What is really happening when Christians break bread and drink wine to remember Christ's death until He comes back?

[PaulThomson]

Paul warns that if we eat the bread and drink the cup in an unworthy manner, we are eating and drinking condemnation to ourselves, and because of many Christians are weak sick and some have even died prematurely (1 Cor. 11:23-32). It is objectively true that many Christians today, in all denominations, are weak and sick and are dying prematurely. Churches that believe in the real presence" are full of sick people. Churches that instruct communicants to examine themselves for personal sins before partaking, are full of sick people. I would like to see my brothers and sisters enjoy better health from the Lord and the church be a place of healing, not a hospice.

Firstly, the context of Paul's warning is his scolding the rich in the church for not sharing the food and wine they brought to the love feast with the poor, so that the rich were even becoming drunk while the poor remained hungry ( 1 Cor. 11:17-22). Paul was concerned that the meaning of the communion was being missed completely by those partaking. Jesus had shed His blood for every person in that love feast. without discrimination (1 John 2:2). Jesus had poured out the Holy Spirit upon every person in that love feast without partiality (Acts 2:16-17). Jesus' body had been broken for every person in that love feast without prejudice (Luke 22:19). Eating the communion bread and drinking the communion wine is us declaring our union with Jesus in His sacrificial life, death and resurrection, re-committing ourselves to live as broken, merciful, Holy Spirit led children of God. (1 Cor. 11:26)

But how can someone who despises another communicant, who is careless abut their hunger and poverty, who has unforgiveness in their heart towards another communicant or absent Christian (or even an unbeliever in the meeting) make a sincere profession of communion with Christ in His sacrificial life and death for all? For such a person, taking communion becomes a Judas kiss (luke 22:48, 1 Peter 5:14), a treasonous pretence. If you come in communion to offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice, and remember a brother has something against you, first be reconciled to your brother, and then take the bread and wine (Matt. 5:21-26. Matt. 6:14-15, Mark 11:25-26, Matt. 18:21-35)

I believe this is the fundamental meaning of communion, and many of us are taking the bread and wine unworthily by this standard, and for this reason many are sick and some are dying prematurely. It's not because we do not have the correct mystical magical beliefs about what the bread and wine are, but because we have no recognition of what they mean. Taking communion while fostering disunity by harbouring unforgiveness toward another is "not discerning the body and blood of our Lord" in the communion.

 

[GWH]

The title answers its own question!

 

[shittim]

I have shared this after receiving His healing through it, and others do as well.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Communion is a re-enactment of the covenant meal that proclaims the lord's death which sealed the new covenant. It should remind us that we are in covenant with God into forgiveness of our sins.

For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many into the removal of sins. Matthew 26:28​

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The last supper was foreshadowed by Melchizedek bringing bread and wine to have communion with Abram. This was just before God cut a covenant with Abram in which he promised to give the land to his seed, Christ

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14:18-20​

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Likewise, the elders of Israel had a covenant meal with God when the old covenant was cut with Israel.

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words. Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. Exodus 24:8-11​

 

[PaulThomson]

I have shared this after receiving His healing through it, and others do as well.

While I do agree that taking communion with faith in the healing Jesus also purchased is a channel for healing for those who have no enmity in their hearts, I still think the eating and drinking worthily entails being in harmony with others, otherwise God will withhold the healing, as per my cited texts.

 

[PaulThomson]

Communion is a re-enactment of the covenant meal that proclaims the lord's death which sealed the new covenant. It should remind us that we are in covenant with God into forgiveness of our sins.

For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many into the removal of sins. Matthew 26:28​

​

The last supper was foreshadowed by Melchizedek bringing bread and wine to have communion with Abram. This was just before God cut a covenant with Abram in which he promised to give the land to his seed, Christ

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14:18-20​

​

Likewise, the elders of Israel had a covenant meal with God when the old covenant was cut with Israel.

And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words. Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. Exodus 24:8-11​

Where does Jesus word to the unforgiving servant, "Unless you forgive from the heart, the Father will not forgive you" come into your equation? Mat 18:21-35

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Where does Jesus word to the unforgiving servant, "Unless you forgive from the heart, the Father will not forgive you" come into your equation? Mat 18:21-35

I hadn't really thought about it, but I'm glad you brought this up because forgiveness towards others really should be our frame of mind when we're remembering what secured our undeserved forgiveness.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

The Greek word translated unworthily in 1 Corinthians 11:27 is ἀναξίως which means to use a different weight

G371 ἀναξίως anaxios (a-na-xiy'-ōs) adv.
1. (properly) weighing or valuing differently.

So if we hold things against others when remembering the lord not holding things against us, then that is using different weights, which is an abomination to God. We need to judge others by the same standard we are judged by

Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Proverbs 20:23​

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

What would be a better English word for ἀναξίως ?

 

[HaveEL]

Paul warns that if we eat the bread and drink the cup in an unworthy manner, we are eating and drinking condemnation to ourselves, and because of many Christians are weak sick and some have even died prematurely (1 Cor. 11:23-32). It is objectively true that many Christians today, in all denominations, are weak and sick and are dying prematurely. Churches that believe in the real presence" are full of sick people. Churches that instruct communicants to examine themselves for personal sins before partaking, are full of sick people. I would like to see my brothers and sisters enjoy better health from the Lord and the church be a place of healing, not a hospice.

