“HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT LEAD AND INFLUENCE CHRISTIANS?”

Chuck Northrop

         To the Christians at Rome, Paul wrote, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). Thus, clearly Paul affirmed Christians are led by the Holy Spirit. However, the question arises, “How does the Holy Spirit lead and influence Christians?” Does this mean the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, leads directly by visions or dreams, by revelation, or by influencing thought? Or does this mean the Holy Spirit leads us indirectly by the Word which He revealed to holy men of God? These are the only two possibilities. Either the Spirit leads directly or indirectly. If directly, then there is no need for the written revealed will of God, but if He leads indirectly through the Word of God, then there is no need for direct revelation since the Word of God claims to be all sufficient. To answer these questions, consider the context from which the statement was given.

In Romans 8:1 Paul declared, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” There are a great number of blessings for those who are “in Christ Jesus.” In fact, they have “all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3). There are no spiritual blessings found outside of Christ. Such spiritual blessings include redemption (Rom. 3:24), forgiveness (Eph. 1:7), reconciliation (Eph. 2:13-16), salvation (2 Tim. 2:10), and as found Romans 8 “no condemnation” (no spiritual sentence of death) are “in Christ.” Because of so many rich blessings, those who are in Christ “walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” To “walk after the Spirit” is the same as being “led by the Spirit,” and these are the opposite of walking “after the flesh.”

Question: How, then, do Christians walk after the Spirit? The answer is found in the verses following. Paul continued, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh” (Rom. 8:2-3). There are three laws found in these verses. The first of these laws is “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.” This law is the gospel, the truth, the New Testament, or the law of Christ. It begins with Matthew’s account of the gospel and ends with the book of Revelation. The second law is “the law of sin and death.” This law is the general principle: if you sin, you die (see also Rom. 6:23 and Ezek. 18:20). Finally, the third law (verse 3) is the Mosaic law. This is the law that was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and proclaimed to Israel while wandering in the wilderness. To answer the question, Christians walk after the Spirit by walking according to “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (verse 2).

Here is Paul’s point: The Mosaic law was impotent in freeing man from “the law of sin and death,” but “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” could (and for Christians did) free people from “the law of sin and death.” Therefore, there is no sentence of death, “no condemnation,” to those who are “in Christ Jesus.”

Further in this context, Paul contrasted walking after the flesh with walking after the Spirit. To walk after the Spirit is to mind the things of the Spirit — spiritual living (verse 6). To walk after the flesh is to mind the things of the flesh or, in other words, to be carnally minded — carnal living, worldliness, sensual lifestyle (verse 6). Notice in verse 7, Paul wrote that “the carnal mind” “is not subject to the law of God.” Remember and keep in mind, the carnal mind is opposite the spiritual mind. Since, the carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, the spiritual mind is subject to the law of God. Thus, to walk after the Spirit (that is, to be spiritually minded or to be led by the Spirit) is to be subject to the law of God. Verses 8-9 concern the person who refuses to follow the Spirit of God. In other words, he or she refuses to follow or subject himself or herself to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.

Paul’s conclusion is found in verses 12-14. He wrote, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” To keep this in context, to live after the flesh is to die spiritually — “the law of sin and death,” but to be led by the Spirit of God — “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” — is to be the sons of God and to live.

This conclusion also fits the general context of the book of Romans. Throughout this epistle, Paul developed his stated theme: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17). Notice the provisions the gospel provides. First, it is “the power of God unto salvation.” The gospel contains all the provisions needed to obtain salvation. No other provision is needed including the Spirit working independently from the gospel. Second, the gospel reveals the righteousness of God. This is not speaking of God’s character of righteousness but of the gospel which reveals righteousness or justification through faith which is from God. Again, no other means is needed to understand the righteousness which God imputes upon the faithful servant of Christ. Finally in these key verses of Romans, Paul declared that from the gospel the righteousness which emanates from God is “revealed from faith to faith.” Literally this phrase can be translated “out of faith into faith.” From the system of faith (the word of God), Christians grow in faith (Rom. 10:17). Paul developed this theme throughout the book of Romans. The gospel is all sufficient, and as such, there is no need for direct revelation.

