The Corinthian church was a group of many problems. They lacked maturity (1Co 3), were puffed up (1Co 4), approved immorality (1Co 5), would take on another to court (1Co 6), used liberty as a stumbling block (1Co 8, 10), doubted Paul's apostleship (1Co 9), misused the Lord's Supper (1Co 11), and perhaps had other errors and shortcomings of which I've not mentioned here. The trouble which occupies our interest today is the last mentioned – their misuse of the Lord's Supper – and more precisely, Paul's instruction to them.

IN EATING, EACH ONE TAKES HIS OWN SUPPER.
A primary purpose for the gathering together of God's people on the Lord's day is to observe the Lord's Supper (Ac 20:7). This simple feast is to bring to our remembrance the things which were accomplished through the body and blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ (Mt 26:26-29; 1Co 11:23-26). Though the Corinthians assembled on the first day of the week, and supposed to keep this memorial, the apostle blatantly remarks, "...when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper." (11:20). Notice the contrast. They did not assemble "...to eat the Lord's Supper...", but rather "...each one takes his own supper..." (11:21). They had completely corrupted this memorial of the Lord – intended for solemn reflection and deep gratification – and used it instead to indulge themselves with food and drink.

What abstract rationale would cause a whole church to achieve such wickedness? The wonderful emblems instituted by our Lord were set aside in favour of meal and beverage. These were consumed, not to proclaim the Lord's death till He comes (11:26), but to allow the lusts of the flesh and pride of life to impose themselves upon their sacred service.

The utter lack of respect and sanctity among these brethren was their undoing in so many ways. The apostle attributed their failure to appropriately observe this remembrance as a reason for their spiritual weakness, sickness and sleep (11:30). He warned them sternly, that to eat and drink of the instructed meal in an unworthy manner brought with it guilt (11:27) and judgment (11:29). And so, his command that they examine themselves, al so take of the bread and wine (11:28).

What conclusion does the apostle draw? It appears twice, once at the beginning of his discussion, and again at the end. He rhetorically asked, "Do you not have houses to eat in?" Brethren, eat your common meals at home, not in the assembly! Again, "...if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment." (11:34). The assembly of the saints was not the time nor the place to fill one's body with food and drink. It is the occasion for those who "...hunger and thirst for righteousness..." (Mt 5:6), that they might be filled.

A DIFFERENT ISSUE, THE SAME CONCLUSION.
I am unaware of any congregation of the Lord's people who today corrupt the Lord's supper in the same fashion as the Corinthians. However, another issue to do with food summons our attention. There are congregations which insist upon using their meeting places – built and maintained for the purpose of worshipping God and studying His word – to share potluck meals in, and engage in a variety of other social activities.

Now, let me say very clearly, I am not opposed to potluck meals. I enjoy the company of my fellow brethren, and I cherish the opportunity to share in the fruits of the fine cooking abilities of our sisters in Christ. I firmly believe that Christians should spend time together, that they should socialize, play board games and card games, and savour one another's companionship in all manner of fun endeavours. The issue is not whether we should strengthen the bonds of friendship and social togetherness, but the where and how.

No instruction is given in the Scriptures with regard to social interaction of Christians, no doubt because this is not an activity of the church. Let me say again, the church is in no way responsible for our social togetherness. Collectively, as the body of Christ, we have responsibilities to spread the gospel to the lost (Mk 16:15-16), to encourage the saints (Heb 3:13; 10:25), and to assist with the benevolent care of needy saints (Ac 11:29-30; 2 Co 8:1-15). If our God-given duties extend beyond these spiritual tasks into the realm of social togetherness, I am unaware of the command, example or inference in Scripture which gives direction to that end.

With regard to these fun endeavours, I chime the very same exclamation that the apostle did with regard to the Corinthians, who used the Lord's supper as an opportunity for a social meal: "What? Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?" To use the facilities which have been acquired and maintained for the worship of God for our social functions is to misuse the Lord's resources for our own purposes. The church is not in the business of social fellowship, but spiritual fellowship. Its responsibility is not to spread a table of physical food, but rather spiritual food.

It is widely understood by those who are members of the body of Christ that we need authority for what we do. Paul wrote, "...whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col 3:17). We cannot use the Lord's resources for our own purposes, and do so "in the name of the Lord." We have then stepped beyond our place as a faithful servant of the Lord, to grasping and misusing His assets.

I was once told that the church building was merely an extension of our homes, and that anything we could do in good conscience at home, could likewise be done in the meetinghouse. Such reasoning begins with a false premise – the church building is NOT mine, it is the Lord's. With the same reasoning, I could conclude that the treasury is merely an extension of my own bank account, and that anything I can do in good conscience with my bank account, can likewise be done with the treasury. Surely the foolish error of such a thought can be seen.

The Lord's treasury, and the building which it is used to maintain belong to the Lord, and are to be employed for His cause. Three general areas of work are authorized for the church to engage in: evangelism, edification, and benevolence. Anything beyond these cannot be done "in the name of the Lord".

Should we engage in social activities with fellow Christians? Absolutely! But let's be sure to do it with our own resources and in our own houses, not the Lord's. Jesus, seeing the misuse of the temple cleared it, declaring, "It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a ‘den of thieves'." (Mt 21:13). Our meetinghouses are to be houses of prayer, and study, and spiritual fellowship, not halls of social clubbing. May we seek to glorify God in all that we do, including our use of His money and His buildings.

Click here for this week's Answering The Atheist
Was Abiathar the father (2 Sam 8:17; 1 Chr 18:16; 24:6) or son (1 Sam 22:20; 23:6) of Ahimelech? Is there a contradiction?