Firstly, the context of Paul's warning is his scolding the rich in the church for not sharing the food and wine they brought to the love feast with the poor, so that the rich were even becoming drunk while the poor remained hungry ( 1 Cor. 11:17-22). Paul was concerned that the meaning of the communion was being missed completely by those partaking. Jesus had shed His blood for every person in that love feast. without discrimination (1 John 2:2). Jesus had poured out the Holy Spirit upon every person in that love feast without partiality (Acts 2:16-17). Jesus' body had been broken for every person in that love feast without prejudice (Luke 22:19). Eating the communion bread and drinking the communion wine is us declaring our union with Jesus in His sacrificial life, death and resurrection, re-committing ourselves to live as broken, merciful, Holy Spirit led children of God. (1 Cor. 11:26)

But how can someone who despises another communicant, who is careless abut their hunger and poverty, who has unforgiveness in their heart towards another communicant or absent Christian (or even an unbeliever in the meeting) make a sincere profession of communion with Christ in His sacrificial life and death for all? For such a person, taking communion becomes a Judas kiss (luke 22:48, 1 Peter 5:14), a treasonous pretence. If you come in communion to offer yourself to God as a living sacrifice, and remember a brother has something against you, first be reconciled to your brother, and then take the bread and wine (Matt. 5:21-26. Matt. 6:14-15, Mark 11:25-26, Matt. 18:21-35)

I believe this is the fundamental meaning of communion, and many of us are taking the bread and wine unworthily by this standard, and for this reason many are sick and some are dying prematurely. It's not because we do not have the correct mystical magical beliefs about what the bread and wine are, but because we have no recognition of what they mean. Taking communion while fostering disunity by harbouring unforgiveness toward another is "not discerning the body and blood of our Lord" in the communion.

Taking the bread and wine unworthily means taking it without being saved or knowing Jesus personally. If you are saved you're remembering Jesus' sacrifice for you, with the bread representing His body broken for your healing and the wine representing His blood shed for the forgiveness of your sins.

 

[PaulThomson]

Taking the bread and wine unworthily means taking it without being saved or knowing Jesus personally. If you are saved you're remembering Jesus' sacrifice for you, with the bread representing His body broken for your healing and the wine representing His blood shed for the forgiveness of your sins.

So, where does Jesus word to the unforgiving servant, "Unless you forgive from the heart, the Father will not forgive you" come into your equation? Mat 18:21-35

 

[TruthDefender]

The Greek word translated unworthily in 1 Corinthians 11:27 is ἀναξίως which means to use a different weight

G371 ἀναξίως anaxios (a-na-xiy'-ōs) adv.
1. (properly) weighing or valuing differently.

So if we hold things against others when remembering the lord not holding things against us, then that is using different weights, which is an abomination to God. We need to judge others by the same standard we are judged by

Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Proverbs 20:23​

To me, the old English divers weights is about cheating customers.

“Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

 

[Aaron56]

Fellowship (Greek = koinonia) is typically a noun. Only once is it used as a verb and then only in a phrase.

The church often uses the word as a verb. “I will fellowship with him” or “Let’s get together and fellowship”.

Once, because he thought that it was the way to start meaningful speeches, a Vice President said to a room full of astronauts “My fellow astronauts…”. Dan Quayle was never an astronaut. On that quality, being an astronaut, he had no fellowship with his audience.

Fellowship specifically denotes one’s shared origin or character with another.

So, it was a big deal when Paul revealed that “..truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Paul was not simply saying that we communicate with or have correspondence with God and Christ BUT that our origin and character are of the same nature as the Father and the Son: we share a nature with the living God!

When Paul rhetorically inquired about what fellowship a believer had with unbelievers and evil men, he was not asking about how we ministered to them or had a sandwich with them or how we worked with them. He was illuminating the fact that we do not share their character or origin. Their wisdom is not our wisdom. His admonishment was to remain unconnected to their ways and their traditions.

The Living God has no fellowship with evil and, truly, our fellowship is with Him.

Ask a Christian “Tell me about communion” they would likely say “it’s when we eat bread and drink wine/grape juice” without any understanding of the meaning.

Paul plainly defined the spiritual reality of the cup and bread (by the way: his revelations on these matters are the “greater things” Jesus promised: that we would be given greater things then what He taught while on the earth… but that’s another topic.)

Paul wrote this:
“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?”

So, clearly, we’re talking about the cup and the bread. The very next thing he wrote was this:

“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

The one body IS Christ. The one bread IS Christ. This is our communion: that we are in and of Christ: the many-membered body with Him as our Head.

And let me just add a little more salt: if it is true that we are in one body, who is Christ, then how does the Lord consider our propensity for divisions? How does He look upon our “Baptists” and “Pentecostal” and “Roman” and “Lutheran” and “Presbyterian” and “Mennonite” etc etc etc divisions? Might He consider our manner of dividing from one another “unworthy” when it comes to eating the bread and drinking the wine? If you see it, then there is no wonder why, in this day and age, the primary condition of the church is one of powerlessness and sickness.