This conclusion is further developed in the context of the New Testament. Peter declared the all sufficient nature of the scriptures in 2 Peter 1:3. God has “given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.” Nothing else is needed. When the “sword of the Spirit” is wielded, the Holy Spirit wields His mighty power by and through the word of God which He inspired (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). Also consider the parallel verses of Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colossians 3:16. A casual comparison of these verses reveals being “filled with the Spirit” is to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.”

Finally, if the Holy Spirit directly leads us in our understanding of the Word, then there could be no misunderstanding because the Spirit makes no mistakes. Since there are misunderstandings among Christians, then we must conclude the Holy Spirit did not directly lead us in our understanding. Further, if the Holy Spirit leads us directly in our understanding of the Scriptures, then He keeps us and guards us from apostasy. In fact, since the Holy Spirit is perfect, it would be impossible for a Christian to fall away. However, the Bible teaches Christians can and do fall away (Gal. 5:4; 6:1; Heb. 6:4; Acts 8:13, 20). Therefore, the conclusion is necessary — the Holy Spirit does not lead us directly.

The Holy Spirit is pleading with you to be led by Him! No, He is not leading nor influencing you in a direct or miraculous way. He is pleading with you by or through the Spirit-inspired word. Listen to the Spirit’s pleading. It is not a voice in your mind or a vision in a dream. It is the word of God — the word given to us through holy men of God by the Holy Spirit.

Oologah Observer

June 7, 2023

PROPHECY CONCERNING BABYLON

BEN F. VICK, JR.

Isaiah 13:19-22; 14; Jeremiah 50-51.

The prophecies to be considered refer to the condition of Babylon since the close of the Old Testament history. Evidence from the fulfillment of prophecy is so abundant that only those about which there is no cavil need be selected.

1. It was to be entirely overthrown, as were Sodom and Gomorrah.

2. It should never be inhabited nor dwelt in from generation to generation.

3. The Arab should not pitch his tent there.

4. The shepherds should not make their folds there.

5. Wild beasts of the desert should lie there; owls and doleful creatures should infest it.

6. It should become the possession of the bittern and of pools of water.

7. It should be a target for the nations; it should be for a spoil, and all who plunder it should be satisfied.

8. Her walls and foundations should be overturned, and the debris of her palaces should be cast into heaps.

9. The sower and the harvester should be cut off.

10. Those who passed by should be astonished at her plagues.

Babylon was founded in 2234 B.C. It was the most splendid and permanent of ancient cities. Its walls, fifteen miles square, 350 feet high, and 87 feet thick; its hundred gates and towers; its hanging gardens and its palaces; the fertility of the valley of the Euphrates, yielding two hundred fold; and its military power, made it a remarkable city, and the capital of a remarkable empire. When these prophecies were written Babylon was in the height of its glory;* this was more than six hundred years before our era. It showed no signs of decay, and no human sagacity could have foretold its fate. And yet, there stand the prophecies, and many centuries have been looking down upon its ruins. Like Sodom, it is utterly destroyed. From age to age it has not been inhabited. The Arab and the shepherd fear to go there. The valley is no longer fertile, no one sows or reaps, and pools of water have gathered where once stood its pleasant palaces. For hundreds of years, there the hunters sought the wild beasts, and there found creatures. Its site is cast up in heaps. Volney and many since his day have expressed their astonishment at its wonderful desolation.  

--Harvey W. Everest,

The Divine Demonstration, pp. 289-290.

(Harvey W. Everest wrote The Divine Demonstration when he was President of Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 1881-1886.)

*Barnes made these comments on Babylon:

At the time when this prophecy [Isaiah 13] was delivered, the Jews were in the secure possession of their own capital and country. They were harassed, indeed, by surrounding nations, but they were still free. They had no controversy with Babylon; nor had they reason to apprehend danger from that distant people. Their being borne to that land, was itself, in the time of Isaiah, a distant event, and one that then was not likely to occur. It is remarkable that Isaiah does not distinctly “foretell” that event here, but throws himself to a period of time “beyond” that, when they “would be” in captivity, and predicts their deliverance. His prophecy “supposes” that event to have occurred. It is a vision passing before his mind “after” that event had taken place; when they would be in Babylon; and when they would be sighing for deliverance (Isa. 14:1-2). The prophet, therefore, may be conceived in this vision as taking his “stand” beyond an event which had not yet occurred - the captivity of the Jews and their removal to Babylon - and predicting “another” event still more future, which would result in their deliverance - the complete overthrow of the city, and the consequent deliverance of the Jewish people. We are to conceive him standing, as it were, amidst the captive Jews, and directing his eye onward to the complete recovery of the nation by the destruction of Babylon itself. (Isa. 14:1-2.) See Introduction, Section 7, III. (4.)

This prophecy of the destruction of Babylon was delivered, we have seen, at least 174 years before the event occurred. At the time when it was delivered, nothing was more improbable than the ruin of that city as described by Isaiah (Isa. 13:19-22). It was one of the largest, most flourishing, and perhaps the most strongly fortified city of the world. The prediction that it should be like ‘Sodom and Gomorrah;’ that it should ‘never be inhabited;’ that the wild beast of the desert should lie there; and that dragons should be in their pleasant palaces, was wholly improbable; and could have been foreseen only by God. There were no natural causes that were leading to this which man could perceive, or of which a stranger and a foreigner, like Isaiah, could have any knowledge. This will appear evident by a brief description of the condition of this celebrated city. Babylon (derived from babel, and probably built on the same spot as the tower of Babel) was the capital of Babylonia, or Chaldea, and was probably built by Nimrod; but it was a long period before it obtained its subsequent size and splendor.

It was enlarged by Belus, and so greatly beautified and improved by Semiramis, that she might be called not improperly the foundress of it. It was subsequently greatly increased and embellished by Nebuchadnezzar. It stood in the midst of a large plain, and on a very deep and fertile soil. It was on both sides of the river Euphrates, and of course was divided by that river into two parts. The two parts were connected by a bridge near the center of the city; and there is also said to have been a tunnel, or subterranean passage, made from the palace on the east of the river to the palace on the west, made under the river. The old city was on the east, and the new city, built by Nebuchadnezzar, was on the west. Both these divisions were enclosed by one wall, and the whole formed a complete square, which Herodotus, who visited it, and who is the most ancient author who has written on it, says, was 480 furlongs in compass, or 120 furlongs on each side: that is, it was fifteen miles on each side, or sixty miles in compass.

MEMORIALS

BEN F. VICK, JR.

"Memorial Day is an American holiday that honors and mourns the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May, which means it will be tomorrow, May 29, 2023. Memorial Day originated during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. It was formerly Decoration Day and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season" (revised from the internet).

A "memorial" recognizes meritorious service, or a structure erected to commemorate persons or events. The origin of the adjective goes back to 1374. It carried the idea of preserving the memory of a person or thing. In 1382 the noun meant "something by which the memory of a person, thing, or event is preserved."

Israel observed three main memorials. Each year all males were to celebrate these by going up to Jerusalem. This was the place where the Lord had chosen to place his name. Moses wrote: "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee" (Deut. 16:16-17).

In Exodus 12, we read of the institution of the Passover. It was instituted before the event it was to commemorate. The Lord said, "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial" (Ex. 12:14). Moses said, "It is a night to be much observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the Lord to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations" (Ex. 12:42). The Passover, strictly speaking, was on the 14th day of the month Abib or Nisan, the beginning of the sacred year for Israel. A lamb without blemish or spot was taken from the sheep or the goats on the 10th day. On the 14th day, it was slain between the two evenings. "…the Rabbis generally say, at any time between the decline of the sun, afternoon and sunset, the lamb was to be killed by its owner, or by one of the Levites (2 Chron. 30:17). The usual time, however, of killing the Passover was at three o'clock in the afternoon" (Milligan, Scheme of Redemption, pp.94-95). The lamb's blood was sprinkled on the doorposts and lintels with hyssop. The lamb was roasted. No bones were broken. It was to be eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. From the 15th day to the 21st day, the feast of unleavened bread was to be observed. This memorial reminded Israel of the Lord's having passed over their houses. When it was instituted in Egypt, Israel was to eat the Passover lamb standing up, their loins girded, and their sandals on their feet. They ate it at night. The barley harvest came during this early spring event.

