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.
No comments:
Post a Comment