The document discusses Paul's teachings on the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians. It explains that participating in communion connects believers to Christ and to each other. Paul wanted the Corinthians to cease divisions and wait for each other during their communal meals. Taking communion is meant to be a corporate act of unity, not something done individually.

1. The Lord’s
Table
Lesson 3: The Supper in Corinth
December 12, 2012
University Church of Christ
Abilene, TX

2. Review
‣ Worship in the Old Testament was
built around a structure of “holy
meals”
‣ The Lord’s Supper is related to the
table of the sacrifice, not the altar
‣ The Lord’s Supper was established
in the context of the Passover, a
meal celebrating God’s redemption
‣ At the Lord’s Table, Jesus is present
as host and participant with us

3. 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
• Paul connects the Lord’s Table with sacrifice
meals
‣ Those who participate in the Lord’s Table
participate in Him
‣ Those who eat and drink together are
united

4. 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
• Emphasis on communion
‣ There is a real connection between
Christ and those who participate
๏ We share in His body and in His blood
๏ We become one with Him (which
requires fidelity)

5. 1 Corinthians 10:14-22
• Emphasis on communion
‣ There is a real connection between all
participants
๏ We “partake”
๏ Because we share in the same meal, we
truly become one body
• The Bible never tells us to take the Lord’s
Supper with sadness, but with thanksgiving

6. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
• Most extensive discussion of Lord’s Supper
in New Testament
• Not intended as theological treatise!
• This is the treatment of a specific problem

7. 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
• Most extensive discussion of Lord’s Supper
in New Testament
• Not intended as theological treatise!
• This is the treatment of a specific problem

8. Since so many of the Scripture texts
about worship are aimed at correction
rather than instruction, we are left
with teaching that does not always
directly and explicitly answer our own
particular questions.
Richard E. Oster, Jr.

9. End
“So then, wait for each
other.”
Start
“It is not the Lord’s Super
you eat for each of you
goes ahead without waiting”

10. Paul’s Words
“In the following, I have no praise…”

11. Paul’s Words
“When you come together, there are
divisions among you”

12. Paul’s Words
“It is not the Lord’s Super you eat for
each of you goes ahead without waiting”

13. Graeco-Roman meals
‣ Hierarchical arrangement
‣ Characterized by arguments and
cliques
‣ Wine valued in quality and quantity

14. Paul’s Words
“I received from the Lord
what I passed on to you”

15. Paul’s Words
“As often as you eat the bread and drink
the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death
until He comes”

16. Paul’s Words
“Whoever eats or drinks
in an unworthy manner
will be guilty of sinning
against the body and blood of the Lord”

17. Paul’s Words
“If anyone eats and drinks
without discerning the body,
he eats and drinks judgment”

18. Paul’s Words
“If we discerned ourselves,
we would not be judged”

19. “29For anyone who eats and drinks
without recognizing the body of
the Lord eats and drinks judgment
on himself. 30That is why many
among you are weak and sick, and
a number of you have fallen
asleep. 31But if we judged
ourselves, we would not come
under judgment. ”

20. “29For anyone who eats and drinks
without diakri÷nw the body of
the Lord eats and drinks judgment
on himself. 30That is why many
among you are weak and sick, and
a number of you have fallen
asleep. 31But if we judged
ourselves, we would not come
under judgment. ”

21. “29For anyone who eats and drinks
without diakri÷nw the body of
the Lord eats and drinks judgment
on himself. 30That is why many
among you are weak and sick, and
a number of you have fallen
asleep. 31But if we judged
ourselves, we would not come
under judgment. ”

22. “29For anyone who eats and drinks
without diakri÷nw the body of
the Lord eats and drinks judgment
on himself. 30That is why many
among you are weak and sick, and
a number of you have fallen
asleep. 31But if we diakri÷nw
ourselves, we would not come
under judgment. ”

23. “29 For he who eats and drinks in
an unworthy manner eats and
drinks judgment to himself, if he
doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.
30 For this cause many among you
are weak and sickly, and not a few
sleep. 31For if we discerned
ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged.
World English Bible

24. 29 - If we don’t diakri÷nw the
Lord’s body => judgment
31 - If we do diakri÷nw
ourselves => not judged
the Lord’s body (29) =
ourselves (31)

25. Paul’s Words
“So then, when you come together to eat,
wait for each other.
If any is hungry, let him eat at home”

26. Communion
‣ The body takes the Lord’s Supper
as a body.
‣ We must recognize that body to
take the Lord’s Supper correctly.
‣ It is not an individual act!
It is the most corporate thing
that we do.
‣ Paul did not eliminate the meal;
he eliminated the division during
the meal.

27. Summary
• Participating in the Lord’s Table is a time of
connecting with our Lord and with one
another
• The Bible never tells us to take the Lord’s
Supper with sadness, but with thanksgiving
• Taking the Lord’s Supper is not an individual
act. It is the most corporate thing that we
do