Do We Believe God Regarding Communion: Remembrance?

Hello To All:

The revelational account: part one.

"But in those sacrifices there is a REMEMBRANCE again made of sins every year. (Hebrews 10:3).

The Greek word, translated as "remembrance," in the above text, appears only four times in the New Testament of the King's Book.  It is a power word; and with the inspirational work of the Holy Ghost, working in and through the indwelling and manifesting presence of Jesus Christ, we shall seek an understanding of why it is being referenced as a "power word;" as well as an understanding of how this power word effects the meaning of each of the texts in which it appears.

The other three occurrences, of this Greek word translated as "remembrance," are all related to the Lord's Supper: once in the gospel of Luke (Luke 22:19); and twice in the First letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:24 and 11:25).  There are a number of other Greek words, that are translated into the English word "remembrance;" but, our understanding regarding "communion" and the usage of "remembrance," in the context of communion, will best be facilitated by our recognition of the meaning of "remembrance," in the text from the letter to the Hebrews.  Since an understanding of the context of any given text, is the first step in understanding the full meaning of the text; let us return to the letter to the Hebrews, where we find written (Hebrews 10:1-4):

1. "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect."
2. "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins."
3. "But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year."
4. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins."

The letter to the Hebrews is, among other things, comparing the Old Testament legal system and its complex system of sin sacrifices, including the once a year (referenced in the above text) sacrifice made for all of the sins of the people of Israel. Verse one brings our attention to the burden that the people of Israel were deeply aware of: "The law...can never with those sacrifices...make the comers...perfect."  Verse four affirms this burden: "It is not possible - that the blood - of bulls and goats - should take away sins."

Verse three, in the context of verse one and verse four, takes us to the desperate condition of all those participating in this annual sacrifice for sin: they continue to have a deep and abiding awareness of their sin. And why is this true? Because the "sacrifices" bring "remembrance again" of "sins." The New American Standard Bible translates the Greek of verse three, in this manner: "But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year."

"Remembrance" and "reminder."  As stand alone words, they incline us to think only of memory and remembering. It is certain that past events can have present day consequences. Often, the experience of the consequences, good or bad, will cause us to remember the event. Often, we continue, year after year, to be in bondage to these events. Even the good events can still cause a bondage that effects the very fabric of our lives. Sometimes, in the natural realms, with the help of certain psychological and philosophical means, we can overcome the bondage and be set free from the consequences of these past events.

But, if these past events are violations of God's law; then we have sinned.  There is nothing, in the natural realms, that can separate us from our sin and the consequences of our sin. This was the plight of the nation of Israel, referenced in the text from the letter to the Hebrews. As it is written: "It is not possible - that the blood - of bulls and goats - should take away sins." The natural realm sacrifice of bulls and goats could not separate the people of Israel from their sin. They had a deep and abiding understanding that they were not being made perfect, by these natural realm sacrifices "of bulls and goats." And, why did they have this understanding? Because, as it is written: "...in those sacrifices there is a remembrance..." (Hebrews 10:3).

The power of this "remembrance," was triggered by the "sacrifices." This "remembrance," was not just a memory of some past event. This "remembrance," caused the people of Israel to be confronted with the reality that they were still in bondage to their sin. They were not perfect (verse one). Their sins were not taken away (verse four). The power of sin and the power of "remembrance," with regards to their sin, was their plight.

In conclusion, let us consider the following as a definition for this Greek word translated as remembrance. Remembrance: the power to make a person aware of or be reminded of a specific event or condition or circumstance, in such a way as to bring the event or condition or circumstance into a present day and real time reality.

Until next time, my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus I continue to be:

Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus