The Lord’s Supper: A Command

Once again the Depart Out Teachings contradict the plain teachings of Scripture. They teach that the taking of the Lord’s Supper is not a command. They teach this so they can remove, without conscience, the command to partake of it. Harold Camping teaches that there is no more observing of the Lord’s Supper and Water Baptism since in his mind, the church age (which is not found in Scripture) has ended. Their contention is that 1 Corinthians 11:26, which contains the phrase, “For as often…” that this is not a command since it does not convey the frequency of partaking. Some churches partake in it every week, some every month, and some once a year. However often Christians partake of it, does not take away from the Biblical evidence that it is a command to partake. Let us look at the Scriptures in context. 1 Corinthians 11:26 cannot be divorced from verses 24 & 25. It is called context and is necessary for proper biblical understanding.

(1 Cor 11:24-26 KJV) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. {25} After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. {26} For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come.

In 1 Corinthians 11:24, the words “Take” and “Eat” are "Labete" and "Fagete?" Both of these words are in the Imperative mood which means "THEY ARE A COMMAND." The command to partake of the Lord’s Supper is very clear and cannot be refuted. If a Christian has partaken of it, then they are being obedient to the command to remember the Lord’s Death and the looking forward to His return. The Lord’s Supper is symbolic and contains no ability to impart any saving grace. In fact, the Lord’s Supper is only for true believers. What the Lord’s Supper does, is to allow a congregation of Christians to put aside their theological differences, and for a moment, they are unified in remembering the Lord’s Death and the looking forward to His return. Those who refuse to partake of the Lord’s Supper on the orders of Harold Camping are in defiance of the Lord’s direct command in Scripture. What they have done is to “take away” from the Scriptures. (Rev 22:19 KJV) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Discarding the teachings of Scripture in obedience to a system which is created and not found in Scripture may give evidence that the leader and followers are unsaved. Saved people want to be obedient to the Scriptures. It is very dangerous to blindly follow a man, especially one with extremely questionable hermeneutics. Proper contextual readings of Scripture are always against the Depart Out method of interpretation.

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