Can you explain some of these terms related to the Lord’s Supper?

Answer:

Feast of the Passover

This was to be observed on the fourteenth day of the first month (Leviticus 23:5). Preparation began on the tenth day of this same month with the selection of a lamb for each household (Exodus 12:3). This lamb was killed at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month (Exodus 12:6). Blood from the lamb was to be put on the doorposts of the houses (Exodus 12:7). The blood on the doorposts was what would cause the Lord to not allow the destroyer to enter and kill the firstborn in the household (Exodus 12:23). He would, thus, pass over their marked houses and spare them on his way to kill the firstborn of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:27). This would be observed throughout the Israelite's generations each year (Exodus 12:14). The reason for this feast is because the Lord spared the Israelites with marked homes but killed the firstborn of the Egyptians (Exodus 12:27).

Feast of Unleavened Bread

This is a seven-day feast that begins on the fifteenth day of the first month (Leviticus 23:6). The first day of this feast is one day after the observance of the Passover, which was on the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month (Leviticus 23:5). A holy assembly was to be held on the first and seventh day of this feast and no work was to be done except for preparing food for the feast (Exodus 12:16). Not only was no leaven to be eaten but none was supposed to be found in the Israelite's homes during this feast (Exodus 12:15). This feast was to be observed every year throughout the Israelite's generations (Exodus 12:17). The reason for this feast is because God brought the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 12:17; 13:8-9).

The Lord's Supper

There is one verse in most translations that uses the phrase "the Lord's Supper", which is I Corinthians 11:20. Paul is scolding the Corinthians for treating this as a common meal like they would have in their homes (I Corinthians 11:20-34). In this passage, Paul explains the meaning of the Lord's Supper. The bread that was broken symbolizes Jesus' body which was broken for us (I Corinthians 11:23-24). The cup which was drunk symbolizes the new covenant for which Jesus shed his blood for many (I Corinthians 11:25; Mark 14:24). What was in the cup was the fruit of the vine (Mark 14:23-25), grape juice in other words. This is taken on the first day of the week when the church is gathered together (Acts 20:7).

Communion

This is the same exact thing as the Lord's Supper (I Corinthians 10:16). This wording can be found in the King James and New King James versions. Using the word "communion" puts the focus on the sharing aspect of the Lord's Supper.

Last Supper

When this wording is used it reminds us that it was Jesus' last meal before he was crucified. It is the very same meal in which Jesus himself instituted what we now call the Lord's Supper (Matthew 26:26-29).

by Austin Hausner