My Dear Bible Study Family,
We scratched the surface of V.17-26 this morning, and will finish chapter 11 next Sunday. Paul levels his fatherly admonition at this carnal church, that was allowing, even inviting the celebration of pagan feasts into their worship, and then tagging on the Lord’s Supper at the end of their feasts of gluttony and drunkenness. Paul warns them of the dangers they faced with the divisions and heresies that have crept in.
This is a dangerous area to operate in, because God values the purity of the Lord’s Supper, because it represents the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul explains that he received instruction directly from the Lord, while he was in Arabia, being prepared to take the gospel to the Gentile world.
Galatians 1:15-18: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
Paul did not receive any instruction about the Lord’s Supper from any of the Apostles. It can directly from the Lord. Verse 23 clearly states where his understanding came from — For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you…
It is very plain that Paul’s authority is solely based in Jesus Christ, not any approval from Peter, James, or John. His instruction to them can be directly applied to the church today. We would do well to make sure that we pay attention to his warnings, because trouble awaits anyone who ignores what we will study this coming Sunday.