The History of the Lord's Table
The Lord’s Table is the New Testament observance of the Passover Feast that the nation of Israel celebrated in Egypt.
Every father took an unblemished lamb, killed it, and put the blood on the posts and lintel of his door. (The door was the place of covenants.) He gathered his family that night, around the lamb and under the blood. When the Death Angel saw the blood, it passed over the house and did not kill the first-born.
(See Exodus 12.)
Communion in the Wilderness
After leaving the bondage of Egypt, the nation of Israel received bread from heaven in the form of daily manna. Jesus later showed that He was "the living manna" that came down from heaven. (See John 6:58.)
In the wilderness, God also provided “the cup,” in the form of the water that flowed out of the rock after Moses struck. Paul points out that this rock was Christ.
(See I Corinthians 10:4.)
The Real Door On Which Jesus Knocks
Many people who have pictured the words of Revelation 3:20 as Jesus knocking at the door of our heart for salvation, but instead, the verse is written to Christians.
Jesus is actually knocking at the door of our home wanting us to invite Him in for a covenant meal. When we invite Him in, He will come in among us, because He has promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).
How to Maintain"One Accord"
Power
Maintaining "one accord" power is so vital for the life and effectiveness of the body of Christ. The Lord Jesus himself instituted a regular time of self-examination and reconciliation. It was to be known as the Lord's Table, and Communion.
Is The Lord's Table Also Communion?
If one believes that the Lord's Table and Communion are the same event, they are missing out on a powerful and vital teaching. These are actually two unique events that can be practiced seperatly or together.
What Is the Lord's Table?
The Lord's Table is the meal that was eaten, before the bread and cup were served. It refers back to the Passover Meal that was first eaten in Egypt.
What Is Communion?
Communion consists of the bread and the cup. ". . . Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:26-28).
What is the Purpose of the Lord’s Table?
The Lord's Table was a time for personal examination. It not only celebrated the Passover, but also the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In this Feast, all yeast had to be removed from the home and the diet or that person would be cut off from the congregation.
Thus, the bread had to be unleavened and the cup totally unfermented. Yeast is a symbol of sin. Fermentation is also a process of decomposition. Therefore, to use fermented wine to represent the blood of Christ would be sacreligious because in Him is life and no death at all.
As the disciples began the Lord’s Table, Jesus initiated a time of deep soul searching by stating, “One of you shall betray me.” At this statement the disciples were “. . . exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:21-22).
Thorough self-examination must take place before partaking in communion, which consists of the bread and the cup, or there will be physical weakness, sickness, and premature death. (See I Corinthians 11:30.) If a family member fails to clear up hurts, and goes to bed angry, Satan is given a “place” in his or her soul. With this jurisdiction, He is able to do much damage in the life of that person and the family. Therefore, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).
Where Should the Lord’s Table Take Place?
The Table of the Lord should be eaten in the homes of believers. Paul made this very clear when he wrote, “When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper . . . What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?” (I Corinthians 11:20-22).
- The Lord’s Table originated in homes. (See Exodus 12:11-48.)
- Jesus instituted the Lord’s Table in the upper-room of a home.
(See Matthew 26:26.) - The first century believers observed the Lord’s Table in their homes. (See Acts 2:46, I Corinthians 11:22.)
Where Should Communion Be Observed?
According to Paul’s instruction in I Corinthians 11, communion is to be observed when believers gather together in one place. The bread and the cup are to be served during communion. Thorough self-examination must be done prior to communion. “For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (I Corinthians 11:31-32).
Communion in many churches today is observed only once a month. It is often placed at the end of the service, with only a few moments given for self-examination. It is totally impractical to think that this procedure is sufficient to accomplish what God requires in Scripture. For this reason, it is so important that the observance of the Lord’s Table be done in the homes of believers. Then, when coming together as a church, the body of Christ is cleansed and ready to celebrate communion. The primary question is not so much where communion is to be observed, but whether there has been thorough self-examination beforehand. Believers must be cleansed so that the power of "one accord" will not be broken.
This was the experience of first century believers. “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:46-47).