THE INSTITUTION OF THE THREEFOLD COMMUNION SERVICE

	THE INSTITUTION OF THE THREEFOLD COMMUNION SERVICE Introduction     1.    This took place one full day before the Passover feast of the Jews. 2.    This symbolizes the past, present, and future ministry of Christ. 3.    This is not the Passover feast, nor a part of this service. 4.    This was instituted for Christian people. THE TIME OF THE COMMUNION SERVICE lb. The stipulation of the Old Testament law provided that this Feast begin on the opening of the 15th day of the month. lc. Lamb was to be chosen on the 10th day of the month. Exod. 12:3 2c. The lamb was to be kept till the 14th and killed about three o'clock. Exod. 12:6 3c. The lamb shall be eaten after sundown and nothing shall remain till the morning. Exod. 12:10 2b. The testimonies of the Gospels are in complete accord with the Old Testament. lc. The apostle John is in complete accord with this. John 13:1     cf. verses 27-29 John 18:28 John 19:14, 31   2c. The testimony of other gospels also support this. Luke 22:16 ARV Not the RSV nor the AV Mark 15:42 - declares the preparation day was before the feast day. Matt. 27:62 - Christ was in the tomb on the feast day, the 15th. 3c. The conclusion must be that Christ instituted this communion one day before the Passover. Christ would not have eaten the Passover ahead of time, nor out of the prescribed rules. Matt. 5:17 cf. Numbers 9:10-13 Christ must die at the appointed time for the Passover to ful­fill the type. 1 Cor. 5:7 What was instituted was not a perpetuation of Old Testament forms, but something new for the church.