Should we read scripture before the Lord’s Supper?
Categories: Bible Questions and AnswersWe most always read the scripture in Luke 22 before we partake of the Lord’s Supper. Shouldn’t we also read scriptures that we should do this on the first day of the week? I sometimes wonder if we have non-Christians in our audience that we should include these scriptures also.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul gives us the pattern for the Lord’s supper. He says, “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 brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: 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 ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” During the Lord’s supper there are only a few things that are required by apostolic authority and example. First, that we must have the proper elements: unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine. Second, there is a definite order in which to serve the elements. First there is the bread, then the fruit of the vine. Third, prior to the serving of each of these elements a prayer of thanksgiving should be made for the element. Fourth, by eating and drinking we are memorializing the death of the Lord, so we should be thinking about the death of Christ on the cross while we are partaking. Fifth, it is to be partaken of regularly and we learn from Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor. 16:2 that that is upon every first day of the week. That is basically the whole picture we have of what the Lord’s supper should be.
Sometimes we do read a scripture BEFORE we partake of the Lord’s supper to focus our thoughts upon the Lord’s supper and its significance. There is nothing wrong with this, but it is NOT a part of the Lord’s supper. It is an optional matter and therefore a matter of personal judgment or expediency. This throws this question directly into the realm and authority of the eldership and it is they who must make the determination as to what must be said (if anything is said) prior to the Lord’s supper. If the eldership directs the men who serve to explain the significance of the Lord’s supper, when we partake of the Lord’s supper, and to read a scripture before the Lord’s supper, then each man who serves on the table would be required to be obedient to them in this regard. However, if the eldership leaves the question open to the men who serve as to what is going to be said or not said, then it is the responsibility of each individual man who serves on the table to speak or not speak; to read or not read. So, this is really a question that needs to be answered by the eldership as to what words, if any, would be appropriate before the Lord’s supper.