(16) The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (17) For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (18) Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (19) What say I then? that the idol is anything, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? (20) But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (21) Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (22) Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
There is somewhat particularly striking and solemn in this account of the Lord's Supper. Paul calls the service the cup of blessing, and the communion of the blood of Christ; and the bread broken, the communion of the body of Christ; evidently meaning, that all truly regenerated believers, which partake in that feast, being a feast upon the sacrifice, are virtually considered by that act of faith as partaking by fellowship in all the blessings, and benefits of Christ's death. The bread and the cup being one, and all and every individual partaking in the same, manifest thereby, their oneness, and union with Christ as Christ; and their interest, in all that belongs to Christ, as Christ. And the inference the Apostle draws from it, is also as striking. If by this solemn service, believers desire to testify their oneness with Christ; it is impossible after that, that any could be found in the idol's temple. Paul speaks of it with a kind of abhorrence. Can any man drink of the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils? Can any man be partaker of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. Reader! we have no idol sacrifices, no form of religion in this country, where such horrid services are performed. But we have tantamount to graven images, in the follies, and pleasures, which the ungodly and carnal part of mankind, are earnest to mingle up with the mere rituals of worship. And, when we find many, who regularly fill their places at the Lord's table, and as regularly fill their places in the synagogue of Satan, I mean public amusements and diversions; wherein do such differ from the characters the Apostle reprobates in those verses? How very plain and evident is it, therefore, that nothing can lay the foundation for communion with the Lord, but a pre-union with his Person, and an interest in his blood and righteousness. We must be first married to his Person, or there can be no right to any dowry in what belongs to him. First grafted into Christ, as the spiritual vine; or we can bring forth no fruit, as branches in him. The members of the body must he really and truly united to the head, or all vital influence is wanting. I hope the Reader knows by this heart-felt enjoyment, for it is most blessed. And when communion with Christ ariseth from an union with Christ, and the soul of a believer hath not only an habitual state of grace within, but an actual exercise in going forth in desires after Christ, and incomings of blessing from Christ; when prayers go up, and answers come down, and the Lord makes all his goodness pass before us; then a child of God enters into a real soul enjoyment of the Apostle's word : and can truly say, that the cup of blessing, and the bread broken, open sweet communion by faith, both of the body and blood of Christ.