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The New Testament church consistently celebrated the Lord’s Supper. It was fundamental to their practice.
Covenantal Celebration During this present age, the New Testament church is the beneficiary of the Eternal Covenant. Its glorious benefit is union of life with the mediator of the covenant, Jesus Christ. (John 14:19-20; 17:21; 2 Corinthians 4:7-11; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21; 1 John 5:11-12; etc.) Much more than a solemn religious activity characterized by a thimble of juice and a small piece of cracker, it was a celebration of the indwelling Christ, the life (zoe) of the church, and His role in the fulfillment of the redemptive Eternal Covenant. |
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Covenantal Sign
The observance of the Lord’s Supper was not only a covenantal celebration but a covenantal sign. It was the sign of the redemptive Eternal Covenant. Like every other major covenant of the Bible, the Eternal Covenant was recognized by a sign. Implemented by God, covenantal signs constitute a visible representation of the purpose and fidelity of His covenants. For the benefit of mankind in general, the sign of the Renovation Covenant was the tree of life (zoe). It was symbolic of the provision of eternal life (zoe) available to mankind after the renovation of the earth. (Genesis 2:9; Revelation 22:2; 14) The Noahic Covenant was also intended to benefit mankind in general. Its sign was the rainbow, symbolic of the continuation of the provision of eternal life (zoe) that again became available to mankind after the flood. (Genesis 9:12-17). The Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New covenants were specifically designed to benefit the nation of Israel. The sign of the Abrahamic Covenant was circumcision. It was symbolic of the removal of the old, temporal life and therefore, the provision of new, eternal life (zoe). (Genesis 17:9-14; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:29). The sign of the Mosaic Covenant was the Sabbath. It was symbolic of the rest associated with eternal life (zoe). (Exodus 31:12-17) The sign of the Davidic Covenant was the throne of eternal life (zoe). It was symbolic of the rule of eternal life (zoe). (2 Samuel 7:4-17) The sign of the New Covenant will not the throne of life (zoe) but the ruler of life (zoe) on the throne. It will be satisfied in the future through the Millennial reign of Jesus the Christ, the “Prince of life (zoe),” on the throne. (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 72; 89:20-37). In distinct contrast to other covenantal signs, the sign of the Eternal Covenant is a meal. It is symbolic of fellowship with God, the sharer of eternal life (zoe). In the Old Testament era, the symbolic meal was celebrated by the Jewish Passover. During the Church Age, it has been celebrated by the Lord’s Supper. The purpose of both meals will be fulfilled in the future by the heavenly “Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” Passover The Jewish Passover was a celebration. Fundamentally, it celebrated two things: the sparing of the firstborn of the Israelites from the plague of death and the freedom of Israel from enslavement to Egypt. According to the stipulations of the Passover celebration, the ancient Israelites were instructed to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood on the posts and lintel of the door to their houses. (Exodus 12:1-7) Wherever the blood was applied, the Lord would spare the firstborn of the household. “For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you.” (Exodus 12:23) Afterward, the Israelites were directed to eat a symbolic, celebratory meal. (Exodus 12:8-11) It was to include a sacrificial lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. In the Old Testament, both the Passover Feast and the nation of Egypt are examples of typology. “A type is a shadow cast on the pages of Old Testament history by a truth whose full embodiment or antitype is found in the New Testament revelation.”[1] The Old Testament Passover meal was a type for the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. (Exodus 12:5; 6; 46; cf. Matthew 27:46; John 19:33-37; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19) Relative to its role in the captivity of Israel, Egypt presented a type for enslavement to sin and death. Congruent with the definition of typology, these two examples are explored more fully in the New Testament. (Galatians 4:2; Romans 6:17; 1 Corinthians 10:1ff) The Jewish Feast of Passover was a celebration of deliverance from enslavement to sin and death through the payment of a sacrifice. It was an Old Testament type that looked forward to ultimate deliverance from sin and death realized through the future arrival of the Messiah and His role in the fulfillment of the stipulations of the Eternal Covenant. The elements of the Passover meal were symbolic of Messiah Jesus and His sacrificial work. He is identified in the New Testament as the “true” Lamb of God. (John 1:29, 36; Revelation 5:6-12) The blood of the Passover lamb, the unleavened bread, and the bitter herbs were symbolic of the pain and suffering associated with His sacrificial death. It is clear then that the Old Testament Passover celebration emphasized the sacrificial death of the Messiah in the future. It would initiate the fulfillment of the redemptive covenant of life (zoe), the Eternal Covenant. Eternal Covenant Like other divine or heavenly covenants, the Eternal Covenant was characterized by at least four essential elements. Although some variation may occur, they included: |
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The preamble and background of the Eternal Covenant were established in eternity. Its participants were the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Their identity and relationship are illuminated throughout the pages of Scripture.
The stipulations of the Eternal Covenant were initiated between the members of the Godhead before the foundation of the world and fulfilled in time. Redemptive in nature, they included the willing death of the Son, His resurrection by the Father, and their application to fallen humanity by the Spirit. The ratification of the Eternal Covenant was also fulfilled in time. It was accomplished through the event commonly referred to as the “Last Supper.” Ratification “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. ‘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’.” (Matthew 26:26-29) While Jesus was eating the supper of ratification with His disciples, He called upon the Father and gave a blessing. It emphasized the importance of the event. During the meal, Jesus ratified the Eternal Covenant with an oath. He promised, “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.” The oath of ratification was a promise of kingdom citizenship for His disciples. The meal of ratification for the Eternal Covenant was fulfilled during a celebration of the Jewish Passover. Therefore, it must be clarified that the "Last Supper" was celebrated as a full meal. The elements of the bread and cup associated with the meal of ratification were symbolic of the sacrificial death of Christ. It would occur shortly after the meal of ratification by the fulfillment of the stipulations of the Eternal Covenant through the death and resurrection of the Christ. Without the death of Christ there would have been no resurrection, either for Christ or His disciples. Consequently, the promise of new life (zoe) and kingdom citizenship would have remained unfulfilled. The ratification of the redemptive Eternal Covenant was not only characterized by the statement of an oath but accompanied by a sign. Through the oath His disciples were provided with the promise of kingdom citizenship. “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.” (Matthew 26:29) As indicated, the sign of the covenant was the meal of ratification. The early New Testament church celebrated the past ratification of the Eternal Covenant with a meal. However, it was no longer the feast of Passover. Instead, the church looked backwards to the ratification of the Eternal Covenant through the “Agape Feast” or the “Lord’s Supper.” (Jude 12) © 2025 James Hiatt |
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