Communion - Literal vs Spiritual

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

If we're going to say that following the biblical example is imperative, then we're going to have to ditch the juice and cracker stuff and go back to a Passover meal. The juice and cracker is absolutely NOT biblical.

If we say the that the remembrance is more importanat than biblical "imitation," then the juice and cracker is fine because we are remembering the Lord's death til He comes. At NLC, we do both. I have had Passover observances and probably will do one this Easter time as well. We also do the "juice and cracker" simply because people are so familiar with it. At this point, if I did away with the juice and cracker, it would alienate many folks who hold it in a special significance. Some things are worth fighting for and others are not.

Those who state that they cannot fellowship those who don't have juice and a cracker are still stating that they will fellowship those who do NOT follow biblical precedence in the Lord's supper.

I don't try to convince anyone to stop the juice and cracker and go to Passover meal only, but we must be very careful when we tout "getting back to the bible" as it may mean we need to change more than we think.

What does your passover observance entail?

The one explained in the DVD, "Zola Levitt Presents The Miracle of Passover," is done in a family setting. Anything containing leaven is removed from the house - bread, cereal, cake, cookies, etc. All the old dishes are removed, and only new dishes are used for the meal. The bread that is used is matzah (which is unleavened of course), and it's in the form of a large square. The matzah is covered in stripes and holes - the stripes represent the lashes that Jesus received, and the holes represent his flesh being pierced. The matzah is symbolically broken by the father (or whomever is leading the ceremony). A prayer is read by the youngest boy that asks "why is this night different from all other nights? On all other nights we eat leavened or unleavened bread, but on this night, only unleavened, etc, etc."

There is also a symbolic act of pouring or sprinkling wine (grape juice or dealcoholized wine can be used) onto a plate, which is special because it parallels Christ's blood being shed on the cross. A female lights the candles, because it was a female who brought us the light of the world.

This is the best that I can explain the Seder celebration, because I am just beginning to learn about it myself. My movitation for observing it is not so much biblical imitation as having a family celebration that is rich in Biblical imagery. It can also search as a useful teaching tool.