Frequency of Taking Communion

Dr. Couch, what is the frequency of taking communion? ANSWER: The main passage dealing with this is found in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. While the early church took communion once a week there was no frequency commanded in the NT. Because it was abused probably proves that they were taking communion too often and it became commonplace. Communion was not efficacious for salvation. It was a memorial or a "remembrance," so Christ said (vv. 24-25; Matt. 26:26-28). A command was given for taking the Lord's supper but the frequency was not stated. Note: "As often as you eat this bread ..." (v. 26), and, "When you come together to eat ..." (v. 33). The Corinthian church made the communion a time just to eat or have a banquet. They abused the Lord's table. Paul said they came to eat "for the worse" and not for the better (v. 17). They were supposed to be eating and drinking in their own houses before they came to church and partook in the communion. The communion became simply a meal time for many. Paul said because of this, "you despise the church of God, and shame those who have nothing," that is, because some were poor and had no food to eat with everyone else (v. 22). Thus, Paul said, "I could not praise you" (v. 22). He adds that the church was defaming the communion table and were not showing respect to Christ's sacrifice when they came together. Many simply had an orgy (vv. 27-32), "becoming drunk" (v. 21). The church was taking the communion as a supper and in an "unworthy manner" becoming guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord (v. 27). This is not a problem today in our churches but thinking that the Lord's table somehow adds to salvation is a problem. Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Reconstructing the Temple

Dr. Couch, I keep hearing about the fact that there are some in Israel who are planning to reconstruct the temple in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. Is this so? ANSWER:  Yes, there is an organization of very conservative orthodox Jews who are planning to construct the temple. You asked the question, Where? And that I don't know. I do not put much credit to this, and I'll explain below why.    How many temples have there been? The (1) first temple was the one constructed by Solomon. It was destroyed in BC 586. Then there was a kind of (2) reconstruction or rebuilding of the temple when Nehemiah and Zerubbabel returned to Judah from Babylon. Some do not count this as a distinct temple construction project, though I do. Then (3) there was the Herodian temple that was still under construction while Christ was ministering. It was destroyed by Titus in 70 AD. There will be an (4) "Antichrist" temple that will be built by the orthodox Jews who may think that he is the Messiah. He will apparently give them permission to build the temple, probably after the signing of the seven year peace pact that begins the tribulation. He will enter it and desecrate it according to Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10. "He will take his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God." Finally, there is the (5) Millennial temple as described in Ezekiel 40-48.    Some argue: how can there be a restored sacrificial system, since Christ completed the needed sacrifice for our sins? I must remind you that we do a mini-Passover when we take communion. In fact, it is called a "memorial." The revised temple sacrifices are memorials as to what Christ did on the cross. They are not efficacious or required as if under the law. But they are a reminder of the fact that something (or someone—Christ) innocent had to die for our sins!    I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch

The Lord's Supper Guidelines

Dr. Couch, how do you take 1 Corinthians 11 where Paul speaks about “examining yourself” and the issue of eating and drinking judgment on oneself? 

 

    ANSWER:  This is the section where Paul gives forth the guidelines on the Lord’s Supper. We all use Paul’s words, and this passage, as a reminder not to come to the communion table while walking about in sin. However, while there may be nothing wrong with that, the context of his statements really should be confined to the issue at hand. Many in the Corinthian congregation were coming to the table simply for a meal, and some were getting drunk. They were partaking in an “unworthy manner” (v. 27) and not remembering (v. 24) Christ’s sacrifice for their sins. I don’t see this same kind of behavior or problem in our churches today. 

    Two words are important in this section: “examine” yourselves (v. 28) and “judge” yourselves (v. 29) about the issue. Loss of salvation is not in the works here but God could take some of these believers home for so defiling the picture set forth in the communion table of why Christ died on the cross—to save us from our sins. Therefore the apostle writes: “Many are weak (sick, asthenia), some are sick (better, arrostos, physically weak), and a number die, i.e. fall asleep.” 

    We forget that the early church believers were coming out of raw paganism and many did not fully appreciate the great spiritual happening that took place with their salvation. 

They were arrogant, fool-hearty, still very immoral. While this entire passage and its lesson is sobering, we do not have going on today in our churches what was happening in those days. The word “examine” is in the Greek dokimazo and it is in the present tense. Paul is saying “be constantly examining or judging” what you are doing about this matter! 

    God is using Paul’s words here to reign in the churches who were still moving forward in understanding Christianity and what it was all about to live out one’s faith in a very personal way. 

    Thanks for asking!

    Dr. Mal Couch