I. The Names of the Eucharist
A. The Lord’s Supper, I Cor. 11:19
The Lord’s Supper was the meal where the Lord is the host, setting the tone and behavior of the meal. The Lord’s Supper was in direct contrast to your own supper, v. 21.
B. Breaking Bread, Luke-Acts
Used repeatedly by Luke to describe the opening blessing of a meal, the corporate meal, and references the ‘bread and the cup.’
C. Communion, I Cor. 10:16
“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?
D. Eucharist, Jesus action at last Supper
This term is mainly used in Anglican, Catholic, and Orthodox traditions. It is adopted because “eucharist” is the Greek word for “thanksgiving” and is taken from Jesus’ actions at the last supper: “Jesus took bread and gave thanks.”
II. The Different Views of the Eucharist in Churches Through History
Views Christian Body Is Christ present? How?
Trannsubstantiation Roman Catholic Real Presence The substance changes
The accidents remain
Pious Silence Anglican, Orthodox Real Presence Do not know the meta-
Physical mechanics
Consubstantiation Lutherans (Luther) Real Presence Substance remains;
Body /Blood present
Spiritual Presence Calvin, Presby. Real Presence Substance remains
Spiritual feed on Christ
Mere Symbolism Zwingli Christ not present Symbols, memorial
Baptist, evangelical Physically or spiritually
Non-literal celebration Quakers/Salv. Army Christ not present Live by values; don’t
Phy. or spiritually need to celebrate
III. The Setting of the Eucharist in the Day of Jesus
A. The Eucharist was set within a Passover Framework
1. Passover was the Jewish Festival that celebrated the Exodus from Egypt and freedom from slavery to the Egyptians, Exodus 12
2. Jesus was redefining the feast around himself, and seeing as his actions as their ultimate fulfillment.
a) Meal, death of Jesus: new exodus from slavery to sin to salvation (new covenant enjoy fellowship with God)
b) Jesus as the Passover Lamb: God’s judgment has “passed over” us.
c) The new community in fellowship with Jesus. Jesus dealing with issues of forgiveness, love, and servanthood. A Calling of discipleship and mission.
d) Eschatological meal: Celebrates the effect of past action in dying on the present (Lk. 24:13-35), while awaiting the ultimate fulfillment, Luke 22:16. It points forwardto the future banquet we will enjoy with Christ in His Kingdom.
B. The Eucharist in the Early Church: The early church had a common meal as a central part of their gatherings. Luke’s references to the breaking of bread seem to correlate with Paul’s references to the ‘the Lord’s Supper’ in Corinthians and the evidence of the celebration of ‘love feasts’ in Jude and later church fathers. The common meal, celebrated house to house and ‘on the first day of the week’, served as a time of joyful thanksgiving to God for their new life in Christ.
1. It was a counter-cultural statement (Corporate identity)
- Lord the Host versus idols or guest
- Welcoming People vs. status of People (bias)
- Peace with God and one another vs. Conflict
- Celebrate their formation as a new people of God under a new covenant in their Lord Jesus
2. It is a “rememberance through re-enactment” (Corporate memory)
- Not re-sacrificing Jesus
- Bringing the past to the present moment
3. It is an active participation in the life of Jesus(the body and blood, Lev 17; Jn 6; I Cor. 10-11)
January 9, 2011; The Way Christian Fellowship, Fr. Tony Baron, teaching pastor. To learn more about The Way, see our website, www.findtheway.com.