Continued from Part IV
ARE YOU WORTHY OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
You may not eat of the Passover of Messiah and then eat at the tables of sin which are associated with paganism, idols, or some other non-Christain observance of a religious practice where eating is a sign of participation with them.In the Tabernacle Plan, nothing unclean was allowed into the Temple. No one could bring part of a sacrifice or food from a pagan holiday celebration to the Tabernacle for an offering or for the priest to eat. The tabernacle is a type of our body. Only those things sanctified by the word of God and prayer may be consumed [eaten]. Prayer can not sanctify something God rejects. For this reason, eating the Lord's Passover is a sanctifying celebration for our Christian Tabernacle. Once you have partaken, you may not partake of anything pagan or dedicated in honor of an idol, or idolatrous celebration. To do so is eating the Lord's Passover unworthily.
I Cor. 11:27
27: Whosoever 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 eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
We will now examine the subject of being worthy or unworthy to partake of the Lord's Passover. Paul points out a sin that has kept many healing powers of the Lord from being manifested in the Church as in the beginning. The Church teaches examination. But more often sin is stressed and not the doctrines of the Church. Paul said examine yourself and see if you are in the Faith.[2Cor 13:5] Examination should come from the pulpit to the pew in that order. Many ministers have backslid from former holiness standards and still take the Lord's Passover. Their emphasis on the Passover is so fickle it brings no condemnation when they backslide and no longer examine themselves. Before a person receives Communion they should examine themselves and then examine their Church. If either are unworthy, a change must be made. All of these things are extremely important.
The sin we should examine first is idolatry because it sets Christ against another god, observance, or tradition.
Paul teaches on idolatry extensively. It must be important to understand what and how this sin may apply to us today. Paul used the Old Testament Jews as examples.
I Cor. 10:7
7: Neither be ye idolaters, as some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
This eating and drinking you will recall was in holiday of Aaron making the golden calf. The grand hailing salutes, chants, dances, and prayers, to the golden image were over. Now it was time to feast! I can hear it now! But I didn't bow to the god. I didn't attend the religious service. Why shouldn't I then be allowed to partake with them in the feast? How does sitting down to eat, drink, and playing on holiday, and generally enjoying myself with family and friends have anything to do with idolatry?
Notice, Paul doesn't say they offered their food to the golden calf as a sacrifice. They just sat down to a good holiday meal associated with it, and shared company with the idolatrous friends and relatives.
I Cor. 10:8-11
8: Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9: Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10: Neither murmur ye as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11: Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for your admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Paul says they are written for us, [New Testament Christians] when the ends of the world are come. This is talking about Christians who might ignorantly fall into an ancient sin of having a holiday party when a great act of idolatry had taken place. Idolatry in the Bible and in secular history was always chiefly practiced in conjunction with annual celebrations. These great pagan festivals and holidays were filled with eating, drinking, making merry, and sexual deviancy. The sin of idolatry and being made unworthy is among us today in the celebration of pagan holidays, and few men are crying aloud about it. Paul leaves us with a clear warning: "neither be ye idolaters as some of them"! Some of the Israelites apparently abstained from eating, drinking, and dancing, and that is why only 23,000 died that day. It is a serious thing to eat, drink, dance, and make holiday with those who have committed idolatry. Family, friends, relatives, making no difference.
1Cor. 10:12
12: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed let he fall. [These are people that think they have made the proper decisions concerning a spiritual question.]
Paul continues in his exhortation concerning the holiday idolatry and feasting:
1Cor. 10:13
13: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Now Paul addresses the subject of idolatry and concludes that it is a temptation that will be thrust in front of all saints. But there is a way of escape! Like any sin, the saint may be tempted, but must walk away from it and say no!
1Cor. 10:14
14: Wherefore, my dearly beloved flee from idolatry.
15: I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
Daniel speaks of the wise in Daniel 12:10:
10: Many shall be purified and made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
The context of this Chapter is the Lord's Passover memorial. Paul is speaking to the wise concerning idolatry and the holiday festivities mentioned previously that are common on these pagan celebrations. One line text preaching has almost ruined preachers from staying in or understanding the context of a passage.
There is something we must understand about idols and holiday idolatry before we can take the Lord's Supper worthily. Paul said the example of the Israelite idolatry was written for us when the end of the worlds would come. It is not dated to times past. Therefore, we who preach and live the Apostolic Gospel should give the more earnest heed in removing ourselves from paganism, if our observance of the Lord's Passover is to remain a sacred observance!
I Cor. 10:16
16: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17: For we being many are one bread and one body: For we are all partakers of that bread.
18: Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19: What say I then? that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols anything?
20: But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and the table of devils.
22: Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Paul is talking about idolatry and the Lord's Supper. We are to have this understanding if we are to ever appreciate why Christians may never perform or partake in a pagan holiday where any form of idolatry, eating, drinking, dancing, and making merry will be done.
Paul write specifically about holiday food being eaten that was prepared in conjunction with an idols holiday and celebration. He is talking to Jesus Name baptized people.
