THE NATURE OF THE COMMUNION SERVICE

THE NATURE OF THE COMMUNION SERVICE

lb. It is for the purpose of setting forth Christ as the great servant in salvation. Matt. 20:28

He is here set forth as the great "Deacon" ‑

1.   Purpose - ministering to the necessities of life.

2.   Practice - vigorous in the performance of duties.

3.   Passion - advancing the cause of another at the sacrifice of self.

In order to do all this he took the form of a servant (Phil 2:7) and declared I am among you as one that serveth (Luke 22:27). In the three-fold communion service this abstract truth is made very real.

2b. The communion service sets forth Christ's threefold ministry by three appropriate symbols.

-The past ministry of Christ (Matt. 20:28); cf. 1 Cor. 11:26

The bread and the cup. 1 Cor. 11:23-25

-The present ministry of Christ. Eph. 5:26 The feetwashing service. John 13

-The future ministry of Christ. (Luke 12:37)
The Love feast - 1 Cor. 11:17 ff.

3b. The believer is fully reminded that salvation is wholly of the Lord.

PAST - It is the Lord who lays the foundation for salvation.
The Eucharist reminds us of this.

PRESENT - It is the Lord who cleanses the believer from defilement. The feetwashing reminds us of this.

FUTURE - It is the Lord who comes for and serves the saint in the future. The Love feast reminds us of this.