THE EARLY CHURCH (7)/ THE MARKS OF THE EARLY CHURCH (1) (Preaching, Baptism, Doctrine, Fellowship, and Holy Communion)

During the Sunday service, Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached a sermon titled The Early Church (7)/ The Church grows (1). Her main text was taken from the Book of Acts. “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:36-47).

We continue to study the early church, to discover the perfect pattern God has in mind about the Body of Christ. The Church is One set of branches connected to one Vine, One flock following on Shepperd, One Kingdom having One King, One building having One foundation, One Bride having One Bridegroom, One Body having One Head, Jesus Christ, the Lord!    

The most important verse in the whole Book of Acts, that gives it its general tone, is this: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). These are the last words of the resurrected Christ before ascending to heaven. The book of Acts is a Book of power manifested in the early church. The Book of Acts is one of the happiest books in the world. It is a book of revival.  We see that the first Christians had a great spiritual power and boldness to preach the Gospel and to pray. They loved the Word of God and their fellowship with one another. They were generous with their resources, helping the needy. They loved the name of Jesus and used it with authority. Signs and wonders accompanied their ministry. They were persecuted for their faith, but they were always victorious in all circumstances. They exercised holy discipline so that the church remains pure. They did evangelistic outreaches to spread the Gospel. Their faith and boldness were beautiful. We want to imitate these good ways, for the glory of God! In this passage we see some basic elements of a living church, growing by the power of the Holy Spirit. According to the Book of Acts, these are at least fifteen ways the early church was defined: Preaching the Gospel, Baptism in water, The Apostles’ Doctrine, Fellowship of the brethren, partaking in the Holy Communion, Prayers, Experiencing miracles, Helping the needy among them, Gladness and simplicity of heart, Praising God, Favor with people, Church Discipline, Spiritual warfare, and Missionary evangelistic work. These words describe the early church and any other living church that is experiencing revival. May this be our portion, in Jesus’ name!

In this old-world generations have come and gone. Kings and kingdoms have come and passed away. But one thing is clear: the only good that has ever happened in this world is the hope given to man, salvation thru the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is the only good news. Any other idea or philosophy is old, faded, useless news. The Greeks had great poets and philosophers. The Romans had great lawyers, administrators, builders, and soldiers. Other empires brought their own traditions and cultures. There is some beauty in the achievements of men. For example, the idea of hospitals started with the Christians. That is good. But what is the greatest weakness of man’s achievements? It is the failure of man to know God and to save himself from sin and death. Man cannot change the human heart. Man is born a sinner. Since Adam, no tradition, no religion, no civilization, no medical or scientific invention, could give hope and assurance of eternal life. God’s life is found in Christ alone, by faith in His Word. This is the only good news on earth. This is the Gospel. Jesus Christ died and rose again for me! The story of Jesus is a story of Love and Grace. It is found only in the Bible. Please read it for yourself!

The Christians in the early church loved to study the Word of God, in particular, the apostles’ doctrines. People said about the early Christians: “These have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). In every revival, the same pattern we see in the Book of Acts is repeated. That is why we study the early church trying to find the secret of their power, godliness, and joy. The first thing we see in the early church is that their gathering was mostly spiritual. They helped one another materially, but the purpose of their fellowship was spiritual first. They ‘continues steadfastly’ in spiritual exercises. The words ‘continued steadfastly’ can also be translated ‘they persevered, they waited and persisted’. The word ‘steadfast’ means to stay firmly in one place, strong in faith, immovable, and unshakable. A steadfast man is sure of his belief, that he is doing the right thing, refusing to change or give up. This was the attitude of the early Christians concerning their faith in Christ and God’s Word. There is no other way how to make spiritual progress in life and how a church should grow organically.      

