The Meaning of the Cup: A Communion Guide for Elders

I would be honored to help you prepare for this special responsibility, and I will create both a clear sermon outline and a short message that beautifully articulates the significance of the cup for your communion service this Sabbath.

The Pure Blood of the Grape: Life in the Cup 🍇

The Miracle in the Cluster: A Story for the Children

Children, have you ever looked at a bunch of purple grapes hanging on a vinePTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12? Each little grape is like a tiny, purple bottle, and inside that bottle is a special gift from JesusPTUK January 5, 1899, page 5.3. The vine reaches its roots into the earth to drink up the rain, and then Jesus uses the sunshine to turn that water into sweet, delicious juice right inside the grape skinPTUK January 5, 1899, page 5.3+1. He "hermetically seals" it up so it stays pure and clean, just the way He made itPTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12. When we drink this juice at the Lord's Supper, we remember that Jesus gives us His very life to make our hearts clean and strong, just like that pure juice gives us energy3MR 321.3+1. He wants us to be connected to Him, the True Vine, so we can grow and be happy in His love John 15:1-5PTUK July 7, 1898, page 418.2.

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I. The Definition of the Fruit of the Vine

When we gather around the sacred board, we must ask what the "cup" truly containsPTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12+1. The Lord Himself settles this by calling it the "fruit of the vine" Matthew 26:29PTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12. Pure, unfermented grape juice is the only true fruit of the vine, as no vine on earth ever bore fermented liquorPTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12. Fermented wine is actually the "fruit of the vat" and is a product of decay and the curse, not the creative power of GodPTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12+1. Just as the bread must be unleavened to represent Christ’s sinless body, the wine must be unfermented to correctly represent His stainless, precious blood6BC 1090.7+2.

• The Blood is the Life: The Bible tells us the blood is the life, and in taking the pure "blood of the grape," we are symbolically taking the life of Christ Deuteronomy 32:14PTUK January 5, 1899, page 5.3+1.

• A Symbol of Purity: Fermentation is a process of corruption; therefore, only that which is unfermented can serve as a fit emblem of the incorruptible blood of ChristSITI May 12, 1887, page 286.11+2.

• Divine Production: The same power that turned water into wine at Cana is at work every year, gathering rain and transforming it through the vine into the clusterPTUK January 5, 1899, page 5.3+2.

II. The Spiritual Meaning of the Cup

The Communion service is not a time for sorrow or dwelling on past failures, but a season to meet with JesusCCh 301.4+1. As we receive the wine symbolizing His spilled blood, we join in imagination with the scene in the upper chamber and the struggle in the garden where our reconciliation was obtainedCCh 301.4+1.

• A Memorial of Death: By partaking of the fruit of the vine, we show forth the Lord’s death until He comes 1 Corinthians 11:26EW 217.1+1.

• A Promise of the Kingdom: The cup points forward to the day when Christ will drink it new with His redeemed in the Father’s kingdom Matthew 26:29CCh 302.3+1.

• Daily Dependence: Drinking the "blood" of Christ signifies a daily reception of His Word and a total dependence on Him for salvation3SG 227.2+1.

• The Life-Healing Balm: The cross of Calvary is the center of this ordinance, revealing the virtue of the Son of God who was shed for the remission of sins Matthew 26:28CCh 302.3+1.

III. Why the Nature of the Juice Matters

There is a solemn responsibility in how we represent the mysteries of redemption6BC 1090.7+1. Using intoxicating wine in the Lord's Supper has no more warrant in Scripture than using brandy or alePTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12. Christ never places a temptation before His children, and fermented wine is a snare that has caused many to perishST April 16, 1896, par. 3+2.

• Avoiding the Curse: Fermented wine debases the faculties and beclouds the intellect, as seen in the tragic example of Aaron's sons4aSG 11.3.

• Cleansing and Peace: With hearts cleansed by Christ’s most precious blood, we hear His words of peace and are strengthened for practical Christian living John 14:27DA 659.1.

