Lesson 474

(Lesson 474)(12-02-12) 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 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: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

Today's lesson comes from another passage of scripture that, in my opinion, has been grossly misunderstood by almost every religious group since the death of our savior. We must approach this lesson keeping in mind that the "last supper", "Lord's supper, or "communion" Jesus shared with His Apostles on the day of his crucifixion, was a celebration of the Jewish tradition of "seder", a meal commemorating the passover of the Hebrew people during the plagues God impose on Egypt. Seder is to be eaten once per year by all Jews in celebration of "passover". This tradition was never scripturally put into effect as a Christian ordinance, by Christ, or by any of His Apostles.

It appears, at first glance that Paul is chastising the Corinthians for incorrectly practicing the "Lord's Supper", or "Communion". This, however, is NOT the case. This lesson deals with "heresies", just as Paul stated in verses 18-20, "For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be DIVISIONS AMONG YOU; and I partly believe it. For there must be also HERESIES AMONG YOU, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. WHEN YE COME TOGETHER THEREFOR INTO ONE PLACE, THIS IS NOT TO EAT THE LORD'S SUPPER."
What could be clearer than what Paul said in verse 20? We are NOT to partake of the "Lord's supper in a gathering of the Church!
It would appear that some of these Corinthians were bringing all manner of food and celebration to the Church, under the guise of the "Lord's supper". This was obviously done in a pious attempt to be "approved" or to "manifest" themselves as followers of Christ.
An in-depth study of the gospel tells us that the body of Christ (the bread) is His Church for which His (blood) was shed. His request "this do in remembrance of me", is an admonishment to Christians to keep His Church pure, always in remembrance of Him, strictly adhering to His gospel while making sure His Church is not defiled by the very "heresies" to which Paul refers herein.
I realize that my synopsis is in stark contrast to common collegial thinking and I know that there are those who will disagree with what I've said here. I'm perfectly prepared to admit I'm wrong if, and when, someone can scripturally prove that I indeed am.
Whether we agree, or disagree, we must all remember that we are all in this together and doing this study to discover the divine will of God as it is written in the New Testament of the Holy Bible.
Tomorrow's lesson is a continuance of subject matter. ~