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Lesson S-4 - The New-Covenant CeremoniesIntroduction: In Old Testament times righteousness by faith was illustrated through the sacrificial system. In the New Testament it is illustrated through the communion service. 1. In the sacrificial system of ancient Israel, what two elements had special significance? Ex. 24:6-8; Lev. 3:16, 17 (Exodus 24:6-8 NKJV) And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. {7} Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, "All that the LORD has said we will do, and be obedient." {8} And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant which the LORD has made with you according to all these words." (Leviticus 3:16-17 NKJV) 'and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma; all the fat is the Lord's. {17} 'This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.'" [Ans: Blood and fat. The Further-study verses are Eze. 44:7, 15] 2. What spiritual reality did the blood represent? Rom. 3:23-26 (Romans 3:23-26 NKJV) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, {24} being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, {25} whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, {26} to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [Ans: It pointed forward to Jesus' blood, which was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Forgiveness is also called justification. Lev. 17:10-14] 3. What special meaning was associated with the fat? 1 Sam. 15:22 (1 Samuel 15:22 NKJV) Then Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. [Note: As the blood pointed forward to Christ's blood and represented forgiveness, so the fat represented Christ's body, and obedience, or sanctification. King Saul sacrificed the fat of animals, but he had not obeyed the Lord, therefore his offering was unacceptable. Gen. 4:4. Compare Lev. 17:6 and Num. 18:17 with Eph. 5:1, 2 and 1 Peter 1:22.] 4. What two symbols did Christ include in the new-covenant communion service? Luke 22:19, 20 [1 Cor. 10:16-18] (Luke 22:19-20 NKJV) And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." {20} Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 5. What did the wine, or grape juice, represent? Matt. 26:26-29; 1 Peter 1:18-20 (Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." {27} Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. {28} "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. {29} "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." (1 Peter 1:18-20 NKJV) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. {20} He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you [Ans: As the blood of the animal sacrifice pointed to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, so the wine represented Jesus' blood that was shed for "the remission of sins." The "fruit of the vine" Jesus used was "new" and untainted. Yeast, which causes fermentation, was a symbol of sin, hence its use was prohibited at the Passover feast. Rom. 3:24-26; Rev. 13:8; Ex. 34:7] 6. As the fat of the sacrifices anciently represented Jesus' body, so the bread in the communion service is a symbol of Christ's body. What was accomplished by the death of Christ on the cross for us? Heb. 10:10 (Hebrews 10:10 NKJV) By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. [Note: As the blood and fat of the Old Testament sacrifices were symbols of justification and sanctification, so the grape juice and bread of the new covenant may be viewed as symbols of this two-fold work of grace. Justification and sanctification must always go together, for Jesus died not merely to forgive sin, and thus account us righteous, but to free us from the dominion of sin, and thus make us righteous. 1 Peter 1:2; 2:24; Matt. 1:21; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:3-6] 7. What great gift do we receive through partaking of the "bread of life"? John 6:47, 48, 51 [John 6:33-35] (John 6:47-48 NKJV) "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. {48} "I am the bread of life. (John 6:51 NKJV) "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." 8. What did Christ mean when He said we should eat of His flesh? John 6:51, 63 (John 6:51 NKJV) "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." (John 6:63 NKJV) "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. [Note: When we read the Bible with the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, our lives are changed. Jesus' life, as manifested in the Bible, becomes our life. We should partake of this spiritual food just as regularly as we partake of physical food. When we partake of the bread of the communion service, we pledge to partake of His Word. John 1:1, 14, 18; 17:14, 17] 9. In the new-covenant service, what order is followed in partaking of the grape juice and the bread? 1 Cor. 11:23-26 (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NKJV) 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; {24} 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." {25} 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." {26} For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. [Note: Sanctification begins simultaneously with justification when we surrender ourselves totally to Christ. As soon as we surrender, Christ offers us free and complete forgiveness. But while sanctification begins at the time of justification, it must continue as long as we live. Both justification and sanctification are the work of grace. 1 Cor. 6:11; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 10:14] 10. What warning does Paul give to us about partaking of the new-covenant service "in an unworthy manner," without discerning its sacred character? 1 Cor. 11:27-30 [2 Cor. 13:5; Heb. 10:29] (1 Corinthians 11:27-30 NKJV) Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. {30} For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 11. In order to prepare the disciples' hearts for the communion ceremony, what service did Jesus perform for them? John 13:3-5 [Mark 10:43-45] (John 13:3-5 NKJV) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, {4} rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. {5} After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 12. How important was it for Jesus to wash the disciples' feet? John 13:6-8 [1 Cor. 6:11] (John 13:6-8 NKJV) Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" {7} Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." {8} Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 13. After Jesus had washed their feet, were the disciples spiritually clean? John 13:9, 10 (John 13:9-10 NKJV) Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" {10} Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." [Note: The disciples had already been washed in baptism, hence did not need a rebaptism. They had not apostatized. But they had harbored jealousy and unbelief, and needed to be cleansed