1-PREACHING THE GOSPEL

Peter preaches Christ centered sermons on the day of Pentecost and before the Sanhedrin. People were amazed at his faith and boldness, knowing that just few days ago, he betrayed his Lord. The very courage of Peter is a testimony that the resurrected Christ is alive, that He has forgiven him and restored him to his office as an apostle. ‘With many words Peter testified and exhorted’ the listeners to repent from sin. The word ‘testify’ means to solemnly warn them about the reality, power, and consequences of a life of sin. The word ‘exhort’ means to urge, to plead and beg them to give their lives to Christ. There is passion and power in Peter’s preaching. He knows how deceptive sin is. He also knows how great God’s Grace is. His words go straight to the conscience of his listeners, urging them to apply their minds to think about their lives. This preaching is doctrinal and not just an emotional appeal. It is a Spirit filled sermon that ‘cut their hearts’ (Acts 2:37). The words ‘cut the hearts’ means to be suddenly pierced (by an arrow of truth), to be grieved, to become anxious because of guilt. This is the effect of hearing the Word of God, preached with authority and faith. It describes godly sorrow that leads to repentance and to salvation (2Cor 7:10).   

Peter accuses the Jews that they are sinners, guilty of killing Jesus! Peter does not entertain. He challenges the sinners to ‘be saved from this perverse generation’. The word ‘perverse’ means something unjust, crooked, corrupt, wicked, and evil. To be perverse describes a stubborn person, who has left the good path of wisdom and godliness and has identified with the darkness of this world. A perverse man is not an innocent or ignorant man. He stubbornly refuses to repent and opposes what is right, good, and acceptable to godly people. A perverse man is proud, wayward, rebellious, unrepentant, stubbornly opposing all authority. He is a dangerous man. Peter commands his listeners to separate themselves from people who may be religious but are ‘perverse’ in heart and behavior. Our Lord Himself rebuked that generation of Jews for their doubt and unbelief. “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?” (Mt 17:17). Our Lord’s question does not reveal frustration but pain seeing that His Word and the miracles He performed did not change the hearts of these religious people. The word ‘bear with you’ means to endure, to carry, or to tolerate someone who is extremely antagonistic to you.

Later, Apostle Paul preaches the Gospel of Christ before authorities and all men during His missionary journeys. He repeats the same command. Christians should separate from the world. This is not a superficial separation but a deep spiritual one. A child of God should live a godly life among the unbelievers, like a light shining in the darkness. He should not complain or quarrel. He should be a man of peace and faith. He should accept the providence of God and in all things, he should give thanks to Him. The Word of God received and believed is His light shining in the darkness. Defeating the crooked and perverse generation can only be done by faith in the power of God’s Word and thru His Spirit. “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16). It is your responsibility to shine as light in the darkness. That shine comes from ‘holding fast the word of life’. Holding fast the word means to understand and retain the Word of God so that you can preach it to others. The peaching of God’s Word exposes and defeats and destroys the strongholds of ignorance, unbelief, and crookedness of the world.  

The word ‘church’ in Greek is Ekklesia. It means ‘the assembly of the called ones’. God has called us from the darkness of this world to His marvelous light, from sin to righteousness, from death to life.  Peter said: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Out of a perverse generation of sinners, God’s effective call thru the Gospel of Christ has produced a new nation, a chosen generation, called the church. From the beginning of the church God’s call for separation from the world has been clearly heard. Humanity is divided into two groups: sinners (who belong to the world) and saints (who belong to the Kingdom of God). There is no middle ground. The world is defined as the totality of human beings who live like there is no God. The Bible calls the sinners ‘fools’. God is not in their minds or hearts. Their king is the prince or the ruler of this world, also called the devil. All sinners are under his power. Jesus came and died to save all who believe in Him.

At the Cross, the ruler of the world proved to be the killer of the Son of God. At the Cross you see the sinfulness of sin judged by God thru death. You see the power of evil. You also see that God has judged and punished the devil, the Killer of His Son. There is no forgiveness or redemption for the devil. The Holy Spirit has come to reveal this reality to those who are saved. Without the Holy Spirit man cannot believe that the devil is totally defeated. Jesus said: “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” This He said, signifying by what death He would die” (Jn 12:31-33) “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (Jn 14:30). “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged” (Jn 16:8-11).

