First we must deal in short with the significance of the Passover instituted in the Old Testament. The last supper was celebrated by our Lord Himself during the Passover. He said, “Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.” (Mt. 26:18). At this Passover, Judas dipped his hand into the same dish and therefore Jesus said, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” (vs. 23).

The evangelist Mark records what happened in detail, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them; and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” (14:22-25). Hardly no other text in the whole Bible is being so much misunderstood and misinterpreted as this one concerning the Lord’s supper. According to the above passage, the new covenant was about to come into existence. The blood of this new testament was not shed at this Passover or Lord’s supper but rather on the cross of Calvary. At this meal, the godly blood was still pulsating in the Redeemer and it was not in the cup. We have to read this Scripture in the light of the significance of the institution of the Old Testament covenant to rightly comprehend the significance of the Lord’s supper just before the inauguration of the new covenant.

The Lord God gave to Moses all the instructions. He in turn conveyed them to the people. “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people; and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” (Ex. 24:7-8).

The children of Israel in the Old Testament had experienced redemption and deliverance and they were led out from bondage. This happened at the moment when the divine order was given to them to slay a lamb in every house, prepare the same, eat the flesh and put the blood on the lintel and the door posts for protection. It was a sign which the destructive angel had to respect. A home with the sign of this blood could not be touched and the first-born was spared.

In this connection, we have to read the following text, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 12:13). This was God’s decision, and therefore the first-born of the Israelites could not be touched. The blood was the security at the time of destruction. The covenant God made with His people was thereby valid. In the 14th verse, we read about the Passover, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations …” A memorial of the saving — delivering and keeping of God’s people.

Two things are to be noticed here. Firstly, by the shed blood the covenant with Israel received its validity, and therefore the lives of the redeemed were saved. Secondly, the celebration of this feast was to be a memorial and reminder to the children of Israel of what God had done to them. These two facts are confirmed in the New Testament supper.

The redeemed were first to declare their willingness to obey and to do all of God’s Word. After Israel did that, Moses sprinkled the blood as a visible sign upon the redeemed church which stood henceforth under the protection of the blood. For a memorial of this great event experienced by Israel, the Passover was to be observed.

In Luke 22, our Lord says, “… With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer … And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.” (vs. 15+19). While taking part in the Lord’s Supper, the New Testament believers are reminded of the redemption which happened through the blood of the new covenant that was shed for the people of the new covenant. In a symbolic way, the Lord showed forth the true significance. The bread He broke was prepared for the Passover, and therefore it was without leaven. The wine in the cup He gave to His disciples was from the vine. According to Matthew, the Lord said, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
(26:29). As the bread was broken in the eyes of those present, the Body of Jesus Christ was delivered, beaten and crucified. As certain as wine was in the cup, the blood of the Lamb of God was shed for the forgive-
ness of our sins.

It was not the bread which was broken and eaten that suffered but rather our Lord suffered in His Body of flesh, when He took upon Himself all that was laid upon humanity. The wine was not changed nor was it shed. Those present at the supper drank the same. The holy blood of the Redeemer was shed by which He Himself went into the Glory as a high priest. “… but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb. 9:12). Therefore, the following great truth could be said, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (vs. 14). Nothing is said or written about the changing of the two elements, bread and wine. While the Lord held the bread in His hands, He said, “This is my body …” Then it is no more necessary to change the same by a ceremony. When the Lord said, “This is my blood …” there is no more need for anyone to change the element. He certainly did not give His literal flesh and blood to eat and to drink and this should be clearly understood. We only find it expressed in a symbolical way.

It is also being taught that Christ offers Himself every time afresh for the living and the dead as it is supposed to happen in the wafer which transforms to be God Himself Who then is eaten up by those participating. What a terrible thought! The holy Scriptures certainly do not teach such a thing. It is in direct contradiction to the teachings of Christ of Whom the Scripture says, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever … For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified … This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days … And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:12-18). Whoever reads on in this chapter will find the thought pertaining to salvation expressed, that through the blood of Jesus Christ the new and living way was made free to enter the heavenly sanctuary. What happened at Calvary is valid once and for all for those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, have received the forgiveness of their sins and obtained the eternal life. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9:27-28). Christ does not offer Himself repeatedly and every day millions of times. That is impossible and totally unscriptural.

