{"id":6230,"date":"2022-04-12T19:12:53","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T16:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jwforum.net\/portal\/?p=6230"},"modified":"2022-04-12T19:12:53","modified_gmt":"2022-04-12T16:12:53","slug":"why-do-jehovahs-witnesses-observe-the-lords-supper-differently-from-the-way-other-religions-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jwforum.net\/portal\/why-do-jehovahs-witnesses-observe-the-lords-supper-differently-from-the-way-other-religions-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses Observe the Lord\u2019s Supper Differently From the Way Other Religions Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We adhere strictly to the Bible in our observance of the Lord\u2019s Evening Meal, which is also known as \u201cthe Lord\u2019s supper,\u201d the Last Supper, and the Memorial of Jesus\u2019 death. (1\u00a0Corinthians 11:20<\/a>;\u00a0King\u00a0James Version<\/em>) In contrast, many beliefs and practices of other denominations in connection with this observance are not based on the Bible.<\/p>\n

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Purpose<\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/span>The purpose of the Lord\u2019s Evening Meal is to remember Jesus, showing our gratitude for his sacrifice in our behalf. (Matthew 20:28;<\/a>\u00a01\u00a0Corinthians 11:24<\/a>) The observance is not a sacrament, or a religious practice that imparts merit such as grace or the forgiveness of sins.\u00a0<\/span>*<\/a>\u00a0The Bible teaches that our sins can be forgiven, not by a religious rite, but only through faith in Jesus.\u200b\u2014Romans 3:\u200b25;<\/a>\u00a01\u00a0John 2:\u200b1,\u00a02<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How often?<\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/span>Jesus commanded his disciples to commemorate the Lord\u2019s Evening Meal, but he did not specifically say how often. (Luke 22:19<\/a>) Some feel that it should be observed monthly, while others observe it weekly, daily, several times each day, or as often as a person feels is appropriate.\u00a0<\/span>*<\/a>\u00a0However, here are some factors that should be considered.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Jesus instituted the Lord\u2019s Evening Meal on the date of the Jewish Passover, and he died later that same day. (Matthew 26:\u200b1,\u00a02<\/a>) This was no coincidence. The Scriptures compare Jesus\u2019 sacrifice to that of the Passover lamb. (1\u00a0Corinthians 5:\u200b7,\u00a08<\/a>) The Passover was observed once each year. (Exodus 12:\u200b1-6;<\/a>\u00a0Leviticus 23:5<\/a>) Likewise, the Memorial of Jesus\u2019 death was observed once each year by the early Christians,\u00a0<\/span>*<\/a>\u00a0and Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses follow that Bible-based pattern.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Date and time<\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/span>The pattern established by Jesus helps determine not only the frequency but also the date and time of the Memorial. He introduced the observance after sundown on Nisan 14, 33\u00a0C.E., according to the Bible\u2019s lunar calendar. (Matthew 26:18-\u200b20,<\/a>\u00a026<\/a>) We continue to observe the Memorial on this date each year, following the practice of early Christians.\u00a0<\/span>*<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Although Nisan 14, 33\u00a0C.E. was a Friday, the anniversary of that date might fall on a different day of the week each year. We determine the date that Nisan 14 falls each year using the same method as was used in the time of Jesus, rather than applying the method used for the modern Jewish calendar.\u00a0<\/span>*<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"\"Bread and wine<\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/span>For the new observance, Jesus used unleavened bread and red wine that were left over from the Passover meal. (Matthew 26:26-\u200b28<\/a>) Following his example, we use bread without leaven or added ingredients and plain red wine, not grape juice or wine that has been sweetened, fortified, or spiced.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Some denominations use bread with leavening or yeast, but leaven is often used in the Bible as a symbol of sin and corruption. (Luke 12:1;<\/a>\u00a01\u00a0Corinthians 5:\u200b6-8;<\/a>\u00a0Galatians 5:\u200b7-9<\/a>) Thus, only bread free from leaven and other additives can be a fitting symbol for Christ\u2019s sinless body. (1\u00a0Peter 2:\u200b22<\/a>) Another practice not supported by the Bible is that of substituting unfermented grape juice for wine. Some churches do so because of their unscriptural prohibition against consuming alcohol.\u200b\u20141\u00a0Timothy 5:\u200b23<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Emblems, not literal flesh and blood<\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/span>The unleavened bread and red wine served at the Memorial are emblems, or symbols, of Christ\u2019s flesh and blood. They are not miraculously changed into or mixed with his literal flesh and blood, as some feel. Consider the Scriptural basis for this understanding.<\/p>\n