1Cor. 10:25
25: Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no questions for conscience sake:
26: For the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.
27: If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no questions for conscience sake.
In the above verses Paul is explaining; It's okay to eat food purchased at a meat market [shambles]. He says we may all attend a regular Church members feast, family dinner, reunion, or celebration, even with those who are not Christians. Don't worry about what you eat.
This liberty to join in a feast is withdrawn under certain conditions in the next verse:
1Cor. 10:28
28: But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof:
Notice, it is the other person's spiritual welfare that is the determining factor and it is for their sake you may have to say I can not eat.
1Cor. 10:29
29: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30: For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I gave thanks?
31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32: Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God.
33: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
By saying no, and not joining in a feast that someone has proclaimed is associated with an idol or a pagan holiday, that is your testimony of witness, you stand by your commitment to the Lord's Passover and you will not eat from two tables.
1Cor 10:21
21: Ye can not drink from the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Chances are, you have never heard a Minister preach on where you can not eat once you have partaken of the Lord's Supper! Paul gives us a few of these cases.
1Cor. 5:11
11: But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
Fornication here is not only sexual license but also includes Spiritual fornication as described concerning the Children of Israel who held holiday with worship of the golden calf.
The Spiritual decision not to eat with certain sinners, allows the unsaved or backslid person to recognize two things. First, that pagan holiday feasting and unrepented sinful living is contrary to the Christian life. Second, that the Lord's Supper is such a holy celebration that a Christian would rather die then put into his body the food made in association of an idol or pagan holiday.
Further teaching concerning things offered to idols is in I Corinthians chapter 8.
1Cor. 8:1
1: Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2: And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3: But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4: As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [heathen god] is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5: For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, [as there be gods many and lords many,]
6: But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7: Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Let's examine how verse seven applies to the Church today later in this study.
1Cor. 8:8-13
8: But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither if we eat, are we better; neither if we eat not are we the worse.
We can use this liberty and make it a stumbling block to those that don't understand.
9: But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.
10: For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols.
11: And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died.
12: But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13: Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Notice, Paul said make my brother to offend, [Christ] not that it would offend the brother, but would make the brother offend Christ and thereby perish.
Back to verse 7, I know most people today realize that Jesus Christ is the one and only Lord. How does a person having this knowledge, commit idolatry in our day? There are two ways this happens.
1: Participation in holiday feasts declared to be associated with pagan festivals which are non-Christian celebrations.
2: Learning the ways of the heathens, which includes setting up idols in the home, Church, work place, or community.
A Christian may not partake of a meal that has been declared prepared as New Years Day, Valentines Day, Easter day, Christmas Day, or in honor of heathen gods or pagan holidays. By that declaration all that eat of that table are stuffing God's Temple with detestable idolatrous food, corrupting that Temple which was washed, cleansed, sanctified, and saved for the celebration of the Lord's Passover memorial. He alone is our God. Nothing associated with paganism or another God should go into our bodies.
1Cor. 10:28
28: But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice [in honor of] unto idols [heathen gods] eat not for his sake that shewed it [made the declaration] and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's and fulness thereof.
We know everything is the Lord's but by their declaration they have dedicated this feast unto heathen gods.
1Cor. 10:20
20: But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils.
We should examine the words: 1. Gentiles; 2. sacrifice; 3. and devils.
1. Gentiles: the word used in I Cor. 10:20 in Strong's Concordance is # 1484 Ethnos, meaning a race i.e. a tribe; spec. a foreign [non-Jewish] one.
Paul is speaking to the Church at Corinth but does not call them Gentiles. Paul explains that those that have been baptized in Jesus' name are the seed of Abraham and are no longer Gentiles according to the old Jewish reckoning. Only those who have not been baptized into Jesus Christ through the new birth are considered Gentiles.
Rom 4:13
13: For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Hebrews 2:16
16: For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Galatians 3:26
26: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29. And if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
There is only one way to be baptized into Christ.
Acts 2:38
38: Then Peter said unto them Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 4:12
12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. [Those baptized in Father, Son and Holy Ghost have been deceived by the Catholic Church. They have not put on Christ.]
2. Sacrifice: Strong's Concordance # 2380 Thuo meaning to immolate. The meaning of immolate is a sacrificial meal. The meaning of sacrifice is the act of offering to a god. [This is any meal or feast prepared in honor of a god.]
3. Devils: Strong's Concordance #1140 daimonian a demonic being.
Paul is saying in I Cor. 10:20 that the feast the Gentile non-converts are preparing are to demonic beings deceiving people to be gods.
Some say "I don't keep feasts honoring devils." But they will admit the apostles did not keep Janus New Years Eve, Valentines Day, Easter, Christmas, Mardi Grau, etc. etc. etc. There are in excess of over 2,000 pagan festivals held throughout the world over the span of the year to pagan gods and other heathen holidays. If the apostles didn't teach the observance of these days in honor of the Lord, then we should not add to their doctrine. In Jeremiah 10:2 the Lord said to learn not the ways of the heathen.