The Catholic terms “consecration” and “Sacrifice of the Mass” are expressed in a meaning that the substance of bread and wine is transferred into the actual Body and Blood of Christ. It is being assumed that He offers Himself always anew and is then being eaten. If that would indeed happen, it would be terrible and not only for the vegetarians! But it does not happen. It is not promised, nor was there any such idea in the early Christianity and also the Christians of the first centuries did not know such a superstition. It is very peculiar because in the tabernacle only the wafer is placed. The priest puts it on the tongue of the participants and the wine he drinks himself for all. The altar bells and incense, the shouting “sanctus, sanctus, sanctus” as well as the kneeling down in front of the tabernacle and the prayer etc., all these were not known to the true Church of Jesus Christ. In fact, they are totally strange to real Gospel believers.

The early church celebrated the Lord’s Supper in a simple manner. It was called the breaking of bread and was practised here and there in houses. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). The exposition given by the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 10 and 11 is of great importance. “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.” (10:15-17). What a clear testimony.

Even today Biblical churches administer the Lord’s Supper as it was done at the very beginning. They take one wheat bread, of course not being baked with leaven, according to the number of those who would participate. The shepherd of a local assembly takes the bread, gives thanks unto God and blesses the same in the name of the Lord. Then it is being broken in small pieces, and the elders hand it around to all, whereby everyone takes a piece of this broken bread. The whole assembly exists of many members making up the one Body of Christ. The bread denotes the oneness of the body, that is to say of the Church; and the breaking into small pieces speaks of the single members as is being expressed in verse 17. During the Lord’s Supper, the true believers who are part of the Body of Christ are assembled in the fear of God for special fellowship with the Lord — the Lamb of God Who died for us — and
with one another. After the bread is served and the cup is being taken, thanks is being offered and the same is blessed in the name of the Lord. After this, all participate in drinking from the same cup. As the apostle has written, so it is — the cup of blessing. The fellowship of believers who participate therein, remembering the suffering of Christ and the shedding of His blood.

In the 11th chapter, the apostle Paul emphasised having received of the Lord what he gave unto us, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me …” In His Body He was resurrected and taken up to heaven. To receive the full light, we must use all Bible references which speak about this subject. The importance is with the divine life that was in this godly blood here on earth. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (Jn. 1:4). “… God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 Jn. 5:11-12).

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourneth among you eat blood.” (Lev. 17:11-12). It is not the blood as a chemical substance but rather the life of God existing in this blood which should come into all the redeemed. It should be said that whosoever has a part in the shed blood receives the life which is therein into himself. In Christ was God’s life, therefore, here we are dealing with eternal life. That is the main thought which the Holy Scripture expresses through the proclamation of the Gospel and also is transmitted through the Lord’s Supper.

The eating of blood was prohibited as later confirmed in Acts 15:29. If the wine in the cup would be truly changed into blood, then the believers would act against God’s expressed order. We need spiritual understanding also in this case. At the Lord’s Supper, the question is not about changing the substances which are only visible symbols to express the divine sense, but rather we are clearly told that we must receive the life of Christ and be reconciled with God.

The Redeemer said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. … As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (Jn. 6:51+57).

In reference to the so called “consecration”, it would be good if all would read about the first miracle Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee where He changed water into wine. The excellent quality astonished the chief steward at the wedding. The wine which was changed from the substance of water was even better than the original. The people did not drink water and deceived themselves, saying, “We are drinking wine”. On the contrary, they were drinking real wine. Up to this day, not one person eating the wafer has had the impression that it was changed into flesh, also no one while drinking wine have had the taste of blood. It is nothing but a mystery cult.

The bread symbolises firstly the Body of Christ which was offered and secondly the body of believers — the church, as referred in 1 Cor. 10:15-17. The emphasis with the bread was laid in the statement, “… this do in remembrance of me.” “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:25). Whoever partakes of bread has the taste of bread, whoever drinks the wine, has the taste of wine. That is the plain truth. The Lord rose bodily and ascended into heaven. No one can change any kind of bread on earth into His body. As already spoken of in this exposition, that’s not even in question. We are only dealing with God’s life that was in Christ and now within us. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (Jn. 1:12).

The cup shows forth that the blood of the new covenant was shed. The bread and wine need not to be changed to become Christ, but rather the old man in us must be changed by receiving the new life of Christ within by believing in the full redemption through His blood. Whoever experienced God in a Biblical way can participate correctly in the Lord’s Supper. This memorial is meant to be kept in remembrance of what happened on Calvary, right to the end of the time of grace. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:26). It is noteworthy to pay attention to the precise wording. It does not say, “as often as you eat this flesh”, but rather, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup …” Only what is placed before us can be eaten, and what is in the cup can we drink. The practice of the Roman Church is outside the will and Word of God. The fuss about the terminologies “it means” or “it is” was not even necessary. No philosophy has any place here. Also this theme must be viewed in the light of God’s revealed Word.

