Could the Lord’s Supper be taken in advance?
Question:
Hello, brethren in Christ,
I want to ask a question regarding this matter. Based on the example given in "Is it wrong to hold a celebration in advance of an event?", which is the Passover, is it okay if we also partake in the bread and cup in advance?
Any answer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Answer:
Recall that the Lord's Supper is more similar to Sabbath offerings, which were held weekly, than to the annual Passover feast. The Lord's Supper emphasized the unity of the brethren by being taken together. "Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread" (I Corinthians 10:16-17). It had to be taken when the church gathered together (I Corinthians 11:17,18,20; 14:23,26). The example we were given is that it was done on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).
A person could, individually, partake of the elements of the Lord's Supper and remember Christ's death. There would not be anything wrong with it (Romans 14:5-6). However, it would not be the Lord's Supper that the church is required to have as a part of its worship. It cannot be used as a substitute for what the Lord commanded.
If my son's birthday is on the 18th, but we decide to celebrate it on the 16th when everyone is able to come, it doesn't change his birthday. It still falls on the same day of the year.