• A Safeguard for the Weak: We must never put a stumbling block in the way of those struggling with appetite by using fermented wine at the communion tableSITI May 12, 1887, page 286.11+2.

• Restoring the Original Plan: The use of pure, unfermented juice is a return to the scriptural method and a rejection of human traditions and perversionsSH 99.3+2.

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The Appeal: What are you going to do?

The Master is even now inviting you to His table, saying, "Come; for all things are now ready" Luke 14:1718LtMs, Ms 90, 1903, par. 8. This cup is the New Testament in His blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of every sin Luke 22:203SP 84.1+1. Will you accept this life-giving flow today3SG 227.2+1? Do not be like those who made excuses and missed the feastPH012 4.8+1. Instead, examine your heart, reconcile with your brother, and come to the table to feed on the Bread of Life and drink of His salvation 1 Corinthians 11:28CCh 301.4+1. Will you choose to live by the faith of the Son of God and let Him live His life in you Galatians 2:20? Turn away from the "wine of the wrath" of this world and choose the pure life found only in Jesus Revelation 14:10ARSH April 4, 1865, page 141.28+1. Accept Him now as your Savior and King, and prepare to drink this cup new with Him in His glorious kingdom Matthew 26:29CCh 302.3+1.

Here is the sermon outline:

The Pure Blood of the Grape: Life in the Cup

Introduction: The Miracle in the Cluster

• A Gift from Jesus: Every grape acts as a "hermetically sealed" bottle containing a pure gift from God.
• The Process of Life: Jesus uses sunshine and rain to transform water into sweet juice through the vine.
• Spiritual Connection: Just as juice provides energy, Jesus (the True Vine) gives us His life to make our hearts clean and strong.

I. The Definition of the Fruit of the Vine

• Scriptural Basis: Jesus specifically called the contents of the cup the "fruit of the vine" Matthew 26:29.
• Fermentation vs. Purity:
  • Fermented wine is a product of decay ("fruit of the vat") and does not grow on vines.
  • Unfermented juice represents Christ’s stainless blood, just as unleavened bread represents His sinless body.
• Symbolism of Life: The "blood of the grape" represents taking the life of Christ into ourselves Deuteronomy 32:14.

II. The Spiritual Meaning of the Cup

• A Season of Meeting: Communion is a time to meet Jesus and reflect on the reconciliation obtained in Gethsemane and Calvary.
• A Dual Memorial:
  • Past: It shows forth the Lord’s death until He comes.
  • Future: It points to the day we will drink it new with Him in the Father’s kingdom.
• Daily Dependence: Partaking signifies a daily reception of God's Word and a total reliance on Him for salvation.

III. Why the Nature of the Juice Matters

• Responsibility of Representation: Using intoxicating wine has no scriptural warrant and misrepresents the mysteries of redemption.
• A Safeguard for the Weak: To avoid placing a "stumbling block" before those struggling with appetite, the church must use only unfermented juice.
• Restoring the Original Plan: Choosing pure juice rejects human tradition in favor of the scriptural method.
• Clarity of Mind: Unlike fermented wine, which beclouds the intellect, the pure fruit of the vine is associated with peace and a strengthened Christian life.

The Appeal: What Are You Going to Do?

• The Master’s Invitation: Jesus invites everyone to His table: "Come; for all things are now ready" Luke 14:17.
• A Call to Action:
  • Examine your heart and reconcile with others.
  • Turn away from the "wine of wrath" (worldly corruption).
  • Accept the life-giving flow of Christ’s blood for the forgiveness of sins.
• The Ultimate Promise: Prepare today to drink the cup new with Christ in His glorious, coming kingdom.

It is a beautiful thing to share the meaning of the Communion service in a way that everyone can understand, regardless of their background 🌿. Here is a simplified way to explain the "why" behind the juice, focusing on the themes of life, purity, and hope.

