with a hymn.  “And they sang a hymn and went out.”

Next, we’ll consider the spiritual or theological elements of the Communion.

07 A Minister of God

A Minister of God,  Paul, An Example

Paul, in Acts 20:18-29, sets an example for the minister of God.  To be like Paul or even come close, may be a stretch for most of us, but it is worth the effort.    

1. His Humility is Obvious in verses 18-19.

18. And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19.serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;

What an example!  God is not looking for great men.  He sent Samuel to the house of Jesse for Saul’s replacement.  The first son of Jesse was Samuel’s choice, but God said no.  One by one they came, but they all failed the cut.  “Do you have any other sons?”  “Yes, but he could not possibly be the one you are looking for!”  The lesson for Samuel and for us, God looks on the inside, we look at the outward appearance. 

God is looking for men who can stand the fiery test and serve with humility

2. His Message of Repentance and Faith was both public and private.  Verses 20-21.

20. how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, 21. testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

More than a few lines are needed to comment on these 2 verses. The core of the Gospel message is here: repentance and faith in God.  The Great Commission is three fold, go, teach and baptize.  The going necessarily comes first.  Then after the milk of the Word comes the meat.  Meat is needed to develop the man of God.

3. Paul’s Dependence was upon the Spirit.  vs. 22-23

22. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23. except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

A Spirit led man will not fear the consequences.  If you thought your call to the ministry was caring for the social needs of the community, you may well be in for a surprise.  It’s not an easy road.  This very day there are Christians, born again ones, who are suffering for their commitment to the Lord.  

4. His Ministry was to testify of the Gospel of the Grace of God.  Verse 24.

24. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Paul was not afraid to put his life on the line.  He shared his faith in God.  He experienced the unmerited favor of God and was determined to proclaim it to both Jew and Gentile even under arrest.

5. His Innocence before God.            Verses 25-26.

25. And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26. Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.

“He that winneth souls is wise.”  Do we take advantage of the opportunities that come our way?  Will there be anyone who points at us for not hearing the Word of God?  This is a hard one.  We are responsible.

6. His Declaration of the whole counsel of the God.  Verse 27.

27. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Here we go back to verses 20 and 21.  The church today has been accused of preaching  “the Gospel lite,” that is ‘containing a low amount of something, such as calories’.  There need to be meat on those bones!  There’s more to the whole counsel of God than “Jesus! Jesus!”  It seems natural that Romans should follow after the Acts of the Apostles.  It’s the book of theology. It’s the book of doctrine or teaching.  You need to understand these great truths before delving into the epistles Paul, Peter and John.  

7. His Admonition was to Shepherd/pastor God’s sheep, the Church.  Verses 28-29

28. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

 We are responsible for our flock.

           Titus 1:7

7For the overseer must be above reproach as God's steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.

Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account,  Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.  

It’s an awesome responsibility!  May God bless you as you serve both God and His people!