THE ONE TRUE COMMUNION

The One True Communion

Where baptism is administered as the Scriptures teach, it usually happens but once in a lifetime. This carries out the symbolism for baptism, for it points to that one experience in salvation when the believer is baptized into the body of Christ by the operation of the Holy Spirit. Because the memories of men are frail, in order to keep ever fresh in their minds the fullness of Christ's ministry in their behalf our Lord instituted the threefold communion service on the night of His betrayal.

The events in the upper room took place twenty-four hours before the Passover feast began, and therefore they are not to be confused with the Passover feast (John 13:1, 29; 18:28; 19:14, 31). The major events of that evening were three in number: the washing of the disciples feet (John 13:1-17); the meal that was eaten by Jesus and the disciples (John 13:2, 4, 18, 26-30 ASV), and the Eucharist of the bread and cup (Matt. 26: 26-29). A careful reading of all the passages indicates that these events took place in the above order.

The Present Ministry of Christ

Two passages in the New Testament refer to this event. One appears in the historical section (John 13:1-17), and the other in the explanatory portion (1 Tim. 5:10). The account in Timothy was written about A.D. 63-65 as instruction, but the other was written as late as A.D. 90 as an historical record. The account in 1 Timothy indicates that the church was practicing this rite in A.D. 65, while the record in John's Gospel provides evidence for such practice thirty years later.

From the very beginning this rite was performed faithfully by the church. Even though portions of the church have abandoned this practice, it is still scrupulously observed in portions of the church to this very hour. In The Brethren Church this is true.

The washing of the disciples' feet was the first event of the evening of fellowship. Though each disciple according to custom washed his own feet as he entered the upper room, yet when everything was ready and the disciples were seated at the table for the evening meal, Jesus disrobed and washed their feet (John 13:1-5). It was a startling operation to the disciples. Never before had they witnessed the host perform a menial task like this. The problem confronting Peter aroused within him a question that could not be answered on the spot (John 13:6-7). This in turn called forth a protest from Peter that Jesus answered with a voice of authority (John 13:8). Peter submitted to this authority, but while doing so he perverted the great truth of salvation (John 13:9). Christ had to explain that the bath of salvation is needed only once, but perpetual cleansing of the believer's walk by His present ministry is necessary in order to keep him saved (13:10-11). This is the blessed ministry Christ is performing today as our great high priest in the washing of water in the Word (Eph. 5:26).

The Future Ministry of Christ

When the washing of the disciples' feet was concluded, Jesus donned His outer garments again and sat down to the meal (John 13:12). This was not the Passover meal. That was twenty-four hours away. This was an ordinary meal at the close of the day, but at the beginning of the day of preparation, for Jewish days began at sundown. This meal Jesus consecrated to a new purpose, an ordinance, which has been practiced by the church in whole or in part to this hour (1 Cor. 11:17-34). Nor was this meal to be confused with the Eucharist of the bread and cup which followed the meal (1 Cor. 11:24-25; Luke 22:19-20), and which a large part of Christendom has mistakenly called the Lord's Supper. This was a full meal, such as any family would eat at the close of the day. That is why it is called a supper (John 13:2, 4). It was instituted by the Lord, directed by Him, and filled with His own blessed presence, and that is why it is called the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:20).

Very early there were those who abused this meal, even as they did many other sacred things, and it was necessary therefore to administer severe rebuke and advice correction (I Cor. 11:17-34). But this did not mean that the form should be discontinued. Where this has happened, it is not because the form has been abused but because God's people have grown cold and indifferent to the voice of Him who is the Head of the church (John 13:13).

The significant thing about this meal is what it portrays. After the ministry of cleansing is past, the church is to be ushered into the courts of glory, and there the saints will sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. The sin and sorrow of earth is passed, and then joined in blessed and eternal fellowship with the Bridegroom, the feast of love and companionship will endure forever. Here Jesus will cause His own to sit down, and He will gird himself and come forth and serve them (Luke 12:37). That is why the Lord's Supper is called the Love Feast (Jude 12).

The Past Ministry of Christ

Both Luke and Paul witness clearly to the transition from the Lord's Supper to the Eucharist. They declare that it was after the supper had been eaten (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:24­-25). Matthew and Mark also support this order of events (Matt. 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-23). The supper is over and Jesus is now by means of the bread and cup setting forth another aspect of His ministry.

Strictly speaking, the order of events in the upper room do not follow the chronological order of Christ's ministry. His past ministry comes last, for the bread and the cup symbolize the ministry at the cross, to which all Christendom gives assent. The record in the three Gospels and also in 1 Corinthians tell the same story (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26).

The reason this comes last is to remind the disciples and all those whom they represent that every blessing of the present and every hope for the future rests upon that supreme sacrifice that was made at Calvary. It was there that the holy wrath of God was fully satisfied in its indignation against sin. It was there that the life of the infinite Son of God was given as a ransom, to rescue men from the penalty upon sin. It was there that God was declared righteous and thus set free to justify sinners who would believe in His Son.

In this threefold ceremony Christians are constantly reminded of what Christ has done for them, what He is doing for them, and what He will shortly do. This threefold service keeps before the mind the order of the threefold ministry of Christ, and therefore does much to safeguard them from the subtleties of Satan that would lead them astray.