As published in GOSPEL ADVOCATE February 12, 1976 ~ The LORD's Supper  BY Lloyd E. Ellis. Visit them for good quality publications here.

     The subject of the Lord’s Supper or "Communion" is one which deserves to be studied at regular intervals — especially by new members of the body of Christ, and those who may not have had an opportunity to give much attention to it.

THE SUPPER INSTITUTED by CHRIST
THE ELEMENTS USED
A MEMORIAL
OFFERING THANKS
TIME of OBSERVANCE  
WHO IS to PARTAKE
OFFICIATING at the TABLE

                        THE SUPPER INSTITUTED by CHRIST

     A careful study of the Scriptures should help to clarify any questions which one may encounter in regard to the Lord’s supper.
     This memorial was instituted by the Lord himself on the night in which he was betrayed as the Scriptures clearly state. After they had
eaten the Passover meal according to the Jewish custom and law, Jesus took the bread, offered thanks, and told his disciples to eat of it, and
in the same manner he took the “cup” and told them that each should drink of it (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor.
11:23). He also explained the purpose as we shall note further. BACK TO BEGINNING

                        THE ELEMENTS USED

     Two very simple elements were used — the bread which was unleavened in accordance with the law of Moses given by God through him to govern the Israelites in their observance of the Passover. Since Jesus used the unleavened bread in instituting the supper, we use unleavened bread today also.
     The other element was the juice of the grape, designated the “fruit of the vine.” (Matt. 28:29; Mark 14:25). There is no discussion in the
Bible as to whether this fruit of the vine was fermented or unfermented. Of the many words translated wine in the Bible, some refer to fermented and others to unfermented grape juice, but we have no argument concerning whether one must be used in preference to the other, as long as we use the fruit of the vine. Since the unfermented grape juice is easily preserved throughout the year today, Christians generally prefer to use the unfermented grape juice, keeping unused portions of an opened bottle in the refrigeration to prevent its souring.
     The “cup”. There are those who contend that the “cup” is the container and so insist on “one cup” (container) for a congregation. But such argument is based upon a misunderstanding of the use of the word “cup.” This word is often used in a figurative sense, as when one speaks of the “cup of suffering.” The words of Jesus should make the matter clear, when he stated that the cup was the New Covenant in his blood(Luke 22:20; Mark 14:24; Matt. 26:28; 1 Cor. 11:25). But this “cup” was the fruit of the vine — grape juice. Jesus told his disciples to
drink the cup; one does not drink the container, but what is in the container.
     Yes, we Christians believe in the “one cup,” but that one cup is the fruit of the vine — grape juice — which so fitly represents the
blood of the Christ which he poured out at the cross, and whether there is one or a thousand containers in one or a hundred congregations, we still have the one cup.
     The knights of old who searched for the “Holy Grail” were wasting their time — Jesus never “blessed” a container. BACK TO BEGINNING

                          A MEMORIAL

     The Lord’s supper is not a sacrament as some religious people call it, but is simply a memorial to Christ who died for the salvation of
men. He stated that the bread was (represented) his body(Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19), which was given for the purpose of making salvation possible, and the fruit of the vine (represented) his blood which was shed or poured out on Calvary(Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20).
     The argument that the bread and the fruit of the vine are actually his flesh and blood is based upon the fact that the translation of what
Jesus said, “This is my body,” is taken literally, whereas this is a figure of speech in which one item is placed for another without using
the word “represents.” We constantly use the same kind of language, as when one said of another, “His face was marble.” He did not mean that the flesh of his face actually became marble, but that it had the appearance of marble.
     Jesus was sitting in the midst of his disciples in the flesh, with his blood flowing through his veins, and in his hand he held the bread
and the fruit of the vine at the same time. So when the disciples partook of the elements, they were reminded of the death of Christ. Thus
the supper is a memorial, just as Jesus said, “This do . . . in remembrance of me”(1 Cor. 11:25). It is a monument which results in
Christians constantly keeping in mind what Christ did for us, just as a monument erected in a public place reminds men of some event, or of what some man has done.   BACK TO BEGINNING

                         OFFERING THANKS

     There are those who call the Lord’s supper the “Eucharist.” This is a misuse of the word, or words, used by the Bible writers. In our use of words today, we would do well to use the word “thanks.”      It might be said that Jesus did “bless” or “consecrate” the bread
for all time, because of the word that he used in Matthew 26:26, and usually translated “blessed,” but no man today has any authority to so
“bless” or consecrate these elements — all we can - or need to do is to offer thanks to God through Christ for what was done for us.
     Let us also observe that the offering of thanks at the table is not a time for long prayers, but simply an occasion for the offering of
thanks for the bread and fruit of the vine, keeping in mind what they represent. BACK TO BEGINNING

                          TIME of OBSERVANCE

     The first century Christians met upon the first day of the week to break bread (observe the Lord’s supper). When Paul visited Troas(Acts
20:7) he found the Christians meeting upon the first day of the week, and only the self-will of men would decide upon any other time. Each
week has a first day and true lovers of God and the Bible meet upon this day.
     Early writers, outside the Bible, even the enemies of Christians, also testify to the fact that the early Christians met upon the first
day of the week. BACK TO BEGINNING
 

                           WHO IS to PARTAKE

     Baptized (immersed) persons are the ones who have a right to partake of these emblems. Jesus addressed his disciples; the letters are
written to Christians; and it is unthinkable that an unbeliever could partake. It is the Christian who partakes and thus testifies to the
world that he believes in Christ; that he died; rose again, and will return according to his promise. 1 Cor. 11:26. BACK TO BEGINNING
 

                           OFFICIATING at the TABLE

     We often use the term “officiating at the table,” but the Bible does not use that phraseology. One does not have to be an “official” to
serve at the table. Any member of the church may so serve, either for the offering of thanks, or in serving the congregation. Of course, as
the Bible teaches, the men perform these duties as with other public actions such as preaching and praying in the congregational worship.
     We need to study and follow the Biblical teaching and examples.
There is no Scriptural reason for saying the Lord’s supper is the “most important part of the worship.” The prayers, singing, preaching and the teaching are no less important than participating in the Lord’s supper. Contributing of one’s money, time and energies is important in the life of the Christian. One’s entire being should be dedicated to the worship of God and the service of others. BACK TO BEGINNING