Resurrection Life of Jesus Church
WHAT IS COMMUNION?
RLJ-1784
JOHN S. TORELL
NOVEMBER 29, 2020
INTRODUCTION
Different denominations have schedules for communion. Some do it the first Sunday of the month, while others the last Sunday of the month, and some have it every Sunday. By having a set schedule, communion turns into a scheduled ritual with little meaning to people.
Years ago I was led by the Holy Spirit to observe communion when someone in the congregation asked for it. This made it special for us because it was not a scheduled ritual, but an event to deeply consider Jesus and His love for the human race. The Son of God did not set a schedule, nor did any of the apostles later on. 1 Corinthians 11:26
THE LAST PASSOVER MEAL
Before the foundation of the world, before anything was created as far as our universe is concerned, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit decided there was only one way to pay or the sins of the human race. God would have to do it. This is the origin of the phrase “slain before the foundation of the world.” Hebrews 4:3; Revelation 13:8
As Jesus came to the last week on earth before the crucifixion, it had been authorized in heaven to take place during the Passover week in Jerusalem. This is why Jesus told the disciples early Tuesday morning to prepare a place where this meal could be eaten by all of them. Luke 22:7-13
That evening Jesus and the apostles came to the Upper Room and the Son of God told them that He had eagerly awaiting the meal He instituted in Egypt so many years previously. None of the apostles understood at this time that Jesus had always existed, that He was part of the Godhead, and all events had been taken into account.
We don’t know how long it took for Jesus to create the universe or how long it was before Lucifer rebelled and started the space war. The process could have spanned millions of years, but we know for certain that the Passover meal was eaten some 4,149 years after the creation of Adam and Eve. verses 14-16
As Jesus officiated the Passover meal, He knew that His physical body would be hanging on the cross within 15 hours. The Son of God did not show fear, grief or horror during the final Passover meal. This was a time decreed in eternity that He was to pay for the sins of the humanity and this is why He served the cup and the bread with dignity and grace. verses 17-20
THE APOSTOLIC TIME
With the exception of Judas Iscariot and James, it is obviously that all the apostles taught the new converts about the communion ritual.
The apostle Paul laid down the following rules:
1. Communion should only be observed by believers in Christ. Unsaved people are not welcome to participate.
2. Each person should examine themselves and repent beforehand. Partaking in communion with unconfessed sins is deadly. 1 Corinthians 11:23-33
WHO IS WORTHY?
Who is worthy to take communion? Any person who has repented and been born again. How does a person get saved? The apostle Paul provides the answer. Salvation comes through repentance and confessing that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Romans 10:8-13; Acts 3:19
The human race was condemned to the Lake of Fire as a result of Adam and Eve’s choice to sin. It created a separation between mankind and God.
It is impossible to obtain salvation by good works. It doesn’t matter how much you help the homeless, feed the poor, build hospitals and orphanages, and try to be good, all your efforts will fall short. Ephesians 2:8-9
Salvation is solely a work of God. It was God the Father reconciling humanity to Himself by the Son of God on the cross. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
The only thing mankind can do is gratefully accept the gift offered by God. A saved person will do good works because he is saved. Ephesians 2:10
You are forgiven of all sins (past, present and future) at the moment of salvation. You are no longer condemned to the Lake of Fire, but granted eternal life in heaven. Romans 8:1-4
As long as you remain on earth in your physical body, even if you are born again, the sin nature is still there. Confessing your sins on a daily basis as they arise doesn’t make you saved, but it does allow you to maintain a close walk with the Lord. 1 John 1:4-10
Examine yourself to see if you have any hidden sins in your life. Holding a grudge and refusing to forgive someone is something that displeases Jesus. Reflect upon any part of your life that transgresses God’s commandments. Let the Holy Spirit convict you. Do shy away. Repent and be washed in the blood of Jesus.
Then when all this is done, boldly approach the throne of God! There is no fear of recrimination when you righteously take communion. Hebrews 10:19-22
Remember, it’s not so important how you begin your life after salvation, but how you finish it!
Do you have an ear to hear with?
