Topical Encyclopedia The sacrilege of those who profaned the Lord's Supper is a significant issue addressed by the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians. This topic is primarily discussed in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, where Paul admonishes the Corinthian church for their irreverent and improper conduct during the observance of the Lord's Supper.Context and Background The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper with His disciples. It is a commemoration of Christ's sacrificial death and a proclamation of His atoning work. The elements of bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of Christ, and the observance is meant to be a time of reflection, unity, and reverence among believers. In the early church, the Lord's Supper was often celebrated in conjunction with a communal meal known as the "love feast" or "agape feast." However, in Corinth, this practice had devolved into a scene of division and excess, undermining the sacredness of the ordinance. Paul's Rebuke and Instruction Paul's rebuke to the Corinthians is stern and direct. He begins by expressing his disapproval of their gatherings, stating, "In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good" (1 Corinthians 11:17). The apostle highlights several issues: 1. Divisions and Factions: Paul notes that there are divisions among the Corinthians when they come together, which contradicts the unity that the Lord's Supper is meant to foster (1 Corinthians 11:18-19). 2. Selfishness and Excess: Some members of the church were indulging in excess, eating and drinking to the point of drunkenness, while others went hungry. Paul chastises them, saying, "One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Do you not have your own homes in which to eat and drink?" (1 Corinthians 11:21-22). 3. Disregard for the Poor: The wealthier members of the congregation were not sharing with the poorer members, leading to inequality and humiliation within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:22). Theological Implications Paul emphasizes the theological significance of the Lord's Supper by recounting the words of Jesus during its institution: "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me... This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me" (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The Lord's Supper is a proclamation of the Lord's death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26). Call to Self-Examination To address the sacrilege, Paul calls the Corinthians to self-examination and discernment. He warns, "Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27). Believers are urged to examine themselves before partaking in the elements to avoid bringing judgment upon themselves (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). Judgment and Discipline Paul explains that the consequences of profaning the Lord's Supper are severe, noting that many in the Corinthian church were weak, sick, and some had even died as a result of their irreverence (1 Corinthians 11:30). He clarifies that this judgment is a form of divine discipline intended to lead believers to repentance and prevent them from being condemned with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32). Practical Instructions To rectify the situation, Paul provides practical instructions: "So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you come together it will not result in judgment" (1 Corinthians 11:33-34). By fostering a spirit of unity and consideration, the Corinthians could restore the sanctity of the Lord's Supper. The sacrilege of those who profaned the Lord's Supper serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of approaching this sacred ordinance with reverence, unity, and self-examination, recognizing its profound theological significance in the life of the church. Nave's Topical Index 1 Corinthians 11:29For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. Nave's Topical Index Library Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ... Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It. Comparison Between the False Church and the True. Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ... Introduction. The Fourth Commandment Of the Modes of Supplementing Satisfaction --viz. Indulgences and ... Resources What is sacrilege? What does it mean to be sacrilegious? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Ahaz in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What were the mystery religions? | GotQuestions.org Sacrilege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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