1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. I. THE DIFFERENT NAMES DESCRIPTIVE OF THIS ORDINANCE. 1. "Breaking of bread." Bread is considered the chief support of life, and, among the Jews, breaking of bread was a sign of mutual friendship. Thus Christ's body was broken for the sins of men. 2. "Communion" — which may signify either a participation or communion between the receivers themselves, or between the receivers and the thing received. In both senses it is applicable to the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 10:16). 3. "Eucharist" — which signifies thankfulness or thanksgiving, and frequently occurs in the New Testament as a general expression of gratitude. Taking this view of the ordinance, how should our hearts overflow with adoring gratitude, love, and praise, whenever We approach the Lord's Table! 4. "Sacrament" — which originally signified a religious oath which the Roman soldiers took to their commanders. So does every Christian solemnly engage to maintain irreconcilable warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil. 5. There are two other terms often applied to this ordinance, both of Levitical origin. They are "oblation" and "sacrifice." II. In celebrating the Lord's Supper, according to His last solemn command, "This do in remembrance of Me," WE VIEW CHRIST AS THE GREAT ATONEMENT, AND THE ONLY SACRIFICE FOR SIN. In this sacred ordinance the Church invites the attention of men "to behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world." III. OUR OBLIGATION DUTY, AND INTEREST ALL COMBINE TO ENFORCE OBEDIENCE TO THIS LAST, SOLEMN, AND DYING COMMAND OF CHRIST. (N. Meeres, B.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |