Should it be called communion or Lord’s Supper?
Question:
Good day brother Jeffrey,
I'm here to seek your advice or comments and suggestions regarding the phrase "Lord's Supper." My question is: Can we still use the phrase "Lord's Supper" as part of the worship? Which phrase is appropriate to use: communion or Lord's Supper? I ask because the preacher said that we can no longer use Lord's Supper because it is not the Lord who leads the Lord's Supper anymore. I hope you can give me a supporting verse regarding my questions.
Take care and God bless.
Answer:
In English "Lord's Supper" means the meal belonging to the Lord. It means it is a special meal not to be confused with an ordinary supper you eat each day.
Paul referred to the memorial meal that Christ established as a "communion" in I Corinthians 10:16-17. "Communion" means something that is shared. The meal is shared by all believers to remember that the Lord died on our behalf. Later he called the same memorial meal "the Lord's Supper" when he said, "Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you" (I Corinthians 11:20-22). The Corinthian's actions had turned the memorial meal that belongs to the Lord into something that wasn't anything more than a common everyday meal.
Therefore, both "communion" and "Lord's Supper" are appropriate phrases to describe the memorial meal that we partake of in worship. Your preacher's statement is contrary to the teachings of God.
Response:
Hi! Brother Jeffrey,
I shared what you wrote with the preacher. He is willing to correct himself and he is thankful. I told him sometimes you cannot rely on your own opinion regarding the Scripture.
I am very thankful that I found your site where I can ask for help. I found your explanation clear and understandable because there are supporting verses.
