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XIII.
Prayer and Public Worship
Chapter 146
:
Christian Communion
1. WHAT was connected
with the worship of God before the first advent?
"Then verily the first covenant had
also ordinances of divine service, and a
worldly sanctuary." Heb. 9:1.
NOTE.-Paul says that these ordinances
consisted "in meats and drinks, and divers
washings," imposed "until the time of
reformation," and that they were "a shadow
of good things to come." Heb. 9:10; 10:1.
2. To whom did the
sacrificial offerings point forward?
"And walk in love, as Christ also
hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us
an offering and a sacrifice to God for a
sweet-smelling savor." Eph. 5:2.
NOTE.-Through the provisions of the
sacrificial law, the repentant sinner showed
his faith in the coming Redeemer, who was to
shed His blood for the sins of mankind.
These sacrificial offerings were ordinances
which pointed forward to the work of Christ,
which they typified. Since the crucifixion,
the ordinances of the Christian church point
backward, and are designed to show faith in
the work of Christ already accomplished.
3. What does the Lord
desire us to keep in mind?
"By which also ye are saved, if ye
keep in memory what I preached unto you, . .
. how that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures; and that He was
buried, and that He rose again the
third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Cor.
15:2-4.
4. What ordinance
commemorates Christ's burial and resurrection?
"Buried with Him in baptism,
wherein also ye are risen with Him through the
faith of the operation of God, who hath raised
Him from the dead." Col. 2:12.
5. For what purpose was
the Lord's Supper instituted?
"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." 1 Cor. 11:23,24.
6. What is signified by
the wine?
"In like manner also the cup, after
supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant
in My blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it,
in remembrance of Me." Verse 25, R.V.
7. What do both the
bread and the wine commemorate?
"For as often as ye eat this bread,
and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's
death till He come." Verse 26.
8. What caution is
given concerning engaging in this ordinance
unworthily?
"Whosoever shall eat this bread, and
drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be
guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. . .
. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not
discerning the Lord's body." Verses 27-29.
NOTE.-The last expression shows what is
meant by eating and drinking unworthily. It
is not the one who has a deep sense of his
sinfulness and of his unworthiness of God's
mercy and grace, but he who does not discern
that Christ died for his sins- who is not
penitent- that eats and drinks unworthily.
9. What preparation
should be made for this service?
"Let a man examine himself,
and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of
that cup." Verse 28.
10. What is essential
to Christian fellowship and cleansing from sin?
"If we walk in the light, as He is
in the light, we have fellowship one with
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
11. What still higher
fellowship does the Christian enjoy?
"And truly our fellowship is with
the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."
Verse 3. |