After Stephen was martyred the persecution against the Christians increased. They were scattered like seeds of life. Wherever they went the preached the Word. “Those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). This is a true saying: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church”. Preaching God’s Word is successful warfare.

Apostle Paul commands his son, Timothy, and all of us to preach the Word of God, the Gospel, the sound doctrines of salvation. Preaching (and teaching) is a holy work done ‘before God and the Lord Jesus Christ’. God judges the preacher and the congregation concerning the word preached and received. We are all responsible before God. Preaching must be done faithfully and patiently. The preacher must be prepared and ready.  Preaching must be done ‘in season and out of season’. In other words, preaching must be done always, when people respond or when they reject your words, by following the worldly religious crowd. “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

Timothy must be an example to others in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and moral purity. He must study the Word by himself. He should read and meditate upon the scriptures. He should be careful with his behavior and the doctrine he believes and preaches. His spiritual progress will be seen by all, and it will influence others for good. His life becomes an open Bible for all, to read and to become saved. This is a spiritual law: doctrine determines behavior. If you believe the right doctrines, you will repent of sin and grow in godliness. If you believe wrong doctrines, you will continue in sin. Your life and the doctrines you believe in, are the most powerful tool of evangelism that you have. “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

2-WATER BAPTISM

The Water Baptism and the Holy Communion are the only two ordinances given by the Lord Jesus to the Church. Both apply only to the believers in Christ. The Water Baptism is done once in a lifetime, but the Holy Communion is done ‘as often’ as possible. No one of these ordinances saves a soul. Salvation is by Grace and thru Faith in Jesus Christ. But both impart strength, increase faith, and give Grace upon Grace to the believers. The Water Baptism is a spiritual ceremony for the believers in Christ. It is the command of Jesus. We must obey His command. The resurrected Christ commanded His disciples: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” (Matt 28:18-20). “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15, 16).

The early believers got baptized in water as a public declaration that they are now one with Christ. The Baptism in water is a baptism of repentance, forgiveness of sins and a new life in Christ. It symbolizes unity with Christ, in His death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:5-11). As with the partaking of the Holy Communion, the water baptism is only for believers, for the born-again Christians. The unbeliever has no testimony of salvation; therefore, he should not be baptized. The believer declares publicly thru water baptism that he is a sinner saved by grace. He has totally surrendered his life to Christ, his Savior. From now on, he will faithfully obey God’s Word. Thru baptism in water the believer declares that he becomes a member of the Body of Christ, the Church, and He will love the brethren with the Love of Christ. Water baptism is generally done by immersion. It is done in public and not in secret. It is done in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit! The baptism in water does not save a sinner but it confirms his testimony of salvation, to his conscience and to other people as witnesses. The proof that water baptism is not a prerequisite for salvation as seen in the story of the thief on the cross who believed in Christ in his last moments on earth (Luke 23:39-43).

3-THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE

The early church believers gave great importance to the study of God’s Word. They studied the Apostles’ doctrine. The word ‘doctrine’ means Biblical teaching. The apostles’ doctrine refers to the basic doctrines of salvation in Christ, by Grace and thru Faith. These doctrines are the very Words of Jesus as interpreted by His Apostles. The hunger for the Word of God, the passionate desire to read and study the doctrines of the Bible, is foundational to spiritual life and growth. During times of revival, the believers love the Word of God more than in the past. It is so sad that many pastors have stopped preaching the Word of God, the true Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. They preach inspirational stories, social events, and political topics. That is why many congregations are spiritually malnourished and weak. The unity of the Spirit is based on the unity of faith in the Word of God. Preaching the correct doctrine leads to godly behavior, spiritual growth in the believers and unity of the Spirit in the congregation. Preaching wrong doctrines leads to wayward worldly behavior, spiritual weakness, and division in the congregation. These are spiritual laws. The pulpit gives the tone and the atmosphere in any church. This is reminder of the great responsibility each pastor has before God and man!

