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Edward Fudge

THE LOVE-FEAST
A Texas subscriber writes: "I would like to have more information regarding the love feast. It seems to be related to the Lord's Supper or Communion."

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The Bible mentions "love feasts" (or "feasts of charity") only once by that name (Jude 12). Scholars generally agree that this was a common meal at which Christians shared their food and drink. We would probably call it a fellowship meal today. It is likely but not certain that in Jude's day the love feast also included the Lord's Supper (see 1 Cor. 11:20-34). The Greek word koinonia may be translated as either "communion," "fellowship" or "joint participation." The adjective "common" (as in common meal) and the verb "to share" translate other words from the koinonia family in Greek.

Scripture is clear that Jesus personally designated bread and wine to commemorate his sacrificial body and blood (Matt. 26:19-30). Beyond that, however, the Bible is ambiguous about details. The Synoptic Gospels suggest that the Last Supper was a Passover Seder, while John's Gospel seems to place it on the evening before Passover. Luke reports that the earliest disciples "devoted themselves to fellowship, to the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42), and that Paul once joined disciples at Troas "to break bread" (Acts 20:7, 10). It is not clear whether these passages in Acts refer to one activity or to two, or whether either refers to the Communion or Lord's Supper or Eucharist (from the Greek word meaning "a thanksgiving"). By the second century at least, Gentile believers observed the Lord's Supper every Sunday.

Eventually, most Christians shrunk the original meal into a pinch and a sip, and replaced bread and wine with crackers and grape juice. Some observe Communion with solemnity and with liturgy; others reverently but with spontaneous remarks; still others in home gatherings as part of a fellowship meal. Whatever the details of frequency, ritual or form, the important thing is that believers "do this," as Jesus commanded, "in remembrance" of him (1 Cor. 11:24-25). Whenever his people approach this Table in faith, Christ is truly present among them to strengthen, heal and forgive.

For more on the Lord's Supper, click here.