The Ordinance of Lord's Supper

THE ORDINANCE OF LORD'S SUPPER

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." John 13:17

John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." John needed an abundance of water to cover his followers completely.
Matthew 3:16 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:" Jesus' example shows that He "went or came up ... from the water" because He had been in it.
Acts 8:38 " And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch "went down into the water."

In addition, the word "baptize," from the Greek baptizo, means "to immerse," "plunge into" or "put into." Two entirely different words are used in the Greek text to refer to pouring (cheo) or sprinkling (rantizo).

1 Corinthians 11:24-25 “And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this in remembrance of me.” 25 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.”

This was magnified in 6T 91:

The ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are two monumental pillars, one without and one within the church. Upon these ordinances Christ has inscribed the name of the true God. - 6T 91

So, baptism takes place outside the church, while the Lord's Supper takes place inside.

And this means that individuals who can partake in the Lord’s supper has submitted first to the ordinance of baptism by immersion in water, vowing to be true and faithful to the Godhead family. In other words, those who are not yet baptized cannot partake in the Lord’s supper. And those who wanted to be baptized must first complete the 33 Bible Study Lessons we have. And the reason we must insist this is because Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 we read earlier that we are to teach and then baptize.

The symbols of the Lord's house are simple and plainly understood, and the truths represented by them are of the deepest significance to us. In instituting the sacramental service to take the place of the Passover, Christ left for His church a memorial of His great sacrifice for man. "This do," He said, "in remembrance of Me." This was the point of transition between two economies and their two great festivals. The one was to close forever; the other, which He had just established, was to take its place, and to continue through all time as the memorial of His death. - RH, June 22, 1897

The significance of the Passover was replaced by the ordinance of the Lord's Supper as a reminder of the same event for which the Passover had been a symbol when Jesus gave up His life on the cross.

As Jesus ate the Passover with His disciples, He began the ceremony that would serve as a remembrance to His great sacrifice. The Jewish national festival was to be ended forever. The service established by Christ was to be observed by His disciples in all nations and throughout all times.

While eating the Passover with His disciples, Jesus instituted the rite that would serve as a reminder of His great sacrifice. The Jewish national feast ended forever. And the Lord’s supper was to be observed by His disciples in all nations and throughout all times.

The example of Christ prevents exclusivity at the Lord's Supper. Remember, Judas the betrayer, was present during the meal.

John 13:11 “For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.”
John 13:18 “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me.”
Psalms 41:9 “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.”

So, God has not left it up to men to decide who will appear on these occasions. For we cannot read the heart but God.

1 Corinthians 11:27-29 “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

So, we have to search our heart my brother and sister if we have still have hidden sins so we can confess them.

However, the Bible clearly states that people who are openly in sin are not permitted to participate.

1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”

When we gather to remember these ordinances, let us remember that there are holy angels present in our midst. There could be a Judas among the group, and if so, evil angels are also present, since they accompany all who refuse to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Nobody should skip from Communion because some unworthy people may be there. Every disciple is called to participate publicly, bearing witness to his acceptance of Christ as his personal Saviour.

Christ designed that this supper should be often commemorated, in order to bring to our remembrance his sacrifice in giving his life for the remission of the sins of all who will believe on and receive him. And this ordinance is not to be exclusive, as many would make it. Each must participate in it publicly, and thus bear witness: I accept Christ as my personal Saviour. He gave his life for me, that I might be rescued from death.” - RH May 31, 1898, par. 7

FEET WASHING

Now, let’s understand the purpose of feet washing? Why do we have to do this?

John 13:10-15 “Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
John 15:3 “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.”

By means of the teachings of Jesus while he had been with them.

Reconciliation one with another is the work for which the ordinance of feet washing was instituted. By the example of our Lord and Master, this humiliating ceremony has been made a sacred ordinance. Whenever it is celebrated, Christ is present by His Holy Spirit. It is this Spirit that brings conviction to hearts. As Christ celebrated this ordinance with His disciples, conviction came to the hearts of all save Judas. So we shall be convicted as Christ speaks to our hearts. The fountains of the soul will be broken up. The mind will be energized, and, springing into activity and life, will break down every barrier that has caused disunion and alienation. Sins that have been committed will appear with more distinctness than ever before; for the Holy Spirit will bring them to our remembrance. The words of Christ, "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them," [John 13:17] will be clothed with new power.” - RH, November 4, 1902, par. 10

The ordinance of foot washing is an ordinance of service. This is the lesson that the Lord desires for us to learn and apply. When this ordinance is properly observed, we are brought into holy relationship with one another, to help, bless each other and benefit one another.