from these sins. Eph. 5:26, 27] 14. After washing their feet, what did Jesus say to His disciples? How do we know that He was establishing a ceremony that He wants us to follow today? John 13:12-15 [Matt. 20:27, 28] (John 13:12-15 NKJV) So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? {13} "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. {14} "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. {15} "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 15. Some, like Peter, hesitate to have their feet washed, or to wash another's feet. But what promise is given to those who follow Jesus' example? John 13:15-17 [Matt. 23:11, 12; John 15:11] (John 13:15-17 NKJV) "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. {16} "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. {17} "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 16. While the communion service reminds us of Christ's death, toward what future event does it point? Matt. 26:29 [1 Cor. 11:26] (Matthew 26:29 NKJV) "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." Commitment: Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you" (John 6:53). Will you pledge to partake of Christ's body, both in the communion service and through the study of His Word, so that you may become more like Jesus? As you drink the grape juice, will you accept Christ's forgiveness, give thanks for His atoning blood, and determine to be among those who shall be with Jesus when He drinks the fruit of the vine in heaven? And will you follow Jesus' example in the footwashing ceremony, giving thanks that through Jesus your sins are washed away?
Further Study VersesQuestion 1 - Further Study (Ezekiel 44:7 NKJV) "When you brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary to defile it; My house; and when you offered My food, the fat and the blood, then they broke My covenant because of all your abominations. (Ezekiel 44:15 NKJV) "But the priests, the Levites, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood," says the Lord GOD. -->Back to Study Question 2 - Further Study (Leviticus 17:10-14 NKJV) 'And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. {11} 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' {12} "Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.' {13} "Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; {14} "for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.' -->Back to Study Question 3 - Further Study (Genesis 4:4 NKJV) Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, (Leviticus 17:6 NKJV) "And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the LORD. (Numbers 18:17 NKJV) "But the firstborn of a cow, the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat you shall not redeem; they are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and burn their fat as an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma to the LORD. (Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. {2} And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (1 Peter 1:22 NKJV) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, -->Back to Study Question 4 - Further Study (1 Corinthians 10:16-18 NKJV) 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, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread. {18} Observe Israel after the flesh: Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? -->Back to Study Question 5 - Further Study (Romans 3:24-26 NKJV) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, {25} whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, {26} to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Revelation 13:8 NKJV) All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Exodus 34:7 NKJV) "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." -->Back to Study Question 6 - Further Study (1 Peter 1:2 NKJV) elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. (Matthew 1:21 NKJV) "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (1 Peter 2:24 NKJV) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. (1 John 2:1-6 NKJV) My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. {2} And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. {3} Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. {4} He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. {6} He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1 John 3:3-6 NKJV) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. {4} Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. {5} And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. {6} Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. -->Back to Study Question 7 - Further Study (John 6:33-35 NKJV) "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." {34} Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." {35} And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. -->Back to Study Question 8 - Further Study (John 1:1 NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:14 NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:18 NKJV) No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him. (John 17:14 NKJV) "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17:17 NKJV) "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. -->Back to Study Question 9 - Further Study (1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Peter 1:2 NKJV) elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied. (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, (Hebrews 10:14 NKJV) For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. -->Back to Study Question 10 - Further Study (2 Corinthians 13:5 NKJV) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?; unless indeed you are disqualified. (Hebrews 10:29 NKJV) Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? -->Back to Study Question 11 - Further Study (Mark 10:43-45 NKJV) "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. {44} "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. {45} "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." -->Back to Study Question 12 - Further Study (1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. -->Back to Study Question 13 - Further Study (Ephesians 5:26-27 NKJV) that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, {27} that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. -->Back to Study Question 14 - Further Study (Matthew 20:27-28 NKJV) "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave; {28} "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." -->Back to Study Question 15 - Further Study (Matthew 23:11-12 NKJV) "But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. {12} "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (John 15:11 NKJV) "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. -->Back to Study Question 16 - Further Study (1 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. -->Back to Study
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