Sowing the Seed Series
Class 16 – The Lord’s Supper

I.              Introduction

A.   The feast of unleavened bread was a shadow of the Lord’s Supper

                                          i.     It began when the Lord passed over Egypt (Ex 12:17)

                                        ii.    This feast was to be taken once every year (Ex 12:18, Lev 23:5-6)

                                       iii.    Its purpose was to remind Israel of their deliverance from Egypt (Ex 12:27)

                                       iv.    Jesus transitioned from the feast to communion in Luke 22:7-16

B.   The Lord’s Supper began during the observance of passover (Luke 22:17-20)

                                          i.    This serves as a memorial of Christ’s death for our sins (1 Cor 11:24-25)

                                        ii.    We partake of the Lord’s supper every first day of the week

II.            When and How Often

A.   Jesus was resurrected on Sunday (Matt 28:1)

B.   The church was established on Sunday (Acts 2:1)

                                          i.    Pentecost always occurred on Sunday

C.   The church gave every Sunday (1 Cor 16:1-2)

D.   The disciples assembled every Sunday (John 20:19, 26)

                                          i.    It appears they began doing so before the church came

E.   The disciples continued meeting consistently after the church (Acts 2:42)

F.    The apostle Paul made special effort to assemble on Sunday (Acts 20:7)

G.   John called Sunday the Lord’s Day (Rev 1:10)

III.           The argument

A.   “Breaking bread” is not a reference to the Lord’s supper

B.   The phrase can reference both the Lord’s supper and eating (Acts 2:42-46)

                                          i.    In verse 42, breaking bread means communion

1.    Doctrine, fellowship, and prayers show this was worship

2.    The Greek has the article “the” in front of bread

                                        ii.    In verse 46, breaking bread means eating

1.    They ate their meat every day

C.   In Acts 20:6-11, breaking bread means communion as well

                                          i.    They came together on the first day of the week (v7)

1.    This was worship not a meal which is evident by Paul’s preaching

                                        ii.    Furthermore, Paul ate after he broke bread (v11)

1.    Here we have “the” in front of bread once again

2.    Notice, eating is mentioned as occurring after and separate from the breaking of bread

                                       iii.    Also, Paul was in a hurry to make it to Jerusalem for Pentecost (v16)

1.    Why would he wait in Troas until Sunday for a common meal?

IV.          The one cup argument

A.   Jesus gave the cup filled with the fruit of the vine (Matt 26:26-29)

                                          i.    Notice the bread is emphasized and not the platter

                                        ii.    Secondly, they drank the cup (1 Cor 11:26)

                                       iii.    Thirdly, the cup was poured out and divided (Luke 22:17, 20)

1.    Both of these reference the contents not the cup

                                       iv.    Finally, the cup represents the New Testament (Matt 26:28)

1.    Would they argue we can only use one copy in worship?