Why were the early Christians so interested in the Biblical doctrines? They were baby Christians. They had just believed the Gospel of Christ and got saved. For the first time they discovered that all their lives they were fools and ignorant of God. They had religion but they were spiritually dead. Now, they became children of God. Truth has set them free. Their minds have been illuminated by the Holy Spirit. So, they wanted to know more of the truth, to understand who God is, and how they got saved. They were not tired to listen to God’s Word. They wanted more revelation so that they can grow spiritually and so that they can help others. They were tired of empty religion, entertainment stories, and philosophies. They were hungry for reality. By the way, this is a good question: are you hungry and thirsty for the Word of God? If the answer is yes, then you are saved! If the answer is no, you may only be religious but still dead in your sins. Examine yourselves! Selah!   

As you can see, the teaching and preaching of God’s Word is in the first place among the things the believers did when they gathered. This should be the pattern to all churches. The pulpit is the Throne of the Bible. The Word of God must be thought and preached with all authority, power, and joy. The Word of God gives life to men and makes the churches grow. In the absence of preaching the true doctrines sinners cannot be saved and the church will remain weak and divided. Every other activity in the church should submit to the preaching of God’s Word! Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Salvation is the deepest experience and greatest change that can happen to any man. But Christianity is not just an experience. It is a new life that needs to be fed thru the Word of God. Teaching the Bible is food and water for the soul. The believer needs to learn and understand the basic doctrines of the Bible. Other religions may offer some spiritual experiences. But it is only the true Christian, who after the experience of salvation, desires to be thought the Word of God.

The early believers studied the Apostles’ doctrine. At that time the New Testament was not completely written. The believers listen to what the apostles were teaching them. The Apostles were the only men that had a truly intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. They sat at His feet for three and a half years. There were many disciples following Jesus. Out of them, He chose men whom He named apostles. “He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons” (Mark 3:13-15). His choice of whom should be an apostle is according to God’s sovereign call of grace. Their first duty was to sit at the feet of Jesus, to listen to His teaching and to be His friends. Their second duty was to go and preach the Word, heal, and deliver the oppressed. Here you see that your intimate relationship with Jesus is vital before you can do ministry to men in His name.  

To others, Jesus preached mostly in parables. But He thought His disciples directly, in a special way, so that they understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. These revelations will later become the apostles’ doctrines. As you can see, Jesus did not entrust His teaching to all men. He chose His apostles, and He revealed the truth to them in a particular way, preparing them to be the foundational stones of His Church.

“And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand… But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matthew 13:10-17).

Just before His ascension, Jesus gave the Apostles perfect understanding of the Scriptures. The risen Christ told His apostles: “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44, 45). They now had a deeper understanding of how the Old Testament was fulfilled in Christ. He opened their understanding by Himself. The apostles alone understood the mystery of the Gospel and the plan of salvation. The church is founded on their revelation with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone. By preaching the Apostles’ doctrines, the church grows spiritually. “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19-22).

There is a serious warning about truth and error concerning doctrines. If anyone preaches a different gospel, by a different spirit that preacher is ‘accursed’. The word means ‘eternally condemned’. Paul said: “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:6-9).

The Apostles’ doctrine is a something objective. It is something you can understand. It is not something vague or inspirational. You can separate truth from error. You can differentiate true doctrines from the false ones. Apostle John repeats the warning: “We (the apostles) are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4:6). Apostle John says that anyone who listens to the Apostle’s doctrine hears from God. That is the Spirit of Truth. Anyone who is not of God, a religious unbeliever, that one will not listen and obey the Apostles’ doctrine. He is deceived by an evil spirit of error. These words come with the authority of heaven. The devil has been fighting the Truth, the Bible, the true Gospel, and the true doctrines. He plants seeds of doubt in the mind of people. It is our responsibility to learn the truth and reject deceit.  