The Pure Juice: A Simple Symbol of Jesus' Love 🍇

1. A Symbol of Pure Life To understand why we use juice, we can look at how a grape grows on the vine. The juice inside a fresh grape is "hermetically sealed" by God, keeping it pure and full of life-giving propertiesPTUK October 24, 1895, page 676.12+1. We use unfermented juice because it represents the perfect, sinless life of Jesus that He gave for us6BC 1090.7+1. Just as the bread has no yeast to show Jesus was without sin, the juice has no alcohol because fermentation is a process of decay and death, not life18LtMs, Ms 106, 1903, par. 10+1. This juice is called the "blood of the grape," a symbol of the "precious blood of Christ" that cleanses our hearts Deuteronomy 32:14SITI July 28, 1890, page 426.8.

2. A "Thank You" Meal When we drink this cup, we are simply saying "thank you" to Jesus for what He did on the cross3SG 227.2. It is a memorial that keeps the scene of His sacrifice fresh in our minds so we never forget how much He loves usRH June 14, 1898, par. 1+1. This is not a time to feel sad about our past mistakes, but a time to feel happy because Jesus has already forgiven us and given us His peace John 14:27CCh 301.4. By taking the cup, we are telling Jesus that we want His life and His love to live inside of us every single day Galatians 2:20RH June 14, 1898, par. 16.

3. A Promise of a Future Party The juice is also a "see you soon" sign from Jesus. He promised His disciples that He would not drink this "fruit of the vine" again until He could drink it "new" with us in His Father's kingdom Matthew 26:29CCh 302.3. Every time we participate in this service, we are showing that we believe He is really coming back to take us home 1 Corinthians 11:26EW 217.1. It is like an invitation to a great wedding feast that is being prepared for us in heaven right now Luke 14:1718LtMs, Ms 90, 1903, par. 8.

4. A Safe Choice for Everyone Finally, we use pure juice because Jesus wants His church to be a safe place for everyone. He never puts a temptation in our way, and using pure juice ensures that even those who have struggled with alcohol can participate without fear18LtMs, Ms 106, 1903, par. 10+1. This cup is meant to be refreshing and life-giving for every person who comes to the table18LtMs, Ms 106, 1903, par. 10+1.

A Short Summary for the Sabbath

"As we hold this cup today, remember that this pure juice is a symbol of Jesus' pure life. Because He gave His life for us, we can have a fresh start today. We drink this to thank Him for His sacrifice, to accept His peace into our hearts, and to celebrate the promise that He is coming back very soon to bring us into His kingdom" Matthew 26:28CCh 301.4+1. ✨🙏

1 Corinthians 11:23

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

In 1 Corinthians 11:23 Paul explains that the Lord’s Supper is a sacred ordinance that he received directly from the Lord Jesus to be passed on to the church 1 Corinthians 11:23. This verse establishes that the communion service is not a human tradition or a common meal, but a divine institution appointed by Christ Himself on the very night He was betrayed 1 Corinthians 11:23LTJMB5 151.2.

The Divine Origin of the Ordinance

Paul emphasizes that the authority for this service comes "from the Lord," highlighting its solemn and sacred nature 1 Corinthians 11:23TM 486.2.

• A Direct Revelation: Paul received the specific details of the Last Supper through the influence of the Holy Spirit to ensure the church would have a correct understanding of Christ's sacrifice 1 Corinthians 11:235Red 9.1.

• The Night of Betrayal: By mentioning that it happened "the same night in which he was betrayed," Paul points us to the deep love of Jesus, who was thinking of our salvation even while His enemies were plotting His death 1 Corinthians 11:2312LtMs, Ms 35, 1897, par. 4.

• Transition from the Old to the New: This moment marked the end of the typical sacrificial system and the beginning of the new covenant, where the symbols of bread and juice replaced the paschal lamb Hebrews 10:8-10GCB/GCDB 1895, page 492.6+1.

