The Lord’s Supper is an essential component of the church gathered. Paul refers five times in 1 Corinthians 11 to the fact that the Lord’s Supper is celebrated when they all come together as a church.[1] But what happens when the church is scattered? What if the church can’t gather? Can we still practice the Lord’s Supper?
The Bible does not speak definitively on this. 1 Corinthians 10:17 states, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” Some could interpret this to mean that we can’t partake of the Lord’s Supper unless we are physically together in one body.[2] I do believe this is the case for those gathering in Corinth. They must physically have been together to partake in the Lord’s Supper. But, they didn’t have video capabilities or the internet. What many people fail to remember in this digital age is that actual people are the ones on their devices on the other side of the camera from their church’s livestream. The church in Corinth couldn’t bodily gather together unless their bodies were physically gathered together. We can.
Taking the Lord’s Supper through a livestream church service with one’s own church adds greater depth of meaning to the 1 Corinthians 10:17 passage. We really are one body, even scattered. And as we partake of the body that was broken for us, it not only reminds us of Christ’s death, but it reminds us that we are to live as the visible representation of His body to this world that He died for. The Lord’s Supper is not only for remembrance, but proclamation, as 1 Corinthians 11:26 states, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” So, as one body gathered though scattered, let’s remember and proclaim His death until He comes again.[3]
We will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper during the livestream of our Tenebrae service on Thursday, April 9 at 7pm. It will remain online following the livestream for you to participate in at your availability. Here are some guides to help you prepare and make the most of the time with your family and our church family’s remembrance of our Savior’s death:
1) Remember that the Lord’s Supper is for followers of Jesus only.[4] This is a perfect time to talk to your children[5] or other family members about what it means to have faith in Jesus and give them the opportunity to place their faith in Jesus.[6] What an incredible celebration that Lord’s Supper would then be with a new believer!
2) Have red/purple grape juice and crackers/unleavened bread[7] prepared and ready to partake at the same time as the church body during the livestream service. (If you cannot find grape juice and unleavened bread or crackers, we have a limited number of disposable pre-filled communion cups and wafers at the church office, or you could use something similar if you are absolutely unable to get out.)
3) Be prepared to join in the service live.[8] The pastor will walk you through the steps of taking the Lord’s Supper together. If you cannot view the service live, you can join in the service at your availability from our Facebook or YouTube pages.
4) Remember that we are Christ’s body, His church, whom He died for and is soon coming back for. And be glad.
[1]https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+11%3A17%2C+18%2C+20%2C+33%2C+34&version=ESV
[2] https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/baptism-lord-supper-online/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cmbyb47QqH8
[4] https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Cor.+11%3A26-32&version=ESV
[5] https://www.kidmintools.com/2015/03/13/how-to-explain-communion-to-children/
[6] https://graceintullahoma.com/salvation/
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