TWO PROMINENT ORDINANCES.
1. As Christ engaged in His last Passover supper with His disciples, what spirit did they manifest? “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” Luke 22:24. 2. As this spirit was notably manifest, what did Jesus do? “He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.” John 13:4, 5. 3. How was this act to be regarded by believers? “Ye call Me Master and Lord; and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one anothers’ feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” Verses 13-15. 4. What blessing is pronounced in connection with this ordinance? “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” Verse 17. 5. What further proof have we that this was to be a permanent ordinance? “And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:18-20. 6. At the close of the Passover supper, what other ordinance was instituted? “And He took bread, and gave thanks, and break it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you; this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:19, 20; also Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24. 7. What later apostle received special instruction concerning this ordinance? The apostle Paul says: “I have received from the Lord that which I also delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread,” etc. 1 Cor. 11:23. 8. Why was it necessary to repeat instruction regarding this ordinance? Because many of the Corinthian brethren were perverting its observance. See verses 18-22. 9. What is especially shown in this ordinance? “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till He come.” Verse 26. 10. What admonition is given by the apostle? “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation [margin, “judgment”] to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Verses 28, 29. NOTE.—“Unworthily” here means in an unworthy manner, as the apostle had before indicated. They had been partaking in a way that manifested self-gratification, overlooking the solemn significance of the ordinance. It is well to realize that no one is of himself worthy of any privilege under the Gospel, but by faith and careful observance of the Lord’s instruction, we may partake of the supper in a proper and acceptable manner. Let each examine himself, but he is not to judge others.