OLD TESTAMENT PRECEDENT FOR COMMUNION

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Communion

a) The Bible has only 2 ordinances, namely baptism and communion.  There are different names for “Communion.” Some of these are the “Eucharist,” “Lord’s Supper,” “Lord’s Table,” or sometimes the “Last Supper.” 

b) Jesus gave his followers instructions that they should take or practice “communion.” This is a practice still followed by most evangelical churches today. One thing that Jesus did not prescribe is how often to partake communion. 

c) Some churches do communion every week and others do it anywhere from monthly to quarterly to yearly to just special events.

2. Old Testament Precedent For Communion 

a) Maybe we ask if there was anything like the taking of the Lord’s Supper (Communion) in the Old Testament? Well there appears to be some instances where the people of God were eating and drinking in the presence of the Lord.

Exodus 24:9-11  

Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up,  and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.  And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and hate and drank.

Deuteronomy 14:23 

And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Deuteronomy 14:26 

And spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.

The End ...