To study, preach, and teach God’s Word and the Biblical Doctrines is a difficult spiritual labor. But it has great reward! The congregation is to appreciate the pastor (elder) who pays the price to preach God’s Word. “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17). Worship the Lord!

4-THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE BRETHREN

The brethren loved to gather to study the Word of God and to pray. They loved God and one another. The visible church is the place for the fellowship of the brethren. This fellowship is not a social or political gathering. The fellowship is a deep spiritual connection of love, a unity of souls, thru the Holy Spirit. That is the church, the mystical body of Christ. The apostles’ doctrine controls the fellowship and the breaking of bread. It is never the other way around. Brethren must believe the same doctrines to have fellowship with one another. Meditate about this!

The fellowship is not a show, with a guest preacher or a famous singer coming to entertain people. It is more like ‘an ordinary’ family, growing together in wisdom and love. What made the fellowship special was the feeling that the God was with them, helping and protecting them. It was a spiritual gathering of believers. Because in the church we have a platform for loving and helping one another, we are commanded not to forsake it. “Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10;24, 25).  

The easiest way to explain fellowship is the marriage between a man and a woman. Many say that they are Christians. They study the Bible, give offerings to some churches, but do not have fellowship with any other believer. That type of lonely ‘Christianity’ is fake. True Christians connect with one another in the local churches. They feel concern, they help and pray for one another. The local church is a true spiritual family. What makes the connection? It is the same faith, the same Holy Spirit in each of us, connecting us into one Body. When you meet another Christian brother (or sister), even if naturally he is different than you, you will immediately feel a connection with him. There is a magnetic attraction between two souls who are washed by the same Blood of Jesus. This love, this connection, cannot happen between a believer and an unbeliever. That is why we are commanded not to ‘yoke’ with unbelievers.

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor 6:14-18).   

We remind ourselves that the believers are not perfect people. But they have fellowship of love, trust, and freedom more than any natural gathering. They keep the unity of the Spirit because they believe the same doctrines. A lonely Christian is a weak Christian. You must belong to a fellowship. Leave the world and become a member of a good living church. The fellowship among brethren is a sample of heaven on earth.      

5-THE BREAKING OF BREAD

We have seen that the believers loved to gather to study the Word, pray and partake in the Holy Communion. At that time there were not buildings called ‘churches.’ The believers met in one another’s houses to have fellowship. It is more like what today we call ‘home-fellowships’ or ‘lighthouses.’ They come to listen to God’s Word and prayer. They would bring food (something similar with what we call ‘a love feast’). They eat the meal together. At the end, they take a loaf of bread and remembering the last supper with Jesus, they divide the loaf among themselves. After that, they take a big cup of wine or grape juice, and each drank from it. They remember the life and death of their Lord. They encourage themselves by the Holy Spirit. This ceremony became known as the Last Supper or the Holy Communion. Since then, this blessed remembrance of the Lord Jesus has been obeyed without interruptions. It will continue to be so until Jesus comes again.

This is what the Apostle Paul said: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). It is good to remember that the Holy Communion is a command of Jesus. It is not an emotional remembrance. As Christians, we do it in obedience to His Word, to remember Him. The Holy Communion is a visible silent sermon. As we see and partake of the bread and the wine, our faith increases. Grace is added to our souls. The sermon preached is the Gospel of Christ Crucified and Resurrected. We remember that Jesus died for our sins, therefore we are healed and saved. We are also reminded that He will come again to punish all evil and to reward His people. On that day, we shall resurrect with new bodies, just like His body. Also, the Lord commanded that we should partake from the Holy Communion so that we remember to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. It forces us to examine our lives and repent from sins. Worship the Lord!