First we must deal in short with the significance of the Passover instituted in the Old Testament. The last supper was celebrated by our Lord Himself during the Passover. He said, “Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.” (Mt. 26:18). At this Passover, Judas dipped his hand into the same dish and therefore Jesus said, “He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” (vs. 23).

The evangelist Mark records what happened in detail, “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them; and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” (14:22-25). Hardly no other text in the whole Bible is being so much misunderstood and misinterpreted as this one concerning the Lord’s supper. According to the above passage, the new covenant was about to come into existence. The blood of this new testament was not shed at this Passover or Lord’s supper but rather on the cross of Calvary. At this meal, the godly blood was still pulsating in the Redeemer and it was not in the cup. We have to read this Scripture in the light of the significance of the institution of the Old Testament covenant to rightly comprehend the significance of the Lord’s supper just before the inauguration of the new covenant.

The Lord God gave to Moses all the instructions. He in turn conveyed them to the people. “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people; and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.” (Ex. 24:7-8).

The children of Israel in the Old Testament had experienced redemption and deliverance and they were led out from bondage. This happened at the moment when the divine order was given to them to slay a lamb in every house, prepare the same, eat the flesh and put the blood on the lintel and the door posts for protection. It was a sign which the destructive angel had to respect. A home with the sign of this blood could not be touched and the first-born was spared.

In this connection, we have to read the following text, “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 12:13). This was God’s decision, and therefore the first-born of the Israelites could not be touched. The blood was the security at the time of destruction. The covenant God made with His people was thereby valid. In the 14th verse, we read about the Passover, “And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations …” A memorial of the saving — delivering and keeping of God’s people.

Two things are to be noticed here. Firstly, by the shed blood the covenant with Israel received its validity, and therefore the lives of the redeemed were saved. Secondly, the celebration of this feast was to be a memorial and reminder to the children of Israel of what God had done to them. These two facts are confirmed in the New Testament supper.

The redeemed were first to declare their willingness to obey and to do all of God’s Word. After Israel did that, Moses sprinkled the blood as a visible sign upon the redeemed church which stood henceforth under the protection of the blood. For a memorial of this great event experienced by Israel, the Passover was to be observed.

In Luke 22, our Lord says, “… With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer … And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.” (vs. 15+19). While taking part in the Lord’s Supper, the New Testament believers are reminded of the redemption which happened through the blood of the new covenant that was shed for the people of the new covenant. In a symbolic way, the Lord showed forth the true significance. The bread He broke was prepared for the Passover, and therefore it was without leaven. The wine in the cup He gave to His disciples was from the vine. According to Matthew, the Lord said, “But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
(26:29). As the bread was broken in the eyes of those present, the Body of Jesus Christ was delivered, beaten and crucified. As certain as wine was in the cup, the blood of the Lamb of God was shed for the forgive-
ness of our sins.

It was not the bread which was broken and eaten that suffered but rather our Lord suffered in His Body of flesh, when He took upon Himself all that was laid upon humanity. The wine was not changed nor was it shed. Those present at the supper drank the same. The holy blood of the Redeemer was shed by which He Himself went into the Glory as a high priest. “… but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb. 9:12). Therefore, the following great truth could be said, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (vs. 14). Nothing is said or written about the changing of the two elements, bread and wine. While the Lord held the bread in His hands, He said, “This is my body …” Then it is no more necessary to change the same by a ceremony. When the Lord said, “This is my blood …” there is no more need for anyone to change the element. He certainly did not give His literal flesh and blood to eat and to drink and this should be clearly understood. We only find it expressed in a symbolical way.

It is also being taught that Christ offers Himself every time afresh for the living and the dead as it is supposed to happen in the wafer which transforms to be God Himself Who then is eaten up by those participating. What a terrible thought! The holy Scriptures certainly do not teach such a thing. It is in direct contradiction to the teachings of Christ of Whom the Scripture says, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever … For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified … This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days … And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (Heb. 10:12-18). Whoever reads on in this chapter will find the thought pertaining to salvation expressed, that through the blood of Jesus Christ the new and living way was made free to enter the heavenly sanctuary. What happened at Calvary is valid once and for all for those who, through faith in Jesus Christ, have received the forgiveness of their sins and obtained the eternal life. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Heb. 9:27-28). Christ does not offer Himself repeatedly and every day millions of times. That is impossible and totally unscriptural.

