Unworthily?

Leafrivermac · 08-16-2005, 06:02 PM

1Co 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

A couple of questions.
What should we consider "unworthily"?
What do we take from verse 30?

The Rev · 08-16-2005, 06:13 PM

Bro. Leaf, I get from my notes from Jack Hayford pertaining to vs. 30.

SomeCorinthians, in failing to partake of the power potential of the celebration of the Lords Table, or who had abused it's meaning, were under affliction, or had sufferd a premature death.

LBR · 08-16-2005, 06:28 PM

I've always understood it to mean that taking the Lord's Supper was to be a time of reflection on Christ's sacrifice, and that is what we should be thinking of with all our minds and hearts at that time. Also, it should be nothing more or less than the ingredients we were told to use--as I understand it, some made it into a party or feast. I don't know if to be fact, but I've heard of "modern" churches that served hamburgers and cokes for the Lord's Supper.

Chad

Leafrivermac · 08-16-2005, 08:16 PM

I have several thoughts / questions concerning this scripture. . . .One observation tho, . .the Corinthians were gifts and signs people, but obviously many were weak and sickly and many died prematurly. Many.

Judyboi · 08-16-2005, 08:21 PM

My view on this is by taking it in a way to help cleanse yourself of sins which you have started the repentance process(as it is a process more than an action in my opinion/belief). And to take it unworthily I see as partaking of it with an intention to sin again, or without attempting to cleanse yourself previously through prayer and forgiveness.

Snooky · 08-16-2005, 10:12 PM

I am sure that those who have done any study on the subject are aware of the different doctrines on the subject. I believe in taking of bread and the cup. But for the sake of study, is unworthly speaking here about the condition of the individual? or is it speaking of the way the ceremony is preformed?

Rebel Hog · 08-17-2005, 01:28 AM

1Cor.11:31,32,33,34
[31] For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
[32] But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
[33] Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
[34] And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest willI set in order when I come.

Rebel Hog · 08-17-2005, 01:39 AM

The first Passover was the final act of God which brought the release of the Hebrew people from their Egyptian oppressors. It was not the result of any military heroics by the Jews, but was the result of God's power alone.
Each year thereafter, in an annual celebration commanded by God, the story of the Exodus was re-lived in every Jewish family circle. The ceremony included a special meal in which the ritual symbols of bitter herb and matzo (unleavened bread) were eaten in remembrance of the Jews' divine redemption.
That festival of freedom is prototype for our celebration of the Lord's Supper. As Paul reminds us, the events of the Passover night are the Old Testament foreshadowing of the salvation bought for us with Christ's blood.
What does all this say to me about my youthful problem about unworthiness? To begin with, if I'm thinking in terms of meritorious righteousness, then I'm approaching the Communion service like an Independence Day freedom festival where I have delivered myself from sin.
My self-examination prior to participating is not to judge my own worthiness, but rather to make certain that I am approaching the Lord's Table in remembrance of his delivering work on Calvary.

Rebel Hog · 08-17-2005, 01:49 AM

UNWORTHY
UNWORTHY, a.
1. Not deserving; followed by of. As sinners, were are utterly unworthy of the divine favor.
2. Not deserving; wanting merit. Receive your unworthy son into favor. One great evil of government is that unworthy men are elected or appointed to fill important offices.
3. Unbecoming; vile; base; as unworthy usage or treatment.
4. Not suitable; inadequate. This opinion is unworthy of its author.

Rebel Hog · 08-17-2005, 01:58 AM

Paul's Teaching to the Corinthians

In I Corinthians 11, we find that even during the first century the Christians were misusing the Lord's Supper; confusing it with a common meal. Paul rather severely admonishes them in this regard. In fact, in verse 20, he tells them that "when you meet together, it is not to eat of the Lord's Supper." Some were eating and leaving others hungry and others were becoming drunk. This was clearly a misuse of the Lord's Supper according to the inspired Apostle Paul. Therefore, he issues a strong statement condemning this practice, "What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God, and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you" (I Corinthians 11:22).

After Paul has pointed out their unacceptable practice of using the Lord's Supper, he then proceeded in the next verses of this chapter to teach them the proper way to observe this memorial supper. First of all, he tells them that he received of the Lord what he has delivered to them. This is so they might not have any question as to where this practice had its origin. This was from the Lord. Here again, Paul relates the institution of the Supper by the Lord. He tells them that after having given thanks, He broke the bread and told them to partake of the bread and eat it in remembrance of Him. Likewise, He took the cup in the same manner, and then told them that as often as they drank of it they were to do this in remembrance of Him. Then in verse 26, He tells them that "as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." To proclaim is to make known publicly. Therefore, we show forth the Lord's death as we partake of the Lord's Supper upon the first day of the week. This is not for physical fulfillment but is for spiritual nourishment. How long are we to proclaim the Lord's death? Paul tells us that it is "until He comes." Since He has already come one time, this refers to His second coming.

Paul goes on to tell them that it is possible to partake in an unworthy manner and therefore, be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. How would one be found guilty of the body and blood of the Lord? By eating and drinking in an unworthy manner. Examination is to be made by each of us each time we partake of this memorial. We are to guard our thoughts so as to partake of these representative emblems remembering Jesus and His death upon the cross for our sin. Paul in his writing states that many are weak and sickly in this matter, therefore, we today need to give heed so that we will not become such when we partake of the Lord's Supper.