Austin Bible Church
The words of dying men are always held in memory. When two of the greatest men of history were ready to die, they recorded their thoughts in two books. The men were Peter and Paul. The books were 2 Peter and 2 Timothy. They both referred to the days in which we are now living in some detail, 2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Peter 3:1-9.
Any idiot can mock and any idiot can scoff. Any fool can laugh at judgment, at hell, at the Lake of Fire. A fool that is! But 2 Peter 3:9 says God can save mockers, scoffers, idiots and fools. God can salvage any member of the human race. God’s tools in salvage are a cross and a crown, but the Ccross has to come before the crown.
"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NASB)
Communion emphasizes the true Person and Word of Christ. Christ is the Savior and it is He who is illustrated through the bread (His person) and through the blood (His work). 1 Cor. 10:16.
"Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16, NASB)
People are not saved because they believe in God, go to church, are good people, are sincere, are honest, help their mean neighbors, love children, love dogs and cats and white mice, are dedicated, live sacrificial lives, smile all the time, have suffered a hard life, are nice people, are civic minded, put the roof on the church building, donated land to a church, are not hypocrites, tithe, live in a Christian nation and don’t cuss. There is only way whereby you can be saved and that is believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Communion emphasizes true unity. One bread represents unity and doesn’t come through integration. One body means unity and doesn’t come through legislation that is supposed to make everyone equal. Unity doesn’t come by everyone getting together to settle their differences or by negotiating. Unity comes through salvation and spirituality. It comes through the teaching of Bible doctrine. 1 Cor. 10:17.
"Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread." (1 Corinthians 10:17, NASB)
Communion emphasizes true fellowship. False fellowship is based on compatibility of old sin natures, common interests, common hates, and social panaceas. Nothing will match the fellowship that is produced by the filling of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 10:17-19.
"Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?" (1 Corinthians 10:17-19, NASB)
The Holy Spirit produces the character of Christ in the believer’s life as they grow spiritually. He produces the fruit of the Spirit. He conforms the believer unto the image of Christ. Gal. 4:19; Gal. 5:22-23; Rom. 8:29.
"My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—" (Galatians 4:19, NASB)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB)
"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;" (Romans 8:29, NASB)
The Holy Spirit gives a relaxed mental attitude while in fellowship. Nothing can begin to match genuine Christian fellowship. No club, or service organization, no group, no matter how high and noble their purpose can duplicate the fellowship that believers have with the Lord and one another.
Communion emphasizes true Bible doctrine. Doctrine used many times in Scripture speaks of Bible teachings. Accurate and correct doctrine is possible in Bible interpretation. But there is also the false. 1 Cor. 11:19; 1 Tim. 4:1-3.
"For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you." (1 Corinthians 11:19, NASB)
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth." (1 Timothy 4:1-3, NASB)
Communion emphasizes true procedure. All things need to be done decently and in order. 1 Cor. 11:20-22; 1 Cor. 11:34; 1 Cor. 14:40. Bible teaching pushes out its own program.
"Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper, for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another is drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you." (1 Corinthians 11:20-22, NASB)
"If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you will not come together for judgment. The remaining matters I will arrange when I come." (1 Corinthians 11:34, NASB)
"But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner." (1 Corinthians 14:40, NASB)
Communion emphasizes true hope of the Rapture for the Church and the Second Advent for Israel. 1 Cor. 11:26.
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, NASB)
Communion emphasizes true confession of sin. 1 Cor. 11:27-28.
"Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (1 Corinthians 11:27-28, NASB)