THE LORDS SUPPER -- WHY RESTRICTED

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is NOT to eat the Lord's supper.

I Cor. 11:20

(Reasons: I Cor. 11:17-19)

1. WHO INSTITUTED THE LORD'S SUPPER?

Answer: Jesus.

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
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.
And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." (Matt. 26:26-30)

2. WHO WAS THE FIRST TO RESTRICT THE LORD'S SUPPER?

Answer: Jesus.

"Now when the even was come, he sat down with the TWELVE" (Matt. 26:20).

3. WHY ONLY TWELVE?

Answer: They were the "local church" at that time.

This was at the feast of the Passover (Matt. 26:2). All Jews that could get there were there.

Jesus' mother, sisters, brothers, etc., were there. Why only TWELVE (Matt. 26:20)? Those who were serving the table were not invited to participate. It was and is restricted to the "local church" only. The "seventy" that Jesus sent forth (Luke 10:1) were not invited to the Supper.

4. WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS OF THE LORD'S SUPPER?

( a ) The fruit of the vine (grape juice -- NOT fermented wine) (Matt. 26:29).

Grapes were called "wine" in the "cluster" (Isa. 65:8).

"New wine" is found in the "cluster" and "press" (Prov. 3:10).

"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright" (Prov. 23:31).

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Prov. 20:1).

The blood of Christ is life-giving. Fermented wine is life-taking.

( b ) Unleavened bread (I Cor. 5:8; Exo. 13:3).

5. THE PARTICIPANTS.

( a ) Judged by the church (I Cor. 5:11-13).

( b ) Judged by self (I Cor. 11:28).

( c ) Not to be observed when people of different beliefs come together (I Cor. 11:17-20).

6. THE PURPOSE.

( a ) A memorial (I Cor. 11:25).

( b ) To show the Lord's death (I Cor. 11:26).

7. THE DAY.

( a ) Possibly instituted on Tuesday night.

( b ) Monday morning (Acts 20:7-11).

( c ) No set amount of times.

8. THE PENALTY FOR PARTAKING OF THE LORD'S SUPPER UNWORTHILY.

( a ) Weak.

( b ) Sick.

( c ) Sleep (death) (I Cor. 11:30-31).