Lord's Supper Honor

Missionary Activities - Bible Studies

Requirements

1. Understand what message we proclaim by participating in the Lord's Supper. (1 Corinthians 11:26)

   Answer: By participating in the Supper we proclaim the death of the Lord Jesus, until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is a threefold proclamation: we look back to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, forward to his glorious second coming, and around us to the communion of the church as the redeemed body. — The Greek text uses the verb katangellete (to announce, to proclaim publicly), the same verb used for evangelistic preaching — the Supper is a form of silent and visual evangelism to the community.

2. Know the meaning of the bread and the grape juice as symbols in the Supper. (Matthew 26:26-29; John 6:35; John 15:1)

   Answer: The bread symbolizes the body of Christ given for us (Matthew 26:26): Jesus is the 'bread of life' (John 6:35). The grape juice symbolizes the blood of the new covenant poured out for the remission of sins (Mt 26:27-28); Jesus is the 'true vine' (John 15:1). Adventists use unleavened bread and unfermented juice. — Leaven and fermented wine symbolize corruption and sin in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Leviticus 2:11 — which is why the Adventist tradition keeps unleavened bread and pure grape juice, faithful to the original Jewish Passover custom.

3. Know who established foot washing as part of the Supper. (John 13:3-5)

   Answer: It was Jesus Christ himself who established foot washing. In John 13:3-5, during the Last Supper, He got up, took off his outer garments, wrapped a towel around himself, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet. It was a direct institution of the Lord, not a later invention of the church. — The act was so shocking to the disciples that Peter initially refused it (John 13:8), and Jesus replied: 'unless I wash you, you have no part with me' — establishing the gesture as a permanent ordinance for the church.

4. Explain the two meanings of foot washing taught by Jesus. (John 13:12-16; Matthew 6:14-15)

   Answer: The two meanings are: (1) humility and service — Jesus said 'I have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet' (John 13:14-15), a model of mutual service in the church; (2) reconciliation and forgiveness — before the Supper we cleanse broken relationships, forgiving and being forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). — The Greek term for washing used in John 13 is nipto (partial washing), distinct from louo (a complete bath) — Jesus says that whoever has already bathed only needs to wash their feet, symbolizing the maintenance of daily spiritual purity after conversion.

5. Know when Jesus promised that he would celebrate the Supper again with his disciples. (Matthew 26:29)

   Answer: Jesus promised in Matthew 26:29 that he will drink of the fruit of the vine again when he is in his Father's kingdom. This moment will be after his second coming, on the New Earth, when the redeemed will eat with Christ at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). — The Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:9 is the fulfillment of this promise — combining the expression 'Father's kingdom' from Matthew with the messianic meal announced by Isaiah 25:6-8 when speaking of the new era.

6. Memorize and recite Luke 22:19-20.

   Answer: Memorize: 'And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you' (Luke 22:19-20). Practice reciting it to another person until you have it memorized. — Luke 22:19-20 contains the complete formula of the institution of the Lord's Supper, including the specific detail 'do this in remembrance of me' which also appears in 1 Corinthians 11:24 — the biblical basis for the church's ongoing celebration.

7. Share with a friend the importance of the Lord's Supper, explaining the promise of Jesus for those who participate. (John 6:54)

   Answer: Share that the Lord's Supper is an ordinance instituted by Jesus that recalls his sacrifice and anticipates his return. The promise of John 6:54 is twofold: 'whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day'. Whoever participates with faith receives eternal life and a guaranteed resurrection. — John 6:54 is in a context where Jesus explained that the expression is figurative (John 6:63 'the flesh counts for nothing; it is the Spirit who gives life') — to eat and drink means to receive Christ by faith, and the Lord's Supper is the visual expression of that act of faith.