To keep His followers from being led astray by the selfishness that exists in the natural heart and strengthened by self-serving, Jesus set an example of humility. He would not entrust this great subject to a mere man. He considered it was so important that He washed the feet of His as One Equal with God.

This ceremony is meaningful to us. God wants us to contemplate the whole picture, not just one act of outward cleanliness. This lesson covers more than one act. Its purpose is to highlight the basic reality that Christ is an example of what we should be in our dealings with one another because of His grace. It demonstrates that one's entire life should be committed to modest service and faithful ministry.

The ordinance preceding the Lord's Supper is intended to clear away misunderstandings, to draw man down from his selfishness, down from his self-exaltation steps, and into the humility of heart that will lead him to serve his brother.

Can a brother wash sister’s feet? A brother cannot wash a sister’s feet except couple

There is no example given in the Word for brethren to wash sisters' feet; but there is an example for sisters to wash the feet of brethren. Mary washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. (See also 1 Timothy 5:10.) I saw that the Lord had moved upon sisters to wash the feet of brethren and that it was according to gospel order. All should move understandingly and not make the washing of feet a tedious ceremony. “ EW 117.1

1 Timothy 5:10 “Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.”

And as the remnant of her seed, Why is the feet washing very important to us?

The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious star containing Jesus' new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us into prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and they would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another's feet and salute the brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshiped at our feet.” - EW 15.1

Remember, all of us are candidates to be among the 144k who will not experience death but will pass through the 7 last plagues alive. But if we the Lord allowed us to be laid down to rest before the plagues, it is still for His glory. We can echo the words of Paul in Romans 14:8.

Romans 14:8 “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.”

After the feet washing, we proceed to The Lord’s supper or communion service

The Communion service was not to be a sad occasion. This was not its intended aim. When the Lord's disciples gather around His table, they are not to reflect on and mourn their failings. They are not to focus on their previous religious experiences, whether positive or negative. They are not to remember the differences between themselves and their brethren. All of this has been done in the service of foot washing. The self-examination, confession of sin, and reconciliation of differences have all been completed. They have now arrived to meet Jesus Christ. They are not to stand in the shadow of the cross, but in its saving light. They are to open the soul to the dazzling rays of the Sun of Righteousness.

The communion is a reminder of Christ's second coming.

1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”

It was intended to keep the disciple’s hope alive in their imaginations.

By partaking of the Lord's supper, the broken bread and the fruit of the vine, we show forth the Lord's death until He comes.” - EW 217

Another important significance of the Lord’s supper when we partake it is a symbol of unity and brotherhood with Christ.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

We show publicly that we are united and belong to the same heavenly family. Our partaking of the same bread shows that we are all one family, united as one body of Christ.

The only correct representation of the bread and wine.

Bread symbol of Christ's body.

1 Corinthians 11:24 “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.”

Wine symbol of Christ's blood.

1 Corinthians 11:25 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.

The broken bread and pure juice of the grape are to represent the broken body and spilled blood of the Son of God. Bread that is leavened must not come on the communion table. The unleavened bread is the only correct representation of the Lord's Supper. Nothing fermented is to be used—only the pure fruit of the vine and unleavened bread are to be used.” - RH June 22, 1897, par. 9

HEAVEN-INSULTING HERESY BY THE VATICAN

The scriptural ordinance of the Lord's supper had been supplanted by the idolatrous sacrifice of the mass. Papist priests pretended, by their senseless mummery, to convert the simple bread and wine into the actual body and blood of Christ. With blasphemous presumption, they openly claimed the power to "create their Creator." All Christians were required, on pain of death, to avow their faith in this horrible, Heaven-insulting heresy. Those who refused were given to the flames. “ - 4SP 63.1

Canons on the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist

Canon 1. If anyone denies that in the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist are contained truly, really and substantially the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently the whole Christ, but says that He is in it only as in a sign, or figure or force, let him be *anathema*.”

Source: Session XIII - The third under the Supreme Pontiff, Julius III, celebrated on the eleventh day of October, 1551

*Anathema means Excommunication with curses as pronounced by a council, pope or bishop.
Heretic means a person who maintains beliefs contrary to the established teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Priest asking christian eucharist actual body of christ

In 1554, a priest carrying the eucharist could stand before a family of Christians in Scotland, tied to posts with dried brush up to their waists. He’d hold that piece of bread before them and ask if what he held in his hand was actually the body, blood and deity of Jesus Christ. When they said, “No, it is only a symbol,” the priest’s assistant placed his flaming torch into the brush and set those Bible-believers on fire. As the victims screamed in agony, the priest held up his crucifix and said, “All this is for the greater glory of God.”

