Holy Feast – A Sacrament
IX. Conducting the holy feast
We have to make note of several things when we give the holy feast. If we understand those things then it will be useful for us to conduct and receive the holy feast in the best possible manner.
1. Servants of God
We read in Genesis 14:18 that Melchizedek who gave the bread and cup to Abraham the father of believers was a priest of God Most High. In the Old Testament period high priest and priest of God served in the Church. Levites were helping them. In the New Testament period we have five types of full time ministers such as the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until his people reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13).
Though there are five types of the servants of God in full time ministry, the apostles and the pastors look after the church of God directly. Therefore we can say that the apostles and the pastors of the church are qualified to conduct the holy feast. Prophets, Evangelists and teachers can help those who give the holy feast. They can join hands with the people who are responsible for giving the holy feast.
Husband is the head of the family. Church refers to all believers, the people of God. Christ is the head of the church. In the Old Testament period those whoever served as high priest, priest and Levites were only men.
2. Cup-servers
We understood that the apostles and the pastors of the church have the qualification to give the holy feast. Since holy feast is a sacrament only the anointed servants of God should get involved in conducting the holy feast. When there is large number of people we can make use of the service of the prophets, evangelists and teachers to assist in the serving of the bread and cup. It is good if the people who assist are full time servants of God.
3. Till the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
Holy feast is one of the sacraments offered by the church of God. The church of God follows this till today since the early days of the apostles. The word of God answers to the question how long do we have to follow holy feast. “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.“ (I Corinthians 11:26).
In I Timothy 1:15 we read “Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.” Lord Jesus Christ came as a savior in his first coming. Through his death on the cross he has earned the salvation of the forgiveness of sins to the mankind. Lord Jesus Christ has established holy feast for us to remember this sufferings and death on the cross.
Word of God tells us that we have to practice this holy feast till the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The church of God (all the perfected saints) in the earth which is the body of Christ when they are taken up to the Lord in heaven they will have Lord’s supper along with the Lord Jesus Christ in the kingdom of heaven. Till that day Holy Communion will be given by the church of God. “For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 22:16). “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”