The Catholic terms “consecration” and “Sacrifice of the Mass” are expressed in a meaning that the substance of bread and wine is transferred into the actual Body and Blood of Christ. It is being assumed that He offers Himself always anew and is then being eaten. If that would indeed happen, it would be terrible and not only for the vegetarians! But it does not happen. It is not promised, nor was there any such idea in the early Christianity and also the Christians of the first centuries did not know such a superstition. It is very peculiar because in the tabernacle only the wafer is placed. The priest puts it on the tongue of the participants and the wine he drinks himself for all. The altar bells and incense, the shouting “sanctus, sanctus, sanctus” as well as the kneeling down in front of the tabernacle and the prayer etc., all these were not known to the true Church of Jesus Christ. In fact, they are totally strange to real Gospel believers.

The early church celebrated the Lord’s Supper in a simple manner. It was called the breaking of bread and was practised here and there in houses. “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). The exposition given by the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 10 and 11 is of great importance. “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.” (10:15-17). What a clear testimony.

Even today Biblical churches administer the Lord’s Supper as it was done at the very beginning. They take one wheat bread, of course not being baked with leaven, according to the number of those who would participate. The shepherd of a local assembly takes the bread, gives thanks unto God and blesses the same in the name of the Lord. Then it is being broken in small pieces, and the elders hand it around to all, whereby everyone takes a piece of this broken bread. The whole assembly exists of many members making up the one Body of Christ. The bread denotes the oneness of the body, that is to say of the Church; and the breaking into small pieces speaks of the single members as is being expressed in verse 17. During the Lord’s Supper, the true believers who are part of the Body of Christ are assembled in the fear of God for special fellowship with the Lord — the Lamb of God Who died for us — and
with one another. After the bread is served and the cup is being taken, thanks is being offered and the same is blessed in the name of the Lord. After this, all participate in drinking from the same cup. As the apostle has written, so it is — the cup of blessing. The fellowship of believers who participate therein, remembering the suffering of Christ and the shedding of His blood.

In the 11th chapter, the apostle Paul emphasised having received of the Lord what he gave unto us, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me …” In His Body He was resurrected and taken up to heaven. To receive the full light, we must use all Bible references which speak about this subject. The importance is with the divine life that was in this godly blood here on earth. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (Jn. 1:4). “… God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 Jn. 5:11-12).

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourneth among you eat blood.” (Lev. 17:11-12). It is not the blood as a chemical substance but rather the life of God existing in this blood which should come into all the redeemed. It should be said that whosoever has a part in the shed blood receives the life which is therein into himself. In Christ was God’s life, therefore, here we are dealing with eternal life. That is the main thought which the Holy Scripture expresses through the proclamation of the Gospel and also is transmitted through the Lord’s Supper.

The eating of blood was prohibited as later confirmed in Acts 15:29. If the wine in the cup would be truly changed into blood, then the believers would act against God’s expressed order. We need spiritual understanding also in this case. At the Lord’s Supper, the question is not about changing the substances which are only visible symbols to express the divine sense, but rather we are clearly told that we must receive the life of Christ and be reconciled with God.

The Redeemer said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. … As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (Jn. 6:51+57).

In reference to the so called “consecration”, it would be good if all would read about the first miracle Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee where He changed water into wine. The excellent quality astonished the chief steward at the wedding. The wine which was changed from the substance of water was even better than the original. The people did not drink water and deceived themselves, saying, “We are drinking wine”. On the contrary, they were drinking real wine. Up to this day, not one person eating the wafer has had the impression that it was changed into flesh, also no one while drinking wine have had the taste of blood. It is nothing but a mystery cult.

The bread symbolises firstly the Body of Christ which was offered and secondly the body of believers — the church, as referred in 1 Cor. 10:15-17. The emphasis with the bread was laid in the statement, “… this do in remembrance of me.” “After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:25). Whoever partakes of bread has the taste of bread, whoever drinks the wine, has the taste of wine. That is the plain truth. The Lord rose bodily and ascended into heaven. No one can change any kind of bread on earth into His body. As already spoken of in this exposition, that’s not even in question. We are only dealing with God’s life that was in Christ and now within us. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the children of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (Jn. 1:12).

The cup shows forth that the blood of the new covenant was shed. The bread and wine need not to be changed to become Christ, but rather the old man in us must be changed by receiving the new life of Christ within by believing in the full redemption through His blood. Whoever experienced God in a Biblical way can participate correctly in the Lord’s Supper. This memorial is meant to be kept in remembrance of what happened on Calvary, right to the end of the time of grace. “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:26). It is noteworthy to pay attention to the precise wording. It does not say, “as often as you eat this flesh”, but rather, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup …” Only what is placed before us can be eaten, and what is in the cup can we drink. The practice of the Roman Church is outside the will and Word of God. The fuss about the terminologies “it means” or “it is” was not even necessary. No philosophy has any place here. Also this theme must be viewed in the light of God’s revealed Word.