Some years ago I was the evangelist at a Church in North Carolina that hung Santa Claus. NBC, CBS, ABC, BBC, came out with cameras and shot the dangling rascal. A man called all the way from China. "Thank God! Thank God! Thank God!" He repeated over and over. "When the Christian Missionary came to China he tell us we must quit the Chinese parades and clean out our houses of Buddha, dragons, snakes, monkeys, rats, prayer wheels, wind chimes to the dead ancestors, and fire-cracker, he....he....he...etc. etc. Now I know someone in America love God too to make give up no gods for Jesus."
We are told in II Timothy 4:3. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine: but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.
I Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.
We know the Catholic and Protestant Churches have accepted many pagan festivals and said they are now Christian. The party continues with a coat of Christian varnish. They say these festivals are no longer to pagan gods. They have sanctified them by including Christ and letting him have a small part. The Pope has blessed paganism with his three finger salute. So now, almost all Christendom may consider them sanctified unto the Lord.
I will describe one such festival and see if you can recognize what pagan festival it is.
I quote from Ridpath's History of the World.
"The most elaborate of all the celebrations of Rome was that of "Saturn" held at the winter solstice and afterwards extended so as to include the 25 of December. Saturn was regarded by the Romans as the god of that primitive peace which once held sway in the world before the age of devastation and war. In that pacific era all men held the same rank and had their enjoyments in common.
It was fitting, therefore that in the festival of Saturn, though the world had forgotten the old-time goodness, all men should be regarded as restored for a brief season to their primitive equality. So the great and the humble, the rich and the poor, the young and the old, were given the license of a common freedom, a common immunity. The festival was called the Saturnalia. Labor ceased, public business was at an end, the courts were closed, the schools had holiday. Tables, laden with bounties, were spread on every hand, and at these all classes for the nonce sat down together. The master and the slave for the day were equal. It was a time of gift-giving and innocent abandonment. In the public shops every variety of present from the simplest to the most costly could be found. Fathers, mothers, kinspeople, friends, all hurried thither to purchase, according to their fancy, what things so-ever seemed most tasteful and appropriate as presents. The fair of Rome exhibited in plentiful profusion every variety of articles brought from every quarter of the world. There were knickknacks for the children, ornaments for the ladies, little trophies of the toilet, ornamental tapers in wax, and indeed, whatever the fancy or caprice of Rome could well imagine or create. It was a season of mirth and jollity; of feasting and hilarity; of games and sports.
Also from W. Warde Fowler, M.A. Fellow and Sub-rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, quoting his book The Roman Festivals of the Period of the Republic; An Introduction to the Study of the Religion of the Romans.
Speaking of the festival of Saturnalia:
Probably no Roman festival is so well known to the general reader as this, which has left its traces and found its parallels in great numbers of medieval and modern customs occurring about the time of the winter solstice. Seneca tells us that in his day all Rome seemed to go mad in this holiday.
There are several well-attested features of the Saturnalia as it was in historical times.
There was a public feast, in breaking up from which the feasters shouted "Io Saturnalia".
Then came calls on friends, congratulations, games, and the presentation of gifts. All manner of presents were made, as they still are at Christmas; among them the wax candles deserve notice, as they are thought to have some reference, like the yule log; to the returning power of the sun's light after the solstice. They descended from the Saturnalia into the Christmas ritual of the Latin Church. The sigillaria, or little paste or earthenware images which were sold all over Rome in the days before the festival and used as presents also survived into Christian times; thus in the ancient Romish Calendar, we find that all kinds of little images were on sale at the confectioners' shops, and even in England the bakers made little images of paste at this season.
This Christ-mass festival has its origins in the roots of paganism. Even the Pope cannot take a festival unto idols and say we are celebrating the birth of the "Lord in a manger" as the wise men in the scriptures. He cannot take a festival of devils and make it unto the Lord. The apostles told us not to deviate, or change, take from or add to their doctrine. If this festival was unto the Lord Jesus Christ they would have told us. They said to not let traditions of men and doctrines of devils fool us. The Christmas festival is a tradition and it is really not Christian, but a doctrine of idols pronounced through the lips of the Pope.
Revelations 18:4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Revelations 19:7. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready.
You make yourself ready by coming out of idolatry!
1Cor 6:9-10
9: Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
Do not partake if someone says we're having Christ-mass dinner in honour of the Lord's birthday. By this announcement of the purpose of the feast it's as Paul says "But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice [prepared in honour of a heathen god] unto idols eat not.
They think they honour God but they have taken a pagan festival in honor of devils and tried to convince people it really honours our Lord Jesus Christ and we know better! They have perverted the gospel by adding a pagan holy day to it. By not partaking, that is how you witness to them that they may be saved. And also keep yourself from idolatry and spiritual fornication.
To continue under the blood of Jesus and to Part Six, click the Cross below.
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