COMMUNION – SHARING
Paul's term describing the nature of the Lord's Supper
and thus the term used by many church groups to refer to their celebration of
Jesus' final, memorial supper with His disciples. Paul used the Greek term koinonia to express the basic meaning of
the Christian faith, a sharing in the life and death of Christ and all things
heard from the Father which radically creates a relationship of Christ and the
believer and of the believers with one another in a partnership or unity. The
fellowship we can have with the Father through the Son (John 17:22, 26) is the
same fellowship we as believers can have with one another.
1 Cor. 10:16; 2 Cor. 6:14; 2 Cor. 13:14 The basic meaning is “joint
participation in things held in common.” We hold much in common with Christ and
the Father. This we are to share as He shared with us.
koinonia, koy-nohn-ee'-ah; from G2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.)
participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:--(to)
communicate (-ation), communion, (contri-), distribution, fellowship.
Communion is throughout the 15th chapter of John. The
teaching of the vine gives the flow of things shared from the Godhead. Life
juices flow from the Father, Son and Spirit to the saint who in turn is
expected to share that which has been shared with them.
The sharing of the truth Christ left us which takes us to perfection
through sharing with one another John 15:11, 12-15.
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in
you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved
you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the
servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all
things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you." John
15:12-15.
All things the Father had told Him, He shared with us for the express
purpose of making our joy full. Our job He says is to share all the things He
shared with us. This is communion. As we grow towards perfection, our joy grows
also.
Communion like our God is to be threefold as taught in John 13. Why did
He use the 13th chapter of John to display communion?
1. Cup
of Blessing with the Bread - Past Ministry of the Cross 1 Cor. 10:16 - Greater
love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. (Friends
with whom He shares His truth shared from His Father.)
2. Washing
of the Word - Eph. 5:26-27 Present ministry of sanctification - Where joy is
made full by sharing truth shared with you with others. Father - Son - Saint -
other Saints is the flow.
3. Love
Feast – Future Ministry - Marriage Supper of the Lamb - Where conversation is
shared with friends with a love supper.
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