It holds firm, just as strong today, as it did in the time of the Middle Ages, that anyone who ridicules it, or says that it only represents Christ, is damned or cursed. The Vatican II Council re-affirmed this.

Pope John XXIII said, “I do accept entirely all that has been decided and declared at the Council of Trent."

SDA CHURCH'S ADAPTION OF EUCHARIST

Meanwhile, the apostate SDA church has also adopted this blasphemous Catholic heresy.

In January, 1982, the SDA church thru its leadership--were in attendance and part of the ecumenical meeting of the Faith and Order Conference of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Lima, Peru.

"Over one hundred theologians met in Lima, Peru, in January 1982, and recommended unanimously to transmit this agree statement--the Lima text--for the common study and official response of the churches. They represented virtually all the major church traditions: Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Reformed, Methodist, United, Disciples, Baptist, Adventist and Pentecostal.

"The churches' response to this agreed statement will be a vital step in the ecumenical process of ‘reception’."

Source: Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry, Faith and Order Paper #111, back cover, published by the World Council of Churches, 1982.

The book "Churches respond to BEM", documents the SDA church's "official response" to this Lima text sent to the WCC on the ecumenical subjects discussed at this meeting. The SDA church officially states that,

"The purpose of this essay is primarily to show how Seventh-day Adventist understanding of the eucharist or the Lord's supper... to highlight Adventist understanding and practice of the eucharist... (341)

"In preparation for the celebration of the eucharist Seventh-day Adventists practice the washing of feet... (343) "

The Eucharist is referred by the SDA church as a sacrament:
"On occasion Seventh-day Adventists refer to the eucharist as a sacrament." (342)

Source: Churches Respond to BEM (Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry), vol 2, p 341-343, published by the World Council of Churches in 1986.

In 1991, the World Council of Churches held their convention in Canberra, Australia. Representatives of the SDA church were present, and this is the following report to the SDA people:

"And we could go on if space permitted--to mention the WCC's... accentuation of the Holy Spirit and the Eucharist. All of these emphases fit into the ambit of the three angels' messages." - Adventist Review, May 2, 1991, p 10.

Source: See the documents here.

Note that the World Council of Churches is the capstone of the ecumenical effort by the Vatican which is Babylon the great! The SDA church herself has stated below.

The capstone of the ecumenical effort came with the creation of the World Council of Churches...
"On the basis of Bible prophecy and the writings of Ellen G. White, SDA's anticipate the eventual success of the ecumenical movement both in eliminating the divisions of Protestantism and in reuniting Christendom by bridging the gulf that separates non-Catholic communions from Rome. The ecumenical movement will then become a concerted effort to unite the world and to secure universal peace and security by enlisting the power of the civil government in a universal religio-political crusade to eliminate all dissent. SDA's envision this crusade as the great apostasy to which John the revelator refers as 'Babylon the great.' They understand, also, that God's last message of mercy to the world prior to the return of Christ in power and glory will consist of a warning against this great apostate movement, and a call to all who choose to remain loyal to Him to leave the churches connected with it." - SDA Encyclopedia, vol. 10, p. 410-411.

So, it's now really obvious that the Adventist become catholic and it's now time to come out and separate as we are told in Revelation 18:4.

Passover at the House

And this is not a coincidence that we are doing the Lord’s Supper in the house because even Jesus and the apostles did it in the house. That’s why we are also a home church.

Matthew 26:17-19 “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? 18 And he said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. 19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.”

Put Away Leaven Out of your Houses

And take note also that during the Passover, they where not allowed to have leaven in their houses or they will be cut off.

Exodus 12:14-15 “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever. 15 Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.”

CUT-OFF means CHURCH DISCIPLINE

Galatians 5:10, 12 “I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be… I would they were even cut off which trouble you. “.

LEAVEN means SIN

“So when we feed upon Christ, it should be with contrition of heart, because of our sins. The use of unleavened bread also was significant. It was expressly enjoined in the law of the Passover, and as strictly observed by the Jews in their practice, that no leaven should be found in their houses during the feast. Likewise, the leaven of sin must be put away from all who would receive life and nourishment from Christ."

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 “Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Jesus give a new IDEA ON GREATNESS when at THE last Passover, he says to the disciples in Luke 22:15-16 :

Luke 22:15-16 "And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 for I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God."

Concerning what had there been a strife among the disciples?

Luke 22:24 "And there was also strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest."

PRIVILEGE AND ESSENTIAL OF FELLOWSHIP

What is necessary for Christian fellowship and cleansing from sin?

1 John 1:7 “But 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.”

What greater fellowship does the Christian have?

1 John 1:3 “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”

I hope and pray that you are blessed!

Links on topic...

Transubstantiation Exposed

Gospel Order