The Feast of Weeks was called that because it was fifty days after the Passover. It always came on the first day of the week. One can read the requirements for observing this festival in Exodus 34:22, Deuteronomy 16:9, 16, and 2 Chronicles 8:13. It was also called Feast of Harvest (Ex. 23:16) because Israel presented the first fruits from the wheat harvest. One cannot find the word "Pentecost" in the Old Testament, but it means "fifty." "Days" is understood. It has been suggested that the feast was to commemorate the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. It is interesting to note that 3000 people died at Sinai for worshiping the golden calf, and about 3000 souls obeyed the gospel on the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Christ.

The third main memorial was the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. It was also called the Feast of Ingathering because it was held after the harvest and vintage were completed. It began on the fifteenth day of the 7th month and lasted seven days. For one week out of the year, the Israelites were to live in tents or booths as a reminder of Israel's sojourning in the wilderness for forty years. See:  Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23-33-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-17; Nehemiah 8:13-17. During this time (October), the fruit harvest took place.

Though we are not under the Law of Moses and have no authority to observe these days, some typical lessons can be learned from them. The Passover reminds us of the Israel's deliverance from bondage. Christ is our Passover who has delivered us from the bondage of sin. The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost may have reminded Israel of the giving of the Law of Moses at Sinai. We today are under a better covenant with better promises. The Feast of Tabernacles reminded Israel of their sojourn through the wilderness for forty years. We also are sojourners from here to eternity (1 Peter 2:11). Life is like a bridge; we pass over it and are not to build our houses upon it. 

The memorial that Christians observe each Lord's day is the Lord's supper or communion (Acts 20:7). It is a simple yet profound memorial. Like the Passover, it was instituted before the event it was to commemorate. Most monuments are started after the person has lived or the event has transpired. Matthew records:

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives (Matt 26:26-30).

A few weeks ago, we were in Washington D.C. We stood and watched the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the changing of the guard. There was complete silence as this was taking place. We also passed by the Vietnam Memorial at night. There were thousands of students in D.C. because of school breaks. It was not easy to concentrate on what these men had done with the students having a good ole time. There was a total lack of respect shown. We went back the next day when the men who sacrificed their lives could be remembered and respected. We are thankful for the price paid for our freedoms.

The greatest sacrifice which needs to be remembered on the first day of the week is the one Jesus made for us. "This do in remembrance of me," Jesus said (Luke 22:19).

COUNTING THE COST

BEN F. VICK, JR.

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:25-33).

Jesus was drawing great crowds. So, he turned and said to them that if you are going to be my disciple, you need to count the cost. What does your religion cost you? When Araunah offered to give King David his threshing floor, his oxen, and the wood for the offering, “…the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver” (2 Sam. 24:24). A religion that does not cost one anything is worthless. Most will have to pay a great price to follow Christ.

Though Abraham lived under Patriarchy, do you remember what God called upon him to do? God told him, “Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of” (Gen. 22:2). Isaac, the son of promise, for whom Abraham and Sarah had waited so long, was to be the sacrifice. You know the account. Abraham did not hesitate. He did not procrastinate. However, if he had been like many today, he would not only have argued with God but would have disobeyed. Like some today, he would have said: But he is my son, made after my image. I will not do it. We are blessed because Abraham obeyed. God told him, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice” (Gen. 22:18).

Does God not make allowance, and exceptions for our friends and family? Hear what God told Israel:  “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you” (Deut. 13:6-11). God made no exceptions for friends or family if one was enticed to serve idols. What was to be done to a brother, son, daughter, wife, or friend if they secretly tried to allure one to serve idols? First, God said do not consent, nor hearken nor pity him. Second, do not spare him nor conceal him. Third, he was to be stoned. Do you suppose some back then said:  But he is family or my best friend? Did God make allowance for them?