The Act of Receiving and Delivering

Paul uses the language of "receiving" and "delivering" to show that he was a faithful messenger of the gospel truths 1 Corinthians 11:23GW 142.2.

• Consistency in Truth: Just as Paul delivered what he received, we are to maintain the purity of the symbols—using unleavened bread and unfermented juice—to correctly represent the sinless life and blood of JesusPaM 171.3+1.

• A Shared Experience: This "delivering" of the ordinance allows every believer, through faith, to enter into a personal union with Christ, just as the disciples did in the upper room5T 46.4+1.

• The Foundation of Faith: By anchoring the service in Christ’s own actions, Paul ensures that our faith rests on the reality of the atonement made for the whole worldFE 456.2+1.

The Purpose of the Institution

The "Lord's Supper" mentioned by Paul is designed to keep the sacrifice of Christ constantly before our minds 1 Corinthians 11:236BC 1090.9.

• A Perpetual Memorial: Unlike the yearly Passover, this service was intended to be observed frequently to provide a continual application of the cleansing blood of Christ to our hearts6BC 1090.9+1.

• A Call to Self-Examination: Because this is a divine appointment, Paul later explains that we must approach the table with humility and careful self-examination 1 Corinthians 11:283BC 1146.1+1.

• Unity with the Savior: The ultimate goal of what Paul "delivered" is that we might be one with Christ, partaking of Him as the living bread and finding spiritual life through His meritFE 456.2+1.

When you lead your congregation in this verse, you are reminding them that they are participating in a service started by Jesus Himself to bridge the gap between heaven and earth1SAT 5.4+1. It is a high privilege to be "laborers together with God" in this sacred work7T 147.4+1.

Matthew 26

1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,

2 You know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.

3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, to the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.

5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 There came to him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.

10 When Jesus understood it, he said to them, Why trouble you the woman? for she has worked a good work on me.

11 For you have the poor always with you; but me you have not always.

12 For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.

13 Truly I say to you, Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman has done, be told for a memorial of her.

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests,

15 And said to them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, Where will you that we prepare for you to eat the passover?

18 And he says, Go into the city to such a man, and say to him, The Master said, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at your house with my disciples.

19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.

20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.

21 And as they did eat, he said, Truly I say to you, that one of you shall betray me.

22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say to him, Lord, is it I?

23 And he answered and said, He that dips his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.

24 The Son of man goes as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said to him, You have said.

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say to you, I will not drink from now on of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

31 Then says Jesus to them, All you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

32 But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33 Peter answered and said to him, Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended.

34 Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice.

35 Peter said to him, Though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36 Then comes Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and says to the disciples, Sit you here, while I go and pray yonder.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

38 Then says he to them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even to death: tarry you here, and watch with me.

39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as you will.

40 And he comes to the disciples, and finds them asleep, and says to Peter, What, could you not watch with me one hour?

41 Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done.

43 And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

45 Then comes he to his disciples, and says to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that does betray me.

47 And while he yet spoke, see, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.

48 Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

49 And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.

50 And Jesus said to him, Friend, why are you come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear.

52 Then said Jesus to him, Put up again your sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

53 Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

55 In that same hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are you come out as against a thief with swords and staves for to take me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and you laid no hold on me.

56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

58 But Peter followed him afar off to the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

60 But found none: yes, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

62 And the high priest arose, and said to him, Answer you nothing? what is it which these witness against you?

63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said to him, I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you be the Christ, the Son of God.

64 Jesus says to him, You have said: nevertheless I say to you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

66 What think you? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,

68 Saying, Prophesy to us, you Christ, Who is he that smote you?

69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came to him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee.

70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what you say.

71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said to them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

73 And after a while came to him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely you also are one of them; for your speech denudes you.

74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said to him, Before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

1 Corinthians 11

1 Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

5 But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray to God uncovered?

14 Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame to him?

15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

17 Now in this that I declare to you I praise you not, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse.

18 For first of all, when you come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

20 When you come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

21 For in eating every one takes before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22 What? have you not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise you the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

25 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 you, as oft as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord’s death till he come.