“For we being many are one bread, and one body…” This is communion: that those who are in Christ are of Christ. If we willingly walk in a manner of division from the one body then we eat and drink in an unworthy manner (merely consuming the cracker and the Welch’s won’t matter.) The end result thereof is powerlessness, corruption, and some going to the grave prematurely.

 

[TruthDefender]

Fellowship (Greek = koinonia) is typically a noun. Only once is it used as a verb and then only in a phrase.

The church often uses the word as a verb. “I will fellowship with him” or “Let’s get together and fellowship”.

Once, because he thought that it was the way to start meaningful speeches, a Vice President said to a room full of astronauts “My fellow astronauts…”. Dan Quayle was never an astronaut. On that quality, being an astronaut, he had no fellowship with his audience.

Fellowship specifically denotes one’s shared origin or character with another.

So, it was a big deal when Paul revealed that “..truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.” Paul was not simply saying that we communicate with or have correspondence with God and Christ BUT that our origin and character are of the same nature as the Father and the Son: we share a nature with the living God!

When Paul rhetorically inquired about what fellowship a believer had with unbelievers and evil men, he was not asking about how we ministered to them or had a sandwich with them or how we worked with them. He was illuminating the fact that we do not share their character or origin. Their wisdom is not our wisdom. His admonishment was to remain unconnected to their ways and their traditions.

The Living God has no fellowship with evil and, truly, our fellowship is with Him.

Ask a Christian “Tell me about communion” they would likely say “it’s when we eat bread and drink wine/grape juice” without any understanding of the meaning.

Paul plainly defined the spiritual reality of the cup and bread (by the way: his revelations on these matters are the “greater things” Jesus promised: that we would be given greater things then what He taught while on the earth… but that’s another topic.)

Paul wrote this:
“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?”

So, clearly, we’re talking about the cup and the bread. The very next thing he wrote was this:

“For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.”

The one body IS Christ. The one bread IS Christ. This is our communion: that we are in and of Christ: the many-membered body with Him as our Head.

And let me just add a little more salt: if it is true that we are in one body, who is Christ, then how does the Lord consider our propensity for divisions? How does He look upon our “Baptists” and “Pentecostal” and “Roman” and “Lutheran” and “Presbyterian” and “Mennonite” etc etc etc divisions? Might He consider our manner of dividing from one another “unworthy” when it comes to eating the bread and drinking the wine? If you see it, then there is no wonder why, in this day and age, the primary condition of the church is one of powerlessness and sickness.

“For we being many are one bread, and one body…” This is communion: that those who are in Christ are of Christ. If we willingly walk in a manner of division from the one body then we eat and drink in an unworthy manner (merely consuming the cracker and the Welch’s won’t matter.) The end result thereof is powerlessness, corruption, and some going to the grave prematurely.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Yes, I don’t think He approves of all the division/ denominations, and being outside the NT pattern….

 

[NightTwister]

Meeting with like-minded people isn't necessarily division, although many make it that.

 

[TruthDefender]

Meeting with like-minded people isn't necessarily division, although many make it that.

I think he was probably referring to doctrine. Christ isn’t divided, therefore we shouldn’t be either. Christ gave us a pattern to follow…..

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

To me, the old English divers weights is about cheating customers.

“Diverse weights are an abomination to the Lord, And dishonest scales are not good.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20‬:‭23‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

In essence it is treating others like the cheater wouldn't want to be treated. That is the sin. Don't want your sins held against you? Then don't hold others' sins against them. That would be an unequal standard, and therefore unrighteousness, and therefore sin.

 

[TruthDefender]

In essence it is treating others like the cheater wouldn't want to be treated. That is the sin. Don't want your sins held against you? Then don't hold others' sins against them. That would be an unequal standard, and therefore unrighteousness, and therefore sin.

Yeah I understand what you’re saying, but I’m saying that verse has nothing to do with what you’re talking about. It’s denoting cheating customers by, in this case, weights and measures. It’s when you use dishonest scales telling people you’re honest when you’re not; you’re cheating them with some type of measure.

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

Yeah I understand what you’re saying, but I’m saying that verse has nothing to do with what you’re talking about. It’s denoting cheating customers by, in this case, weights and measures. It’s when you use dishonest scales telling people you’re honest when you’re not; you’re cheating them with some type of measure.

My point was that using unequal standards, which using unequal weights is, is an abomination to God. It is by definition inequity, which is unrighteousness, which is sin.

Righteousness
G1343 δικαιοσύνη dikaiosune (d̮iy-kai-o-sï '-nee) n.
1. equity (of character or act).
2. righteousness.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is sin not unto death. 1 John 5:17​

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[NightTwister]

I think he was probably referring to doctrine. Christ isn’t divided, therefore we shouldn’t be either. Christ gave us a pattern to follow…..

Just because we hold to different (non-essential) doctrines doesn't mean we have to divide. Some do though, unfortunately.