Do you remember the account of Asa, king of Judah, and his having cleaned house in Judah? The Chronicles tell us, “And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment” (2 Chron. 14:2-4). Did he have blinders on when it came to his own family? The historian wrote, “And also concerning Maachah the mother [margin: grandmother] of Asa, the king, he removed her from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove: and Asa cut down her idol, and stamped it, and burnt it at the brook Kidron.” So, what! (2 Chron. 15:16.) His dear old grandmother he removed from being queen. But she was a blood-relative?

Ties to our spiritual family, the church, should be stronger than connections to our physical family and friends. Jesus was preaching, and his family stood on the outskirts of the crowd. They wanted to speak to him. Matthew records: “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Matt. 12:46-50). There is no record of Jesus’ having interrupted his teaching to allow his family – his mother and brothers- to speak to him. It was not that he did not love them, but teaching his spiritual family was far more critical. Those who do the will of the Father in heaven are our brothers and sisters. We should treasure them, love them, associate with them, and do what we can for them as needed. Bless be the tie that binds us.

So, what were you saying about a wayward family member? Did you say you would make an exception for them?

BIBLE BASICS ABOUT THE LORD’S SUPPER

Hiram Kemp

 Few things are more important and central to the Christian life than the Lord’s Supper.  Here are some things to keep in mind as you prepare to partake at the Lord’s table.

1. The supper is taken in view of Jesus’ return (I Corinthians 11:26).

2. If we partake of the Lord’s supper in an unworthy manner we bring judgement on ourselves (I Corinthians 11:27)—No one is “worthy” to take the Lord’s Supper but we can take it in a worthy manner (i.e., with the right focus and intent).

3. The Lord’s supper is designed to be taken in a congregational setting with other Christians and not in isolation (I Corinthians 11:17, 20, 30-34—notice the “when you come together” statements).

4. The Lord’s Supper was only taken on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

5. The early church took the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Acts 2:42, 20:7).

6. The bread represents Jesus’ body which he gave for us (Matthew 26:26).

7. The cup (i.e., its contents) represents the blood Jesus shed for the forgiveness of our sins (Matthew 26:28).

8. Jesus promised to partake of the supper with us in God’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29)—He’s present when we take it today.

9. We should be thinking of Jesus and remembering His sacrifice as we partake of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:19).

10. We should examine ourselves as we eat and drink (I Corinthians 11:28).  We are examining ourselves not to see if we are perfect, but to be sure our hearts and minds are in the right place as we take it (cf. I Corinthians 11:27-32). 

11. We should wait for each other and be considerate of one another during the partaking of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:33).

12. The Lord’s Supper is not a meal to satisfy our hunger.  The focus is Jesus’ sacrifice for our souls (I Corinthians 11:34).

13. The background of the Lord’s Supper is Israel’s Passover meal to commemorate their deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Mark 14:12-16, 22-25; Luke 22:15; see Exodus 12:14-26).

14. Christ is our Passover Lamb who has been sacrificed for us (John 1:29; I Corinthians 5:7).

15. The bread is unleavened because no leaven was allowed in the homes of the Jews during the Passover, so the bread would have been unleavened when Jesus instituted the meal (Exodus 12:14-20).

16. Remember Jesus died for us while we were still sinners and unworthy of His love (Romans 5:6-8).

17. Communion means to share or have fellowship (joint participation).  The Lord’s Supper is referred to as communion because as we do it we share the body and blood of Jesus (I Corinthians 10:16-17).

18. Jesus instituted the meal on the night he was betrayed but He remained faithful to us in dying for our sins (I Corinthians 11:23). 

19. The Lord’s Supper foreshadows the meal we will eat together in the heavenly kingdom of God (Isaiah 25:6-12; Matthew 8:11; Luke 13:29; Revelation 19:9).

20. We proclaim or announce the death of Jesus and our faith in what it accomplished every time we partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 1:26).

—Christian Messenger, March 30, 2023

Vol. XLIV, No. 13