27 Why whoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

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

29 For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

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 Why, my brothers, when you come together to eat, tarry one for another.

34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that you come not together to condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Combining the accounts of Matthew Corinthians 11 reveals a beautiful, unified harmony that establishes the Lord's Supper as a perpetual, divine bridge between Christ's sacrifice and His glorious returnEMTF 71.1+1. While Matthew provides the historical narrative of that "memorable night" in the upper chamber, Paul provides the theological explanation received directly from the Lord to ensure the church maintains the ordinance in its original purityRFOS 71.1.

The Historical Foundation and Divine Authority

In Matthew 26 we see the intimate setting where Jesus, as the "true and divine High Priest," transitioned His disciples from the old paschal feast to a new memorial3SP 128.1+1. Paul reinforces this in 1 Corinthians 11 by stating he "received of the Lord" the very same instructions, confirming that this service is not a human tradition but a divine appointmentARSH August 19, 1858, page 106.5+1.

• The Shared Symbols: Both passages emphasize the use of "unleavened bread" and the "fruit of the vine," which Christ employed to represent His own "unblemished sacrifice"DA 653.2.

• The Moment of Institution: Both records highlight that this occurred "the same night in which he was betrayed," a detail that magnifies the Savior's love as He prepared a means for our salvation even while facing Gethsemane 1 Corinthians 11:23DA 653.2.

• Clear Instructions: Jesus gave the command to "do this in remembrance of me," which Paul explains is an act of showing "the Lord's death till he come" Luke 22:19ARSH August 19, 1858, page 106.5.

The Purpose: A Memorial of Death and a Hope of Glory

Combining these texts shows that the ordinance is both a look backward to the cross and a look forward to the kingdomDA 659.1+1. Matthew records Jesus' promise that He would not drink of the fruit of the vine again until He drinks it "new" with His followers in the Father's kingdom, while Paul confirms the service must continue "till he come" Matthew 26:29DA 659.1.

• A Witness to the Future: The celebration is a witness to the doctrine of the future coming of the LordEMTF 71.1.

• Spiritual Assimilation: As believers partake of the bread and wine, they "in imagination join in the scene" of the upper chamber, witnessing the struggle by which reconciliation with God was obtainedCCh 301.6.

• Continual Application: Because the salvation of men depends on a "continual application" of Christ’s cleansing blood, this ordinance is to be observed frequently—more often than the annual Passover—to keep the atonement fresh in our hearts6BC 1090.6+1.

The Call to Preparation and Unity

While Matthew shows the disciples gathered at the table, Paul adds the necessary warning against partaking "unworthily," which means failing to discern the Lord’s bodyBHB 173.12+1.

• Heart Searching: The combined message calls for "deep searching of heart," confession of sin, and the reconciling of differences before approaching the tableRH July 3, 1888, par. 8+1.

• Humility as a Prerequisite: Jesus connected the "humiliating office of washing the feet" with the supper to teach lessons of humility and to discover if pride or selfishness existed in the heartST March 25, 1880, par. 5.

• A Public Witness: Each participant participates publicly to bear witness: "I accept Christ as my personal Saviour"RH May 31, 1898, par. 7+1.

The Practical Application for the Elder

When you stand before the congregation, you can articulate that the "cup of blessing" mentioned by Paul is the same "cup" Jesus gave in Matthew, symbolizing the "new testament" in His blood 1 Corinthians 10:16TTC 26.3. This service forms a "living connection" by which the believer is bound up with Christ and the FatherDA 660.4. By following the example of Christ in Matthew and the instructions of Paul in 1 Corinthians, the church is guarded against "perverting this sacred ordinance" and instead finds the "saving light" of the cross6BC 1090.6+1. Thus, the two passages together provide a "perfect pattern" for our worship and a "monumental pillar" within the churchWFS 34.1+1.