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The Table and Supper of the Lord is the expression of the communion of “'the Church of God” as the body of Christ.
The “Lord's Table” in 1 Corinthians 10 is in contrast to the table of demons, and the Supper in chapter 11 would seem to be in contrast with what the Apostle speaks of as “their own supper," as he says, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's Supper, for in eating every one taketh before other his own supper.”
The Lord’s Table and the Lord’s Supper are His in a peculiar way. It is there that in a special way, perhaps, His authority, His claims, and His love are realized and confessed. It is the visible center and expression of the unity and communion of the Church as the body of Christ. “For we, being many, are one bread, one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread” (or loaf). It is the solemn and happy remembrance of Himself, as the One Who died for us—the remembrance of Himself in death. “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?” “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” It is at the Table and in the Supper that the blessed Lord brings Himself before us, as in death for us. “This is My body which is given for you.” “This is … My blood which is shed for you.” “This do in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19-20.
Nothing on earth can be more simple, solemn and blessed than this service, if such one may call it. Could the memorials be more simple? Could they be more solemn?
“He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh [judgment] to himself. … For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep”
“Christ· our Passover is sacrificed for us.” 1 Corinthians 5:7.
The Passover lamb was to be eaten, “not raw nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire, and unleavened bread, and bitter herbs.” The “roast with fire” brings before us the Lord as the One Who has borne for us the unmitigated judgment of God. At the Cross no sparing hand was found. And it is thus He is brought before us in the Supper at the Table.
What I mean by the emblems being simple and profound is that they are such that the youngest and simplest can, as taught of God, know their meaning. Such say, “These are the memorials of the Savior’s (the Lord’s) death, that death by which atonement has been made and I brought to God.” The cup speaks of His blood shed for the remission of sins; the broken bread speaks of His body given in death.
The most aged and advanced has the same truth before him, and realizes that these emblems speak of love, suffering and sorrow beyond all human thought and fathom.
While the broken loaf speaks thus of the Lord’s body given in death for us, it also speaks of the unity and fellowship of the Church. The cup also speaks of fellowship, as it is said, “The cup of blessing which we bless (i.e., for which we give thanks), is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?”
Then, as to the solemnity of it, “He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body" (i.e., the body of Christ in death).
Perhaps I do not just understand what you mean by “man’s table”. Of course, Scripture recognizes no such table. And there are, I suppose no Christians who would own the table with them as such; though the ground on which it is spread might be quite unscriptural.
Take the tables in the various denominations: To these Christians, the table with them is that of the Lord and the supper His; and as such they partake of it. Some among us were for years at one or the other of these tables—and there in all sincerity—there for want of further light. Could it be said in truth we had never partaken of the Lord's Supper, until we were found among those gathered on Scriptural ground? Surely not, though the way in which we had partaken of it was not according to Scripture. … How precious to some in this place has the remembrance of Himself been!
We know that, according to Scripture, the table with such is simply a sectarian one, the table of such and such a sect, but it is not such to them. So, again, there are those professedly gathered to the Lord’s name who are on independent ground, and the table with them is, as we know, a schismatic one, and as such to be refused; but it is not such to them. But could it be said that they do not partake of the Supper, and that they do not remember Him?
As to one's path in connection with the various tables, especially the latter, verses 13 and 14 of Deuteronomy 12 are important.
“Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: but in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of thy tribes, there shalt thou offer thy burnt offerings, and there shalt thou do all that I command thee.” What we have to see to is that the place where we are, is where He has chosen to put His name (verses 5 and 11 of Deuteronomy 12).
It is not a question as to the piety of the persons in these meetings and denominations, or of persons at all; but as to whether the Lord has chosen to place His name with them. Are they, according to His Word, gathered to His name? Thus one asks, “What was the origin of such and such a meeting? Why are they meeting in separation from others? Is their position a Scriptural one? Has the Lord chosen to place His name with them?” One repeats, it is not a question of personal piety. There may be more of this with some who are on independent or schismatic ground, than with those who are on proper Church ground and thus gathered to the Lord’s name. True, the question in Deuteronomy 12 is that of idol worship, and that of the Lord, but the principle is important and very so. Nor is it a question as to whether the Lord grants blessing in these denominations and schismatic meetings. He is sovereign in His mercy and goodness, and loves all His people. He is the head of the Church, and head over all things, to it. What we have to see to is that, if together, we are so according to the truth; and so are where He has chosen to place His name. We are to see to it that we are where He would have us, that we are where we are in obedience to His will as made known in Scripture. The day is one of laxity, indifference and self-will, and increasingly so. All around about us is rapidly shaping itself for the coming of that one who shall do according to his own will.
There were days in the history of Israel when there was no king, and every man did that which was right in his own eyes, and there is much of this in our own day. There might be no king in Israel; but where was God and His Word?
Both He and it were forgotten. It is a sad day when no authority is owned, and it is this, and the spirit of it, which we are constantly having to meet, in some shape or form. As just said, it is characteristic of the day; and men despise authority and speak evil of dignities, denying the Lord that bought them.
Walter Potter
(This is a companion brochure to “Reception at the Lord’s Table” BTP #42095.)